Anonymous
02/01/2026 19:52
Subject: Re:St Barts
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The “bro” culture has not been our experience. We really like St. Bart’s. As another poster recommended, go tour and talk to current parents. It’s hard to know how much to weigh feedback one way or the other on an anonymous forum.
Especially here where one poster takes every opportunity to criticize the school and the headmaster. A parent and parishioner called her out on this some months ago in a post in which she identified herself. The critic crawled back into her hole.
It’s very unlikely that St Barts is “bro” heavy given it’s proximity to all boys Mater Dei, which is heavy into sports. If these parish schools are girl heavy —-and they frequently are—- then it’s Mater Dei that’s a major cause.
I’d dismiss the claims of this particular malcontent, if I were you. If you understand the landscape of the Catholic K8’s in Bethesda - Potomac, you can appreciate her claims are ridiculous. And driven by animus.
Isn't the prinipal from Mater Dei? It is within reason that he brought that vibe with him.
Yes. Heceorked at MD for years. Yes, he very much brought the culture with him. Was not great for girls so we moved on.
Anonymous
02/01/2026 19:43
Subject: St Barts
Anonymous wrote:Wow. Not sure what is wrong with the angry parent above. There is a deeper issue there. Saint Barts is a fantastic school, the parent community, teachers, parish and Mr. Giblin have made it a great place for my children.
Tough school to brake into socially. It comes from the top down. Principal is pretty intense. Might want to spend some time googling. You will catch on to the vibe.
Anonymous
02/01/2026 19:42
Subject: St Barts
I clicked into this thread under the assumption the topic was spring break vacation locations
Anonymous
02/01/2026 19:22
Subject: Re:St Barts
Anonymous wrote:Unsure what happened to the PP that gave her such a vendetta against a school she is no longer affiliated with, to the point that she still comments on every single post about the school, but if prospective families want to talk to CURRENT parents, there are plenty who would be happy to share more balanced perspectives.
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned or ignored or whatever"
Anonymous
02/01/2026 18:09
Subject: Re:St Barts
Unsure what happened to the PP that gave her such a vendetta against a school she is no longer affiliated with, to the point that she still comments on every single post about the school, but if prospective families want to talk to CURRENT parents, there are plenty who would be happy to share more balanced perspectives.
Anonymous
02/01/2026 16:44
Subject: St Barts
Wow. Not sure what is wrong with the angry parent above. There is a deeper issue there. Saint Barts is a fantastic school, the parent community, teachers, parish and Mr. Giblin have made it a great place for my children.
Anonymous
02/01/2026 16:05
Subject: St Barts
As a current parent, I’m just glad this poster doesn’t attend. You seem to be an angry person.I will pray for you.
Anonymous
02/01/2026 14:11
Subject: Re:St Barts
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The “bro” culture has not been our experience. We really like St. Bart’s. As another poster recommended, go tour and talk to current parents. It’s hard to know how much to weigh feedback one way or the other on an anonymous forum.
Especially here where one poster takes every opportunity to criticize the school and the headmaster. A parent and parishioner called her out on this some months ago in a post in which she identified herself. The critic crawled back into her hole.
It’s very unlikely that St Barts is “bro” heavy given it’s proximity to all boys Mater Dei, which is heavy into sports. If these parish schools are girl heavy —-and they frequently are—- then it’s Mater Dei that’s a major cause.
I’d dismiss the claims of this particular malcontent, if I were you. If you understand the landscape of the Catholic K8’s in Bethesda - Potomac, you can appreciate her claims are ridiculous. And driven by animus.
Isn't the prinipal from Mater Dei? It is within reason that he brought that vibe with him.
Oh brother. This sounds like any public school.
No
I would not say the school has a bro vibe at all. There is something for everyone. The after school chess club is one of the most well-attended clubs at the school. The art teacher is phenomenal and students get published and showcase their art at exhibitions every year. They also offer coding classes, taekwondo, and music classes. Students participate in the weekly masses and spring musical. My kids are confident public speakers because they began presenting to their classes in prek. Some teachers formed a girls enrichment club this year. I could go on. I am sorry the poster had a negative experience with the principal, but the accusations of a toxic bro culture are not grounded in reality. At all.
The moms at St. Bart's are totall a-holes, like they think they're so special because their kids go to what is, face it, a lower-tier private school. It doesn't have to be that way. But it is. Pathetic.
Anonymous
01/19/2026 13:39
Subject: St Barts
Anonymous wrote:Are they able to accommodate adhd/anxiety?
