Our Lady of Good Counsel School

Posted: October 1, 2024

Posted: October 1, 2024

Posted: October 1, 2024

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Posted: October 1, 2024

Our child recently started kindergarten at OLGC, and it has been an incredible experience! We are beyond thrilled with the academics. It’s only October; when she began, she could only spell her first name in uppercase. Now, just six weeks later, she has mastered both uppercase and lowercase letters and is starting to blend sounds together. This is just one of the many examples of her progress.

We also love how OLGC emphasizes caring for God’s creation. She has started picking up trash during our walks because she understands it’s her responsibility to care for the environment. The school’s Catholic values really shine through, with a focus on shaping children to be not just great students but also kind, loving, and thoughtful individuals. This year’s motto, “Be love,” is a beautiful reminder of the importance of being compassionate in everything we do.

OLGC doesn’t just prepare children to be academically on par with — and, in many ways, ahead of — the excellent local public schools. They’re also nurturing children to be good people, caring friends, and responsible citizens of the world. The Principal, Mrs. Williams, and the Vice Principal are fantastic leaders who clearly put their heart and soul into the school, and they are always open to feedback.

You won’t find a better school for the price and the quality of education in the area. We are so grateful to be part of this community!

Posted: March 22, 2024

We are extremely pleased with this exceptional Catholic school. It has surpassed our expectations in every way. The academic standards are outstanding, and the strong sense of community is truly remarkable. Despite our 30-minute travel time, we believe it is the best Catholic school in the area.
Our heartfelt wish is for the school to sustain its academic by consistently recruiting exceptional, kind and faith filled teachers.
(Also the principal and assistant principal knows all 500 + students in this school which speaks to her commitment to each child and their educational journey)

Posted: March 22, 2024

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Posted: March 18, 2024

The teachers are not very qualified, and there are way too many worksheets and not enough hands-on experiences, tens frames, hundred charts, math manipulatives, games to foster a love for learning.

Furthermore, students are not allowed to use whiteboards and work in pairs for cooperative learning strategies which build teamwork and collaboration.

Also, there is way too much homework and most of it is very boring.

Students are marked with a red pen for mistakes on weekly spelling tests of words they have never been instructed to learn. Really shameful for their self-esteem.

Posted: March 18, 2024

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Posted: December 18, 2023

Posted: December 18, 2023

Posted: December 18, 2023

Posted: December 18, 2023

This school is lackluster. I am a middle school student. Most of the teachers are great teachers. Some of the teachers are holding down the middle school. One of the teachers continues to grade assignments harshly even though many parents have voiced their complaints to her. She once didn’t even grade a project. Many students who have 100% in every other class end up with a 90%. She frequently also grades assignments several weeks or even months late.

An important thing with this school is that if you aren’t liked by administration it will be a rough ride through school.

homework:
The homework is very inconsistent. Plan on your child missing their sports on certain days. One day you may not have any homework and another day you can have 3 hours.

Posted: December 18, 2023

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Posted: January 26, 2023

The school is behind public school academically, the students are worse behaved and the classroom sizes are larger. Parents will not volunteer for events because the students are so poorly behaved, with no consequences. Recess is in the parking lot and pick up takes an extremely long time. As another post stated, there are other Catholic schools in the area to try over this one or save your money and get a better education at public.

Posted: January 26, 2023

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Posted: April 4, 2019

Homework seems to be a good review of what is going on in a given class and hasn't been too cumbersome nor something the children can't complete on their own. Projects seem relevant and are used to ensure that lessons are understood and concepts reinforced.

Posted: April 4, 2019

If you have ever come to one of the school's open houses you would have received a tour from one of the school's incredible students. It is always impressive to see how these students not only have a high moral caliber, but how respectful they are and how they can look an adult in the eyes. They learn morals and are consistently reminded to live their faith. As parents, we are more than impressed with each graduating class that we have interacted with. Students are encouraged daily to "Live, Love and Serve - Live Jesus" and that is apparent with the students.

