St Albans vs Sidwell

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure it was Gore Jr's decision to leave STA for Sidwell.

DC folks know...

Maybe it wasn’t, but Harvard College obviously didn’t care. Btw, it was Jr’s decision to send his child to Sidwell.

It’s so cute how you use Harvard admissions as a guidepost in ethics

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure it was Gore Jr's decision to leave STA for Sidwell.

DC folks know...

Maybe it wasn’t, but Harvard College obviously didn’t care. Btw, it was Jr’s decision to send his child to Sidwell.

It’s so cute how you use Harvard admissions as a guidepost in ethics

That’s your interpretation. Not mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a daughter at Sidwell and two boys at STA.

Both schools are high pressure and extremely rigorous but STA has a more supportive, tight-knit vibe. The boys compete but the ethos is to acknowledge and appreciate each others’ strengths. Teachers are generally warmer and more engaged. This is a godsend during the high school years because the supportive environment helps mitigate the extreme demands kids face.

Sidwell has the extreme pressure but without as much supportive bonds. Students are competitive with one another. There are pockets of kids who support each other and are good friends. However, there’s more free form anxiety. Teachers are less warm. It’s up to students to find them if they need help.

I know my STA boys have been told countless times by teachers,”Come see me and we can talk about that some more” or something to that effect. Teachers invite you to engage with them. At Sidwell the teachers seem more distant and you have to be more entrepreneurial about getting help.

Sidwell has an edge in the sciences. STA has the edge in sports with the notable exception of basketball.

For a boy, I think STA is better. Our daughter chose Sidwell over NCS because Sidwell is less of a pressure cooker than NCS. She’s still in touch with Beauvoir friends who went to NCS, and she is happy that she did not go there.

You have posted this before. Are your sons STILL at STA or graduated?

I have not posted on this topic this before. Could there possibly be more than one family that has a girl who attends Sidwell and boys who attend STA?

OMG, not possible, right?

Not many have one daughter at Sidwell and 2 at STA. It is unusual.

Statistically probably not that rare given that of the families who circle the Big 3, those who are good with STA are not likely to also fit in at GDS. A Sidwell/STA or Sidwell/NCS combo is more likely than a GDS/STA or GDS/NCS combo.

Not many families have kids at STA and Sidwell - a few families but certainly not a family of three with2 boys at STA.

You don’t know what you’re talking about. There are many families with kids at STA and Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a daughter at Sidwell and two boys at STA.

Both schools are high pressure and extremely rigorous but STA has a more supportive, tight-knit vibe. The boys compete but the ethos is to acknowledge and appreciate each others’ strengths. Teachers are generally warmer and more engaged. This is a godsend during the high school years because the supportive environment helps mitigate the extreme demands kids face.

Sidwell has the extreme pressure but without as much supportive bonds. Students are competitive with one another. There are pockets of kids who support each other and are good friends. However, there’s more free form anxiety. Teachers are less warm. It’s up to students to find them if they need help.

I know my STA boys have been told countless times by teachers,”Come see me and we can talk about that some more” or something to that effect. Teachers invite you to engage with them. At Sidwell the teachers seem more distant and you have to be more entrepreneurial about getting help.

Sidwell has an edge in the sciences. STA has the edge in sports with the notable exception of basketball.

For a boy, I think STA is better. Our daughter chose Sidwell over NCS because Sidwell is less of a pressure cooker than NCS. She’s still in touch with Beauvoir friends who went to NCS, and she is happy that she did not go there.

You have posted this before. Are your sons STILL at STA or graduated?

I have not posted on this topic this before. Could there possibly be more than one family that has a girl who attends Sidwell and boys who attend STA?

OMG, not possible, right?

Not many have one daughter at Sidwell and 2 at STA. It is unusual.

Statistically probably not that rare given that of the families who circle the Big 3, those who are good with STA are not likely to also fit in at GDS. A Sidwell/STA or Sidwell/NCS combo is more likely than a GDS/STA or GDS/NCS combo.

