Anonymous wrote:I have never heard anyone refer to O’Connell as BO. It is either DJO or O’Connell. Is this new?

Anonymous wrote:I've been very pleased with DS's experience. Teachers are very engaged and involved with the students and there's at least a 50/50 split of male/female teachers, giving boys a wide variety of role models and mentors. DS plays a lot of sports and the coaches are good people with high expectations. We like their approach of building men of good character who will go on to contribute to their community after graduation. Coaches spend a lot of time with players, and I like the general messages they're sending - be grateful to your parents, take responsibility for yourself, etc.

College counselors are very active and run group workshops and one-on-one meetings for parents every year the kid's in school. We'll see how it all pans out.

One of the differences in this school and publics is that they kick out kids with behavior problems. I've seen it in action.

Anonymous wrote:Not an O’Connell family but am familiar with it and know many kids there. We toured it. And went to a presentation that was given during the practice HSPT. Was on a much smaller scale than the open house. I was very impressed by what they offered. DS was offered a scholarship with his acceptance letter. He also got a scholarship from another school and ended up there instead. I think for kids that are driven and stay on the right path, the school would be fine. That said, many of the kids that we know there are your run of the mill high school kid. I really don’t mean that in a negative way. There are great kids there, and not so great kids. But that can be found anywhere. It really felt to DS like a public school with some Catholicism and uniforms. Knowing the experiences/behaviors of other kids and families that we know there, I’m glad I didn’t pay money for it, even with the scholarship. DS is in the right fit for him. I do think though that he would have been ok there but would have had to work harder to stay on the right path academically and socially. If you’re on the fence, apply, and then have the child shadow after acceptance. In terms of difficulty getting in, I can only speak for parish schools where it is 100% a safety and yes, they all get in. I have never heard of a diocese kid turned away.

Anonymous wrote:If there is any chance your child may realize they're gay, bisexual etc, it is not the place for them. Highly destructive for these kids.

Anonymous wrote:Regular NW (not AA) Kid-does play sports but not sure if they would make teams... Probably though