Current vibe at St. Andrew’s DE?

[Anonymous]

We would love to learn how prospective or currently enrolled students/families feel about the experience.

Would you select it over a New England boarding school? Why?

Best/worst aspects? No school is perfect. We are seeking balanced views from people who have recent experience. Thanks so much.

And how did you find the admissions process?

[Anonymous]

Bumping this forum. We have our hat in the ring for this fall and some early feedback makes us think we will have several good options including day school. Anyone with recent reviews with the new HOS?

[Anonymous]

I’m also curious. The kids have a rep for being kind and bright. The culture looks welcoming. What makes this school a good fit for a certain kid?

Would love to hear from a current family.

[Anonymous]

Our DC is a student at SAS and we absolutely love it. We looked at and applied to several NE boarding schools as well as some day schools. Ultimately, kiddo really wanted boarding and we strongly preferred a school where we could just hop in the car and get there easily. This way we can go see sporting events, go to all the parents weekends with ease, etc. Plus it feels like a little vacation when we are there because the school is stunning (Middletown less so but it's growing on us).
For our kid, the experience has been transformational. It's a rigorous school but I feel like they push the kids just enough--it's not rigor for rigor's sake. Since the teachers all live there, they are readily available for meetings and extra help not only during office hours but during meals or on weekends. It's just the culture. Our child has an amazing advisor who really has gotten to know them and understands them. It's nice for us to know there is an adult specifically keeping an eye on our kid.
We are also especially keen on the cell phone policy which is the phones do not leave the dorms. They are additionally checked in during study hall time (7-10pm) and overnight. So while this means I can't just talk to my child whenever I want, it also means the kids are engaging with each other. You walk around that campus and no one has their face in a screen.
I could go on and on about why we love the school so much, there are a ton of reasons. And for context, I went to a top 3 New England boarding school so I do have some experience with this. My school was a rather cold place, very little support, very much "sink or swim", and, frankly, it was a bit of a traumatizing experience. SAS is like a warm hug in comparison.
Lastly about Joy McGrath as head of school--we think she's wonderful. She is welcoming and a even-keeled presence on campus. You probably know but she is also a graduate so the school means a lot to her and it shows. We didn't experience the previous HOS but we've been very happy with the tone Ms. McGrath sets.
I hope that's helpful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m also curious. The kids have a rep for being kind and bright. The culture looks welcoming. What makes this school a good fit for a certain kid?

Would love to hear from a current family.

I'm the PP--the kids are lovely. My DH and I joke that the school has a no a**hole policy both for the kids and the families. Another school policy is the kids are assigned a lunch table with other kids from all the other grades and two faculty members. Those tables rotate every 3 weeks or so with the idea being you get to know almost everyone at the school. That's the kind of place it is.
I think SAS is good for a kid who is interested in academics but also interested in getting involved and trying new things. Participating in the community, being present. And when you all live together you have to learn to get along and be mindful of the way other people live. Plus it's a small place so there are opportunities to try a new sport or new activity. My kid picked up a new instrument this year--why not? The school encourages involvement.

[Anonymous]

I'm the bumper of this thread -- thank you so much for your insight.

[Anonymous]

just anecdotally, we have close friends with a current student and a graduate and they were/are very happy there. the kids and parents are both happy with the academics, residence life (and the food!). they know the other kids well. college placement is strong. and it’s a gorgeous place!

[Anonymous]

Parent of a recent grad here and I just had to write a long response. We loved it as a family and my DC excelled in the environment. It is a magical place and a must attend if accepted. It is a place that really focuses on values, integrity, and community. A few differences and highlights for us:

1. Athletics: good program, but not as intense as the dmv privates. No travel team participation allowed (or very limited). DC can pick up a new sport and accepting of all who want to try. A few programs stand out IMO Crew, squash, lacrosse. Our DC picked up two new sports and excelled.

2. Responsible for own academic success. I loved this one. No tutoring - paid outside help is against the honor code. This was something I didn’t even think about, but can really change the academic environment. It forces engagement with teachers and peers to discuss homework and trouble spots. Builds relationships and levels the playing field. Also makes the kid learn how to solve their own problems and take responsibility for their academic success (or failures). Excellent life lesson IMO.

