Our kid looked at both, so it isn't crazy. Not everyone who lives in Virginia wants the daily commute to DC or Maryland privates, especially if both parents work in Virginia. The schools are totally different though. O'Connell is a typical high school with sports and a much larger student body. The kids also take religion as a required class. They offer a full range of AP classes and generous scholarships if your kid scores high enough on the entrance exam. We felt like our kid would be challenged academically if he went there.

That said, our kid ended up choosing BIM, which I know many people on DCUM will think is crazy. However, our kid loved the small student body and the chance to do independent and accelerated study. The advantage to the smaller class size is that the teachers just move on once the kids have mastered the content. I don't understand the comments that I always see on here about BIM just teaching to the AP exam, because that has not been our experience. Our kid is going way deeper into the content than he ever did in public school. Many of the high school kids stay after school to do passion projects with the teachers, which the teachers seem to enjoy as much as the kids. It has more of a PhD program vibe than a high school vibe, which isn't for everyone, but certain types of kids will love it. A lot of people on this board criticize BASIS for the lack of a sports program (which it doesn't have). However, the kids who go there were never going to be varsity recruited athletes in their public schools, so I don't think they care. It is sort of a nerdy school. There are plenty of other more cerebral clubs available, and BIM has been doing extremely well in competitions like debate, quiz bowl, computer programming, Science Olympiad, etc. The debate team was just on the front page of the Sun Gazette after placing 1st in the entire Washington region (over public and private schools) and advancing to the national level.

You know your kid best, and your kid should be able to quickly figure out which school is the best fit (they really are very different!). Good luck!

My bad. My wife told me the Bishop shadow is until May 22. My DD already did the BIM visit.

BTW, we did the applications very late as we recently decided to move from MD to McLean. Thank goodness these two schools have rolling admissions as we missed the deadline for the other private schools. Langley HS is a great option if she didn’t get accepted but we rather a private school.

Looks like a BIM booster started this to get free publicity for BIM. As usual. BIM boosters - just pay Jeff to run your ads.

Anonymous wrote:They aren’t even remotely alike.

+1. Could not be more different.

Has she visited each? They aren’t even remotely alike.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - If you are truly willing to send your daughter to either, have her shadow at each school. I'd be shocked if she didn't have a preference after that.

Thank you. She shadowed BIM and will shadow Bishop next week.

Next week there will be AP tests. Sounds like your DD would want to shadow an honors kid, but school may feel a little different. This is an odd time to shadow, tbh.

This.
This whole thread feels off.

So, did you pay deposits for both of these schools and sign contracts? Seems most people already made enrollment decisions so I’m confused about timing. These schools could not be more different. If your child just wants to go to academic classes and come home, BIM is fine for that. If she wants a more traditional school environment with a sense of community and social aspects, DJO is the way to go.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - If you are truly willing to send your daughter to either, have her shadow at each school. I'd be shocked if she didn't have a preference after that.

Thank you. She shadowed BIM and will shadow Bishop next week.

Next week there will be AP tests. Sounds like your DD would want to shadow an honors kid, but school may feel a little different. This is an odd time to shadow, tbh.

How are you only deciding this now? Decisions and deposits were due weeks ago.

The only kid that I’ve known who stuck it out at BASIS is so off the charts intelligent and introverted … they basically do independent study there because public schools and other private don’t know what to do with them. It’s been an excellent fit and their college choices were unbelievable. This particular student had no interest in any traditional high school experiences. While at O’Connell, we have known about a dozen kids and the mix is more like a traditional high school. Some athletes, some really smart kids and in between.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Niche is fake. It's pay to play. The more you pay the higher they put you on the list. Not legit.

Then what’s the alternative? U.S. News & World Report doesn’t rate/rank VA private schools.

It’s high school. Pick the one that is the right fit for your kid—and these two schools are unlikely to both be great fits for the same kid; they are too different. If the most important thing is the ranking, move to LA or NYC or send your kid to boarding school. Several schools in those categories blow the best NWDC schools out of the water.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Troll post

I hope you’re not referring to me, the OP.

I am not trolling. My daughter debating between the two. BIM is definitely better academically but no sports and other HS clubs/activities. I told her that her club soccer would be fine. She can join a VA and MD club team if she wants to play soccer during the Fall and Spring season if going to BIM.

I not people here don’t trust Niche rankings, but is there another source we can look at?

There is no comparison why are you even asking?

Because both school accepted her and she’s asking for my input. Before giving her my advice, I wanted to get input from DCUM.

I just can’t imagine that anyone would have both of these on their list. Polar opposite schools, totally different personalities.

Anonymous wrote:A homophobic transphobic co-workers’ kids attend Bishop O’Connell. I was shocked. Ya l look like your average straight middle aged white lady but l didn’t appreciate his open bigotry in the workplace.

If that’s the kind of families the school attracts, no thanks.

I think BIM has its place. Nerds who would go to TJ. I like nerds and am an engineer, that’s not meant to be insulting coming from me.

So….l think they attract a very different family / student population.

That is not typical of O’Connell. It’s Catholic, of course, and leans conservative, but not to that extreme.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Niche is fake. It's pay to play. The more you pay the higher they put you on the list. Not legit.

Then what’s the alternative? U.S. News & World Report doesn’t rate/rank VA private schools.

Because ranking private schools is a joke.

A homophobic transphobic co-workers’ kids attend Bishop O’Connell. I was shocked. Ya l look like your average straight middle aged white lady but l didn’t appreciate his open bigotry in the workplace.

If that’s the kind of families the school attracts, no thanks.

I think BIM has its place. Nerds who would go to TJ. I like nerds and am an engineer, that’s not meant to be insulting coming from me.

So….l think they attract a very different family / student population.