Posted: April 4, 2019

As I previously stated, OLGC's leadership changed within the last 2 years and there has been a noticeable change in the effectiveness of the advancement of the school. Mrs. Jewett has implemented more challenging curriculums with advanced math and science programs, has implemented support for children that may need aid (including the addition of a wonderful speech therapist to the staff), boosted the overall morale of the staff and the entire community and continues to push herself and encourage the staff. Complacency is certainly not a word I would associate with OLGC's leadership!

OLGC recently named an Assistant Principle for the 2019-2020 school year who is already a beloved member of the school community. Robin Williams will be a great addition and will reinforce and grow all of Mrs. Jewett's initiatives.

Posted: April 4, 2019

OLGC continues to try to accommodate children of all different learning abilities. The school has many resources on staff. That list of teachers and specialists continues to grow to accommodate a growing population. This year the school has implemented flexible seating, helping students to learn through multiple modalities (tactile, auditory, visual, etc.) and technology. The school's climate is very positive with an emphasis on positivity and rewarding positive behavior. The OLGC staff puts every effort into accommodating each type of learner they have in their classroom.

Posted: April 4, 2019

"Be a buddy and not a bully" was the theme for the start of 2018-2019 school year. The beloved school counselor taught under this theme to each class level and I found it effective for making students aware of their actions, causing them to be kinder and anticipate how actions can create either positive or negative climates for them and their classmates. For as wonderful as this approach has been, nothing will completely eradicate all bad behavior and incidents certainly still happen. I have found the school is effective in assisting children who are bullied and dealing swiftly with children who are doing the bullying. In the past, issues weren't dealt with as directly and promptly as they are now, and that is a reflection of the current administration. Much improved.

Posted: April 4, 2019

I think many people always say how wonderful the OLGC community is, and that has always been true. To be a part of a community like this is a wonderful gift, but I feel that in the last 2 years the school has grown exponentially in its offerings, advancement and resources. From offering advanced mathematics in grades as low as 3rd grade, foreign language in all grade levels, the option for Geometry in 8th grade, dynamic computer classes, science and STEM lab, a very caring and effective school counselor, teachers with years of experience and advanced degrees - I could go on and on. Our Lady of Good Counsel is a wonderful place for your child to learn, develop, grow and excel!

Posted: April 4, 2019

Under the current Principle, Adrianne Jewett, the teachers morale as well as the caliber of the teachers has improved dramatically. Mrs. Jewett has a unique perspective in her role: she is a long standing and respected teacher with many years of experience, a parent of a student, and for the past 2 years has been the Principle. She cares not only about the students and their growth, but that of her staff as well. Teachers are challenged to identify their needs and are then given the tools to grow. It has been refreshing to share feedback and see her work with a teacher to make appropriate changes and the teachers seem to feel comfortable and appreciated, knowing that she has their backs in return and will advocate on their behalf.

The teachers at OLGC come from various backgrounds and many of them hold advanced degrees. There have been improvements to the offerings at the school. For example, starting in 3rd grade students are now tested for entry into the school's advanced math program. Part of the accelerated program includes the school offering Geometry in 8th grade. The school has a fully equipped science lab and many STEM offerings led by wonderful and educated teachers. The school also offers reading and speech support to either enrich or assist different learners by teachers with advanced degrees. Children learn Spanish in grades k-8. The teachers are encouraged to participate in continuing education.

Posted: April 30, 2018

The school has a huge bullying problem. Student complaints are not addressed and as a parent, if you are not "liked" by the administration, the chances of your issue being heard is slim. The school also needs to address the unspoken clique problem among parents and how it effects the kids.

Posted: April 30, 2018

Overall, my older child had a wonderful experience, but my two younger children's needs were not met. Generally, average kids do fine here. However, if your child is on the fringe, or worse, an outlier, you will run into problems. As a private school, OLGC is a waste of money. The public schools in the area have better resources and are more diverse. If Catholic school is your thing, there are better schools in the area. Also, the parents are the school's biggest problem. Too much "Keeping up with the Jones" and there is a lot of gossip. I cannot stress enough the clique nature of the parents. It is worse than high school; and just like high school, there IS a "parent in-crowd" and this group does have influence, power, and money. Thus, the school will never do anything to them or their children because they need their money!!!

