As far as college results go… SSSAS will have an edge mostly due to the student’s ability to pay full tuition at the most prestigious colleges. Top students at BI who may have a competitive application but can’t pay $85k/yr end up at state schools or less prestigious privates schools that give merit aid. Full pay candidates can have an edge and the option to actually go. BI’s student body is way more financially diverse. Full pay at those top schools would be a stretch for many. I don’t see SSSAS as more academically rigorous but their students may have more options for other reasons.

Almost every parent I’ve talked to at SSSAS has used a private college consultant with the exception of athletes who were already taken care of. $$$$

Academic rigor: seem to be similar by public at large.

College admissions: similar results, probably better counseling at SSSAS. (Although one could pay for a private consultant several times over with the savings at BI!)

Sports: BI has the edge with this one and seriously focused on improving their profile.

Different vibes, different price points. Be happy with having the choice! Which one suits your cherub better?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have had experience at both schools.
SSSAS is no doubt stronger academically.
BI has a bottom tier that wouldn’t survive at sssas.
That said, SSSAS is no academic powerhouse. It’s a step above BI but it’s no Sidwell.

Look at the curriculum - BI’s is so lacking. No interesting small seminars. No high level math.

2024 grads - SSSAS did much better. Granted 2024 was a very strong year for SSSAS. 2025 will not be.

SSSAS faculty is way more impressive overall. Many great teachers despite a few duds.


bI did just poach two great coaches from SSSAS. So that’s not good news for SSSAS. But now with the new high school there is no comparison in facilities.

You get what you pay for.

When you student body is composed of kids ranking from upper middle class to very wealthy, college acceptances should be very strong every year

If only this were the case. Wouldn’t they be nice.
That’s not how it works.

Anonymous wrote:I have had experience at both schools.
SSSAS is no doubt stronger academically.
BI has a bottom tier that wouldn’t survive at sssas.
That said, SSSAS is no academic powerhouse. It’s a step above BI but it’s no Sidwell.

Look at the curriculum - BI’s is so lacking. No interesting small seminars. No high level math.

2024 grads - SSSAS did much better. Granted 2024 was a very strong year for SSSAS. 2025 will not be.

SSSAS faculty is way more impressive overall. Many great teachers despite a few duds.


bI did just poach two great coaches from SSSAS. So that’s not good news for SSSAS. But now with the new high school there is no comparison in facilities.

You get what you pay for.

When you student body is composed of kids ranking from upper middle class to very wealthy, college acceptances should be very strong every year

It was part of the Christian identity used many many years ago when my child entered the school. I would not do it again. It was not worth it.

Anonymous wrote:Would not recommend SSSAS. You can make the upper school look as nice as you want, but many issues remain. Sports rule here, especially lacrosse. Teachers are hit or miss. AD ran off former faculty to BI. You’d be better at ACHS. It’s not worth 55k for mediocrity. Oh and that “goodness in your heart” logo is a joke.

SSSAS parent of an entirely unathletic arts and theater kid who is loving the school. Aware of one “miss” of an English teacher who left at the end of the year, all the rest DC has had have been great. Pretty similar to our experiences in other schools, nobody has 100% great teachers. And I have no idea what “goodness in your heart” logo you are talking about. I even googled it and got nothing. 🤷‍♀️

Would not recommend SSSAS. You can make the upper school look as nice as you want, but many issues remain. Sports rule here, especially lacrosse. Teachers are hit or miss. AD ran off former faculty to BI. You’d be better at ACHS. It’s not worth 55k for mediocrity. Oh and that “goodness in your heart” logo is a joke.

Much more socioeconomic diversity at ireton.

I have had experience at both schools.
SSSAS is no doubt stronger academically.
BI has a bottom tier that wouldn’t survive at sssas.
That said, SSSAS is no academic powerhouse. It’s a step above BI but it’s no Sidwell.

Look at the curriculum - BI’s is so lacking. No interesting small seminars. No high level math.

2024 grads - SSSAS did much better. Granted 2024 was a very strong year for SSSAS. 2025 will not be.

SSSAS faculty is way more impressive overall. Many great teachers despite a few duds.


bI did just poach two great coaches from SSSAS. So that’s not good news for SSSAS. But now with the new high school there is no comparison in facilities.

You get what you pay for.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the acceptance rate for SSSAS?

My kid attends and I have no idea. Do any of these schools give out that info?

Not generally

Anonymous wrote:What is the acceptance rate for SSSAS?

My kid attends and I have no idea. Do any of these schools give out that info?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ireton waitlists and rejects students, not everyone is accepted.

Then they are rejecting and waitlisting public school kids. 1000% sure as our friends who got into BI were B/C grade kids out of Pvt.

There are B/C students who get into Gonzaga and Visi as well, we know several from our K-8. But I don’t know everyone who applied, so my sample size is limited and would not be used for a mass generalization about the school.

Grades don’t tell the student’s entire story. I’m glad the local Catholic high schools look at the whole person and not just their report card. Believe it or not, there are B/C students at most of the local high schools.

Level IV AAP (Advanced Academic Placement) in Fairfax County - their gifted/honors program.

What’s level four?