Anonymous
10/24/2018 22:09
Subject: Re:Bishop Ireton - Alexandria
Anonymous wrote:Hello! This forum has not been active for a long time but I have a daughter at BI and I'd like to share my thoughts.
The academics are rigorous but don't require students to do real critical thinking unless in AP/Independent Study classes. The worst department by far is the math department. Although they have all the materials and are well-funded there is not a single teacher of quality in all grade levels. However, the science department has the exact opposite problem--great teachers, insufficient materials. But they make do and the kids are well taught.
My D loves English and History and this is where Ireton's academics thrive! Great AP Lit, US History, etc. teachers who help kids do well on the AP Exam but also teach them necessary skills for life.
Getting into AP classes, however, is much harder than public school.The grade requirements are strict and a teacher can still deny a student from the class if they feel they may not be able to handle it. This difficulty makes it hard for students to challenge themselves and boost their GPAS (APs really help kids out when it comes to that)
APs are hard and MUCH harder than APs at TC.
The problem with BI, however, isn't the education. It's the community and the student body. There have been many incidents of drugs, fighting, racist remarks, etc. that make me shocked given that BI is a Catholic school. BI as a school is very conservative which is fine but many of the students are disrespectful to minorities. That creates a toxic atmosphere. My daughter has also become more anxious since attending BI and the workload is not good for her stress. Every teacher is extremely strict and she often gets homework from every class to finish in a night. Along with extracurriculars, it can be a nightmare. You can find good friends and mentors within the community, but please be cautious and pay attention to your child--they can easily be led astray and let their grades drop because they're with the wrong crowd.
I find your comment on community to be interesting as I have heard otherwise from my DC’s friends at BI. From what they have shared the current 9th grade class is very welcoming and friendly to all. Everyone seems to look out for one another. I find their stories about BI to be refreshing!
Anonymous
10/24/2018 20:42
Subject: Re:Bishop Ireton - Alexandria
Hello! This forum has not been active for a long time but I have a daughter at BI and I'd like to share my thoughts.
The academics are rigorous but don't require students to do real critical thinking unless in AP/Independent Study classes. The worst department by far is the math department. Although they have all the materials and are well-funded there is not a single teacher of quality in all grade levels. However, the science department has the exact opposite problem--great teachers, insufficient materials. But they make do and the kids are well taught.
My D loves English and History and this is where Ireton's academics thrive! Great AP Lit, US History, etc. teachers who help kids do well on the AP Exam but also teach them necessary skills for life.
Getting into AP classes, however, is much harder than public school.The grade requirements are strict and a teacher can still deny a student from the class if they feel they may not be able to handle it. This difficulty makes it hard for students to challenge themselves and boost their GPAS (APs really help kids out when it comes to that)
APs are hard and MUCH harder than APs at TC.
The problem with BI, however, isn't the education. It's the community and the student body. There have been many incidents of drugs, fighting, racist remarks, etc. that make me shocked given that BI is a Catholic school. BI as a school is very conservative which is fine but many of the students are disrespectful to minorities. That creates a toxic atmosphere. My daughter has also become more anxious since attending BI and the workload is not good for her stress. Every teacher is extremely strict and she often gets homework from every class to finish in a night. Along with extracurriculars, it can be a nightmare. You can find good friends and mentors within the community, but please be cautious and pay attention to your child--they can easily be led astray and let their grades drop because they're with the wrong crowd.
The academics are rigorous but don't require students to do real critical thinking unless in AP/Independent Study classes. The worst department by far is the math department. Although they have all the materials and are well-funded there is not a single teacher of quality in all grade levels. However, the science department has the exact opposite problem--great teachers, insufficient materials. But they make do and the kids are well taught.
My D loves English and History and this is where Ireton's academics thrive! Great AP Lit, US History, etc. teachers who help kids do well on the AP Exam but also teach them necessary skills for life.
Getting into AP classes, however, is much harder than public school.The grade requirements are strict and a teacher can still deny a student from the class if they feel they may not be able to handle it. This difficulty makes it hard for students to challenge themselves and boost their GPAS (APs really help kids out when it comes to that)
APs are hard and MUCH harder than APs at TC.
The problem with BI, however, isn't the education. It's the community and the student body. There have been many incidents of drugs, fighting, racist remarks, etc. that make me shocked given that BI is a Catholic school. BI as a school is very conservative which is fine but many of the students are disrespectful to minorities. That creates a toxic atmosphere. My daughter has also become more anxious since attending BI and the workload is not good for her stress. Every teacher is extremely strict and she often gets homework from every class to finish in a night. Along with extracurriculars, it can be a nightmare. You can find good friends and mentors within the community, but please be cautious and pay attention to your child--they can easily be led astray and let their grades drop because they're with the wrong crowd.