Posted: April 30, 2018

Homework amount is reasonable and helps further understanding on the topics being discussed in the classroom.

Posted: April 30, 2018

Many of the teachers are passionate about their jobs, but not all are as qualified compared to FCPS. A few teachers are recent graduates with little, to no, experience. There are also teachers who have been in the same position for years without additional training or education. Parents are usually advocating to get their child in certain classrooms.

Posted: April 30, 2018

Christian values are taught and intertwined in many aspects of the school day. However, activities designed to help students understand the larger, more diverse, world around them end up coming across as insincere and tone deaf. For example, for Multicultural Day, students dress up in "native" costumes of various countries. Although a delight to see, it further perpetuates stereotypes and there is no real learning. For example, most Mexicans don't wear sombreros and carry maracas!
Students will also organize fundraisers, but there is always an incentive to participate. For example, on some fundraising days, students may bring in a dollar to wear jeans. Learning compassion for others is confused with, or even replaced with, bribery.

Posted: April 30, 2018

Leadership is arbitrary. There are many students who are excellent leaders at the school, but the school itself does not cultivate this skill.
Students who are leaders may be so because of various reasons (ie parents are involved, donations or involvement with the school, natural leaders in sports, etc.) There is no evidence-based leadership curriculum followed by the school.

Posted: April 30, 2018

In the classroom, there are ways for teachers to provide some help to students who are behind or extra work for those that are advanced. Overall however, the school does not have the capacity to address true learning differences. Students with special needs fall behind and it is difficult to obtain an IEP for your child.

Posted: April 16, 2018

We have children of various ages at OLGC, with one now in high school. Homework is very reasonable and suitable in duration and difficulty for the child’s age. Never more than one hour total as long as the student follows teacher guidelines for pacing assignments (such as reading, science fair).

Posted: April 16, 2018

Teachers are well-qualified, experiences, and committed to a religion-affiliated educational environment. Open door policy for parents from the individual teachers and including the outstanding administration officials.

Posted: April 16, 2018

Definitely! These are some of the primary reasons we decided to pay OLGC’s tuition through 8th grade even though our public schools are nationally ranked.

Posted: April 16, 2018

The current principal is a talented woman who previously ran the school’s science amd technology programs. Her own child is a student. The school is integral to the parish family.

Posted: April 16, 2018

Our own children vary significantly in both personality traits and academic needs. The school strives to challenge each student based on their individual learning skills. Differemt levels of coursework are offered so every child is challenged based on their individual strengths. No nomenclature is used to identify “advanced” classes. You as a parent will know where your child is placed, but most students have no idea there are variations in curriculum. The school also offers one-on-one tutoring (as well as counseling) during the school day.

Posted: April 16, 2018

Faculty is well-trained and effective at identifying and resolving bullying and social challenges among students when they arise. The school seeks to deal with bullying before it happens through education. Studens are instilled with values and tools beginning in Kindergarten to conduct themselves in an inclusive and respectful manner and to look out for each other.

Posted: April 16, 2018

Excellent. Our family has encountered a few challenges, but we’ve never felt alone. The faculty and leadership want to work with you. They approach parent concerns and requests with openness. One size does not necessarily fit all. At the same time, maintaining a positive and encouraging environment for all students and faculty is the highest priority.

Posted: January 23, 2018

Quite poorly. The students were very sexist and the priest even called all students who were pro-choice “evil” during mass. Next year you will be REQUIRED to go to the March for Life, even though anything concerning politics is “prohibited” at the school.

Posted: January 23, 2018

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Posted: March 14, 2016

My three children currently attend OLGC and are in 4, 1, and Kindergarten. The kids are all thriving and being challenged academically. The teachers in 4th grade have a great approach to teaching the students 'how' to study and prepare for tests and projects. My younger two children are getting the support needed to encourage a love of reading and math. The community of students and families is a wonderful, supportive environment. We are extremely happy with our decision to send our children to OLGC.

