About Us
Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School, established in 1957, is a parish preschool, elementary and middle school with approximately 500 students. 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) and has been awarded U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School status.
The School provides a Catholic education instilled with the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales. It is intended to "make your child's faith a living, conscious, and active one through the light of instruction." The integration of religious truth and values with life is the focal point of the curriculum. As part of its educational program, OLGC School strives for academic excellence, encourages appreciation of the fine arts, fosters self-respect and respect for all life, and attempts to develop responsibility for the total community.
All students are admitted to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, or ethnic origins in the administering of its educational policies, admissions policies, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Our Lady of Good Counsel School admits students of any race, color, and national origin.
The campus is located on 25 acres in a neighborhood setting in Northern Virginia. The school includes:
19 classrooms, science lab, multi-media center, music room, art room, resource rooms, academic support center, foreign language rooms, math room, gymnasium, cafeteria, elementary playground, and playing fields. Our preschool facilities include 4 classrooms, a large multi-purpose room, and a dedicated preschool playground.
OLGC students have access to the following technology: the school-wide network, the Internet, desktop and laptop computers, iPad tablets, LCD and document projectors, wireless access, and interactive whiteboards. All middle school students are issued an iPad for home and classroom use.
The curriculum is supported by and students have access to an online library catalog and other Follett Destiny resources, such as the WebPath Express - a safe, credible and fun educational search tool for students and teachers which integrates more than 85,000 trustworthy, relevant websites into your library catalog while filtering out questionable and irrelevant content. PowerSchool student information system, and various other online programs are used to deliver, reinforce and enrich the Diocesan curriculum standards.
Our school has 57 faculty members and staff, many with advanced degrees. Instructional aides and curriculum specialists assist in grades K-5 where needed. Limited small group instruction for students with learning differences is available. The Academic Support Center is staffed by teachers to provide help to students during the school day.
Map Testing computer-adaptive testing is administered three times annually to students in grades 3-7. Students in grades 5 and 8 take the ACRE (Religion test). All students in grade 8 take the High School Placement Test which is the admissions test for Catholic high schools in the area.
Students are transported by car, walk, and bicycle to school. Students bring their lunch to school. A vendor-provided lunch is available for an extra charge on Thursdays throughout the school year.
The Extra-Curricular Activities Program (ECAP) is available from 3-6pm after school. Other after school enrichment opportunities have included Chess Club, Technology Club, Yearbook Club, Shakespeare Club, Debate Club, Student Council, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, House League Basketball, CYO Basketball, CYO Tennis, CYO Track & Field, and CYO Volleyball.
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Directions
From the Capital Beltway take exit number 46A, Route 123 South, Tysons Corner. Travel south on Route 123, crossover Route 7 and drive through three lights (approximately 2 miles). After seeing Emmaus Church of Christ on your right, turn left onto Niblick Drive. Follow Niblick Drive until the street ends at the entrance to Our Lady of Good Counsel campus.
Traveling North on Route 123 (Maple Avenue) through the Town of Vienna from Fairfax or Oakton. After passing Westwood Country Club on your left, turn right onto Niblick Drive. Follow Niblick Drive until the street ends at the entrance to Our Lady of Good Counsel campus.
- The Preschool, Church and DeSales Hall are on the left behind the bell tower.
- The Sacred Heart Chapel is the circular building on the left just past the bell tower.
- The St. Joseph Center is to the right of the school.
- The Administration building is on the left just past the Chapel.
- The School is on the right and has the white front.
- The Fr. Brisson Gymnasium is behind the School.
Parking
Please be aware that school carpool procedures are in effect during the school year during the hours of 7am-8:15am and 2:30-3:15pm Monday-Friday. Certain parking lots will not be available for parking.
Dogs and other pets are not allowed on OLGC grounds. Please do not bring dogs or other pets on school grounds especially during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. Fairfax County Health Department prohibits the presence of dogs and pets on school grounds for health and safety purposes. Thank you for following these policies in order to ensure the well being of all.