SSSAS - what is the culture like currently?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's not worth $47K. There are cheaper options that provide a better academic product.

This would be my concern. For $47k you can send your kid to a brand name school. It’s a lot to pay for a school that is not well known outside of NOVA

Unless you go Catholic, all private high schools around here are around $50k. In Alexandria, it is either SSAS or Bishop Ireton. Should I assume you think Bishop Ireton provides a better academic product for half the price?

maybe not better. But close enough if you look at college placement. And you are saving close to $30K/year?

What if the money did not matter? For most of SSSAS, the money simply is not an issue. No one is cutting back so someone can go. Just paying out of cash flow. Still saving for everything else. The focus on the cost is not well placed.

[Anonymous]

If you have a daughter, I sadly would not recommend it. Our daughter has been so badly bullied that we are transferring. We had such high hopes.

[Anonymous]

How is this school for minorities? Non-religious? That is us and we are looking for high school options in NOVA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have a daughter, I sadly would not recommend it. Our daughter has been so badly bullied that we are transferring. We had such high hopes.

Can you elaborate further? We are thinking of sending our kids there

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's not worth $47K. There are cheaper options that provide a better academic product.

This would be my concern. For $47k you can send your kid to a brand name school. It’s a lot to pay for a school that is not well known outside of NOVA

Unless you go Catholic, all private high schools around here are around $50k. In Alexandria, it is either SSAS or Bishop Ireton. Should I assume you think Bishop Ireton provides a better academic product for half the price?

maybe not better. But close enough if you look at college placement. And you are saving close to $30K/year?

What if the money did not matter? For most of SSSAS, the money simply is not an issue. No one is cutting back so someone can go. Just paying out of cash flow. Still saving for everything else. The focus on the cost is not well placed.

Well, then for the same money there are several other privates that are much better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:stay away from the US. far away.

Why?

+2 We are strongly considering for our non-sporty boy. We have heard such great things in the last few years about the high school.

SSSAS parent here.

It’s a fabulous school. Really, really wonderful. Passionate, intelligent teachers, dedicated administration, kind and welcoming parents. It’s possibly the most organized school in the area (we have friends who didn’t leave the district like we did and send their kids to dc privates, and the organization and communication from St Stephens was clearly heads above others during the height of covid), and the head of school gets much of the credit for this. Obviously there are many good schools in the area, both public and private, but I have to say we could not be more pleased with St Stephens.

There are a handful of parents, especially on DCUM, who trash the school in vague terms. Search this forum and read what they have said. Most of the negative comments make it clear that these parents are anti BLM and so called critical race theory. They are, in other words, nuts, and I have never encountered these complaints IRL. The school administration and faculty lean left, and while there are many Republican families at the school they are by and large “establishment” types and not Trumpy. The few outraged Trumpy types apparently come to DCUM to complain anonymously.

way, way left. so anyone that does not agree with the Marxist theory of BLM is nuts? You clearly only associate with those who share your opinions, so of course you never encountered complaints. That doesn't mean they do not exist.

Um, serious question: do you actually think BLM is Marxist?

yes. you don't? https://www.politifact.com/article/2020/jul/21/black-lives-matter-marxist-movement/

OMG DID YOU ACTUALLY READ THE ARTICLE YOU LINKED TO?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is this school for minorities? Non-religious? That is us and we are looking for high school options in NOVA.

Many families are non-religious, though you have to be okay with references to God. In the lower school, for example, they recently read a book in Religion called, "What is God like?" by Rachel Held Evans. The book really presents God as a feeling or idea, a concept without gender or race etc. Episcopalians are pretty progressive.

I can't speak to minorities at the school but I'm sure admissions could introduce you to some people who could!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:stay away from the US. far away.

Why?

+2 We are strongly considering for our non-sporty boy. We have heard such great things in the last few years about the high school.

SSSAS parent here.

It’s a fabulous school. Really, really wonderful. Passionate, intelligent teachers, dedicated administration, kind and welcoming parents. It’s possibly the most organized school in the area (we have friends who didn’t leave the district like we did and send their kids to dc privates, and the organization and communication from St Stephens was clearly heads above others during the height of covid), and the head of school gets much of the credit for this. Obviously there are many good schools in the area, both public and private, but I have to say we could not be more pleased with St Stephens.