Posted: March 14, 2016

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Posted: March 14, 2016

Posted: November 2, 2015

OLGC School was & is perfect for our family for the past 12 years. I have three children and all have different personalities, and academic strengths & weaknesses. Each one has received exactly the right learning experience. The teachers have challenged them, given them respect and are very open with working with us as parents to enable them to succeed. The faith formation has enabled the ones that have graduated to be able to put their best foot forward in high school and become compassionate and caring young adults. They were well equipped at OLGC middle school and were confident in high school and even come back to see their OLGC middle school teachers to say thank you.

Posted: October 25, 2015

We have sent 4 kids through OLGC, 2 are still there. I cannot think of a better place to send my children. The academics are great but importantly the catholic faith is deeply embedded into all they do. Religion,. faith, empathy towards others is part of who they are. I personally love the community it creates. Not only do I know my children's teachers. I knows their parents and siblings. The community the schools fosters is vibrant and full people willing to keep it so. OLGC is a great place to be young child. A great place to grow in knowledge and faith.

Posted: October 22, 2015

OLGC is an amazing school. My child loves going to school each day. The teachers are kind and understanding. They truly care about the development of our children. The school offers so many great extra curricular activities from various clubs to CYO sports. There is an awesome community of parents and parishioners. It truly feels like a family. I am so happy we have chosen OLGC for our children.

Posted: October 22, 2015

Posted: October 22, 2015

Posted: October 22, 2015

Posted: October 22, 2015

Our two children wake-up looking forward to going to school with no complaints. They come home and have positive things to say daily, even if it is a day with a lot of homework. Our children feel safe and supported at school, which is of upmost importance. We are thankful for the staff at OLGC that make this experience happen. As parents, we feel that the school offers an optimal balance of professionalism and empathy.

Posted: October 22, 2015

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Posted: October 22, 2015

Posted: October 22, 2015

OLGC is a wonderful school! I have three children currently attending OLGC. The teachers and staff are kind, caring, intelligent and helpful. The community is amazing and comes together for numerous volunteer and social activities throughout the year. The academics are excellent and the use of technology is great. The graduating students are well prepared for high school. My children love their school and I am so happy and proud to be part of an amazing school and community!

Posted: October 22, 2015

This is an excellent school. Five of my children currently attend OLGC. The teachers are caring, intelligent, and responsive.
The community is tight knit, supportive, and dedicated. New families are welcomed with family buddies, mentors, and socials.
From CYO sports to PTO sponsored family nights to Service and Volunteer efforts, you will not find a community like this at any other school in the area.

Posted: October 22, 2015

I have two children currently at OLGC and am so grateful that they attend. The environment and community is simply amazing and something I wish I myself had when I was young and in school. In addition, the academics are excellent. A dear friend of mine teaches at one of the local high schools in the Vienna area and she has said numerous times that the OLGC students that come through her classes as freshman are among the best prepared for the rigors and workload of high school. I read the disgruntled comment below by the college graduate who attended OLGC for a few years and am saddened and perplexed that they had such a poor experience. My children's experience at Our Lady of Good Counsel has been nothing short of wonderful. They are happy and thriving. My kids simply love their school.

Posted: October 22, 2015

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Posted: October 21, 2015

The teachers and faculty at OLGC are tireless in their efforts to provide a technologically progressive curriculum. At the same time, the teachers give equal energy to faith, morals, kindness and ethics. I have one graduate and three children currently in the school. I can't imagine a better place for a young person in today's world.

Posted: February 8, 2015

OLGC continues to be in max-PR-mode to promote the school as academically challenging and a wonderfully nurturing Catholic environment. While there are a few great teachers, too many are mediocre at best. The reputation the school seeks to promote does not reflect the reality of how OLGC truly operates. I am glad we left the school!

