St Alban's and NCS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at Beauvoir and considering next steps.

We recognize that St Alban's and NCS are among the very best schools in DC but are struggling with the question of if these are the environments we want to raise our kids.

I had friends in college who attended NCS and spoke about what a toxic environment it was - unhealthy competition, eating disorders. I remember thinking how glad I was this wasn't my experience. That was decades ago - is it better now?

We hear people rave about St. Alban's. But when we went on a tour it also felt a bit off to us. -- the high schoolers we interacted with on the tour seemed like great kids but all had this vibe of a bit neurotic and overwhelmed.

I have no doubt that these kids are getting excellent educations and learning how to navigate a high-achieving culture. But are these happy environments? Do kids emerge from schools well-adjusted and ready to thrive and enjoy life?

What do these schools do to actively support this healthy mindset, beyond teaching them to achieve academically?

Are there parents of kids at these school who have had similar doubts? Were those fears confirmed or were you pleasantly surprised?

Please do not respond if you have no experience with the school.

I find NCS and St Alban very strange. They pretend they still live in some traditional bubble from 100 years ago. But the building, the single sex, the location, and the tradition are so out of place in the current time. I got that they want to imitate Oxford or Cambridge. But they never really were contemporary. The Close feels so odd. Just a reminder: the National Cathedral was built in 1893. My grand-grandmother's chair was older.

Well, I find this statement (bolded) very strange. How is the location out of place in the current time? Single sex schools are more popular than ever, so you're wrong about that. And what "tradition" is so out of place in the current time?

Your entire post is based on personal feelings (a grudge?) that most people do not share.

First of all, the National Cathedral was built in modern times in a Gothic style. So, all of its associations are not part of a natural time.
All of the service, cathedral, and uniform are all things of the past. It is classic, maybe. But it is just so out of place in Teleytown.
Single sex schools are somewhat popular. Not than ever.

It’s not in Tenleytown. And only the youngest girls (4-6th grades) wear uniforms. The National Cathedral is one of the most progressive churches around. Weird comments to make when they’re not even accurate.

But the whole vibe is repressive and strange. Most progressive church. I just don't get why being on the Close is a good thing. Fake old building and tourist spot.

The oldest buildings are well over 100 years old. The cathedral itself, finished in the 1990s, is Gothic Revival. But I wouldn't call it fake.

Just a very vibe, old-man (though NCS is a woman) vibe of old money and power and glory to a certain past. No doubt the education is great. But I wonder how the students feel.

DC has little old money. Almost none in fact. Lots of interlopers and visitors have come though but nothing like NYC or Boston areas. Don’t make things up to drive your prejudices.

🤣never heard money talks and wealth whispers? There is tons of whispering in this city, you just probably aren't close enough to hear it.

Name names. The richest residents for the last 200 years came from somewhere else. The “old” money just watched them come in a push them around because the “old” money didn’t have the juice to do much about it. Because this never was a town of native old money. While some of the descendants of the 18th century wealthy families are still around, most of them are hustling to get by these days. Meanwhile, since the beginning, the likes of Vanderbilts, Dodges, Rockerfellers, Merriweather Posts, McLeans, etc etc etc up to the Bezos types, have showed up in town and rolled the likes of Charles Carroll Glover as if they were mere clerks. And don’t act like you are aware of some inside scoop and I am not.

And Glover wasn’t even a native! Charles Carroll was from these environs (no relation to Glover)(as were his cousins Daniel and John (hello Georgetown) and he was probably the wealthiest American at the time of the Revolution but that wealth was soon surpassed as New York, Boston, Philly, Savanah and Charleston grew.

19th century DC had some hotel owners, land speculators, bankers etc but the underlying government based economy just wasn’t large enough to drive the wealth accumulation that was achieved in many other parts of the country. The rich that did come, only established outposts to visit near the capital. Their homes are now embassies (Indonesia) or clubs (Sulgrave) or are gone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at Beauvoir and considering next steps.

We recognize that St Alban's and NCS are among the very best schools in DC but are struggling with the question of if these are the environments we want to raise our kids.

I had friends in college who attended NCS and spoke about what a toxic environment it was - unhealthy competition, eating disorders. I remember thinking how glad I was this wasn't my experience. That was decades ago - is it better now?

We hear people rave about St. Alban's. But when we went on a tour it also felt a bit off to us. -- the high schoolers we interacted with on the tour seemed like great kids but all had this vibe of a bit neurotic and overwhelmed.

I have no doubt that these kids are getting excellent educations and learning how to navigate a high-achieving culture. But are these happy environments? Do kids emerge from schools well-adjusted and ready to thrive and enjoy life?

What do these schools do to actively support this healthy mindset, beyond teaching them to achieve academically?

Are there parents of kids at these school who have had similar doubts? Were those fears confirmed or were you pleasantly surprised?

Please do not respond if you have no experience with the school.

