Oakcrest School

1619 Crowell Rd

Vienna, VA 22182

21 Reviews

School District
Grade

6-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on 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.
Submitted by parent on 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.
Submitted by student on 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.
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2019

Excellent! All three girls went on to the University of Virginia and were very well prepared for their experiences there.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 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!
Submitted by parent on April 29, 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.
Submitted by other on November 17, 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.
Submitted by parent on October 11, 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.
Submitted by other on July 23, 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!
Submitted by parent on May 07, 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.
Submitted by other on April 19, 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
Submitted by parent on February 26, 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.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 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.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 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.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 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.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 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.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 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.
Submitted by other on October 23, 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!
Submitted by parent on January 27, 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.
Submitted by other on October 06, 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.