Posted: November 28, 2014

OLGC has 30 students in nearly all classes & wait lists because it is a great school. Academics are the focus at the school. As for previous post about it not being a school for special needs kids, the public schools ARE better able to address varying needs of children & have taxpayer funding to place aids with special needs kids. There are advanced classes at OLGC for kids who are ahead & need an academic challenge. OLGC has a specialist who can help the kids who need that little bit of help. It's unfair to other students (& tuition paying parents) if a teacher has to focus on a child with special needs to the detriment of the other kids' education. Unlike OLGC, other Catholic schools in the area (St. Luke) do no testing of kids prior to admission & this is a huge disadvantage to the able children because children who fail to thrive in public school are accepted & the kids who have special needs aren't adequately helped--some of these kids were wandering around the classrooms, throwing things in class, needing constant help & were a huge distraction to other students. OLGC is a compassionate environment & considers the interests of all. Schools have kids and kids get lice.

Posted: October 29, 2014

PART 1: The teachers are dedicated and hard working and have the best interest of the student at heart. There has been more than normal turnover because some of the most dedicated teachers who push to help struggling or high-achieving students are met with sheer hostility. *If your child has special needs and/or an IEP OLGC is not the place for you. It is a good fit for the average student. If your child is below average or needs extra attention, some service is provided but not like you would receive in public school. If your child is extremely bright, there is very little in the curriculum to meet their needs. The teachers teach to the lowest common denominator because there are 30 children in the classroom. The school has been battling a lice problem for the last three years and notification is not always prompt. I personally have seen the black mold in one third grade classroom and when I said something to Administration, I was told there was no mold problem. I was also told that a piece of equipment was to be installed on the elementary school side to help with the moisture issue but last I checked, that was not completed.

Posted: June 24, 2014

Two sons have graduated from OLGC and our third will enter middle school this fall.. Our oldest son was exceptionally prepared for the riggers of catholic high school, placing in advanced math and honors classes. Our second son has some learning challenges and was well supported by the caring middle school teachers. The middle school environment at OLGC is nurturing bringing each child to their full potential. OLGC Middle School was instrumental in developing our son's self esteem, organizational skills, academic development and social interactions. Caring teachers, involved parents and a supportive parish make OLGC our continued choice for child #3 as he enters middle school!

Posted: May 15, 2014

OLGC provides an academically challenging atmosphere while keeping great focus on developing sprituality and core values within the students. Not having attended Catholic school as a child, I am impressed with all of the opportunities given to my children in strengthing their learning, volunteer offerings and the level of community this school supports.

Posted: May 12, 2014

Our Lady of Good Counsel School provides exceptional academic, social, physical, and spiritual learning experiences for children in grades Kindergarten through 8th. The school received Blue Ribbon status from the Dept. of Education in 2005 and students consistently score in the upper percentiles in national testing. The Virginia Catholic Education Association (VCEA) has accredited OLGC School since 1972. OLGC School is also a member of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA). OLGC has a well-equipped science lab, a gymnasium, a library, and technological equipment throughout. In addition to providing so much academic opportunity, OLGC also encourages the students to participate in community outreach projects, such as raising money to help a school in Haiti. These students learn about the world and about how they can make a difference in it. They are instilled with the philosophy and spirituality of St. Francis de Sales who said "Be who you are, and be that perfectly well."

Posted: March 10, 2014

Having been members of the OLGC school community for seven years, it is difficult for me to imagine a better environment academically, socially and spiritually for my son. From the first moment we entered the building felt a tremendous sense of warmth. That feeling has only grown over the years. The teachers are effectively my son s parents and guardians more waking hours of the day than is my wife or I. I trust the faculty and staff implicitly to ensure that our collective priorities are met on a daily basis: 1) academic rigor, 2) a strong religious and moral foundation, and; 3) discipline and character development. Though I have tried, I cannot imagine a better experience and believe choosing OLGC was one of the best decisions my family has ever made. There may be other schools with better facilities or more elite reputations or more advanced teachings but I am sure the cost is many times more. OLGC has become a second home for my family and it will be a tremendously sad day when my son leaves. I have no apprehension that my son has been given the strongest foundation possible on which to build a successful future in high school and beyond.