I find NCS and St Alban very strange. They pretend they still live in some traditional bubble from 100 years ago. But the building, the single sex, the location, and the tradition are so out of place in the current time. I got that they want to imitate Oxford or Cambridge. But they never really were contemporary. The Close feels so odd. Just a reminder: the National Cathedral was built in 1893. My grand-grandmother's chair was older.

Well, I find this statement (bolded) very strange. How is the location out of place in the current time? Single sex schools are more popular than ever, so you're wrong about that. And what "tradition" is so out of place in the current time?

Your entire post is based on personal feelings (a grudge?) that most people do not share.

First of all, the National Cathedral was built in modern times in a Gothic style. So, all of its associations are not part of a natural time.
All of the service, cathedral, and uniform are all things of the past. It is classic, maybe. But it is just so out of place in Teleytown.
Single sex schools are somewhat popular. Not than ever.

It’s not in Tenleytown. And only the youngest girls (4-6th grades) wear uniforms. The National Cathedral is one of the most progressive churches around. Weird comments to make when they’re not even accurate.

But the whole vibe is repressive and strange. Most progressive church. I just don't get why being on the Close is a good thing. Fake old building and tourist spot.

The oldest buildings are well over 100 years old. The cathedral itself, finished in the 1990s, is Gothic Revival. But I wouldn't call it fake.

Just a very vibe, old-man (though NCS is a woman) vibe of old money and power and glory to a certain past. No doubt the education is great. But I wonder how the students feel.

DC has little old money. Almost none in fact. Lots of interlopers and visitors have come though but nothing like NYC or Boston areas. Don’t make things up to drive your prejudices.

🤣never heard money talks and wealth whispers? There is tons of whispering in this city, you just probably aren't close enough to hear it.

Name names. The richest residents for the last 200 years came from somewhere else. The “old” money just watched them come in a push them around because the “old” money didn’t have the juice to do much about it. Because this never was a town of native old money. While some of the descendants of the 18th century wealthy families are still around, most of them are hustling to get by these days. Meanwhile, since the beginning, the likes of Vanderbilts, Dodges, Rockerfellers, Merriweather Posts, McLeans, etc etc etc up to the Bezos types, have showed up in town and rolled the likes of Charles Carroll Glover as if they were mere clerks. And don’t act like you are aware of some inside scoop and I am not.

And Glover wasn’t even a native! Charles Carroll was from these environs (no relation to Glover)(as were his cousins Daniel and John (hello Georgetown) and he was probably the wealthiest American at the time of the Revolution but that wealth was soon surpassed as New York, Boston, Philly, Savanah and Charleston grew.

19th century DC had some hotel owners, land speculators, bankers etc but the underlying government based economy just wasn’t large enough to drive the wealth accumulation that was achieved in many other parts of the country. The rich that did come, only established outposts to visit near the capital. Their homes are now embassies (Indonesia) or clubs (Sulgrave) or are gone.

Did either of these posters debating Glover and Carroll attend NCS or STA or have kids that attended them?

[Anonymous]

Carroll was Catholic! Carroll County was named for the Carroll. I think many “transplants” don’t realize how heavily Catholic of a city DC is. When you take away people who cycle through for political work, a high percentage of those who stay in DC for generations are Catholic. That’s why there are so many Catholic schools in the area compared to, says Episcopal or secular schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carroll was Catholic! Carroll County was named for the Carroll. I think many “transplants” don’t realize how heavily Catholic of a city DC is. When you take away people who cycle through for political work, a high percentage of those who stay in DC for generations are Catholic. That’s why there are so many Catholic schools in the area compared to, says Episcopal or secular schools.

Who cares? Seriously. What does this have to do with this thread which is about Episcopalian schools in DC?

[Anonymous]

The previous poster asked if Carroll attended NCS or St Albans. This was an answer that included an explanation.

[Anonymous]

And in DC, there is still the Green Book which lists “social prominent” families. The social register is nationwide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at Beauvoir and considering next steps.

We recognize that St Alban's and NCS are among the very best schools in DC but are struggling with the question of if these are the environments we want to raise our kids.

I had friends in college who attended NCS and spoke about what a toxic environment it was - unhealthy competition, eating disorders. I remember thinking how glad I was this wasn't my experience. That was decades ago - is it better now?

We hear people rave about St. Alban's. But when we went on a tour it also felt a bit off to us. -- the high schoolers we interacted with on the tour seemed like great kids but all had this vibe of a bit neurotic and overwhelmed.

I have no doubt that these kids are getting excellent educations and learning how to navigate a high-achieving culture. But are these happy environments? Do kids emerge from schools well-adjusted and ready to thrive and enjoy life?

What do these schools do to actively support this healthy mindset, beyond teaching them to achieve academically?

Are there parents of kids at these school who have had similar doubts? Were those fears confirmed or were you pleasantly surprised?

Please do not respond if you have no experience with the school.

