SSSAS - what is the culture like currently?

[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.

No, not homophobia. Just prefer to not glamorize transgender lifestyles to young kids. We'd rather focus on academics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

The school is well aware of the bullying and they close their eyes to it. Students of faculty get away with a lot, too.

[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 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.

No, not homophobia. Just prefer to not glamorize transgender lifestyles to young kids. We'd rather focus on academics.

The speaker was at the high school. Don't make it sound like this was for elementary. And saying "glamorize" is absolutely homophobic. Sorry.

[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.

I’m sorry to hear this. Can you tell us what division? Lower, middle or upper?

[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 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.

No, not homophobia. Just prefer to not glamorize transgender lifestyles to young kids. We'd rather focus on academics.

The speaker was at the high school. Don't make it sound like this was for elementary. And saying "glamorize" is absolutely homophobic. Sorry.

What happens at the US makes it to the LS. These kids all know each other. They talk. They have siblings. I think that is your privilege speaking. Not homophobic- just want to keep adult conversations away from my kid's ears.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This thread isn’t really the place to get into this but…. No, that doesn’t make an entire cultural movement “Marxist”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 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.

No, not homophobia. Just prefer to not glamorize transgender lifestyles to young kids. We'd rather focus on academics.

The speaker was at the high school. Don't make it sound like this was for elementary. And saying "glamorize" is absolutely homophobic. Sorry.

What happens at the US makes it to the LS. These kids all know each other. They talk. They have siblings. I think that is your privilege speaking. Not homophobic- just want to keep adult conversations away from my kid's ears.

The speaker was a Harvard graduate and accomplished athlete. You don’t know how to discuss a successful trans person with your kids? I think your expectation of sheltering young kids from all the issues and experiences their older siblings may be exposed to is really unrealistic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 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.

No, not homophobia. Just prefer to not glamorize transgender lifestyles to young kids. We'd rather focus on academics.

The speaker was at the high school. Don't make it sound like this was for elementary. And saying "glamorize" is absolutely homophobic. Sorry.

What happens at the US makes it to the LS. These kids all know each other. They talk. They have siblings. I think that is your privilege speaking. Not homophobic- just want to keep adult conversations away from my kid's ears.

It is actually quite homophobic (really transphobic) to think talking about transgender people is “adult conversation”. My 5 year old knows what it means to be transgender.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I’m sorry to hear this. Can you tell us what division? Lower, middle or upper?

NP but I unfortunately know a family who believes their child is being bullied / unfairly treated for being white, particularly in discussions of race etc. So take what you read on DCUM with a grain of salt.

I think the families who are opposed to having a trans speaker, or discussing BLM in positive terms, are pretty upset with the school right now and making their way out (not a bad thing in my opinion).

[Anonymous]

SSSAS parent here. It really does seem like there are some parents here with a particular agenda. To rumor monger, spread fear and do everything they can to chip away at the SSSAS reputation. Why, I can't figure out. If your kid is unhappy there. Move them. Bullying is certainly not acceptable but every school has its fair share of bullies. And every school struggles with how to manage that, especially when they are kids of privilege. That there was a transgender speaker at the US - which by the way was my son's first and only assembly of interest - speaks volumes to the school's willingness to address the hard/murky/emotional issues in our society. Turning a blind eye to transgender concerns isn't the answer. I for one am happy that SSSAS is exposing the kids to all manners of human experience, even when those may be hard and uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 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.

No, not homophobia. Just prefer to not glamorize transgender lifestyles to young kids. We'd rather focus on academics.

The speaker was at the high school. Don't make it sound like this was for elementary. And saying "glamorize" is absolutely homophobic. Sorry.

What happens at the US makes it to the LS. These kids all know each other. They talk. They have siblings. I think that is your privilege speaking. Not homophobic- just want to keep adult conversations away from my kid's ears.

I'm sorry, what? What the hell does that have to do with privilege?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SSSAS parent here. It really does seem like there are some parents here with a particular agenda. To rumor monger, spread fear and do everything they can to chip away at the SSSAS reputation. Why, I can't figure out. If your kid is unhappy there. Move them. Bullying is certainly not acceptable but every school has its fair share of bullies. And every school struggles with how to manage that, especially when they are kids of privilege. That there was a transgender speaker at the US - which by the way was my son's first and only assembly of interest - speaks volumes to the school's willingness to address the hard/murky/emotional issues in our society. Turning a blind eye to transgender concerns isn't the answer. I for one am happy that SSSAS is exposing the kids to all manners of human experience, even when those may be hard and uncomfortable.

+ 100

[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.

Did you learn your grammar from SSSAS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This thread isn’t really the place to get into this but…. No, that doesn’t make an entire cultural movement “Marxist”.

completely disagree.

[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.

Praise the Lord! Go to the Catholic schools... it's a good place for bigots.