No. Not any more. Look at St. Rafeal and Mercy.
Anonymous
01/19/2026 13:15
Subject: St Barts
Anonymous wrote:Are they able to accommodate adhd/anxiety?
Class sizes are very small, which is beneficial for kids with adhd and anxiety. Teachers in the younger grades are accommodating. As workload has increased in middle school, we have had to rely more on outside support for EF, etc.
Anonymous
01/19/2026 11:47
Subject: St Barts
Are they able to accommodate adhd/anxiety?
Anonymous
01/17/2026 21:27
Subject: Re:St Barts
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The “bro” culture has not been our experience. We really like St. Bart’s. As another poster recommended, go tour and talk to current parents. It’s hard to know how much to weigh feedback one way or the other on an anonymous forum.
Especially here where one poster takes every opportunity to criticize the school and the headmaster. A parent and parishioner called her out on this some months ago in a post in which she identified herself. The critic crawled back into her hole.
It’s very unlikely that St Barts is “bro” heavy given it’s proximity to all boys Mater Dei, which is heavy into sports. If these parish schools are girl heavy —-and they frequently are—- then it’s Mater Dei that’s a major cause.
I’d dismiss the claims of this particular malcontent, if I were you. If you understand the landscape of the Catholic K8’s in Bethesda - Potomac, you can appreciate her claims are ridiculous. And driven by animus.
Isn't the prinipal from Mater Dei? It is within reason that he brought that vibe with him.
No
He sure is from Mater Dei and brought the approach with him.
Anonymous
01/17/2026 10:49
Subject: St Barts
And all honesty it is a fantastic school with a very nice community and loving administration. We are going to be moving and are so sad to leave this year. They have added a ski club on Fridays, they also have musical instruments, chess club, and a spring musical. Although some of the boys there are athletic and enjoy sports, I would not say that every one there is a “bro.” I agree with the other posters that the best way to get a feel for it is to come to the open house and see for yourself. I think St Barts is one of the most diverse parochrial schools in the area. We have really enjoyed our time there.
Anonymous
01/17/2026 08:33
Subject: Re:St Barts
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The “bro” culture has not been our experience. We really like St. Bart’s. As another poster recommended, go tour and talk to current parents. It’s hard to know how much to weigh feedback one way or the other on an anonymous forum.
Especially here where one poster takes every opportunity to criticize the school and the headmaster. A parent and parishioner called her out on this some months ago in a post in which she identified herself. The critic crawled back into her hole.
It’s very unlikely that St Barts is “bro” heavy given it’s proximity to all boys Mater Dei, which is heavy into sports. If these parish schools are girl heavy —-and they frequently are—- then it’s Mater Dei that’s a major cause.
I’d dismiss the claims of this particular malcontent, if I were you. If you understand the landscape of the Catholic K8’s in Bethesda - Potomac, you can appreciate her claims are ridiculous. And driven by animus.
Isn't the prinipal from Mater Dei? It is within reason that he brought that vibe with him.
No
I would not say the school has a bro vibe at all. There is something for everyone. The after school chess club is one of the most well-attended clubs at the school. The art teacher is phenomenal and students get published and showcase their art at exhibitions every year. They also offer coding classes, taekwondo, and music classes. Students participate in the weekly masses and spring musical. My kids are confident public speakers because they began presenting to their classes in prek. Some teachers formed a girls enrichment club this year. I could go on. I am sorry the poster had a negative experience with the principal, but the accusations of a toxic bro culture are not grounded in reality. At all.
Anonymous
01/17/2026 06:58
Subject: Re:St Barts
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The “bro” culture has not been our experience. We really like St. Bart’s. As another poster recommended, go tour and talk to current parents. It’s hard to know how much to weigh feedback one way or the other on an anonymous forum.
Especially here where one poster takes every opportunity to criticize the school and the headmaster. A parent and parishioner called her out on this some months ago in a post in which she identified herself. The critic crawled back into her hole.
It’s very unlikely that St Barts is “bro” heavy given it’s proximity to all boys Mater Dei, which is heavy into sports. If these parish schools are girl heavy —-and they frequently are—- then it’s Mater Dei that’s a major cause.
I’d dismiss the claims of this particular malcontent, if I were you. If you understand the landscape of the Catholic K8’s in Bethesda - Potomac, you can appreciate her claims are ridiculous. And driven by animus.
Isn't the prinipal from Mater Dei? It is within reason that he brought that vibe with him.
No