Bishop Denis J O'connell High School

Posted: November 1, 2025

Posted: November 1, 2025

Posted: November 1, 2025

Posted: November 1, 2025

Posted: November 1, 2025

Posted: November 1, 2025

Posted: November 1, 2025

Posted: November 1, 2025

Great moral foundation, structure and school focuses on students to reach highest potential to receive choices for college.

Posted: March 31, 2024

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Posted: March 31, 2024

My daughters love O'Connell. The school has something for every type of child, is geared towards the value of service, teamwork, great athletics - and wonderful teachers willing to work and support their students.

Posted: March 12, 2023

Posted: March 12, 2023

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Posted: March 12, 2023

We have had three children go to DJO and we have had nothing but positive things to say. The school prepares the young adults for higher education and life skills.

Posted: April 23, 2020

The school has gone through some transitions since their head of school, Dr. Vorbach, is now the Superintendent. Sister Lorraine, a former Mother Superior, stepped in this year while the school conducted their search for a replacement. Sister combines a nun's trademark compassion with a keen observation of the faculty and students, with her thoughts leading DJO's weekly newsletter.

Posted: April 23, 2020

While my children have not personally participated in DJO's Muller Center's activities, I have noticed that students have received attention for their IEPs with appropriate accommodations.

Posted: April 23, 2020

We have not personally experiencing any bullying, but the school has addressed this common high school issue through parent coffees as well as with the students directly. Overall, with as many times as I have picked up my students or attended events, the students appear to be happy with a lot of hugging and high-5s/fist bumps.

Posted: April 23, 2020

I currently have two children at this school, and the homework load appears to be reasonable. They are in a combo of AP and regular classes.

Posted: April 23, 2020

The teachers seem to have a genuine love for the school and care for the students. They are also available with office hours, and also during "Knight Time" which is a school-wide study hall where the students can get together in groups to work on projects, or they can meet with their teachers, or visit their guidance counselor.

Posted: April 23, 2020

The school has an annual requirement of at least 10 service hours per student, and provides ample opportunities for this to be accomplished through a variety of clubs and service projects. There are also annual retreats, and the school has an engaging chaplain who has a great rapport with the students and staff. Good behavior is expected.

Posted: April 23, 2020

My children were previously in a private Catholic school prior to attending DJO, and they had no interest in any other high school. DJO allows "shadowing" with other students during 8th grade, so a prospective student can get a closer look. The uniforms help equalize a student population that pulls from 80 different schools from VA, DC, and MD, so they are getting to meet people they might otherwise not encounter. My children are very active in sports, and attend many events at school, and there seems to be a strong camaraderie with students. Teachers are also frequently seen at school events, cheering on their students. My children are very happy at this school, and I would highly recommend it to anyone!

Posted: January 22, 2020

Rules are arbitrarily enforced, so students don't take them seriously until its too late. Some students get a pass and others get draconian punishment. Vaping is rampant in the bathrooms all day long.

Posted: January 22, 2020

There is a lot of lip service. Underachievers are passed through. There is a program for attention deficit issues, but that's just an extra study hall in the morning. Save your money. Programs for kids with more extreme disabilities might be good. I don't know.

Posted: January 22, 2020

They aren't effective but I am not sure any school has that problem solved.

Posted: January 22, 2020

If you are self-driven and bright, you will be fine. But if you need help, you will be lumped with the other underachievers and passed through. Save your money and go to public school.

Posted: January 22, 2020

The inconsistency in rules and values make it hard to teach children anything but cynicism.

Posted: January 22, 2020

Really awful. I genuinely regret wasting the money on my child's time there.

Posted: January 22, 2020

Homework wasn't excessive, just ineffective. Enforcement of everything was inconsistent.

Posted: July 3, 2018

Posted: July 3, 2018

There are no services for kids with learning differences

Posted: July 3, 2018

I was bullied during my freshman year at Bishop O'Connell. Like I said above, the kids here are not very nice and the administration did nothing to solve the problem.

Posted: July 3, 2018

My experience at DJO was HELL for me. I did not fit their standards so I was bullied for being different. Like I said above, I was kicked out for my mental health issues. If your child has mental health issues, do yourself a favor and go to public school. They have more resources for your child. O'Connell is not the school for you.

Posted: July 3, 2018

It was pretty manageable for me but caused unnecessary stress.

Posted: July 3, 2018

I had some pretty bad teachers here at Bishop O'Connell. One teacher is notorious for handing out detentions faster than one can say "DJO". Also the teachers are very oblivious to things like cheating.

