Former parent. We lasted one year. I do not recommend the school.
The spiritual climate of St. Veronica is ill. A question or clarification on school policy with the office is labeled non-compliance and met with a threat of retaliation against children. Teachers are fearful to challenge anything the office says even when the office isn't aligned with diocesan-approved policy. Just walking into the school a parent is met with hostility; the greeting from the staff isn't, "How can I help you?" but rather, "Why are you here?" Office staff will lie about interactions with parents; what could be more unchristian than that. Principal and pastor take no action to stop this.
If you are looking for a healthy spiritual climate, recognition of children as human beings worthy of respect, parents welcomed in the classroom, and respectful, consistent communication, you will be disappointed. My kids lost their developing faith in this school. The hostile micromanagement of children is antithetical to the Catholic view of the child as a whole person. While instilling fear and shame can appear to work on the surface, they do not cultivate authentic moral virtue. That the Church's primary message is one of JOY is lost in the teaching of the faith at this school.
Overall - the school relies heavily on technology (for ease of grading, which is just lazy), does not communicate well with parents, does not have an open forum for feedback, follows FCPS for weather closures (even when its own lot has been clear for many days) by choice (diocese does not require this), does not welcome volunteers, has minimal outdoor time (15 min/day), and has poor academics. Don't be deceived by the big, green campus; the kids aren't allowed to play in the green space during recess. They are often restricted to the blacktop instead, aren't allowed to climb trees, run fast, pick up sticks, or be normal kids. Staff these enforce rules by yelling at the kids constantly.
My children did not make much academic progress; one began the year ahead of grade level and lost ground, finishing far below. My 6th grader was assigned one book the entire year. Extremely flat curriculum; minimal out-of-classroom experiences. We are on the edge of DC with hundreds of opportunities to bring education to life, and the school office only allows 2 trips per year. Parents' ideas to bring experiences to classrooms are typically not allowed by the school office. Rote memorization is the preferred learning method. read more