OP If you want to compare schools, that have similiar profiles to MON look at St.E's Rockville or St. John's in Frederick. I realize they are a hike from the Gaithersburg/ Darnestown area but as PP mentioned the schools really aren't going after the same demographics. I wouldn't waste your time at MOG due to history or St. Martin's unless you are comfortable in a very heavily hispanic environment. St.E's and St. John's have good reputations and I believe robust enrollment too.

The three schools could not be different from each other in almost every possible way. You need to go visit them and see where your family fits best.

I posted the URL.

I grew up around here and the MOG cult stuff was alive and well into the 90s and 2000s as far as I know. It was something we used to joke about in more liberal DC-Bethesda Catholic quarters. In fact, Montgomery Village still carries kind of a stigma of MOG among many natives.

Formal support of the Archdiocese just means they cleared up the dirtiest of their laundry.

I would liken them to Linton Hall in Bristow, Oakcrest, or the Heights in terms of conservatism.

Anonymous wrote:Re: Mother of God, this is worth a read.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/library/mog/mogmain.htm

I'm the first person who responded to you. I read part of this article and it reinforces the rumor mill I heard in high school. I didn't know if it was true so I didn't want to post it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re: Mother of God, this is worth a read.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/library/mog/mogmain.htm

Thanks for posting this. What was it about the area that attracted the cult and cult-like church communities (Covenant Life anyone?)

lol..CLC member here for over 20+ years who doesn't feel like it's a cult-like church. Then again I'm more of an outlier...haven't really experience anything described like MOG. However others close to the top may have.

I need more info about the MOG cult situation! It is fascinating. What is it like now? Anyone grow up in the community?

Anonymous wrote:Re: Mother of God, this is worth a read.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/library/mog/mogmain.htm

Thanks for posting this. What was it about the area that attracted the cult and cult-like church communities (Covenant Life anyone?)

My kid went to MOG for a couple of years recently leaving in 6th. Extremely diverse school. Check their exmissions stats if going on a catholic HS is important to you. We moved her as we didn't think she was being challenged enough. Classes are small with a lot of individual attention.

MON - know quite a few kids that have gone their recently. Their placement to other catholic HS this year is excellent.

Anonymous wrote:Very interesting story, but it looks like that was a long time ago. What is MOG like now?

The only child I know who goes there dresses like an Amish girl. And never allowed to wear shorts or even pants. Always long dresses. Extremely conservative family.

Very interesting story, but it looks like that was a long time ago. What is MOG like now?

Re: Mother of God, this is worth a read.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/library/mog/mogmain.htm

Great info! Thank you so much. I will definitely check out Mary of Nazareth. ~OP

Great question.

I went to school with kids from Mother of God (community church) 20 years ago. The kids were very nice. They had a reputation of being extremely conservative. I got the feeling the school was the same way. Of course my info is way dated.


My kids currently attend MON and have for many years. The campus is gorgeous. MON is a great school. I have yet to meet a child who doesn't love the school. Academically, I find the school to be challenging for my kids. They have high expectations. The school also won the Blue Ribbon award a few years ago. The parents are involved ....maybe too involved. The current HSA president is extremely nice and the principal does a good job running the school. They are having an Open House in the fall. Call the school if you are interested. Tuition has remained low due to heavy donations and robust enrollment. Community is affluent but not rich generally speaking. Based on where people live/occupation, I would guess normal incomes are in the 150-300 range though I know 4 families that are most likely in the sub 100k range.


We looked at St. Martin's also before we enrolled in K. The kids we met at the Open House seemed nice but it is very, very heavily hispanic. I almost felt like if we had enrolled, we would have gone to the Spanish school. I also got the impression that the families aren't as affluent. When we went to the Open House one of the boys had ripped pants and another had a patch on his. That's not necessarily a bad thing...I don't want to raise a snob either. I just felt like that MON would have better resources in terms of financial stability, parent involvement (lots of stay at home moms), better test scores etc...

What can you tell me about these three schools? How do they compare? Moving to the area. Thanks!