3. High school is the foundation for college… not the on ramp. They don’t talk about grades or college. Ever. My DC never knew how other kids were doing or even when kids got in to college. Crazy? Maybe, but their success record is pretty good. Not too good for west coast elites- no one has gone to Stanford in years. If that is a goal, I would not send a kid there. But if HPY, SLACs, and flagship state schools are the goal… they are wildly successful.

3. Community - 100% boarding is magical. No outside day student influence and all are focused on building a community. Including the teachers and staff. Very strict rules and the mark system is taken seriously. Takes some freshman a few months to realize they mean business. It’s all about respect for the community and each other

4. Close to the DMV. We were up there all the time for athletic games or to take the kids out to dinner. We both work high level jobs and travel. So, driving two hours to spend quality time with our DC sitting on the front lawn at school was better than the rat race of high schools and sports in DMV.

5. No phones - mentioned above, but I will reiterate. My DCs emotional intelligence was leaps and bounds above her dmv peers. The ability to sit down and have dinner conversations with anyone was remarkable. It also cuts down on the drama that cell phones bring. I thank the school for the cell phone policy, but also the assigned lunch table policy. It is not just for one meal, but weeks at a time. They build relationships with every, single, student and faculty.

6. Class warfare. I will say that there are really, really wealthy kids at the school and lots of kids on financial aid and then us in the middle. There was never a brand or class issue (ie, are you wearing the right shoes, jeans, etc. Are you vacationing at the right places, etc). The girls swapped clothes all the time. There was never stress about what to wear to winter formal, etc. much different than my experience in the 80s at a NE boarding school. And much different than the middle school environment she came from.

7. Finally… parties, friends, drinking, weekends. I’m so grateful that I did not spend four years driving my kid to try to see friends all over the DMV every weekend. We heard crazy party stories in the DMV from her middle school peers. Parents allowing drinking, pre and post parties from dances, etc. That is just not the culture up there.

Good luck on decision day and happy to answer any specific questions. We all cried on graduation day. Head of school is great and really cares about the kids and their futures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a recent grad here and I just had to write a long response. We loved it as a family and my DC excelled in the environment. It is a magical place and a must attend if accepted. It is a place that really focuses on values, integrity, and community. A few differences and highlights for us:

1. Athletics: good program, but not as intense as the dmv privates. No travel team participation allowed (or very limited). DC can pick up a new sport and accepting of all who want to try. A few programs stand out IMO Crew, squash, lacrosse. Our DC picked up two new sports and excelled.

2. Responsible for own academic success. I loved this one. No tutoring - paid outside help is against the honor code. This was something I didn’t even think about, but can really change the academic environment. It forces engagement with teachers and peers to discuss homework and trouble spots. Builds relationships and levels the playing field. Also makes the kid learn how to solve their own problems and take responsibility for their academic success (or failures). Excellent life lesson IMO.

3. High school is the foundation for college… not the on ramp. They don’t talk about grades or college. Ever. My DC never knew how other kids were doing or even when kids got in to college. Crazy? Maybe, but their success record is pretty good. Not too good for west coast elites- no one has gone to Stanford in years. If that is a goal, I would not send a kid there. But if HPY, SLACs, and flagship state schools are the goal… they are wildly successful.

3. Community - 100% boarding is magical. No outside day student influence and all are focused on building a community. Including the teachers and staff. Very strict rules and the mark system is taken seriously. Takes some freshman a few months to realize they mean business. It’s all about respect for the community and each other

4. Close to the DMV. We were up there all the time for athletic games or to take the kids out to dinner. We both work high level jobs and travel. So, driving two hours to spend quality time with our DC sitting on the front lawn at school was better than the rat race of high schools and sports in DMV.

5. No phones - mentioned above, but I will reiterate. My DCs emotional intelligence was leaps and bounds above her dmv peers. The ability to sit down and have dinner conversations with anyone was remarkable. It also cuts down on the drama that cell phones bring. I thank the school for the cell phone policy, but also the assigned lunch table policy. It is not just for one meal, but weeks at a time. They build relationships with every, single, student and faculty.

