Bishop O'Connell High School

About Us
About Us
The mission of Bishop O'Connell High School is to provide students an education rooted in the life of Christ and to foster the pursuit of excellence in the whole person.
Admissions
O'Connell Admissions
Find all the information about applying to Bishop O'Connell here, including how and when to visit, deadlines and much more.

Inquiry Form
Academics
Academics
Bishop O'Connell offers a challenging college-prep curriculum that includes 28 AP subjects and 36 honors courses. Our faculty is committed to helping students see their potential and to continue reaching to fulfill God’s plan for them.
Student Life
Student Life
It's always a great day to be a KNIGHT! We yell "D-J-O" which is the full name of our school: Denis J. O'Connell. Our student body of 1,100 is spirited and involved--from our 40+ year tradition of Superdance to find a cure for cystic fibrosis, to our Tuckahoe Elementary School tutors--there's something for everyone.
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry provides opportunities for our students to experience the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Eucharist, to experience His healing power in the sacrament of Reconciliation, and to enter into a relationship with Him in personal prayer.
The Arts
The Arts
Bishop O'Connell has a vibrant and award-winning arts program. Our belief is that the Arts belong to everyone and that our school community will be enriched if every student has the opportunity for self-expression.
Athletics
Sports as a Ministry
The athletics program seeks to use the virtues of fortitude, teamwork, and athletic excellence as a means of drawing students to a personal relationship with Christ, a spirit of service to others, and to develop the habits of mind and body which lead to continued success.
Support DJO
Support O'Connell
The generosity of the Bishop O'Connell community is the difference between a "good" Catholic education and the exceptional experience our students receive during their time here.

GIVE TODAY

Diversity, Equity and Unity

Brittany Davis Bishop O'Connell Director of Student Life, Brittany Hytche, was named the school's inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity and Unity in 2020. Her primary focus is ensure that we are living up to the promise of our mission for all of our students and our community, regardless of their ethnicity and background.

Read the full Sept. 18, 2020 announcement...

"The beauty and test of our culture will be our ability to create harmony in diversity. I look forward to the days to come developing and working alongside each of my colleagues and students to make O'Connell a place that unites all. Go, Knights! "

- Brittany Hytche

Our Commitment

We at Bishop O'Connell High School are committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and compassionate community grounded in a culture of integrity and equity.

We recognize and value the unique God-given qualities and characteristics of each individual in our community.

Students and faculty/staff are called on to listen more deeply to the experiences of others and to respond with resolve to live up to our Catholic mission, respecting the inherent dignity of the human person.

Read More...

Resources from a Catholic Point of View

Advisory Council on Racism, Catholic Diocese of Arlington. View podcasts, discussions, and Masses on this webpage.

Black Catholic Ministries, Diocese of Arlington. Find out about events and more.

Open Wide Our Hearts - The Enduring Call to Love - A Pastoral Letter Against Racism, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2018.

Responding to Racism: Understanding, Conversion, Action - Diocese of Arlington with Bishop Michael Burbidge and Rev. Scott Woods. Streamed live, Aug. 25. 2020.

Maryland’s Catholic Bishops Urge People of Faith to Act to End Racism, by Mark Zimmermann, Catholic New Service, June 23, 2020.

If racial justice and peace will ever be attained, it must begin in the church, by Shannen Dee Williams, Catholic News Service, June 10, 2020.

For a Time Like This: The Catholic School Response to Systemic Racism, NCEA Webinar Recording, June 10, 2020.

Racism and the Catholic Response, Facebook Live with Father Kareem Smith (Archdiocese of NY), June 8, 2020

Juneteenth - An Unforgettable Moment of History, by Juliette Porter Mitchell, Catholic Review, June 17, 2010.

Monthly Newsletter

February 2023
Black History Month

January 2023
Martin Luther King Jr. Day

December 2022
Holiday Traditions

October 2022
Italian American Heritage Month

September 2022
Hispanic Heritage Month

Notes to the Community

April 21, 2021
A message from Mr. Crittenberger

September 18, 2020
Announcing Our New Director of Diversity, Equity and Unity

June 26, 2020
Let us begin to create the change that we envision

May 31, 2020
A Note from Sr. Lorraine and Carl Patton

Student Clubs for Diversity, Equity and Unity

American Sign Language Club
Asian American Heritage Club
Black Student Union
Diversity, Equity, and Unity Council
French Club
German Club
Habesha Ethiopian Student Association
Hispanic Heritage Club
Italian American Club
Knights for Life
Latin Club
Leaders in Networking Knights
Model United Nations
Peace Club
Spanish Club