Not many families have kids at STA and Sidwell - a few families but certainly not a family of three with2 boys at STA.

You’re sounding a bit creepy. Do you stalk directories and compile spreadsheets to keep track of this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

A few differences beyond the single gender vs co-ed:

1) STA has more diversity of political orientation and civility in debate at school is expected as is civility and even friendship " across the isle" as it were among parents in the parent community. Whereas, at pretty much every other NW DC Private such as, GDS, Sidwell and Maret, there is a strong virtue signally L and silencing of debate. I've always voted Dem, but I think educational institutions should return to the more rigorous mission of insisting their enrolled learn how to think and how to debate civilly rather than produce Sophomoric conformists to one political viewpoint.

2) STA doesn't tolerate whiner parents. You will be shown the door. If you are the type of parent who hovers and tries to exert influence on the grades your kid is given or influence the college placement office to favor your child, you will self destruct if you try this at STA. Whereas, at Sidwell, that seems to be so ingrained of a way of parent behavior that Admin has quit over it: https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/06/sidwell-friends-college-admissions-varsity-blues/591124/

3) STA believes publicly rewarding academic achievement . They have Prize Day and the students acknowledged are genuinely admired for their achievements as is achievement itself. Sidwell, does not believe is giving awards and refuses to do so even to the consternation of many of it's parent community who themselves are high achievers and want their kids to be able to be recognized . Its a Quaker value not to single out achievement. Lot's of applicant parents of 4 year olds pretend they are fine with that, but then when HS roles around, it turns out they actually really do want Larla to be acknowledged ..

This is a very thoughtful post and articulates why we really like the school. They really do seem to consistently "do the right and just thing" which can't be easy when you're educating some of the most elite in DC (and others who think of themselves as elite.) The school is very solid: strong administration, communication, tradition. They are kind and don't take themselves too seriously while also never bending in the wind (or to a parent's whim).

Yuck. Your response seemed thoughtful until you said that. Hope the parent community is kinder than this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a daughter at Sidwell and two boys at STA.

Both schools are high pressure and extremely rigorous but STA has a more supportive, tight-knit vibe. The boys compete but the ethos is to acknowledge and appreciate each others’ strengths. Teachers are generally warmer and more engaged. This is a godsend during the high school years because the supportive environment helps mitigate the extreme demands kids face.

Sidwell has the extreme pressure but without as much supportive bonds. Students are competitive with one another. There are pockets of kids who support each other and are good friends. However, there’s more free form anxiety. Teachers are less warm. It’s up to students to find them if they need help.

I know my STA boys have been told countless times by teachers,”Come see me and we can talk about that some more” or something to that effect. Teachers invite you to engage with them. At Sidwell the teachers seem more distant and you have to be more entrepreneurial about getting help.

Sidwell has an edge in the sciences. STA has the edge in sports with the notable exception of basketball.

For a boy, I think STA is better. Our daughter chose Sidwell over NCS because Sidwell is less of a pressure cooker than NCS. She’s still in touch with Beauvoir friends who went to NCS, and she is happy that she did not go there.

You have posted this before. Are your sons STILL at STA or graduated?

I have not posted on this topic this before. Could there possibly be more than one family that has a girl who attends Sidwell and boys who attend STA?

OMG, not possible, right?

Not many have one daughter at Sidwell and 2 at STA. It is unusual.

Statistically probably not that rare given that of the families who circle the Big 3, those who are good with STA are not likely to also fit in at GDS. A Sidwell/STA or Sidwell/NCS combo is more likely than a GDS/STA or GDS/NCS combo.

Not many families have kids at STA and Sidwell - a few families but certainly not a family of three with2 boys at STA.

You’re sounding a bit creepy. Do you stalk directories and compile spreadsheets to keep track of this?

