Anonymous
02/19/2026 06:54
Subject: Northern Virginia Catholic Schools
I liked St. James over the others nearby because the principal was a nun, but she just left. A permanent successor has not been announced so who knows what happens next.
Anonymous
02/19/2026 06:09
Subject: Northern Virginia Catholic Schools
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Which k-8 parish schools have the best learning supports for child with dyslexia? Looking for a school that can accommodate an outside SLP coming into tutor the child during the school day twice a week. Do any of these schools have teachers are trained in Orton Gillingham reading strategies?
You are kidding right?
No Catholic school has this.
Seriously Public school only.
St Mary’s (Alexandria) had a reading specialist when DC attended.
Anonymous
02/18/2026 21:52
Subject: Northern Virginia Catholic Schools
We debated between two schools, and—seeing no obvious academic differences—settled on the one that was a 10 rather than 18 minute drive from our home. With kids in both the preschool and elementary, we have multiple drop-offs and pickups, so I appreciate the shorter commute in practice more than I anticipated.
Anonymous
02/18/2026 20:52
Subject: Northern Virginia Catholic Schools
St James & Our Lady of Good Counsel both look like great schools. If you chose one over the other, why?
Also, are there particular catholic high schools that the students from St James or OLGC tend to go to?
Also, are there particular catholic high schools that the students from St James or OLGC tend to go to?
Anonymous
02/17/2026 11:41
Subject: Northern Virginia Catholic Schools
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Which k-8 parish schools have the best learning supports for child with dyslexia? Looking for a school that can accommodate an outside SLP coming into tutor the child during the school day twice a week. Do any of these schools have teachers are trained in Orton Gillingham reading strategies?
You are kidding right?
No Catholic school has this.
Seriously Public school only.
St. Ann has a visiting SLP, and the K-2 teachers are trained in OG.
At least that was the case in recent years. Can't speak for turnover.
Anonymous
02/16/2026 20:24
Subject: Northern Virginia Catholic Schools
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:St. James in Falls Church has 2 classes per grade. It has a nice community (houses in City of Falls Church will be out of your price range, but there may be some in the part of Falls Church that is in Fairfax County).
Super MAGA community if that matters to you.
I don’t know about St James itself because we aren’t Catholic and DC attends a different school, but we live in that area and no, it isn’t. Some people, yes. Most people, no.
Anonymous
02/16/2026 20:17
Subject: Northern Virginia Catholic Schools
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:St. James in Falls Church has 2 classes per grade. It has a nice community (houses in City of Falls Church will be out of your price range, but there may be some in the part of Falls Church that is in Fairfax County).
Super MAGA community if that matters to you.
As a Saint James family would strongly disagree with this characterization.
Anonymous
02/16/2026 20:10
Subject: Northern Virginia Catholic Schools
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I would figure out where exactly you are going to live. Most of the Arlington diocese Catholic schools are good. I would pick based on distance from your house. One thing to consider is that some have one class per grade and some have two classes per grade. Personally, two classes per grade was my preference, but YMMV. I have found all of the schools to be warm and not very cliquish.
Sorry for commenting on an older post! What schools (if you remember) offer two classes per grade? We’re possibly relocating there soon and have twins who we would prefer to be in separate classes. Thanks!
There are lots that have 2 or even 3 so it would be helpful to know which area of NOVA you'll be living in to narrow it down.
Yes, for sure! We are in the beginning of research stages so at the moment are flexible to find somewhere that best fits our needs.. our kids attend a Catholic school now and we want to continue there. So far we know one job will be near Capitol Hill, the second will be flexible (healthcare). We are coming from the Midwest/South so our budget doesn’t stretch as far there and we know our options will be limited. We could go up to 700-800k and prefer a SFH (really want a yard even if small). It’s a totally different world there than the large suburb neighborhoods we’re coming from, so we know we need to adjust our expectations!
Also considering MD (around Silver Spring etc?) as we’ve noticed the large pocket of Catholic schools there as well.
In case you want some unsolicited real estate advice, you might look around Capitol Hill as well. Could find a townhome with a small yard there for 700-800, and might like to be connected to a community where you work. I’d also suggest renting for a year before buying to get to know the area. That is what we did, and we are very happy we did.
Generally, you’ll get more for your money the farther out you go, unless you choose an apt or townhouse in some areas of DC. Silver Spring could be good bc it is cheaper than Arlington, Fairfax County and Bethesda.
Thank you for this suggestion! It would be a huge change for us, but we are definitely open to that. We will be able to rent for a bit before buying, but hesitate to move our kiddos again (would be the third time in three years) so are trying to narrow it down for their sake.
Anonymous
02/15/2026 08:19
Subject: Northern Virginia Catholic Schools
^"sends home written updates"
Also, want to add that there is no additional tuition fee for the dyslexia/OG services.