There are a handful of parents, especially on DCUM, who trash the school in vague terms. Search this forum and read what they have said. Most of the negative comments make it clear that these parents are anti BLM and so called critical race theory. They are, in other words, nuts, and I have never encountered these complaints IRL. The school administration and faculty lean left, and while there are many Republican families at the school they are by and large “establishment” types and not Trumpy. The few outraged Trumpy types apparently come to DCUM to complain anonymously.

way, way left. so anyone that does not agree with the Marxist theory of BLM is nuts? You clearly only associate with those who share your opinions, so of course you never encountered complaints. That doesn't mean they do not exist.

Um, serious question: do you actually think BLM is Marxist?

yes. you don't? https://www.politifact.com/article/2020/jul/21/black-lives-matter-marxist-movement/

OMG DID YOU ACTUALLY READ THE ARTICLE YOU LINKED TO?

OMG YES! I purposely used an article siding against it but confirming 2 of the 3 founders are Marxists. There are several others you would deem biased against BLM. The bottom line is that, yes, a movement with Marxist founders is in fact Marxist. Here you go: https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/commentary/marxism-underpins-black-lives-matter-agenda. Another problem is that BLM has its roots in support of Michael Brown, a drugged up thug who assaulted a store owner and then assaulted a cop and tried to take his gun. Certainly a great role model for any movement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the OP. Thanks so much for the responses so far!! To the previous poster, we are also in Arlington and hoping for a number of Arlington families for incoming 9th graders! I've been so incredibly impressed by the Admissions process - and every single person I have spoken to has been incredibly kind. Excited about next year!

????? They're in sales....

I wondered that too when I was first applying (to the lower school). I thought, they can’t really all be that nice, right? Especially because some other schools we looked at, while very professional and competent, were nowhere near as warm and welcoming. But you know what? They actually ARE extremely kind, and it really IS an extremely warm and supportive community. The administration, including the people in admissions, genuinely cares about my family. I see the head of admissions every day when I pick up my kids in the carpool line, and the associate head of school as well. They are there working with the kids, they know their names, they know their interests. They are parents in the community, much like many teachers, and they are just plain good people. It’s so sad that we’ve come to a point where genuine kindness is questioned as having an ulterior motive.

AGREE with this. We are a new family in the Upper School and are so happy with the friendships and academics that our daughter has experienced. Families are just very welcoming. We are from Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it's not worth $47K. There are cheaper options that provide a better academic product.

This is why we're applying out at 8th to other schools - Catholic & boarding. Lots of classmates are doing the same.
If you subtract recruited lax athletes' schools from college admission lists, you're left with a very poor showing. Embarrassing, really.
The recent trans guest speaker clinched it. We're out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's not worth $47K. There are cheaper options that provide a better academic product.

This is why we're applying out at 8th to other schools - Catholic & boarding. Lots of classmates are doing the same.
If you subtract recruited lax athletes' schools from college admission lists, you're left with a very poor showing. Embarrassing, really.
The recent trans guest speaker clinched it. We're out.

Careful, your homophobia is showing. Better lock up your child at home or send them to the school Karen Pence taught at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's not worth $47K. There are cheaper options that provide a better academic product.

This is why we're applying out at 8th to other schools - Catholic & boarding. Lots of classmates are doing the same.
If you subtract recruited lax athletes' schools from college admission lists, you're left with a very poor showing. Embarrassing, really.
The recent trans guest speaker clinched it. We're out.

Careful, your homophobia is showing. Better lock up your child at home or send them to the school Karen Pence taught at.

why? So she can get her hair cut?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's not worth $47K. There are cheaper options that provide a better academic product.

This is why we're applying out at 8th to other schools - Catholic & boarding. Lots of classmates are doing the same.
If you subtract recruited lax athletes' schools from college admission lists, you're left with a very poor showing. Embarrassing, really.
The recent trans guest speaker clinched it. We're out.

Actually, you’re the embarrassment. Don’t let the door hit you on your way out. I feel sorry for your child(ren).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have a daughter, I sadly would not recommend it. Our daughter has been so badly bullied that we are transferring. We had such high hopes.

Can you elaborate further? We are thinking of sending our kids there

NP here and SSSAS parent. We are having bullying issues too (which the school knows about) and are applying out as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have a daughter, I sadly would not recommend it. Our daughter has been so badly bullied that we are transferring. We had such high hopes.

Can you elaborate further? We are thinking of sending our kids there

NP here and SSSAS parent. We are having bullying issues too (which the school knows about) and are applying out as well.

How unfortunate. Is this also in the current 8th grade class? I have a prospective high school student (9th grade for 2022-2023). Would be interested in understanding more of the social dynamics. What if anything has the school done to address the issues?