Anonymous wrote:DJO often takes students from k-8 parrochials that were rejected from PVI. Just a heads up. I have also heard of many kids having excellent experiences at DJO, in sports and academics. Very high performing students might find more rigorous class options at fcps or aps.

-Former local K-8 parrochial teacher

This was NOT the case at our K-8 at all!

I have a current Junior at O'Connell and our DS graduated two years ago and is now a second year in college. Hands down, the O'Connell administration is the best. They are smart and capable and all that but the thing I admire the most about the Head of School, Principal, Dean of Academics and Student Affairs, etc. is that they are genuinely kind, decent people. They are fair and positive and I feel they set the tone for the rest of the faculty and O'Connell community.

Another thing to share about O'Connell that may be true of other schools (although it is not of FCPS): O'Connell does not allow test re-takes. And O'Connell does have their students take both mid-term and final exams in every class. My nephew attended a public school where they do not have mid-terms and finals and he has told us that it was a significant disadvantage once he began college. He said he wished he had the practice of having to not only study for final exams but to manage the workload during finals week before he started at college. I am sure that O'Connell students dread taking final exams, but I feel it is yet another way the school prepares its students for what is ahead.

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this thread. We are looking at this school from southern Fairfax Co. Most of the kids in this area would go to BI, so wanted to see if anyone out there could speak to whether my kid would be an outlier (and have to travel farther to see friends on weekends, etc).

We live south of Old Town and have one child at DJO. He chose it over BI, as he preferred the bigger size, and his sport definitely was a factor in his decision. He didn’t know anyone going in and made friends quickly. He takes the bus from Old Town, and we really wouldn’t have considered it without the bus option. And he can’t take the bus home during his sport season so pick up becomes a daily factor in season. He’s very happy, but there are few kids from this area that go to DJO. His friends live in McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, and Arlington for the most part. It’s what he wanted and he enjoys it so we don’t regret it, but it does make logistics harder.

For what it's worth, NMSF recipients per school, 2024. O'Connell did well.

BISHOP IRETON: 1
BISHOP O'CONNELL H. S. 3
ST. JOHN PAUL THE GREAT CATHOLIC H. S. 2
ST. PAUL VI CATHOLIC H. S. 2

Last year's results, assuming I didn't screw up trolling through the data:

BISHOP IRETON: 1
BISHOP O'CONNELL: 1
ST JOHN PAUL THE GREAT: 0
ST PAUL VI: 1

As always, cum grano salis.

Anonymous wrote:Arlingtons 4th public

Public schools don't have religion classes, nor have mass.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DJO often takes students from k-8 parrochials that were rejected from PVI. Just a heads up. I have also heard of many kids having excellent experiences at DJO, in sports and academics. Very high performing students might find more rigorous class options at fcps or aps.

-Former local K-8 parrochial teacher

I have two who went from a local k-8 to O'Connell then both on to Stanford. Bishop O'Connell can support strong academics (and athletics). Another child benefited greatly from their Muller Center.

Did your kids play college sports?

And what year did your kids graduate?

Arlingtons 4th public

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DJO often takes students from k-8 parrochials that were rejected from PVI. Just a heads up. I have also heard of many kids having excellent experiences at DJO, in sports and academics. Very high performing students might find more rigorous class options at fcps or aps.

-Former local K-8 parrochial teacher

I have two who went from a local k-8 to O'Connell then both on to Stanford. Bishop O'Connell can support strong academics (and athletics). Another child benefited greatly from their Muller Center.

Did your kids play college sports?

Anonymous wrote:DJO often takes students from k-8 parrochials that were rejected from PVI. Just a heads up. I have also heard of many kids having excellent experiences at DJO, in sports and academics. Very high performing students might find more rigorous class options at fcps or aps.

-Former local K-8 parrochial teacher

I have two who went from a local k-8 to O'Connell then both on to Stanford. Bishop O'Connell can support strong academics (and athletics). Another child benefited greatly from their Muller Center.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this thread. We are looking at this school from southern Fairfax Co. Most of the kids in this area would go to BI, so wanted to see if anyone out there could speak to whether my kid would be an outlier (and have to travel farther to see friends on weekends, etc).

I'm a huge fan of Bishop O'Connell but I've only heard good things about BI and that BI is probably stronger academically. In your case, I'd probably stick to the closer choice, BI.

You might look at Saint John Paul the Great.

DJO often takes students from k-8 parrochials that were rejected from PVI. Just a heads up. I have also heard of many kids having excellent experiences at DJO, in sports and academics. Very high performing students might find more rigorous class options at fcps or aps.

-Former local K-8 parrochial teacher

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this thread. We are looking at this school from southern Fairfax Co. Most of the kids in this area would go to BI, so wanted to see if anyone out there could speak to whether my kid would be an outlier (and have to travel farther to see friends on weekends, etc).

I'm a huge fan of Bishop O'Connell but I've only heard good things about BI and that BI is probably stronger academically. In your case, I'd probably stick to the closer choice, BI.

OP- we had friends move their kids to DJO from a public school. Kids found friends fairly quickly and enjoyed the sports/ clubs. Parents were happy with academics. In their words ‘there is something for everyone’ in terms of activities/academics.

Anonymous wrote:people are very happy at DJO but it matters what your son and you as parents want out of a high school and a high school experience. It definitely has a bigger public school feel with a religious aspect and opportunities for service. Not extremely conservative, as there are a number of non-catholics there too. If your son is truly smart and values a rigorous curriculum and a different sort of high school experience, he may want to check out some of the independents. But smart kids do well anywhere, it's just a feel and preference. Think about school culture, tone, and seek out first hand experiences.

+1!

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Anonymous wrote:My son played football there this fall and I was unimpressed by the student fans. They left all their trash strewn across the bleachers presumably to be cleaned up by janitorial staff. It really turned me off and speaks to the culture of the school.

My son's school had a lot of student fans attend as well and they managed to throw out their trash and leave the bleachers the same way they found them. (Like they do at all Home and Away games. And if they didn't, I know our administration would rightly be all over it.)

This may seem like a petty thing to some people, but this is the kind of stuff that sticks out to me when I go to schools for athletic events.

Yeah, you’re right, you’re being petty all right

Nope, I don’t think PP is being petty at all! Actions show character and lack thereof. If you can’t take 2 minutes to throw out your trash you are a self- centered, spoiled SOB. It’s like those ppl who can’t be bothered to put their shopping carts back at grocery stores!

My guess is her son’s team lost the game.

DP, and please stop as it doesn't reflect well on you or the school to be defensive. Our family is looking at DJO and this thread has been really interesting to us both the positive and negative statements. It's okay that someone had a negative perception of the school, it doesn't mean sour grapes on their part.

I have zero connection to the school.