Posted: March 3, 2014

I am a parent of two children who have graduated from and two children who currently attend OLGC. I have found the community at OLGC to be warm and welcoming both at the student and parent level. The teachers at OLGC are dedicated and caring and create a nurturing environment, which not only supports the academic development of each child, but also each child's spiritual development. Religion instruction is not only limited to daily lessons taught in the classroom, but it is also fostered in the celebration of the Mass and special prayer services. Sports are also strong at OLGC. OLGC has an exceptional House League basketball program for 4th and 5th graders and our teams consistently do well in the CYO basketball league and CYO track meets. In addition, our Art teacher inspires students creativity as any visitor can see when visiting the school or attending our Art Fair. The computer club and Lego League robotics club are two other extracurricular programs that enrich the curriculum at OLGC. Overall, my two older children were well prepared for high school and my younger two children are being challenged as well. The bottom line is that my kids were/ are happy at OLGC.

Posted: March 2, 2014

OLGC has been a wonderful school for our daughters. We have been pleased with the high quality education that our children have received and the nurturing environment in which they have received it. The teachers have been very caring and supportive. Our girls have been academically challenged and have thrived in the loving environment that prevails throughout the school. OLGC has played a significant role in teaching our daughters important values and how to strive to "live like Jesus and have Jesus shine through your heart." The Catholic values that have been instilled in our children will help them overcome the challenges they may face in the future. Our children have been very happy and comfortable at OLGC. We could not be more pleased with our experience at OLGC. We feel very blessed to be a part of the OLGC family.

Posted: February 25, 2014

I chose OLGC for my child after a few years in a nondenominational private school, where the focus seemed to be more on fancy technology and facilities but the quality of learning varied greatly based on the teacher and the other students in the class. Although my child has more students in her class here, the education she receives at OLGC is superior to her other experience. Her teacher better differentiates learning for each child despite having more students in her classroom. There is a greater focus on character education, not only through weekly Mass and religious education, but also through direct teachings of personal integrity; in my experience, this integrity is modeled by the faculty and administration. Her 'outside' music teacher even mentioned to us how much she is flourishing at this school; she is upset when school has been closed for snow. When I ask her each day how school was, the usual response is "fun!"... followed by a list of things she learned in Science Lab or Art class or Math. I've never seen her so excited about her school, and I can't imagine a better experience.

Posted: February 21, 2014

In teaching at OLGC Middle School for the past five years, each year I have been amazed at the academic development of the students from 6th to 8th grade. Every year alumni return and tell us how well they were prepared for high school and how successful they have been in honors and AP classes. Parents of alumni convey the same message, and these unsolicited comments are about students who found getting average grades very challenging at OLGC as well as those who consistently made our honor roll. The combination of OLGC s Salesian spirit of trying to live Jesus and its rigorous academics produces very well rounded teenagers.

Posted: February 12, 2014

We have been at the school for over 8 years. My children have had a variety of teachers and experiences. We see the school and church community as our home. The children are challenged to do their best and most teachers bring the students talents to the forefront. There are so many educational opportunities from art, science, music, writing and sports that all children can find their strength and use that to grow. Because the school is K-8, the children can see what being a leader is all about and get excited when it is their turn to experience something that the older students do. Traditions are a wonderful part of the school experience. The Teachers really enjoy teaching and truely love the students. Parents have a great opportunity to meet other parents through a variety of different committees whether you work at home or have a full-time job.

Posted: January 4, 2014

Overall, I am pleased with our decision to send our children to OLGC. I like the smaller class sizes (compared to our public school), the communication from teachers, the principal and PTO, and quality of education. My only complaint is that a lot of the parents are very cliquish. It has been difficult to get to know parents, which has been frustrating because we kept hearing about this wonderful "community" at OLGC. I suppose there is about community....only not everyone is part of it. But that is okay. We are not there to make friends and have a social life, we are there for our kids to get a good, faith - based education. On that point, OLGC delivers.