Anonymous
08/27/2016 23:16
Subject: Bishop Ireton - Alexandria
It is sad to see how low teacher morale is. Bring back Father Kevin!
Anonymous
08/06/2016 07:49
Subject: Re:Bishop Ireton - Alexandria
It's Bob McDonnell's alma mater - they taught him so well.
Anonymous
08/05/2016 20:43
Subject: Bishop Ireton - Alexandria
They would also like to have clothing that fits and is not frayed or patched. Even nuns have a sense of dignity and deserve to buy groceries and see an occasional movie. They volunteer for all the extra duties like chaperoning dances because they make a little extra money and can buy gas or go out to eat once in a while. It's about respect.
Anonymous
08/03/2016 21:17
Subject: Bishop Ireton - Alexandria
Anonymous wrote:The pay scale is so poor that they have trouble retaining teachers. You can't live in this area on $30,000. They only pay the nuns in the high 30's, and they are senior citizens and live together because they have to pay their own rent and everything else, just like anyone else. They can't buy new clothes or go out. It is a travesty how poorly they are paid for how hard they work. The Church does not support them.
True that Catholic school teachers make half of what public school teachers do. The schools I've been affiliated with don't have problems with teacher retention. Most spend a good portion of their careers at the same school.
Nuns in religious orders don't care about going out or buying new clothes. They take vows of poverty to be more Christ-like. Life is about the community, praying and being close to God.
Anonymous
08/03/2016 20:40
Subject: Bishop Ireton - Alexandria
The pay scale is so poor that they have trouble retaining teachers. You can't live in this area on $30,000. They only pay the nuns in the high 30's, and they are senior citizens and live together because they have to pay their own rent and everything else, just like anyone else. They can't buy new clothes or go out. It is a travesty how poorly they are paid for how hard they work. The Church does not support them.
Anonymous
08/03/2016 13:32
Subject: Re:Bishop Ireton - Alexandria
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I don't believe there are big differences academically. The issue comes down to the environment your child can thrive in. As long as the bigger enrollment at TC (3,594 at TC vs 800 at BI) and less emphasis on values (pressed on students at Ireton, not public schools), then that's what the decision should come down to.
There definitely is a difference in the academic standards between the two.
For example, up until this Fall, students at TC received a 40% for homework even if they did not do any homework. At Ireton, if you don't do homework, you get a 0.
The grading scale at Ireton is a bit tougher as well.
Yes, but the exmissiobs are not that impressive from bi, especially for only 200 seniors. I bet more students from tc get into more impressive colleges.
+1 I was thinking this too while looking at BI's acceptance list.
Although the academics at most Catholiic schools are good, in general getting a kid into an Ivy isn't the top priority of parents sending kids there. The point is teaching the faith, installing the same values that are taught at home and having a similar peer group.
Anonymous
07/31/2016 08:24
Subject: Re:Bishop Ireton - Alexandria
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I don't believe there are big differences academically. The issue comes down to the environment your child can thrive in. As long as the bigger enrollment at TC (3,594 at TC vs 800 at BI) and less emphasis on values (pressed on students at Ireton, not public schools), then that's what the decision should come down to.
There definitely is a difference in the academic standards between the two.
For example, up until this Fall, students at TC received a 40% for homework even if they did not do any homework. At Ireton, if you don't do homework, you get a 0.
The grading scale at Ireton is a bit tougher as well.
Yes, but the exmissiobs are not that impressive from bi, especially for only 200 seniors. I bet more students from tc get into more impressive colleges.
+1 I was thinking this too while looking at BI's acceptance list.
Anonymous
07/30/2016 22:58
Subject: Bishop Ireton - Alexandria
Glad to see thay are trying to retain some talent. Mary Jordan promoted was good idea. She has been running the school for years. New principal is good and seems to want to help teachers and staff. Hope it continues. As a parent, we need more communication and transparency.
Anonymous
07/07/2016 10:37
Subject: Re:Bishop Ireton - Alexandria
I have a current student at BI and a rising 9th grader. BI did not accept my rising 9th grader.
Anonymous
06/16/2016 20:14
Subject: Bishop Ireton - Alexandria
Head of School getting rid of Behind the Wheel classes during the year and won't allow summer school of any kind.
Anonymous
05/23/2016 14:04
Subject: Bishop Ireton - Alexandria
Their girls lax team lost to SSSAS in the VISAA championship yesterday after winning in both 2014 and 2015. Tough loss.
Anonymous
05/22/2016 22:38
Subject: Bishop Ireton - Alexandria
The issue is the Head of School? (Different than the new, well-liked Principal.). Sounds like a situation that can be remedied if enough parents expressed concern for the situation the HoS has put BI in internally. (Staffing, use of funds, etc).
Anonymous
05/22/2016 17:37
Subject: Bishop Ireton - Alexandria
+1