Would a Timid but Smart Boy Fit in at St. Albans?

[Anonymous]

Would my timid but smart ES child fit in at St. Albans? He is not aggressive enough enjoy team sports and is not naturally outgoing. I once visited a St. Albans football game and the spectating boys were pretty rambunctious (but nice). Would my DS fit in? He does well academically in his private elementary school that sends many of its graduates to St. Albans, and he has a reasonable chance of being admitted there at the middle school level. Maybe they screen out shy kids in admissions? So -- smart, hardworking, good looking, but timid and not at all sporty -- would he fit?

[Anonymous]

Yep.

[Anonymous]

He would be fine. Not all the boys at STA are loud jocks. If he doesn't like sports he can participate in Voyager, which is a pretty awesome program that does climbing and kayaking. To help get accepted your son should be able to interact with his teachers and the admissions folks in a meaningful way, but he doesn't need to be extremely loud or outgoing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would my timid but smart ES child fit in at St. Albans? He is not aggressive enough enjoy team sports and is not naturally outgoing. I once visited a St. Albans football game and the spectating boys were pretty rambunctious (but nice). Would my DS fit in? He does well academically in his private elementary school that sends many of its graduates to St. Albans, and he has a reasonable chance of being admitted there at the middle school level. Maybe they screen out shy kids in admissions? So -- smart, hardworking, good looking, but timid and not at all sporty -- would he fit?

If St Pats then remember Peter Barrett retired. Even then most kids getting in were siblings or added some degree diversity. This is nothing against your son but understand this school is impossible to get into without a hook even if your son is super bright which I am sure he is. If he does get in, he will be fine as there are all sorts of boys there with many interests beyond sports.

[Anonymous]

There is a diversity of boys at STA, but your son will be in the minority if he’s not into sports. That’s fine. Most of the academic superstars are quieter types, but the ideal St. Albans boy is athletic and brilliant. That’s what is most celebrated. It’s fine if you’re one or the other, but the jock group is louder and has more of a presence on campus.

[Anonymous]

My son is quiet and does just fine at STA. They all find their place. He will have to play a sport though - but can be voyageur or other more singular team sports (running, tennis, golf etc).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would my timid but smart ES child fit in at St. Albans? He is not aggressive enough enjoy team sports and is not naturally outgoing. I once visited a St. Albans football game and the spectating boys were pretty rambunctious (but nice). Would my DS fit in? He does well academically in his private elementary school that sends many of its graduates to St. Albans, and he has a reasonable chance of being admitted there at the middle school level. Maybe they screen out shy kids in admissions? So -- smart, hardworking, good looking, but timid and not at all sporty -- would he fit?

If St Pats then remember Peter Barrett retired. Even then most kids getting in were siblings or added some degree diversity. This is nothing against your son but understand this school is impossible to get into without a hook even if your son is super bright which I am sure he is. If he does get in, he will be fine as there are all sorts of boys there with many interests beyond sports.

+1. Without a hook it’s almost impossible

[Anonymous]

NP here, I appreciate STA is a hard school to get into, but it is not impossible from some of the DC privates in middle school. Kids coming from the pipeline DC privates have a good shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a diversity of boys at STA, but your son will be in the minority if he’s not into sports. That’s fine. Most of the academic superstars are quieter types, but the ideal St. Albans boy is athletic and brilliant. That’s what is most celebrated. It’s fine if you’re one or the other, but the jock group is louder and has more of a presence on campus.

But remember lots of different sports, not just “helmet” sport crowd. The kids who play golf, swim, run cross country, etc do really well and seem pretty happy and successful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would my timid but smart ES child fit in at St. Albans? He is not aggressive enough enjoy team sports and is not naturally outgoing. I once visited a St. Albans football game and the spectating boys were pretty rambunctious (but nice). Would my DS fit in? He does well academically in his private elementary school that sends many of its graduates to St. Albans, and he has a reasonable chance of being admitted there at the middle school level. Maybe they screen out shy kids in admissions? So -- smart, hardworking, good looking, but timid and not at all sporty -- would he fit?

No

[Anonymous]

I actually don't think your son (as described) is a good fit for STA. My sons fits a similar profile to OP's son and is in upper school at STA and while he's strong academically he's in the minority.
Most of the bookish and even quiet boys are still assertive and well spoken and passionate about whatever it is that interests them. Timid is very, very rare.
STA tends to attract leaders. It is what it is. My son is not (he's a clear laid-back type B kid) and he's definitely in the minority. It's fascinating
to me actually but I think the apple doesn't fall far from the tree for most people. Most STA parents are leaders and their kids are leaders.
I'm sure I"ll get crucified for saying this (by those both from within and without the school who will disagree for whatever reason) but it's definitely been the case in my experience.

[Anonymous]

NP - Does anyone have a sense of how the earlier years are for non-BVR kids who go to STA? Thinking about applying next year for our DS but worried about a dynamic where there are a ton of kids who've been together at BVR since K and then a small group of truly new kids, and whether that creates weird cliques and whatnot that are hard to break into for the non-BVR kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would my timid but smart ES child fit in at St. Albans? He is not aggressive enough enjoy team sports and is not naturally outgoing. I once visited a St. Albans football game and the spectating boys were pretty rambunctious (but nice). Would my DS fit in? He does well academically in his private elementary school that sends many of its graduates to St. Albans, and he has a reasonable chance of being admitted there at the middle school level. Maybe they screen out shy kids in admissions? So -- smart, hardworking, good looking, but timid and not at all sporty -- would he fit?

If St Pats then remember Peter Barrett retired. Even then most kids getting in were siblings or added some degree diversity. This is nothing against your son but understand this school is impossible to get into without a hook even if your son is super bright which I am sure he is. If he does get in, he will be fine as there are all sorts of boys there with many interests beyond sports.

Oh hooray! An instantiation of the “you won’t get in,” or “post when you get in,” or “here’s why you won’t get in” sub-set of dcum. My favorite subset of useless posters

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would my timid but smart ES child fit in at St. Albans? He is not aggressive enough enjoy team sports and is not naturally outgoing. I once visited a St. Albans football game and the spectating boys were pretty rambunctious (but nice). Would my DS fit in? He does well academically in his private elementary school that sends many of its graduates to St. Albans, and he has a reasonable chance of being admitted there at the middle school level. Maybe they screen out shy kids in admissions? So -- smart, hardworking, good looking, but timid and not at all sporty -- would he fit?

No

So helpful

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP - Does anyone have a sense of how the earlier years are for non-BVR kids who go to STA? Thinking about applying next year for our DS but worried about a dynamic where there are a ton of kids who've been together at BVR since K and then a small group of truly new kids, and whether that creates weird cliques and whatnot that are hard to break into for the non-BVR kids.

It depends on the non-BVR kid. The ones who are friendly, sporty, and moderately smart will be accepted right away. The ones who are shy could take a little longer to find friends. Best to have your son enter at 4th in C Form. Form A can be a tough year for entry because that’s when the middle school social dynamics start to happen. If your son is having a hard time finding friends after a semester, you may want to talk to his teacher and counselors. The boys I’ve seen have trouble adjusting had some issues. One parent I knew blamed the BVR boys for being snobby when her son had trouble with basic social skills like taking turns.