Posted: October 31, 2013

We are really pleased with our decision to send our child to OLGC. We love the quality of the education with energetic and creative teachers, the great sense of community, and the regular communication from the principal, PTO president, and our child's teacher. There are a number of opportunities for parents to volunteer and be part of their child s school. Most of all, we love how happy our son is going to school each day. He has really thrived at OLGC.

Posted: October 1, 2013

My daughter has attended OLGC for a year now, and she loves it. Their language arts programs and mathematics programs seem quite strong. My daughter enjoys the science lab and computer lab. The teachers are strong, and clearly care about the students. And I really appreciate that the good academic performance goes hand in hand with a strong faith formation.

Posted: September 27, 2013

OLGC is faith based with a great academic curriculum. It has a caring faculty and staff . There is an emphasis on community service and service to the school and Church. My children have been very happy there and we can not imagine a better place for them.

Posted: September 11, 2013

The school has a long standing reputation for chaos and insensible staffs. My son was told to go away when he reported bullying to a teacher.

Posted: July 2, 2013

All my kids went to OLGC and I think it prepared them well for high school and college both academically and socially. Students are challenged to work hard and taught to be organized. The principal sets a good example for faculty, students and parents as to christian values. The community is strong and really comes together when there is adversity. There is great school spirit and pride and lots of great traditions.

Posted: June 16, 2013

The parents-teacher organization gives you a false sense of welcoming and friendliness. The parents and students are cliquish. A cruel environment. Religion without kindness at OLGC.

Posted: May 29, 2013

We feel so lucky to have found OLGC. It's not just a school, but a community. Parent involvement is incredibly high, the feeling is warm and supportive and the quality of teachers is great. My kids have had very loving teachers who seem to really enjoy their jobs. My only complaint is the large class sizes, though having assistants in each class makes a big difference.

Posted: May 8, 2013

There is definitely a lack of communication between faculty and parents at OLGC and classes are too large. Many parents I know have had concerns that other parents definitely had a right to know about - student behavioral issues especially. Though these problems aren't necessarily shocking (especially when the student/teacher ratio is so great), parents have a right to know they are happening so as to capitalize on this learning experience and reinforce a positive message at home. Instead, band aids are placed on issues as they are swept under the rug and continue to resurface. Classes that are too large prevent one-on-one attention for students and present an impossible environment for teachers to be at their best. Teachers continue to leave for the upcoming year as well. Perhaps it is only a coincidence? We really had hoped to see a higher moral standard this year but sadly OLGC falls short again. Our children will not be returning.

Posted: May 3, 2013

I am the parent of two children that attend OLGC. I feel blessed every single day to have chosen this school for our girls. The teachers are excellent, happy, charismatic and fun. The academics are challenging but the children are encouraged to work hard and succeed in a nurturing environment where they are provided enrichment if they require it and assistance if they need it. I love the fact that the principal is ALWAYS outside to greet the kids in the morning drop off (often times meeting them with an umbrella and escorting them in) and is also ALWAYS outside to dismiss them at the end of the day. The entire faculty loves the kids, and it shows. The standardized testing that compares the academics of OLGC to other diocesan schools indicates that they are WELL above the county average (a fact that they are proud enough to share on their website). Feel free to ask other schools for their Terra Nova scores and compare! My girls come home every day and say they LOVE it at OLGC and so do we. I hope this review helps if you are looking for a great school for your kids.

Posted: January 28, 2013

OLGC is a top-notch school! There is a statement made in another post, that should be clarified. The turnover of teachers is not that high among faculty as was reported in another post. Yes, a record-high 8 teachers left last year. However, of the 7 that left on their own accord, none of them went to teach in another elementary school in the area because they were disgruntled. Rather, 2 - retired 1 - is taking time off, 1 - teaching at high school level and 3 - changed location and were very sad they had to leave. In another post, somebody made that sound like a symptom of unrest at the school. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion and I feel sorry that they left feeling bitter (enough to post on this website). I hope they found a better fit, but please don't make negative and misinformed generalizations about a school that I hold dear to our family's heart.