Oakcrest School

Posted: August 7, 2026

Oakcrest is the premier choice for authentically Catholic all-girls education in Northern Virginia. Our experience with our first daughter has been excellent so far, and we plan to send all of our other daughters as well. Yes, it has a beautiful campus, but the great community, rigorous academics, and solid faith formation are really what sets Oakcrest apart.

Posted: August 7, 2026

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Posted: March 25, 2025

I don’t even know where to start. The curriculum is very biased and patriarchal. Teachers omitted important history like the stonewall riots, trail of tears and big figures from civil rights. I had a teacher refer to the civil war as the war of northern aggression. I had another teacher tell me that eating disorders were a choice. One time when a student received death threats in their locker the school covered it up. As a depressed autistic student I was never supported rather punished for my mental health/disabilities. When my cousin committed suicide I was asked to stay at home until I could act normally. I was also told I was being a bad example for being depressed. I was constantly bored in every class I was in because nothing was advanced enough and they refused to place me in higher classes to match my education level. I was never challenged once. I could do the homework 5 minutes before class and get an A because it was so easy. The education was horrible and the support systems were even worse. I could write a dissertation about why this school is the worst choice for your student.

Posted: March 25, 2025

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Posted: October 17, 2023

Ironically, for an all-girls school that claims female independence and empowerment—Oakcrest is an extremely patriarchal environment that discourages freedom of thought, questioning or differing beliefs. It is an ultra-conservative environment—if you lean middle of the road or liberal, your daughter will not feel free to speak her voice or opinions.
There is a culture of extreme judgement at Oakcrest. Judgment if you go to Mass or not. Judgment if you choose not to go to confession. Judgment if you are not pro-life. Judgement if you believe in the science of vaccines, etc.
There is an underlying culture of fear at Oakcrest. Beneath the “joyful” pictures on the website, your child will encounter a culture of fear: Fear of difference, fear of diversity, fear of female empowerment, fear of technology. Your daughter will hear the name of St. Josemaria Escriva (founder of Opus Dei) mentioned and prayed to more than the name of Jesus. Your daughters may leave the school with their Catholic faith shaken—because they will witness the Gospel only through words and NOT actions. They will learn to view the Catholic faith as a series of rules and regulations/black and white/good and bad/judgement of others.
The school is an Opus Dei school---many of the teachers and much of the administration is Opus Dei. There is a high volume of teacher turnover at Oakcrest. The school is severely lacking in STEM education. Science and math are particularly weak. The school also offers very few true honors classes—the majority of classes are taught all at one level.
Oakcrest breeds a culture of fear and judgement with no space for girls to feel empowered, ask questions, or to speak their own voice/ideas. It is a place of exclusion—not inclusion. It is a highly patriarchal environment that fosters very antiquated views of where the woman’s place is (i.e. in the kitchen, having large families at a young age). It fosters a very small-world view and close-minded environment which will not prepare them for anything outside of Oakcrest. The majority of teachers are related to one another or parents of alumni, if not alumni themselves, therefore perpetuating the damaging close-minded culture of the school.
If you care about raising a daughter who is strong, independent, not afraid to speak her views or ask questions, compassionate, embracing of difference, and non-judgmental---RUN from this school as fast as you can. We did, and leaving Oakcrest was the best decision we ever made.

Posted: October 17, 2023

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Posted: May 17, 2022

My two girls are being challenged daily to grow into strong and capable young women, to grow in confidence and in compassion towards others. Excellent academics, reasonable sports opportunity for a small school, and phenomenal teachers.

Posted: May 17, 2022

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Posted: June 27, 2020

I learned what kind of Catholic I do not want to be, and I am extra careful to be tolerant and accepting, as Oakcrest showed me that clearly not everyone else is.

Posted: June 27, 2020

Posted: June 27, 2020

a highly conservative, biased curriculum that omitted very important events (Trail of Tears, Stonewall Riots, etc). despite calculus BC being “offered,” it was an independent study that consisted of students reading the textbook alone.

Posted: August 4, 2019

Excellent! All three girls went on to the University of Virginia and were very well prepared for their experiences there.

Posted: August 4, 2019

My girls always had homework but never felt too stressed by the amount. They could easily do extracurriculars, homework and get to bed on time.

Posted: August 4, 2019

Oakcrest is great at identifying exceptional teachers and keeping them. An average teacher might slip through every once in a while but they don't last.

Posted: August 4, 2019

Please read the school's mission statement. Helping the girls become the best version of themselves is one of the school's overall education goals. There are plenty of opportunities for the girls to demonstrate integrity, compassion and respect on a daily basis in the way they treat fellow students, their teachers, sports opponents, etc.

