I laugh at the charged questions on DCUM. The OP asked why all the "hype" so it already appeared she had something vs. Visi and I have no dog in the fight.

Anonymous wrote:Then move on.

Exactly.

Small groups of these schools depend on or appeal to different market segments.

Some people are strongly attracted to Sidwell, for example, and others wouldn't consider it. Some are in Visi's target market. Other's can't figure it out why anyone would want to go there.

This person wants the appeal of Visitation explained to her.

I observed a mother of a perspective student at a Gonzaga open house day with her yellow pad listing all sorts of objective data that looked like it was going to be used for purposes of comparison between schools. I thought to myself how fundamentally useless these numbers would be to someone who trying to understand the unique experience that Gonzaga offers.

It's OK. If you don't get it, you don't get it. Find a school you do get.

Then move on.

Anonymous wrote:If you're serious about Catholic high school, do yourself a favor and discount just about everything you read on this site. While always entertaining, in that Friday afternoon sense of the word, it is the rare Visi thread that doesn't become a screed on legacies, the grounds, the culture vis a vis Stone Ridge, the "conservative" Catholic vibe, blah blah blah. Why that's the case, who knows? And really, who cares. But this Visi parent urges you to seek out people who know the school and you'll get all the insight and nuance you need -- without the distraction of annoying trolls planting false flags.

We asked many people & visited and toured with our DD's and we got so nuanced answers.
Just some platitudes about people liking it. One admissions person gushed about lacrosse and basketball and was clearly impressed with herself since she played these sports.
I don't get it still.

Anonymous wrote:If you're serious about Catholic high school, do yourself a favor and discount just about everything you read on this site. While always entertaining, in that Friday afternoon sense of the word, it is the rare Visi thread that doesn't become a screed on legacies, the grounds, the culture vis a vis Stone Ridge, the "conservative" Catholic vibe, blah blah blah. Why that's the case, who knows? And really, who cares. But this Visi parent urges you to seek out people who know the school and you'll get all the insight and nuance you need -- without the distraction of annoying trolls planting false flags.

+1000

If you're serious about Catholic high school, do yourself a favor and discount just about everything you read on this site. While always entertaining, in that Friday afternoon sense of the word, it is the rare Visi thread that doesn't become a screed on legacies, the grounds, the culture vis a vis Stone Ridge, the "conservative" Catholic vibe, blah blah blah. Why that's the case, who knows? And really, who cares. But this Visi parent urges you to seek out people who know the school and you'll get all the insight and nuance you need -- without the distraction of annoying trolls planting false flags.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Visitation has a lovely campus and has ridden on its reputation for years. That's not to say it's a bad school. It's just that not much stands out in terms of the learning experience. Frankly several of the competing girls schools are more vibrant.

+1

What exactly does "more vibrant" mean?

And who is making this judgement on "vibrancy". you or your daughter?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Visitation has a lovely campus and has ridden on its reputation for years. That's not to say it's a bad school. It's just that not much stands out in terms of the learning experience. Frankly several of the competing girls schools are more vibrant.

+1

+2

Anonymous wrote:Visitation has a lovely campus and has ridden on its reputation for years. That's not to say it's a bad school. It's just that not much stands out in terms of the learning experience. Frankly several of the competing girls schools are more vibrant.

+1

At a different school, but here's my impression of Visi: beautiful campus; cool location; great tradition; strong sense of community; kids seem happy; great sports program; good National Merit Scholar totals so seems like some very strong kids. Seems like a great place.

Anonymous wrote:My sister went to Visi and loved it and we're not Catholic. Definitely don't need to be Catholic to attend, though I guess being Catholic might give you a slight admission preference (though I have no idea on that point).

But it's mostly Catholics who attend Visi. It's a Catholic school owned and run by nuns.

Visitation has a lovely campus and has ridden on its reputation for years. That's not to say it's a bad school. It's just that not much stands out in terms of the learning experience. Frankly several of the competing girls schools are more vibrant.

My sister went to Visi and loved it and we're not Catholic. Definitely don't need to be Catholic to attend, though I guess being Catholic might give you a slight admission preference (though I have no idea on that point).

Anonymous wrote:Girls like the relative freedom the campus offers. Instead of being stuck in the suburbs where they have to drive or be driven everywhere, they can walk the streets of Georgetown, have lunch in the local shops, meet some Georgetown students and feel safe in a big town.

My DH works with several wealthy folks who send their kids to Visi. Catholics used to be so discriminated against there is still a vestige of "we have our place" and we want to protect it. For me, it's like the wealthy Catholics have become like some of the wealthy snobby WASPS who used to discriminate against them.

I sense you were looking to stir things up OP. Move on if you don't like it or if you do...hope your kid actually gets in

Touchy.

Girls like the relative freedom the campus offers. Instead of being stuck in the suburbs where they have to drive or be driven everywhere, they can walk the streets of Georgetown, have lunch in the local shops, meet some Georgetown students and feel safe in a big town.

My DH works with several wealthy folks who send their kids to Visi. Catholics used to be so discriminated against there is still a vestige of "we have our place" and we want to protect it. For me, it's like the wealthy Catholics have become like some of the wealthy snobby WASPS who used to discriminate against them.

I sense you were looking to stir things up OP. Move on if you don't like it or if you do...hope your kid actually gets in