DP. Small school - 75-80 kids per grade you know or at least have met every family on some level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a daughter at Sidwell and two boys at STA.

Both schools are high pressure and extremely rigorous but STA has a more supportive, tight-knit vibe. The boys compete but the ethos is to acknowledge and appreciate each others’ strengths. Teachers are generally warmer and more engaged. This is a godsend during the high school years because the supportive environment helps mitigate the extreme demands kids face.

Sidwell has the extreme pressure but without as much supportive bonds. Students are competitive with one another. There are pockets of kids who support each other and are good friends. However, there’s more free form anxiety. Teachers are less warm. It’s up to students to find them if they need help.

I know my STA boys have been told countless times by teachers,”Come see me and we can talk about that some more” or something to that effect. Teachers invite you to engage with them. At Sidwell the teachers seem more distant and you have to be more entrepreneurial about getting help.

Sidwell has an edge in the sciences. STA has the edge in sports with the notable exception of basketball.

For a boy, I think STA is better. Our daughter chose Sidwell over NCS because Sidwell is less of a pressure cooker than NCS. She’s still in touch with Beauvoir friends who went to NCS, and she is happy that she did not go there.

You have posted this before. Are your sons STILL at STA or graduated?

I have not posted on this topic this before. Could there possibly be more than one family that has a girl who attends Sidwell and boys who attend STA?

OMG, not possible, right?

Not many have one daughter at Sidwell and 2 at STA. It is unusual.

Statistically probably not that rare given that of the families who circle the Big 3, those who are good with STA are not likely to also fit in at GDS. A Sidwell/STA or Sidwell/NCS combo is more likely than a GDS/STA or GDS/NCS combo.

Not many families have kids at STA and Sidwell - a few families but certainly not a family of three with2 boys at STA.

You’re sounding a bit creepy. Do you stalk directories and compile spreadsheets to keep track of this?

DP. Small school - 75-80 kids per grade you know or at least have met every family on some level.

DP
Not if you arrive in 9th when when the class is actually 75-80 kids.
I am social, have gone to every event, made close friends with some and have never met parents for a third of the kids because they come to nothing. I have no idea who they are or where their other kids go to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a daughter at Sidwell and two boys at STA.

Both schools are high pressure and extremely rigorous but STA has a more supportive, tight-knit vibe. The boys compete but the ethos is to acknowledge and appreciate each others’ strengths. Teachers are generally warmer and more engaged. This is a godsend during the high school years because the supportive environment helps mitigate the extreme demands kids face.

Sidwell has the extreme pressure but without as much supportive bonds. Students are competitive with one another. There are pockets of kids who support each other and are good friends. However, there’s more free form anxiety. Teachers are less warm. It’s up to students to find them if they need help.

I know my STA boys have been told countless times by teachers,”Come see me and we can talk about that some more” or something to that effect. Teachers invite you to engage with them. At Sidwell the teachers seem more distant and you have to be more entrepreneurial about getting help.

Sidwell has an edge in the sciences. STA has the edge in sports with the notable exception of basketball.

For a boy, I think STA is better. Our daughter chose Sidwell over NCS because Sidwell is less of a pressure cooker than NCS. She’s still in touch with Beauvoir friends who went to NCS, and she is happy that she did not go there.

You have posted this before. Are your sons STILL at STA or graduated?

I have not posted on this topic this before. Could there possibly be more than one family that has a girl who attends Sidwell and boys who attend STA?

OMG, not possible, right?

Not many have one daughter at Sidwell and 2 at STA. It is unusual.

Statistically probably not that rare given that of the families who circle the Big 3, those who are good with STA are not likely to also fit in at GDS. A Sidwell/STA or Sidwell/NCS combo is more likely than a GDS/STA or GDS/NCS combo.

Not many families have kids at STA and Sidwell - a few families but certainly not a family of three with2 boys at STA.