Posted: August 4, 2019

Dr. Mary Ortiz, the principal, is awesome. She has a vision for the school and an unwavering commitment to its excellence.

Posted: August 4, 2019

Not sure how to answer this question.

Posted: August 4, 2019

While none of our girls (we had three at Oakcrest) were ever bullied, we're confident that Oakcrest wouldn't tolerate such behavior if it did happen.

Posted: May 16, 2015

Oakcrest School, in McLean, Virginia, is an independent all-girls school guided by the teachings of the Catholic church for students grades 6-12. We have an Oakcrest grad and a rising 12th grader (we're not Catholic and that is okay!) and we've been so happy with the school. The academics are challenging yet manageable for all types of students. The small class size is advantageous. There is an AP curriculum in the upper school, strong liberal arts, STEM courses, theater, art, debate and chorus to name a few. Athletics for girls so inclined include lacrosse, soccer, volleyball, track, swimming and tennis. There are two theatrical performances a year for thespians. The spirit of service, virtue, community and faith are evident every day in the halls of Oakcrest!

Posted: April 28, 2015

Oakcrest is the ideal place to find not just an excellent education for your daughter, but also where she will have the nurturing and support during and after school to advance as a valuable member of society. One of my daughters was a student at Oakcrest for 3 years, the best school I could have found for her.

Posted: November 16, 2014

I attended Oakcrest School starting in 9th grade and graduated in '13. After my first 3 semesters of college I cannot even begin to thank Oakcrest for what it taught me. I am very happy with my university (which I was very well prepared for) but most days I wish I were back at Oakcrest. To be honest, you must be a certain type of person to truly value the school. For me, as a protestant, I was immersed in the catholic belief. The Opus Dei aspects of the religion are all around you at the school but it never made me uncomfortable. I was not the only protestant/non-religious girl and a majority of us did not view the spiritual elements as a negative. I cannot thank Oakcrest enough for teaching me how to be a lady. Some teachers were tough, but hey that's life. However, some teachers (Ms. Salls/Mrs. Hanssen) really encouraged me to be a better person. Oakcrest doesn't just deliver you a great education, it teaches you how to live in a different way. It is a safe environment to get a glimpse of the real world and evolve. Everyday I thank my parents and Oakcrest teachers for making me into the woman I am today.

Posted: October 10, 2014

Oakcrest is a wonderful school. My daughter started in the sixth grade and is now a senior. The academics are rigorous and I feel my daughter is very well prepared for college. She even has to write and present a senior thesis before graduation and is applying to most competitive colleges. In the past few years, Oakcrest graduates have gone to some of the top schools in the country: Princeton, MIT, Stanford, UVA, Johns Hopkins, Notre Dame, William and Mary, etc. However, Oakcrest is not just about academics. The spiritual and character formation my daughter receives is preparing her to go out into the real world. I truly believe she is well prepared to stand for what is right. I cannot thank all the staff and faculty enough. It's been a wonderful seven years.

Posted: July 22, 2014

Oakcrest was wonderful. As an alumna, I feel that the school truly provided an excellent foundation for all aspects of life. The teachers were dedicated to our personal and academic growth. I would pick Oakcrest again in a heartbeat!

Posted: May 6, 2014

Oakcrest is a wonderful school. My daughter arrived in 9th grade, and even though she didn't know anyone there, she immediately fit right in with the girls there. Within a month or so, she felt like she had been there since 6th grade! The school administration is excellent, and the academics rigorous. What we especially appreciate is that they teach more than just the academics. Their focus is also on helping each girl develop into the best person she can be. They truly care about your daughter. In general, this is a wonderful, nurturing school with excellent academics and a very welcoming environment for both students and parents. No elitist attitudes here; all are welcome. The girls, as well as the faculty and parents, look out for and help each other. It is truly an exceptional school.

Posted: April 18, 2014

Oakcrest school is good for girls who have been in private school there whole life, is catholic, and white otherwise if you are a young girl who is any other race and not rich or catholic then you will have Catholicism forced on your daughter and it will be hard to make friends. coming from a public school Oakcrest was pretty pathetic it -had cheap lockers -the cafeteria was the gym -the teachers were rude when the parents back was turned -small amount of clubs -you will be looked at as weird if you step out of line my experience was awful thankfully i was allowed to change schools that year i was a loner this year i have more friends after leaving please don't send your daughter unless you want her to become a clone of every other girl there

Posted: February 25, 2014

Oakcrest is a one-of-a-kind school. Support is given to your daughter academically and socially. The administration and teachers are truly vested in getting the best out of your daughter and helping her realize her potential. The education (academically, in sports, and in theatre) our daughter has received exceeds what she received in local diocesan schools. She loves the freedom she gets to express herself and has the support from classmates and teachers. Our daughter can be herself and is realizing she can be whatever she wants to be in life. Oakcrest is truly vested in seeing our daughter succeed and live up to her potential. The teachers are truly exceptional and the administration is forward-thinking. Parents are involved, but in a way that benefits everyone. There are no cliques of parents. I have felt accepted by everyone. By the way, Oakcrest will be breaking ground very soon (in a couple of months) at their new site, at the corner of Hunter Mill Rd. & Crowell Rd. by the Dulles Toll Rd. in the Vienna/Reston area.

