Anonymous wrote:You should check out their college list. If you are in Fairfax County, the Public Schools would be better. I knew some kids who went there...middle of the road students...nice but not superstars.

Many of us have middle of the road students and are looking for good schools for them. Not everyone is gunning for Harvard.

You should check out their college list. If you are in Fairfax County, the Public Schools would be better. I knew some kids who went there...middle of the road students...nice but not superstars.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Terrible academics. Really bottom of the barrel Catholic school. Many better Catholic high schools —> STJ, GP, SR, Gonzaga, Visi, OLGC, maybe even BI. Don’t waste your money.

wow BI in your list? Seriously? That ruined any credibility you might have had with most.

And good counsel? Come on. It’s the O’Connell of Maryland. If OP lives near DJO, then they aren’t sending their kid to GC. I agree that Gonzaga is much better sports wise and academically.

It is a wonderful school that provides a catholic education to a wide variety of students, so for the PP dismissing it as not academic enough, it’s mission is not to serve only gifted students. In addition to great sports it has a excellent theatre and music program.

Of all the schools for all my 4 kids, O’Connell stands apart as the very best experience for my kid. Who went on to a top 50 college and then top 10 MBA. The school is s big mix —take what you want. And it can be great.

My kid is a freshman so can’t personally comment much with a week of experience. Chose it over BI, which is closer to our home, as it’s a bigger school and seemed to have more varied opportunities. Also seemed to have smaller average class sizes on paper, and the tour and admissions process was much more personal. We’ve been very impressed with the Head of School, who took time to meet and talk to us (and I assume everyone who tours) last fall. DH and I would describe ourselves as liberal and our kid is coming from a k-8 parochial. So far, it’s been a welcoming environment (my kid knew absolutely no one going in). A friend’s kid chose it over BI, too, but couldn’t handle the to/from logistics after a year so left O’Connell and transferred to BI, though says they still prefer O’Connell after experiencing both. Just couldn’t make the commute work long term.

Used to have some really spoiled kids. Not sure about now.

Anonymous wrote:Terrible academics. Really bottom of the barrel Catholic school. Many better Catholic high schools —> STJ, GP, SR, Gonzaga, Visi, OLGC, maybe even BI. Don’t waste your money.

To paraphrase Dwight from The Office, “False!” Are GP, GZ, SR and Visi better on the whole? Probably, but if co-Ed is important then they don’t fit the bill. They are also not in VA. SJC is great if you’re in the Benilde program. But I think the difference between SJC and DJO is more about location than it is quality. DJO has a better reputation than BI and PVI. OP, if you are interested go tour it. We did last year and I was more impressed than I thought I would be. My DC did not go there but we are friends with 8 or 10 families that are current students. No it’s not “terrible academics” nor is is noticeably conservative. It’s Catholic so you will find some conservatives. But it’s also Arlington so it draws from a center left population. It’s a big enough school most kids can find their tribe.

Anonymous wrote:Terrible academics. Really bottom of the barrel Catholic school. Many better Catholic high schools —> STJ, GP, SR, Gonzaga, Visi, OLGC, maybe even BI. Don’t waste your money.

wow BI in your list? Seriously? That ruined any credibility you might have had with most.

Anonymous wrote:Terrible academics. Really bottom of the barrel Catholic school. Many better Catholic high schools —> STJ, GP, SR, Gonzaga, Visi, OLGC, maybe even BI. Don’t waste your money.

Wow, you much have at least 7 kids then if you personally know the ins and outs of all those schools. Obviously the voice of first-hand authority

My two kids are currently students at O'Connell. It is a wonderful environment. Excellent academics and a very warm community. My younger one was extremely shy and unsure of herself all through middle school but has grown so much at O'Connell. It may have happened regardless, but I am not so sure. There is just something that gently nurtures personal growth and independence there. Good luck in your search OP.

Terrible academics. Really bottom of the barrel Catholic school. Many better Catholic high schools —> STJ, GP, SR, Gonzaga, Visi, OLGC, maybe even BI. Don’t waste your money.

Very very conservative. 🔥

Anonymous wrote:This would be for a conservative Catholic family who lives in Va. We can afford independent but child has heard there is more of a fun sports following there and their curriculum also looks good. Straight A student coming from an independent school and child also indicated they want hs closer to home. Thank you.

I don’t know about its political leanings, but my DS strongly considered it. I’ve had conservative friends send their kids there and I’ve had liberal friends send their kids there, so my guess it has a mix of both. It has a terrific sports culture (one of the reasons my non-sporty DS did not choose it). It’s part of the powerhouse WCAC conference with PVI, Gonzaga, SJC, Ireton, DeMatha etc. One of the top 5 athletic conferences in the country for HS sports. It also has good academics, if you want them, though more of a mix than most of the top independents. Plenty of AP choices and good college placement.

This would be for a conservative Catholic family who lives in Va. We can afford independent but child has heard there is more of a fun sports following there and their curriculum also looks good. Straight A student coming from an independent school and child also indicated they want hs closer to home. Thank you.