You’re sounding a bit creepy. Do you stalk directories and compile spreadsheets to keep track of this?

DP. Small school - 75-80 kids per grade you know or at least have met every family on some level.

DP & STA parent. Yes - STA is a small school but no way is it possible to know or have met every single family at the school. 75-85 per grade over 9 grades or over 600 families.

There are many families who keep an arm and a leg’a distance who never show up for any school gatherings or PA meetings. Nor would you necessarily know where siblings are going to school.

Totally creepy to think you know everyone and their family deets. Because If you even think you know you’re obvi putting a lot of time and energy into tracking people and are megalomaniac to boot

[Anonymous]

^^^

I forgot the Lower School starts with 45 or so kids, so lower number of total families maybe more like 400 to 500 families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure it was Gore Jr's decision to leave STA for Sidwell.

DC folks know...

Maybe it wasn’t, but Harvard College obviously didn’t care. Btw, it was Jr’s decision to send his child to Sidwell.

It’s so cute how you use Harvard admissions as a guidepost in ethics

THIS

Especially since Harvard is known for Grade inflation- everyone gets a " A"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure it was Gore Jr's decision to leave STA for Sidwell.

DC folks know...

Maybe it wasn’t, but Harvard College obviously didn’t care. Btw, it was Jr’s decision to send his child to Sidwell.

It’s so cute how you use Harvard admissions as a guidepost in ethics

THIS

Especially since Harvard is known for Grade inflation- everyone gets a " A"

Which is great for Harvard students. Harvard is hard to get in, and hard to fail out (unless you’re uber wealthy and well connected). What’s your point?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "no overlap" thing is not true in our case either. I have kids at both NCS and STA and they have friends at Sidwell.

None of these high schoolers have a ton of time to hang out with kids from other schools. Heck, they don't have time to hang out with kids from their own schools. But there is no hostility. They mix just fine. Many of them grew up going to feeder schools together, their parents are friends, etc.

Typical DCUM is spreading drama and untruths.

No one said there is any hostility. They are just not in the same social circles. That’s true in our case for two kids.

My kids hang out with other kids a lot on the weekends. That is strange and a bit sad that yours do not. They should be - they are teens!

This. They just are not in the same social world. Different social groups.

I would have to agree with this post. NCS and STA US students. NCS girl and STA boy are very social with their school. They both have played travel sports since they were young. Ny kids hand with Landon, Stone Ridge, a couple Bulis and W school kids. They have never hung with Sidwell kids. Ever. I'm not saying SFS kids are bad, but they have never been any social interaction (that I am aware of) between our kids and their friends with Sidwell. It's odd.

[Anonymous]

Al Gore's son was found himself at Sidwell after he was suspended for being caught with pot. STA suspended him while his father was the sitting VP.

STA does not bend to whiners

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You conveniently left out the fact that Al Gore’s son graduated from Sidwell, and his grandson currently attends Sidwell.

Yeah, Sidwell must be a miserable place. All of these wealthy and powerful people must have no choice but to keep sending their children to Sidwell.

And you conveniently left out the fact that Gore's son was expelled from STA.

Lol—are you new here? I’m certain there are no official STA records that say he was expelled. Counseled out/told STA isn’t a good fit? Almost certainly.

As a pp mentioned, he was STILL admitted to and graduated from Harvard…because of his last name. I’m not condoning this, but let’s not be naïve about how money and privilege work.

Back to the original comparison made upthread. Among DMV privates, Sidwell is unmatched when it comes to where Presidents and VPs send their children and grandchildren. Even Donald Rumsfeld’s daughter graduated from Sidwell!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Al Gore's son was found himself at Sidwell after he was suspended for being caught with pot. STA suspended him while his father was the sitting VP.

STA does not bend to whiners

And? Did Gore Jr. suffer because of this “suspension”? Of course not. He may be his own worse enemy, but he certainly wasn’t punished by graduating from Sidwell and Harvard.