Posted: February 25, 2014

As a parent, Oakcrest has been a fantastic environment for my daughter. The faculty provides not only fantastic instruction of a rigorous curriculum, but are also women of solid character. These teachers help the students grow into confident, strong and articulate young women who will contribute something positive to society. The school's academic credentials speak for themselves (do the research!); the other facets of our Oakcrest experience have been fantastic.

Posted: February 12, 2014

We are yet to see another school like Oakcrest where all the girls are seen as individuals with great talents and potential to excel in whatever it is that they are interested it in. Oakcrest tailors to the overall character building and spiritual growth of each girl while allowing them the freedom to express themselves. Oakcrest is worth every penny and a good investment of which it's fruits last forever. The faculty are accessible and always willing to meet one on one with each girl and the principal of the school is such a perfect example for the girls of how to be humble but outspoken and successful in life.

Posted: January 21, 2014

Where to start with exposing the sad excuse for a school? This place is literally the worst. Why? Is it because of the cranky, old, and verbally-abusive teacher? Is it because of the students, who are pretty much all rich, spoiled brats? Is it because of the times when the students are forced to gather with their "families" and pretend like they're actually all friends? Or is it the fact that what you see at a "Taste of Oakcrest" is the fakest thing you will ever witness? The answer is: all of the above. There's so many negative things to say about this place. Oakcrest is not worth a single cent of your money. PS- Catholicism will constantly be forced down your child's throat. That is about all the education one could hope for when sending their child to Oakcrest.

Posted: September 9, 2013

I can not say enough good things about this school. My daughter came last year in 7th grade and absolutely loves it. The teachers, the staff, the administration and the students all welcomed her and went out of their way to make her feel at home. The curriculum is challenging, but the teachers have all been available to work with her and help her out. What I love most about the school is that everyone we have met are sincerely dedicated to bringing out the best my daughter has to offer in terms of talent, faith and intellect. It is so important for our girls to see good strong women leading them. It is such a gift to have her at Oakcrest.

Posted: August 11, 2013

this school had no diversity. there were no sports or music program that was half way decent the lockers were broken and i felt like an outsider. i hope to give my kids a better experience.

Posted: October 22, 2012

I am an Oakcrest alumna and I loved going to Oakcrest! I am now an attorney, married and still close to my Oakcrest friends. I am sorry there are some people who did not have a good experience (as can be expected at any school or institution), but from my personal experience and the experience of my friends, we loved Oakcrest and still do!

Posted: January 26, 2012

My daughter has thrived at Oakcrest. The teachers are dedicated and nurturing. The small size allows them to give each child individual attention. She can excel and play any sport because the opportunities are there. The school is also attempting to become more diverse; the lack of diversity in views in some facets of the school can sometimes detract from an optimal learning environment. It would also benefit the school if it did not act as a secondary sister school but rather an independent school on its own.

Posted: October 5, 2011

I went to Oakcrest and the environment was not the best for me. I graduated about 6-7 years ago so maybe it has changed. Although the education I received was good, there was absolutely no diversity. There was no diversity in thought or in culture. In the future I want my kids to be exposed to different cultures and different ways of thinking and this school just didn't not have that. Obviously from my writing you might be able to tell that I was one of not many minorities that attended the school and I felt ostracized and uncomfortable. I did not fit in and found it hard to blend in and make friends with the others. If this is something that is important to you, I would advise you not to send your children to this school.

Posted: April 12, 2011

I am an Oakcrest alum and now parent of an Oakcrest student, and I am thrilled to have my daughter there! She has struggled with shyness and other issues since she was little, and I feel like she is a new person since starting Oakcrest. Not that all her issues have disappeared - they haven't- but it seems like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. She is comfortable, relaxed, and happy to be part of her class and the school. The teachers and administration really do care about the students and are great at making sure each individual gets what she needs to grow and excel. I know Oakcrest prepared me wonderfully for college and beyond, and I can see they are still doing the same for every girl that walks through their doors. I couldn't ask for a better school for my daughter!