BSS is a wonderful school! Strong academics (despite what the naysayers say) and nice community. Yes, most are parish members and live in Chevy Chase, DC or MD, but that is not a requirement. The school is just so popular, and the parish community so large, that it fills with this population first and doesn't need to draw much from elsewhere.

It's really for the families in the parish. As many previous posters have said many belong to the same club and hang out socially.

I live in the neighborhood and all the people I know who send their kid to BS are very nice. They are also more of the second-or-third generation DCers who went through the DMV catholic system themselves and do belong to a country club because they grew up here-- not because they are snobby. In general the BS families are preppier than the rest of the neighborhood, but I'm not sure that it tells you much except about their taste in clothes.

We live nearby and ended up not attending because of the poor athletic facilities. That said, we know many families at the parish and school and have found them all to be quite nice. But yes, it is a parish school and, as you would expect, people from the parish know each other. That doesn't make it an exclusive club or anything -- its just parish life. Get involved and you'll be "in" too.

Anonymous wrote:To 18:09 - My husband and I did not go to Visi, Gonzaga, or Prep and our children attend BSS. It is a fabulous school and community. Strong academics and very warm environment. Lots of nice families.

Then you probably did not grow up in the neighborhood. There are many families with generations who have attended the school but they are all locals.

Honestly the negative people, I am guessing, are people that are more angry about the neighborhood. Blessed Sacrament takes in from a wealthy area. More so than many of the other Catholic schools. It is a good school. There is nothing wrong with this school. If you can afford the neighborhood, that is wonderful because it is really pretty there.

current parent. very involved in church, not so much at the school. we like it alot. no complaints.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you or your spouse didn't go to Visi, Gonzaga or Prep, look elsewhere.

Only slightly less true ay DeChantal, Mercy, St.Barts, and other Bethesda/ Potomac parishes and related schools.

Do you have children there? We are transplants from Chicago and chose BS due to its proximity to our home and have not found this to be true at all. Everyone has been warm and welcoming.

To 18:09 - My husband and I did not go to Visi, Gonzaga, or Prep and our children attend BSS. It is a fabulous school and community. Strong academics and very warm environment. Lots of nice families.

Anonymous wrote:If you or your spouse didn't go to Visi, Gonzaga or Prep, look elsewhere.

Only slightly less true ay DeChantal, Mercy, St.Barts, and other Bethesda/ Potomac parishes and related schools.

If you or your spouse didn't go to Visi, Gonzaga or Prep, look elsewhere.

Sounds like a lot of wacko posters. This is a terrific school with a lot of nice families. My kids do not go there but know families who send their kids. The only caution is most families live in the parish neighborhood.

Anonymous wrote:i have a friend who attended the aptly named BS. She had some trouble and started cutting herself. She was told by staff at BS that she would be going to hell.
so...I don't think it's a great option.

What year was that? I can't imagine in this day and age anyone saying something like that.

i have a friend who attended the aptly named BS. She had some trouble and started cutting herself. She was told by staff at BS that she would be going to hell.
so...I don't think it's a great option.

My kids love it. It is a very good environment, at least in my kids' grades. I don't understand why there is always comments about the academics being sub-par. My friends have kids at DCPS, MoCo PS, and all top 3 privates. There isn't much difference in course work and projects.

My DH and I would never join a country club and find the sports obsession of the other parents odd but generally everyone is nice. There are many types of people at the school however there is only one stereotype.