I find NCS and St Alban very strange. They pretend they still live in some traditional bubble from 100 years ago. But the building, the single sex, the location, and the tradition are so out of place in the current time. I got that they want to imitate Oxford or Cambridge. But they never really were contemporary. The Close feels so odd. Just a reminder: the National Cathedral was built in 1893. My grand-grandmother's chair was older.

Well, I find this statement (bolded) very strange. How is the location out of place in the current time? Single sex schools are more popular than ever, so you're wrong about that. And what "tradition" is so out of place in the current time?

Your entire post is based on personal feelings (a grudge?) that most people do not share.

First of all, the National Cathedral was built in modern times in a Gothic style. So, all of its associations are not part of a natural time.
All of the service, cathedral, and uniform are all things of the past. It is classic, maybe. But it is just so out of place in Teleytown.
Single sex schools are somewhat popular. Not than ever.

It’s not in Tenleytown. And only the youngest girls (4-6th grades) wear uniforms. The National Cathedral is one of the most progressive churches around. Weird comments to make when they’re not even accurate.

But the whole vibe is repressive and strange. Most progressive church. I just don't get why being on the Close is a good thing. Fake old building and tourist spot.

The oldest buildings are well over 100 years old. The cathedral itself, finished in the 1990s, is Gothic Revival. But I wouldn't call it fake.

Just a very vibe, old-man (though NCS is a woman) vibe of old money and power and glory to a certain past. No doubt the education is great. But I wonder how the students feel.

DC has little old money. Almost none in fact. Lots of interlopers and visitors have come though but nothing like NYC or Boston areas. Don’t make things up to drive your prejudices.

🤣never heard money talks and wealth whispers? There is tons of whispering in this city, you just probably aren't close enough to hear it.

Name names. The richest residents for the last 200 years came from somewhere else. The “old” money just watched them come in a push them around because the “old” money didn’t have the juice to do much about it. Because this never was a town of native old money. While some of the descendants of the 18th century wealthy families are still around, most of them are hustling to get by these days. Meanwhile, since the beginning, the likes of Vanderbilts, Dodges, Rockerfellers, Merriweather Posts, McLeans, etc etc etc up to the Bezos types, have showed up in town and rolled the likes of Charles Carroll Glover as if they were mere clerks. And don’t act like you are aware of some inside scoop and I am not.

And Glover wasn’t even a native! Charles Carroll was from these environs (no relation to Glover)(as were his cousins Daniel and John (hello Georgetown) and he was probably the wealthiest American at the time of the Revolution but that wealth was soon surpassed as New York, Boston, Philly, Savanah and Charleston grew.

19th century DC had some hotel owners, land speculators, bankers etc but the underlying government based economy just wasn’t large enough to drive the wealth accumulation that was achieved in many other parts of the country. The rich that did come, only established outposts to visit near the capital. Their homes are now embassies (Indonesia) or clubs (Sulgrave) or are gone.

Did either of these posters debating Glover and Carroll attend NCS or STA or have kids that attended them?

Yes! Old school, multi-generational DC folks whose kids attended and know DC never was stomping grounds for “old money.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carroll was Catholic! Carroll County was named for the Carroll. I think many “transplants” don’t realize how heavily Catholic of a city DC is. When you take away people who cycle through for political work, a high percentage of those who stay in DC for generations are Catholic. That’s why there are so many Catholic schools in the area compared to, says Episcopal or secular schools.

Hence the reference to Georgetown. Maryland is the “free state” for a reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carroll was Catholic! Carroll County was named for the Carroll. I think many “transplants” don’t realize how heavily Catholic of a city DC is. When you take away people who cycle through for political work, a high percentage of those who stay in DC for generations are Catholic. That’s why there are so many Catholic schools in the area compared to, says Episcopal or secular schools.

Who cares? Seriously. What does this have to do with this thread which is about Episcopalian schools in DC?

It’s because those schools are dominated by the old money Catholic families who are secretly hiding in the notorious “caves.” You need to be in the hush hush know that is often hinted at around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The previous poster asked if Carroll attended NCS or St Albans. This was an answer that included an explanation.

No pp asked whether the two posters attended NCS or STA. Did not ask about Carroll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The previous poster asked if Carroll attended NCS or St Albans. This was an answer that included an explanation.

No pp asked whether the two posters attended NCS or STA. Did not ask about Carroll.

All my kids went and I am related to a Carroll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And in DC, there is still the Green Book which lists “social prominent” families. The social register is nationwide.

NP. DC Green Book is not considered to be in the same league as the Social Register by most. Not even close.

[Anonymous]

No it’s not. But there is a lot of overlap and it’s DC specific with many “old” DC families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And in DC, there is still the Green Book which lists “social prominent” families. The social register is nationwide.

NP. DC Green Book is not considered to be in the same league as the Social Register by most. Not even close.

You can’t buy your way into the Social Register. The families I know in it have been in the US since the 1600’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No it’s not. But there is a lot of overlap and it’s DC specific with many “old” DC families.

Who absolutely came here from somewhere else.