Anonymous wrote:Any ideas on why the restriction on 2 schools only?

Anonymous wrote:I find this very interesting. When my child gets to 8th grade, they limit his selection for applying to 2 catholic schools. Which schools are they? I didn't think G. Prep was part of that but not sure why now based on your post.

Anonymous wrote:Gonzaga, St. John's and DeMatha are not Archdiocesan schools. They do administer their admissions processes through the Archdiocese, so that may be what confused you. The only high school that is actually run by the Archdiocese is Archbishop Carroll. Prep, St. Anselm's, Heights, Gonzaga, Stone Ridge, Visi, and all the other Catholic high schools are known as "independent Catholic schools".

All of these independent Catholic schools are recognized by the Archdiocese of Washington-- they need to be recognized by the Archdiocese in order to call themselves "Catholic schools", so the Archbishop does have some power over them. This is why Avalon does not call itself a Catholic school; apparently they got into a fight of some kind with the Archdiocese. These schools all have to meet requirements set by the Archdiocese, including teaching religion to all students, the requirement that the Head of School be a practicing Catholic, etc. But the schools are independently owned and operated.

The difference is that the independent Catholic schools create their own curriculums, set their own tuition, have their own Boards of Trustees, etc. The Archdiocese is not responsible for running any of the day-to-day operations of the schools. The actual "Archdiocesan" schools-- most of the parish grade schools, and Archbishop Carroll-- are run more like a public school system, with central decision-making by a Board of Education, though the schools do have more autonomy than public schools do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is the bullies have lots of money and the Jesuits like money. A lot.

This isn't fair to the Jesuits. They've all taken a vow of poverty, you know. If they care about raising money, it's so they can provide what they provide to others. The problem is really with the spoiled bullies among the students. I don't hear so many complaints about Gonzaga, which is also run by Jesuits, but it's in a lower-rent district and I think the families there are more appreciative.

The jesuits like money because it also improves the quality of their life. They drink top of the line booze and vacation at their rich kids vacation homes and are simply not good at putting a lid on the bitchiness at prep. I DO think the culture in a jesuit school is one of entitlement and lacking humble values. The vow of poverty is a huge joke. Have you seen how these guys live? Go over to GU and write back to us about how much poverty you see those jesuits experiencing. Sometimes I wish I could think as innocently as the PP. I am being serious when I say, it much be nice to be so blind the all the ugliness and see the world through rose colored glasses. I'll have what you're having.

If you want a well rounded, down to earth, men for improving the world, humble values, put your kid in a christian brothers school. They have truly dedicated their lives to teaching and charity work (and you never hear about it because they ARE humble).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is the bullies have lots of money and the Jesuits like money. A lot.

This isn't fair to the Jesuits. They've all taken a vow of poverty, you know. If they care about raising money, it's so they can provide what they provide to others. The problem is really with the spoiled bullies among the students. I don't hear so many complaints about Gonzaga, which is also run by Jesuits, but it's in a lower-rent district and I think the families there are more appreciative.

Anonymous wrote:The problem is the bullies have lots of money and the Jesuits like money. A lot.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: We need to do this in a way that does not hinder our relationship with the catholic school concept. /quote]

My kids are at a Catholic school so I'm curious what this statement means. Is Prep part of the archdiocese schools? I thought not.

I don't like what I hear about Georgetown Prep. Both Mater Dei and it scare me. It seems more hardcore and boys will be boys attitude. Also it doesn't seem to be open to criticism and change which festers in some poor behavior by its students (and sometimes parents). I like a more generous concept of a school. If we consider a catholic high school, it would likely be Gonzaga or St Johns.

You are correct - Prep is not an Archdiocesan school. Gonzaga, St. John's and DeMatha are Archdiocesan. Prep, the Heights and St. Anselm's are independent.