Anonymous
Post 07/28/2011 11:50     Subject: Good Counsel high
^ plz do as I was the PP who mentioned the facilites. I attended the open house back in fall and was really impresed by the tour, especially the students that conducted it. I chatted with several of the teachers and left with a very good feeling. They were happy to answer all my questions etc.. It is one of the schools we're considering, so would love to hear your input. I've spoken off and on to several recent graduates who had all good things to say about their experience.
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2011 11:40     Subject: Re:Good Counsel high
I am the PP whose son is packed and ready to go this August. My husband and I did research on where these kids got into college. I recently went to an incomming moms breakfast and the moms who had been in the moms club a while were bragging on how their kids got into great schools. The one I heard the most about was the University of Pennsylvania, which is an IVY. The deal is that there is an honors program called the St. Mary's Scholars. You have to be invited to get in. A freshman with a 4.0 gpa and at least 4 honors classes will get to be in the St. Mary's scholars program. The invitation goes out after the second grades are sent out. Anyways, St. Mary's scholars' receive a different kind of education, one that includes enrichment and projects in Europe. THese kids are well prepared for the Ivy League education or a top tier one at the least. Quite honestly most of the catholic HS in the area have something similar to this. The kids in St.MSchol wear a different robe for graduation and there are tons of events honoring them when they graduate. I want to be clear about something before I go on, a student can still get into a good college from GC with or without St.MS program because they have tons of AP and IP classes that they promote constantly. I mentioned St.MS because it addresses the needs of the most highly motivated and well functioning student. The truth about GC is that everyone is there. It is a school where everyone will be prepared for college. Of course my son has his eye on ST.MS right now and we have also explained that if he doesn't get it he will still get into a good college. GC is a nice school! If anyone is interested I will update this forum throughout the school year.
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2011 10:27     Subject: Good Counsel high
^ the facility blows away most of the big 3 schools mentioned on here....seriously now.
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2011 09:54     Subject: Re:Good Counsel high
Anonymous wrote:Isn't it just awful that private schools weigh heavily on 7th grade work. I mean like kids are at their absolute worse during this time. It is like the middle of middle school. Kids are totally insane in middle school. I see a huge difference in maturity from 7th to 8th grade. If your daughter did poorly in 7th grade just have her totally Ace the first quarter of the 8th grade. We tried that with Gonzaga and it worked for my son. My husband almost insisted that he go there especially after he improved so drastically. Anyways, you should still try if you want.

Also to the PP that went there can you give me specifics as why you did not like it? I am just curious. My son will be starting 9th grade in a few weeks. Just trying to get information.


I am not the PP, but my middle DD just graduated from there last spring and my oldest DD graduated 5 years ago. Both had a very good experience there and it was the best decision we could have made. I do not know if the PP went to the old Wheaton school or the new one, but there is no comparison now. It is not even the same school that it was - the facilities alone make it different. There is an increased focus on college readiness and a lot of the graduating seniors are going to top rate colleges (a poster in another thread in this forum posted some of the schools). Also, the community service opportunties are much better now.
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2011 01:20     Subject: Good Counsel high
The Catholic schools have the admission test, essay, student visit and a very detailed recommendation form that all teachers weigh in on. This a great time for comments about maturity and work ethic to factor in - Admission doesn't all depend on report card grades. The schools also get the 8th grade marks (at least 1st quarter and often 2nd) before they make decisions.

22:01 - it's worth applying! There might be a school out there that your daughter would love and they would find her exceptional in her own unique way!
Anonymous
Post 07/27/2011 23:01     Subject: Re:Good Counsel high
Isn't it just awful that private schools weigh heavily on 7th grade work. I mean like kids are at their absolute worse during this time. It is like the middle of middle school. Kids are totally insane in middle school. I see a huge difference in maturity from 7th to 8th grade. If your daughter did poorly in 7th grade just have her totally Ace the first quarter of the 8th grade. We tried that with Gonzaga and it worked for my son. My husband almost insisted that he go there especially after he improved so drastically. Anyways, you should still try if you want.

