Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you aren't a parishioner and don't already have a number of friends there to help you into the community, I would look elsewhere. The academics are fine but not worth paying for unless you are Catholic and want to be a part of that school community... which circles back to my first point. Not knocking the school, that's just the reality. Perhaps you should indicate why you are interested & people could respond with more detail.

+1. It's a very nice school and nice community, but no one goes there for the academics. I have tons of friends with kids there and they are all very open about it. They're there for the community.

Good school but not highly academic. Many belong to chevy club or Columbia. Most continue in to Catholic schools although I do know one family that I heard started sending their kids there just to save money so they could afford to join one of the country clubs named above and they are planning on trying to go to a Big 3 after they do so. Sounds like their priorities were the club over education which sounds like social climbing to me - especially to families that could have used that spot for their kid and who plan on staying in the Catholic schools from there.

I am Catholic so not anti-Catholic. I think what the poster was saying is that Blessed Sacrament is a tight knit community and that it is offensive that a few parents may be just using the school as a place to save money until they get to a big 3. The poster was saying that being a parish school most families are committed to catholic schools and not that one can't choose to go elsewhere but that in doing so it can be upsetting for some in the community. That spot could have gone to another Neighbor or parish member. It is especially upsetting if parents have openly expressed this idea. I don't think the poster was saying Catholics must attend catholic schools. It was pertaining to BS and using it as a holdover until getting to a big 3 is the problem they have.

Anonymous wrote:

Non-Catholic privates are just not worth the money for me -- especially ones that are increasingly hostile to my faith. You can have your adultery, abortion, divorce, broken families, etc. or your one spoiled snowflake produced via IVF at 42 in between mom's business trips. I'll keep my backward ways and big stable families and modest suburban home, thanks.

This is a useful snippet to refer to if I ever feel bad for escaping this obnoxious, provincial, insular community.

Good luck in your future endeavors. Don't let the door ....

Non-Catholic privates are just not worth the money for me -- especially ones that are increasingly hostile to my faith. You can have your adultery, abortion, divorce, broken families, etc. or your one spoiled snowflake produced via IVF at 42 in between mom's business trips. I'll keep my backward ways and big stable families and modest suburban home, thanks.

This is a useful snippet to refer to if I ever feel bad for escaping this obnoxious, provincial, insular community.

Anonymous wrote:From the PP, "A truly Christian sentiment! Remind me, is that from the Sermon on the Mount? "

Reminds me of the "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel".

In this case, so no one is judged (gasp!) on any type of behavior, PP says its un-Christian to do so.

From what we see of the spread of social pathologies in the US, more judgement on what's acceptable and unacceptable wouldn't hurt.

Have you read a gospel lately?

From the PP, "A truly Christian sentiment! Remind me, is that from the Sermon on the Mount? "

Reminds me of the "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel".

In this case, so no one is judged (gasp!) on any type of behavior, PP says its un-Christian to do so.

From what we see of the spread of social pathologies in the US, more judgement on what's acceptable and unacceptable wouldn't hurt.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I really don't think that many people that consider themselves faithful Catholics -- which is to say registered in a parish, kids baptized, go mass most weeks (possibly with some lapses during busy / stressful periods), confession at least during Lent, just go "straight to the big three."

I mean some probably do, sure. But I think we are talking about like 5-10 people a year, spread across all three schools. In an area of millions of people.

Because I have only heard on one family that sent a son to STA (none to Sidwell), I have always thought that they were Catholics, who do aren't "from around these parts". More likely they are park of the Law Firm, K-Street, Political Class crowd and are from outside DC originally. And they are Catholic but not part of the area's long time Catholic group.

My parents briefly considered STA for me in high school then were satisfied Prep was comparable and preferred the Catholic education. They never would have even thought about Sidewall / GDS. The values are too different from our family's values and our church's values. I ended up in an Ivy anyways (no legacy, no sports, no connections), then Harvard for grad school.