6. Class warfare. I will say that there are really, really wealthy kids at the school and lots of kids on financial aid and then us in the middle. There was never a brand or class issue (ie, are you wearing the right shoes, jeans, etc. Are you vacationing at the right places, etc). The girls swapped clothes all the time. There was never stress about what to wear to winter formal, etc. much different than my experience in the 80s at a NE boarding school. And much different than the middle school environment she came from.

7. Finally… parties, friends, drinking, weekends. I’m so grateful that I did not spend four years driving my kid to try to see friends all over the DMV every weekend. We heard crazy party stories in the DMV from her middle school peers. Parents allowing drinking, pre and post parties from dances, etc. That is just not the culture up there.

Good luck on decision day and happy to answer any specific questions. We all cried on graduation day. Head of school is great and really cares about the kids and their futures.

You should have stopped before #7. I’ve never heard a mother so blatantly state that she’s “grateful” she didn’t have to parent her child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a recent grad here and I just had to write a long response. We loved it as a family and my DC excelled in the environment. It is a magical place and a must attend if accepted. It is a place that really focuses on values, integrity, and community. A few differences and highlights for us:

1. Athletics: good program, but not as intense as the dmv privates. No travel team participation allowed (or very limited). DC can pick up a new sport and accepting of all who want to try. A few programs stand out IMO Crew, squash, lacrosse. Our DC picked up two new sports and excelled.

2. Responsible for own academic success. I loved this one. No tutoring - paid outside help is against the honor code. This was something I didn’t even think about, but can really change the academic environment. It forces engagement with teachers and peers to discuss homework and trouble spots. Builds relationships and levels the playing field. Also makes the kid learn how to solve their own problems and take responsibility for their academic success (or failures). Excellent life lesson IMO.

3. High school is the foundation for college… not the on ramp. They don’t talk about grades or college. Ever. My DC never knew how other kids were doing or even when kids got in to college. Crazy? Maybe, but their success record is pretty good. Not too good for west coast elites- no one has gone to Stanford in years. If that is a goal, I would not send a kid there. But if HPY, SLACs, and flagship state schools are the goal… they are wildly successful.

3. Community - 100% boarding is magical. No outside day student influence and all are focused on building a community. Including the teachers and staff. Very strict rules and the mark system is taken seriously. Takes some freshman a few months to realize they mean business. It’s all about respect for the community and each other

4. Close to the DMV. We were up there all the time for athletic games or to take the kids out to dinner. We both work high level jobs and travel. So, driving two hours to spend quality time with our DC sitting on the front lawn at school was better than the rat race of high schools and sports in DMV.

5. No phones - mentioned above, but I will reiterate. My DCs emotional intelligence was leaps and bounds above her dmv peers. The ability to sit down and have dinner conversations with anyone was remarkable. It also cuts down on the drama that cell phones bring. I thank the school for the cell phone policy, but also the assigned lunch table policy. It is not just for one meal, but weeks at a time. They build relationships with every, single, student and faculty.

6. Class warfare. I will say that there are really, really wealthy kids at the school and lots of kids on financial aid and then us in the middle. There was never a brand or class issue (ie, are you wearing the right shoes, jeans, etc. Are you vacationing at the right places, etc). The girls swapped clothes all the time. There was never stress about what to wear to winter formal, etc. much different than my experience in the 80s at a NE boarding school. And much different than the middle school environment she came from.

7. Finally… parties, friends, drinking, weekends. I’m so grateful that I did not spend four years driving my kid to try to see friends all over the DMV every weekend. We heard crazy party stories in the DMV from her middle school peers. Parents allowing drinking, pre and post parties from dances, etc. That is just not the culture up there.

Good luck on decision day and happy to answer any specific questions. We all cried on graduation day. Head of school is great and really cares about the kids and their futures.

You should have stopped before #7. I’ve never heard a mother so blatantly state that she’s “grateful” she didn’t have to parent her child.