Also to the PP that went there can you give me specifics as why you did not like it? I am just curious. My son will be starting 9th grade in a few weeks. Just trying to get information.
Anonymous
Post 07/27/2011 22:01     Subject: Good Counsel high
I would love to have my dd go there, but she did not do that well in 7th grade. I kind of feel sad because she definitely would benefit from a private school education, but is not exceptional enough to be admitted
Anonymous
Post 07/27/2011 21:17     Subject: Good Counsel high
I went there. It's terrible. I remember thinking that it was such a waste of my parents money. It's really not much better than a public school (BCC was my public school). If your public school is in Silver Spring or Wheaton then it might be better than those. I'd skip it and try for Gonzaga if you are down county at all.
Anonymous
Post 07/27/2011 20:22     Subject: Re:Good Counsel high
I will definitely check into it.
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2011 23:43     Subject: Re:Good Counsel high
To everyone, I know the principal got fired or left suddenly. I don't know whyiWe were a little uncomfortable about it but put not to any particular extent. We are still excited. We are happy that our son had the confidence to stand firmly and choose a school. The school spirit is awesome. One would think he or she is at Gonzaga. Not so in this case. GC is moving forward. Check it out.
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2011 23:24     Subject: Good Counsel high
Anonymous wrote:Where can I find information on this school? Is it difficult to get admitted?
Does anyone know about this, or is this just a forum for the elementary privates?[/quot

Go to the website. It is pretty user freindly. I studied the website like crazy but my husband was absolutely sold on it when we visited. The kids talked about the support they They were so happy to be there. In regards to getting in I think they are much like the other catholic hs in the area. You have to be a decent student and score decently on the HSPT. My son is both. He did have some freinds that did not get in. I beleive that Catholic HS are big in building student bodies of culture and activities. My son plays piano, so we went to the audition for piano. At the end of the audition he was committed to the mens chorus so I am sure that helped him as much as his grades and test scores did. The school bus goes everywhere literally. GC is a rising star in the area. They are starting to complain about getting too many applications. My understanding is that they were nobodies when they were in Wheaton but after they got this new updated TOP OF THE LINE facility they attracted the best of everything out there. Their recognition is growing in leaps and bounds. Not to mention that they have been WCAC foot ball champs for a few years in a row. It is reasonably diverse but all of the kids act alike. They are all excited about learning they know that getting to a good college is everything. Hope this helps.
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2011 22:43     Subject: Good Counsel high
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It seems to be removed from some the affluence that plagues many of the other area schools (which I guess is purely a function of the affluence in this metro area. You have to be able to pay for these schools after all!) I'd like my child to get out of Chevy Chase for a change. We'll look there and also at St. John's which also seems better diversified. The commute would be the big problem getting up to Olney and back to DC.


yeah - not an easy commute, as this is what they offer in terms of bus service - http://www.olgchs.org/uploaded/Admissions/Bus_Routes.pdf


wow..there's a bus 5 mins away... , but DD choices of schools so far are, Holton, St. Johns, OLGS, Stone..., and Holy....
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2011 16:44     Subject: Good Counsel high
Anonymous wrote:It seems to be removed from some the affluence that plagues many of the other area schools (which I guess is purely a function of the affluence in this metro area. You have to be able to pay for these schools after all!) I'd like my child to get out of Chevy Chase for a change. We'll look there and also at St. John's which also seems better diversified. The commute would be the big problem getting up to Olney and back to DC.


yeah - not an easy commute, as this is what they offer in terms of bus service - http://www.olgchs.org/uploaded/Admissions/Bus_Routes.pdf
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2011 10:56     Subject: Good Counsel high
When I went there the school provided lists of students in your area that you could line up carpools with, that's how a lot of us got to school and where we made some great friendships
Anonymous
Post 07/23/2011 23:21     Subject: Good Counsel high
It seems to be removed from some the affluence that plagues many of the other area schools (which I guess is purely a function of the affluence in this metro area. You have to be able to pay for these schools after all!) I'd like my child to get out of Chevy Chase for a change. We'll look there and also at St. John's which also seems better diversified. The commute would be the big problem getting up to Olney and back to DC.