For me, I would only do Catholic or public. Between excellent parochial schools like BS, St. Jane's, HR, Mercy, independents like Woods Academy, Heights, Mater Dei, Stoneridgre, etc. I am sure I can find a way to make sure my kids get a great education (and learn there is far more to life than that -- there is their immortal soul and God's plan for their great intellect). Plus if it's all totally about the academics, Blair or RM Magnet are probably more rigorous than even STA. And push comes to shove, even if the money and test scores for magnets aren't there, our home MoCo school plus CCD would be just fine. A bunch of kids go to top colleges from there every year, why not mine? That path is still open to kids from virtually all MoCo schools except maybe the most troubled... and most of those are consortium schools, so you can try for Blake, Einstein or Blair instead.

Non-Catholic privates are just not worth the money for me -- especially ones that are increasingly hostile to my faith. You can have your adultery, abortion, divorce, broken families, etc. or your one spoiled snowflake produced via IVF at 42 in between mom's business trips. I'll keep my backward ways and big stable families and modest suburban home, thanks.

A truly Christian sentiment! Remind me, is that from the Sermon on the Mount?

Very few of the BSS kids who apply to the "big 3" are actually accepted. I recall a heated discussion about this a few months ago.

Not a lot apply outside the Catholic schools, most prefer Prep, Visi, Gonzaga, etc. because parents are legacies, these are all good choices (as are many of the other Catholic HS's), friends are all there...... Don't assume that the education at BS will prepare your child to compete with those who are also applying from more rigorous schools. If you have your heart set on a big 3 for your child you need to work backwards to ensure they'll be prepared for a competitive entrance process.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I really don't think that many people that consider themselves faithful Catholics -- which is to say registered in a parish, kids baptized, go mass most weeks (possibly with some lapses during busy / stressful periods), confession at least during Lent, just go "straight to the big three."

I mean some probably do, sure. But I think we are talking about like 5-10 people a year, spread across all three schools. In an area of millions of people.

Because I have only heard on one family that sent a son to STA (none to Sidwell), I have always thought that they were Catholics, who do aren't "from around these parts". More likely they are park of the Law Firm, K-Street, Political Class crowd and are from outside DC originally. And they are Catholic but not part of the area's long time Catholic group.

My parents briefly considered STA for me in high school then were satisfied Prep was comparable and preferred the Catholic education. They never would have even thought about Sidewall / GDS. The values are too different from our family's values and our church's values. I ended up in an Ivy anyways (no legacy, no sports, no connections), then Harvard for grad school.

For me, I would only do Catholic or public. Between excellent parochial schools like BS, St. Jane's, HR, Mercy, independents like Woods Academy, Heights, Mater Dei, Stoneridgre, etc. I am sure I can find a way to make sure my kids get a great education (and learn there is far more to life than that -- there is their immortal soul and God's plan for their great intellect). Plus if it's all totally about the academics, Blair or RM Magnet are probably more rigorous than even STA. And push comes to shove, even if the money and test scores for magnets aren't there, our home MoCo school plus CCD would be just fine. A bunch of kids go to top colleges from there every year, why not mine? That path is still open to kids from virtually all MoCo schools except maybe the most troubled... and most of those are consortium schools, so you can try for Blake, Einstein or Blair instead.

Non-Catholic privates are just not worth the money for me -- especially ones that are increasingly hostile to my faith. You can have your adultery, abortion, divorce, broken families, etc. or your one spoiled snowflake produced via IVF at 42 in between mom's business trips. I'll keep my backward ways and big stable families and modest suburban home, thanks.

Anonymous wrote:
I really don't think that many people that consider themselves faithful Catholics -- which is to say registered in a parish, kids baptized, go mass most weeks (possibly with some lapses during busy / stressful periods), confession at least during Lent, just go "straight to the big three."

I mean some probably do, sure. But I think we are talking about like 5-10 people a year, spread across all three schools. In an area of millions of people.

