Anonymous wrote:Holy Trinity is a liberal Catholic parish. After all, it's run by the Jesuits! Due to its location, must of the families at the school are wealthy.

Liberal is a relative term.

The Jesuits have a different take in many things than a more conservative parish (i.e. St Jane de Chantal or St Barts) but that doesn't make them all that Liberal.

The priests of the same Jesuit order also run Gonzaga and Georgetown Prep. These are not hotbeds of Liberalism.

These are tough because as parents we have our own priorities that may differ from others. I read this thread before enrolling my child and since most of the comments were positive, I felt comfortable enrolling my child. I thought a school in Georgetown was going to prepare my child for a top high school because the standards would likely be high. Well, buyer beware!

I'm a parent and honestly I'm not impressed with the school. Start with the facility. The facility is dated with few physical resources like a gym and music room at the lower school. Honestly, the physical plant is a dump. Peeling paint, cracked doors- it looks like an inner city school from the 70s with the old tile floors.

If you take the building away from Georgetown, I doubt parents would consider it.

The teachers turnover, and the curriculum is not as competitive as it should be. Most of the teachers are old school and not very friendly at all. The new teachers seem lost and uncertain. The tuition is not as high as that of a private school, but it is still expensive in this day and age. If you live in DC, I know your options are limited for public education. I would spend the extra dollars and enroll my child in Georgetown Prep other prestigious private schools that have the facilities, top notch curriculum and programs.

Also, although I am not a minority, I am appalled by the lack of diversity. This school touts it, but it is not true. There are no black lead teachers ( a few assistants), very few black students - I think I saw 3 in fourth grade, 1 in preschool, 3 in kindergarten, a few Latino kids, a handful of Asian. There is a black lower school administrator this year so maybe that will help with a more diverse population.

I really don't think that HTS is as prestigious of a school as parents may think. I believe that there are many much better schools than it and parents should really spend time there before making a final decision. Tour the "campus", the computer room, the music room,' the art room. Ask about the after school programs. Spend time in the classroom - how many computers? Smart boards that work? Tour the library and meet the staff. Are they personable? What books are on the shelves? You may not like what you see.

I don't agree pp and I live in Georgetown. We found that most of the kids came from outside of the neighborhood.

Holy Trinity is a liberal Catholic parish. After all, it's run by the Jesuits! Due to its location, must of the families at the school are wealthy.

Can anyone share info on where most of the kids live? We are in DC. Also wondering about the overall culture of the school. Are there many children of wealthy parents who have an over-sized sense of entitlement? It doesn't seem that way but I don't have much to go on. Thanks!

What happened to Kim Crismali who was the Admissions Director for many years? Why was she replaced?

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I should clarify, they left for other private schools, not public. I would agree that you would have a better chance in terms of placement for the catholic high schools if you went to HT for middle versus public school.

That's because there is a relationship of trust between the HT administration and the Gonzaga and Visi admissions people. The high schools know what they are getting .... in terms of the child and the parents.

Gonzaga is a wonderful school and a great experience. But they have their own way of doing things that helicopter parents will find impervious. And there are a surplus of applicants.

I think that in every school there are cliques - and in small schools where the kids have been together for so long they can be more obvious. That being said, the "mean girls" of the past several years have graduated and the kids in 7th and 8th now seem more welcoming and diverse.

However, I am curious to see how things play out over the next several years. With so much change in the lower school - and more families leaving, the middle school won't have as many "lifers" as they have had in the past. That could be better socially - with more "outsiders" coming in for later grades and being in the same boat. (As opposed to one or two new students every year who are left out)

Academically, it isn't as strong as other schools - but if your goal is visi or gonzaga it is a good choice.

Maybe I should clarify, they left for other private schools, not public. I would agree that you would have a better chance in terms of placement for the catholic high schools if you went to HT for middle versus public school.

.... and I know families that started there in MS with the hope of moving their child from public shcool to a good feeder school for Catholioc School.

They were very happy with the Gonzaga and Visi placement.

Not a parent, but I know a few families that went to holy trinity and enjoyed the elementary years but felt that the school wasn't that strong for the upper grades. Most left by middle school.

We found it sexist. Boys were chosen for leadership roles in large part. But, visit and see if it has changed. Hopefully, it has.

Thank you. Can you please share why it doesn't work as well for girls and why you didn't like it? We have a middle school daughter.

We didn't care for it but we have a girl. I think it's great for boys.

Holy Trinity parents, are you happy with the school socially and academically for middle school? Thanks in advance!