Also, want to add that there is no additional tuition fee for the dyslexia/OG services.
Anonymous
02/15/2026 08:18
Subject: Northern Virginia Catholic Schools
I have a dyslexic child, and we are INCREDIBLY happy with St. Mary's in Alexandria.
He gets taken out twice a week for specialized Orton Gillingham tutoring that is totally through the school, done with another child with dyslexia in his grade. He loves the teacher and she sends hone updates written updates weekly on what they're working on. In addition, the Principal is working on getting all the elementary teachers OG certified.
He gets taken out twice a week for specialized Orton Gillingham tutoring that is totally through the school, done with another child with dyslexia in his grade. He loves the teacher and she sends hone updates written updates weekly on what they're working on. In addition, the Principal is working on getting all the elementary teachers OG certified.
Anonymous
02/15/2026 08:02
Subject: Northern Virginia Catholic Schools
Anonymous wrote:St. James in Falls Church has 2 classes per grade. It has a nice community (houses in City of Falls Church will be out of your price range, but there may be some in the part of Falls Church that is in Fairfax County).
Super MAGA community if that matters to you.
Anonymous
02/15/2026 07:55
Subject: Northern Virginia Catholic Schools
OP, I would not knowingly commute across any Potomac River bridge for work or school. Traffic is bad on a good day, and worse if any bridge has an issue.
My advice is to live, work, and attend school all on the same side of the river.
My advice is to live, work, and attend school all on the same side of the river.
Anonymous
02/14/2026 21:43
Subject: Northern Virginia Catholic Schools
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I would figure out where exactly you are going to live. Most of the Arlington diocese Catholic schools are good. I would pick based on distance from your house. One thing to consider is that some have one class per grade and some have two classes per grade. Personally, two classes per grade was my preference, but YMMV. I have found all of the schools to be warm and not very cliquish.
Sorry for commenting on an older post! What schools (if you remember) offer two classes per grade? We’re possibly relocating there soon and have twins who we would prefer to be in separate classes. Thanks!
There are lots that have 2 or even 3 so it would be helpful to know which area of NOVA you'll be living in to narrow it down.
Yes, for sure! We are in the beginning of research stages so at the moment are flexible to find somewhere that best fits our needs.. our kids attend a Catholic school now and we want to continue there. So far we know one job will be near Capitol Hill, the second will be flexible (healthcare). We are coming from the Midwest/South so our budget doesn’t stretch as far there and we know our options will be limited. We could go up to 700-800k and prefer a SFH (really want a yard even if small). It’s a totally different world there than the large suburb neighborhoods we’re coming from, so we know we need to adjust our expectations!
Also considering MD (around Silver Spring etc?) as we’ve noticed the large pocket of Catholic schools there as well.
In case you want some unsolicited real estate advice, you might look around Capitol Hill as well. Could find a townhome with a small yard there for 700-800, and might like to be connected to a community where you work. I’d also suggest renting for a year before buying to get to know the area. That is what we did, and we are very happy we did.
Generally, you’ll get more for your money the farther out you go, unless you choose an apt or townhouse in some areas of DC. Silver Spring could be good bc it is cheaper than Arlington, Fairfax County and Bethesda.
Anonymous
02/14/2026 16:25
Subject: Northern Virginia Catholic Schools
St. James in Falls Church has 2 classes per grade. It has a nice community (houses in City of Falls Church will be out of your price range, but there may be some in the part of Falls Church that is in Fairfax County).
Anonymous
02/14/2026 15:34
Subject: Northern Virginia Catholic Schools
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I would figure out where exactly you are going to live. Most of the Arlington diocese Catholic schools are good. I would pick based on distance from your house. One thing to consider is that some have one class per grade and some have two classes per grade. Personally, two classes per grade was my preference, but YMMV. I have found all of the schools to be warm and not very cliquish.
Sorry for commenting on an older post! What schools (if you remember) offer two classes per grade? We’re possibly relocating there soon and have twins who we would prefer to be in separate classes. Thanks!
There are lots that have 2 or even 3 so it would be helpful to know which area of NOVA you'll be living in to narrow it down.
Yes, for sure! We are in the beginning of research stages so at the moment are flexible to find somewhere that best fits our needs.. our kids attend a Catholic school now and we want to continue there. So far we know one job will be near Capitol Hill, the second will be flexible (healthcare). We are coming from the Midwest/South so our budget doesn’t stretch as far there and we know our options will be limited. We could go up to 700-800k and prefer a SFH (really want a yard even if small). It’s a totally different world there than the large suburb neighborhoods we’re coming from, so we know we need to adjust our expectations!
Also considering MD (around Silver Spring etc?) as we’ve noticed the large pocket of Catholic schools there as well.