Because I have only heard on one family that sent a son to STA (none to Sidwell), I have always thought that they were Catholics, who do aren't "from around these parts". More likely they are park of the Law Firm, K-Street, Political Class crowd and are from outside DC originally. And they are Catholic but not part of the area's long time Catholic group.

I really don't think that many people that consider themselves faithful Catholics -- which is to say registered in a parish, kids baptized, go mass most weeks (possibly with some lapses during busy / stressful periods), confession at least during Lent, just go "straight to the big three."

I mean some probably do, sure. But I think we are talking about like 5-10 people a year, spread across all three schools. In an area of millions of people.

Anonymous wrote:Wow, take a look at what you all are saying! You are making Catholics look like a cult! You're either in 100% or your out/bad!?! So what do have to say to Catholics who never even give Catholic schools a try and just send their kids straight to a Big 3? Are they going to Hell? Please!

No one is going to Hell based on their school choice. There isn't one set of rules for Catholics.

But, it's not a "cult', it's a "community" and the Catholic schools play a big part in it and always have. The parish and the grade schools and high schools are part of the glue that holds it together.

If you don't like this or disagree with it or are disinterested in it, that's fine. But don't put up a fuss when others disagree with you.

Wow, take a look at what you all are saying! You are making Catholics look like a cult! You're either in 100% or your out/bad!?! So what do have to say to Catholics who never even give Catholic schools a try and just send their kids straight to a Big 3? Are they going to Hell? Please!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, majority go to Catholic High Schools (Visi, SR, Prep, Gonzaga, SJC, ST. Anselm's) because they value a Catholic education and like the schools. A smaller percentage opt for other high schools (Sidwell, NCS, STA, Holton, Landon, public, etc). Not necessarily because they don't like a Catholic education or the schools, but because they like the other options better for various reasons and want to go there. Just like if a public school kid decides to go to a private school for high school or a STA boys moves to Prep or Field or Landon at some point. Not a big deal, you move because it is what you think is best for your child. No one within the Parish schools has a problem that. That's the fabulous thing about living in our country we have free will and can do what we think is best for our individual child or what works best for the family at any given time. Just because you pick one path does not mean you are stuck in it forever. This is the 21st century, after all!

Noble sentiments. And no one really does care where you send you child for high school. But the reality is that those very few people that choose to go to a non-Catholic private high school are leaving the group. And your use of "smaller percentage" is overstating the number of people who choose to do this. "Tiny" would be a better word.

The interest in and allegiance to Gonzaga, Prep, Visi, SJC can't be overstated. If you don't want to be part of that. Fine.

But if you aren't part of it, you aren't part of it.

I see what you are saying however I don't think some realize how offensive it can be to Catholic families to say you are coming to a catholic school for financial reasons, with plans to leave if financial situation improves. As a Catholic we take great pride in our community and schools.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, majority go to Catholic High Schools (Visi, SR, Prep, Gonzaga, SJC, ST. Anselm's) because they value a Catholic education and like the schools. A smaller percentage opt for other high schools (Sidwell, NCS, STA, Holton, Landon, public, etc). Not necessarily because they don't like a Catholic education or the schools, but because they like the other options better for various reasons and want to go there. Just like if a public school kid decides to go to a private school for high school or a STA boys moves to Prep or Field or Landon at some point. Not a big deal, you move because it is what you think is best for your child. No one within the Parish schools has a problem that. That's the fabulous thing about living in our country we have free will and can do what we think is best for our individual child or what works best for the family at any given time. Just because you pick one path does not mean you are stuck in it forever. This is the 21st century, after all!

Noble sentiments. And no one really does care where you send you child for high school. But the reality is that those very few people that choose to go to a non-Catholic private high school are leaving the group. And your use of "smaller percentage" is overstating the number of people who choose to do this. "Tiny" would be a better word.

The interest in and allegiance to Gonzaga, Prep, Visi, SJC can't be overstated. If you don't want to be part of that. Fine.

But if you aren't part of it, you aren't part of it.