DP. You mischaracterize a parent’s gratitude for having access to a wholesome culture. That’s rare these days. My children do not attend St. Andrew’s, but we considered it. I greatly respect the school for allowing a refreshingly wholesome and simultaneously fun adolescence.

The comment was not about avoiding investing time in their child in the general sense. Rather, it addressed relief at not having to spend time playing defense against a culture that really isn’t healthy for teens. There are so many better ways to spend time with your kids.

I suspect you realized that, but prefer nasty to nuance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a recent grad here and I just had to write a long response. We loved it as a family and my DC excelled in the environment. It is a magical place and a must attend if accepted. It is a place that really focuses on values, integrity, and community. A few differences and highlights for us:

1. Athletics: good program, but not as intense as the dmv privates. No travel team participation allowed (or very limited). DC can pick up a new sport and accepting of all who want to try. A few programs stand out IMO Crew, squash, lacrosse. Our DC picked up two new sports and excelled.

2. Responsible for own academic success. I loved this one. No tutoring - paid outside help is against the honor code. This was something I didn’t even think about, but can really change the academic environment. It forces engagement with teachers and peers to discuss homework and trouble spots. Builds relationships and levels the playing field. Also makes the kid learn how to solve their own problems and take responsibility for their academic success (or failures). Excellent life lesson IMO.

3. High school is the foundation for college… not the on ramp. They don’t talk about grades or college. Ever. My DC never knew how other kids were doing or even when kids got in to college. Crazy? Maybe, but their success record is pretty good. Not too good for west coast elites- no one has gone to Stanford in years. If that is a goal, I would not send a kid there. But if HPY, SLACs, and flagship state schools are the goal… they are wildly successful.

3. Community - 100% boarding is magical. No outside day student influence and all are focused on building a community. Including the teachers and staff. Very strict rules and the mark system is taken seriously. Takes some freshman a few months to realize they mean business. It’s all about respect for the community and each other

4. Close to the DMV. We were up there all the time for athletic games or to take the kids out to dinner. We both work high level jobs and travel. So, driving two hours to spend quality time with our DC sitting on the front lawn at school was better than the rat race of high schools and sports in DMV.

5. No phones - mentioned above, but I will reiterate. My DCs emotional intelligence was leaps and bounds above her dmv peers. The ability to sit down and have dinner conversations with anyone was remarkable. It also cuts down on the drama that cell phones bring. I thank the school for the cell phone policy, but also the assigned lunch table policy. It is not just for one meal, but weeks at a time. They build relationships with every, single, student and faculty.

6. Class warfare. I will say that there are really, really wealthy kids at the school and lots of kids on financial aid and then us in the middle. There was never a brand or class issue (ie, are you wearing the right shoes, jeans, etc. Are you vacationing at the right places, etc). The girls swapped clothes all the time. There was never stress about what to wear to winter formal, etc. much different than my experience in the 80s at a NE boarding school. And much different than the middle school environment she came from.

7. Finally… parties, friends, drinking, weekends. I’m so grateful that I did not spend four years driving my kid to try to see friends all over the DMV every weekend. We heard crazy party stories in the DMV from her middle school peers. Parents allowing drinking, pre and post parties from dances, etc. That is just not the culture up there.

Good luck on decision day and happy to answer any specific questions. We all cried on graduation day. Head of school is great and really cares about the kids and their futures.

Exactly. All of this. My DC is a student there and we are so grateful for her experience so far. I also agree about #7 and anyone is who is going to push back about "not parenting" can just step off. This is about putting your kid in an environment where it's cool to study and cool to be off your phone and cool to go cheer your friend on at their JV soccer game. This is what these kids do. They get excited about sledding and playing on the lawn and being kids. It's so nice to see. I also have a kid who is at a day school here and it's a totally different experience. People who bash the boarding school experience, particularly at SAS, have no idea what they're talking about.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for these recent posters. We are a rising 7th grade family that is interested in Saint Andrews. I've completed the online inquiry form each year since my son was in 5th grade so that we can attend one of the spring tours. I have yet to receive a response from the school. Any advice? Did you all wait to visit the school in fall of the year you applied?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a recent grad here and I just had to write a long response. We loved it as a family and my DC excelled in the environment. It is a magical place and a must attend if accepted. It is a place that really focuses on values, integrity, and community. A few differences and highlights for us:

1. Athletics: good program, but not as intense as the dmv privates. No travel team participation allowed (or very limited). DC can pick up a new sport and accepting of all who want to try. A few programs stand out IMO Crew, squash, lacrosse. Our DC picked up two new sports and excelled.

