St. Alban's

[Anonymous]

How difficult is it to gain admission during an entry year (9th grade)? My DS is very intelligent but has been in public for ES and MS. Would appreciate any insights as well as any experiences others have had recently with their DS. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

very hard - but give it a shot

[Anonymous]

It's extremely competitive, but definitely give it a try. In my era as an NCS student, a bunch of guys left STA after 8th for boarding schools, and a larger bunch of new guys came. This is uninformed speculation, but I personally think that coming from public could itself be a positive in your child's favor as the school builds a class.

[Anonymous]

My observations from the boys who were admitted from our K-8 is that they are looking for boys who will be able to handle the academics and are good at one or more sports. Even then it is tough. I have also seen a case where being great at a sport can make up for a mixed academic record.

Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

It’s very competitive, but you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Might as well try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s very competitive, but you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Might as well try.

and if they're remotely competitive for STA and you'd like to see them get a better education, don't just take one shot. Try other places too.

[Anonymous]

Depending on the year 7-10% admissions rate at 9th.

Need to be either exceptionally strong academically or a stellar athlete.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's extremely competitive, but definitely give it a try. In my era as an NCS student, a bunch of guys left STA after 8th for boarding schools, and a larger bunch of new guys came. This is uninformed speculation, but I personally think that coming from public could itself be a positive in your child's favor as the school builds a class.

Agree on the public point; they don’t want to fill with st pats. But is he an athlete? Ninth they’re pulling in athletes to fill spots.

[Anonymous]

OP - it is St. Albans. No apostrophe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - it is St. Albans. No apostrophe.

At least they didn’t call it StA’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My observations from the boys who were admitted from our K-8 is that they are looking for boys who will be able to handle the academics and are good at one or more sports. Even then it is tough. I have also seen a case where being great at a sport can make up for a mixed academic record.

Best of luck.

My son joined a few years ago and there were 18 new boys in 9th from about 16 different middle schools. I'd say 65% private, 35% public.

[Anonymous]

St Albans used to win everything when I was in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How difficult is it to gain admission during an entry year (9th grade)? My DS is very intelligent but has been in public for ES and MS. Would appreciate any insights as well as any experiences others have had recently with their DS. Thanks!

For any boys transferring in from public, be prepared for a significant jump in workload and sky high expectations for writing skills. Boys in 9th are expected to write at the level of college sophomores. Several of your classes will be taught at a freshman college level: history, biology, English, Spanish/French. Geometry is taught at such a high level that freshmen from public schools who are repeating have trouble with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - it is St. Albans. No apostrophe.

At least they didn’t call it StA’s.

Does no one refer to it as STA? I feel like it makes sense considering there's BVR and NCS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How difficult is it to gain admission during an entry year (9th grade)? My DS is very intelligent but has been in public for ES and MS. Would appreciate any insights as well as any experiences others have had recently with their DS. Thanks!

For any boys transferring in from public, be prepared for a significant jump in workload and sky high expectations for writing skills. Boys in 9th are expected to write at the level of college sophomores. Several of your classes will be taught at a freshman college level: history, biology, English, Spanish/French. Geometry is taught at such a high level that freshmen from public schools who are repeating have trouble with it.

Big exaggeration. Huge.