Posted: July 3, 2018

The students are not very nice. I remember being used as someone else's entertainment. There is a lot of cheating at this school. I remember seeing one kid going on his phone to find the answers to test questions. I was kicked out of O'Connell for mental health issues, which goes to show that O'Connell has no compassion for students that don't fit the cookie-cutter mold.

Posted: December 6, 2017

Students couldn't care less about school spirit

Posted: December 6, 2017

People who are not as smart as others are bullied

Posted: December 6, 2017

If you do not belong to a friend group you are bullied

Posted: December 6, 2017

This school has a bad approach to everything. Paul VI is much better. Also the school spirit sucks as well.

Posted: December 6, 2017

I believe that this school gives too much homework for a high school student. The amount is overwhelming

Posted: December 6, 2017

A lot of the teachers are too strict for high school teachers.

Posted: December 6, 2017

This school cares more about academics than values

Posted: November 30, 2017

Posted: November 30, 2017

Posted: November 30, 2017

Posted: November 30, 2017

Posted: November 30, 2017

Posted: November 30, 2017

Posted: November 30, 2017

Our son has had a great experience so far. We are impressed with his teachers and the advanced courses offered. He came from a small private middle school and has transitioned into a bigger school environment well. He has developed strong relationships with each of his teachers and is challenged academically. He especially likes the Honors Biology and English combined class. All of his teachers are supportive but firm on deadlines, which we appreciate b/c it gets him to be more conscious planning his schedule and due dates. We especially like the app that updates us on his class grades.

Posted: July 15, 2017

Posted: July 15, 2017

Posted: July 15, 2017

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Posted: July 15, 2017

Posted: July 15, 2017

As a parent of a student who has spent three years so far here I can tell you with no uncertainty there are much better options in the area. Communication with teachers and leadership has always been an issue and even when we demand change little to nothing is done.

Posted: February 14, 2017

They provide a strong academic environment with a number of upper level classes. They could do a bit better with supporting the students. For example there is no benefit from students doing homework the week they have AP exams. Also they could do a little better with college prep. For example working on college essay promps in English class or more organizes SAT prep.

Posted: February 6, 2017

Posted: February 6, 2017

O'connell has recently begun an expanded services program targeted at educating students with significant disabilities. Additionally, there is a program in place which supports students with learning disabilities and other needs.

Posted: February 6, 2017

Posted: February 6, 2017

Posted: February 6, 2017

Teachers are willing to work with students to provide additional support to help them achieve success.

Posted: February 6, 2017

Homework seems reasonable for my students - there's more in higher level classes honors and AP.

Posted: February 6, 2017

We have two student at O'connell. So far, our experience has been very positive. The teachers, counselors and administrators at O'connnell are dedicated to providing an exceptional education that targets the whole child. Our children have continued to deepen their faith, are challenged academically, made wonderful friends and are happy. We are deeply grateful for what we have found in this school.

Posted: May 19, 2016

We have 3 students here - our experience so far is disheartening. The school counsellors mislead about AP requirements, the school does not correct this. We have three current students - also in orchestra/band - the penalty is that other grades are sacrificed. We complained and requested a meeting, therefore a teacher and then the head of academics painstakingly explained how what had happened was not against rules and regulations ( loading all test scores for a semester into the band trip period when the students were absent, with make up during noisy advisory etc). The school is determined to show how school rules are observed -it fails to comprehend that rules and that allow this should be updated into this century, just because teaching guidelines allow grading to be skewered into a small timeband doesn't make it right, rather its time to reconsider such policies. Students learning is,needless to say, furtherest from consideration. At no point were we asked our views, just heard recitation that everything was in order accordance with governing regulations( this does explain why orchestra and band have few students - hence the music department suffers ). Ex post justification of poor teacher decisions and disorganization abounds, the school is right at any cost - it is at the cost of motivation and teaching of students. An outdated poorly-run school - wish we'd never begun, now the bigger decision of whether to move to somewhere better or put up with the appalling lack of care for the students and bad policies and sanctimonious upholding of their self-made regulations ( in the face of these being arbitrary and capricious) or put our students through having to leave during high school years and start again elsewhere with all that entails. Especially as they had made great friendships in the student body. Do not send your children here. Further the preaching sister who heads academics was at such pains to explain why extending a deadline date helped students who had stayed up to meet the deadline failed to appreciate what poor planning and breach of student-teacher trust was exemplified by such behaviour. Run by a bloated blinkered faculty, you can do better - and as for the school, it really needs to raise the bar and accept some responsibility.