2. Responsible for own academic success. I loved this one. No tutoring - paid outside help is against the honor code. This was something I didn’t even think about, but can really change the academic environment. It forces engagement with teachers and peers to discuss homework and trouble spots. Builds relationships and levels the playing field. Also makes the kid learn how to solve their own problems and take responsibility for their academic success (or failures). Excellent life lesson IMO.

3. High school is the foundation for college… not the on ramp. They don’t talk about grades or college. Ever. My DC never knew how other kids were doing or even when kids got in to college. Crazy? Maybe, but their success record is pretty good. Not too good for west coast elites- no one has gone to Stanford in years. If that is a goal, I would not send a kid there. But if HPY, SLACs, and flagship state schools are the goal… they are wildly successful.

3. Community - 100% boarding is magical. No outside day student influence and all are focused on building a community. Including the teachers and staff. Very strict rules and the mark system is taken seriously. Takes some freshman a few months to realize they mean business. It’s all about respect for the community and each other

4. Close to the DMV. We were up there all the time for athletic games or to take the kids out to dinner. We both work high level jobs and travel. So, driving two hours to spend quality time with our DC sitting on the front lawn at school was better than the rat race of high schools and sports in DMV.

5. No phones - mentioned above, but I will reiterate. My DCs emotional intelligence was leaps and bounds above her dmv peers. The ability to sit down and have dinner conversations with anyone was remarkable. It also cuts down on the drama that cell phones bring. I thank the school for the cell phone policy, but also the assigned lunch table policy. It is not just for one meal, but weeks at a time. They build relationships with every, single, student and faculty.

6. Class warfare. I will say that there are really, really wealthy kids at the school and lots of kids on financial aid and then us in the middle. There was never a brand or class issue (ie, are you wearing the right shoes, jeans, etc. Are you vacationing at the right places, etc). The girls swapped clothes all the time. There was never stress about what to wear to winter formal, etc. much different than my experience in the 80s at a NE boarding school. And much different than the middle school environment she came from.

7. Finally… parties, friends, drinking, weekends. I’m so grateful that I did not spend four years driving my kid to try to see friends all over the DMV every weekend. We heard crazy party stories in the DMV from her middle school peers. Parents allowing drinking, pre and post parties from dances, etc. That is just not the culture up there.

Good luck on decision day and happy to answer any specific questions. We all cried on graduation day. Head of school is great and really cares about the kids and their futures.

Exactly. All of this. My DC is a student there and we are so grateful for her experience so far. I also agree about #7 and anyone is who is going to push back about "not parenting" can just step off. This is about putting your kid in an environment where it's cool to study and cool to be off your phone and cool to go cheer your friend on at their JV soccer game. This is what these kids do. They get excited about sledding and playing on the lawn and being kids. It's so nice to see. I also have a kid who is at a day school here and it's a totally different experience. People who bash the boarding school experience, particularly at SAS, have no idea what they're talking about.

You find these positive attributes to be so unique to the boarding school experience?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for these recent posters. We are a rising 7th grade family that is interested in Saint Andrews. I've completed the online inquiry form each year since my son was in 5th grade so that we can attend one of the spring tours. I have yet to receive a response from the school. Any advice? Did you all wait to visit the school in fall of the year you applied?

We waited until the Fall of 8th grade. I assume you could call the main line and ask what is most common?

[Anonymous]

It’s not really a “fill out the form” and then wait kind of place. I suspect they would welcome the human touch of a polite follow up call, and will let you know when is the soonest they can accommodate you. Your enthusiasm is likely appreciated. The admissions team is, not surprisingly, very welcoming.