Posted: May 19, 2016

Posted: July 20, 2015

So far this has been a great experience for my student and a great experience for the family.

Posted: July 20, 2015

I am sure the students would like less, but it seems about right, at least to the parents.

Posted: July 20, 2015

Posted: July 20, 2015

I have a student currently at DJO and my student is having a great time. The teachers are caring and helpful, they have even created more time during the day for the students to obtain extra help should it be needed. Academically, my student went from being an average student to one who is engaged in learning and excited for the next school year. The new class additions are great!
The counseling staff is wonderful, they are doing a great job to get the kids ready for college. It is a friendly, caring environment. There is an emphasis on athletics but there is also an emphasis on the arts-be it musical or theatrical or art for arts sake. They are trying to ensure that the students are graduating as well rounded individuals.
One of the things we like best is that there is a place for everybody at this school. The administration is supportive and helpful. There have been some great changes over the past two years. This is a great school! Please check it out!

Posted: December 12, 2013

Very few teachers appeared to enjoy any aspect of their job. Very politically-driven school with biased leadership who cares more about athletics and image than education.

Posted: February 29, 2012

What a mistake; not only once but twice. After our daughter begged to get out of Bishop O Connell after her second year we relented and sent her to a much better school in the area. She complained that she was not being taught by the instructors. She had to teach herself. We just didn t really believe her. We asked why such low grades, why do you think you re not learning. She was student of the quarter seven out of eight quarters in Jr. High. It wasn t until she arrived at her new school and the English instructor told us how ill prepared she was in English. Her last school did her no favors. Her new school prepared her and has accepted an appointment to a service academy. I only wish my wife had listened to my daughter when we sent our son there. Two years of misery again! Worst money spent.

Posted: September 4, 2011

I love Bishop O'Connell and everyone I know does too. There's not a single one of my friends who wishes they could go elsewhere. At O'Connell everyone fits in! No matter what, each person has at least some friends and that's what's important. The uniforms are cute and tasteful for girls and standard for boys. The teachers are so nice and genuinely care about the students. Overall the vibes are REALLY good! It's a much better environment than public school. (I went to public school before OC and now often times in class i want to pinch myself because i cant believe how much nicer people are!) I knew from the second I stepped foot here that I would love it and I don't think I'll ever change my mind. It really is a gem of a school. If you decide to attend Bishop O'Connell your High School memories will be wonderful!!!! take my word for it :) this is a place where people respect you and are always incredibly supportive!

Posted: June 28, 2011

When I read the reviews below I wonder what kind of grudge former students/parents have to discredit a good school like O'Connell. Our son went and thrived. Great caring teachers and guidance couselors, good coaches and lots of challenging honors and AP classes. He did well in college placement exams and was accepted to his first choice university. He was well prepared for university classes by the O'Connell staff and maintains a high GPA. I highly recommend this high school.

Posted: April 28, 2011

Ok, I recently just graduated from Bishop Denis J. Oconnell and dont really know where to beign about this school. First off before you even send your kid here, stop. The school is terrible and i have probably a list of 50 reasons but i will sum it down to five. 1) The academics here are an complete joke, even my parents agreed with me sophmore year, but i decided to stay because of my friends. 3/4s of the teachers just pound you with home work and massive amounts of work that does not accomplish anything productive but stressing you out. I learned more in my first month in college then all 4 years at O'Connell. 2) The rules their are absurd, half the time kids dont even follow them so their set up to fail from the beginning. The administration needs to easy up and stop hosting a prison where kids have little freedom. 3) i could have gotten into better or the same colleges that i did from a public school and saved $40,000. 4) The kids their are all rich so that means for all your parents that dont know, Lots of drug use and alcohol use. 5) at a public school your childs friends are all in a close designated area, not all over Virginia like some of my friends were

Posted: April 4, 2007

This IS an overall good school and it IS a good value for its price in Catholic and private education. There are some excellent teachers.Would we do it again for our child? No. It was the wrong school for our child, because the kids who shine here are the super-brains or they are the star athletes. The other students, while for the most part, are ALL good students, can often struggle to shine or find their identity here. The emphasis lately is more on creating efficiencies in running the school - outsourcing the book store and food service, but less on the students and teacher recruiting (especially in science). My child has excellent grades, some AP credits, is going to attend a good college, but I think would have had more confidence if had attended a different school. We chose public school instead for our second child.