Woodberry Forest vs St. Albans for Boarding Applicant

[Anonymous]

My son is interested in boarding school, and we think he can get into WFS pretty easily. They have a 60% admit rate according to the info session I attended. He's academically strong, and I think he'd be a good fit for St. Albans as well.

Would anyone think that going into the boarding program at St. Albans would be a good move for someone that wants a good boarding school experience?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is interested in boarding school, and we think he can get into WFS pretty easily. They have a 60% admit rate according to the info session I attended. He's academically strong, and I think he'd be a good fit for St. Albans as well.

Would anyone think that going into the boarding program at St. Albans would be a good move for someone that wants a good boarding school experience?

No. It’s really not a typical boarding situation. It’s not bad per se, but it’s mostly international students and only a very small percentage of the student population. If your kid wants a boarding school, go to a boarding school, not a day school that houses a handful of international students per grade.

[Anonymous]

Both are excellent choices, especially St. Albans, but my info on boarding at STA is over a decade old. So not terribly relevant. Look also into Northfield Mount Hermon, St. Paul’s School, Avon Old Farms, Deerfield, Andover, Lawrenceville, Milton, etc. There are so many to choose from! All with beautiful campuses.

[Anonymous]

St. Albans is very honest about the fact that their boarding program is very small and dominated by international students. It's a warm community, but definitely not the "boarding school experience" you'd be looking for.

Woodberry Forest is 100% boarding and has a mesmerizing and bucolic campus with greenery that reaches into an seemingly-limitless expanse.

Keep in mind that Woodberry is very conservative and very strict. They have a one-strike rule and kick out around 10-15 boys per year for breaking it.

If you want something more balanced and local, look into Episcopal (way more traditional boarding school environment). Also, look into St. Andrews (less conservative and also well-regarded).

[Anonymous]

In the nineties most of the STA borders were kids with difficult home lives, often on FA, who would bounce back and forth between the dorms and home, with the occasional international (usually Asian) student. Interesting to know how this has changed.

[Anonymous]

I know one teacher at Woodberry who is amazing. One of the best teachers I have come across in a long time. He is very happy at Woodberry which makes me think it is a positive environment overall

[Anonymous]

I’m curious. Why doesn’t your son want to live with you?

[Anonymous]

Why a local boarding school? Try for one of the good ones.

[Anonymous]

STA is not a real boarding school. It has max 30 students out of 600 day students who board. And a certain percentage of those 30 live locally and go home on the weekends. The boarders live in the attic of the original building, which hasn’t been renovated in decades. Free time activities are listed as watching TV and shooting hoops in the gym. Facilities are terrible. It’s not a real boarding program.

If you want a boarding program in the DMV look at Episcopal or Georgetown Prep. They have robust boarding programs and amazing facilities.

[Anonymous]

WFS is an outstanding school and very different from STA in that it is 100% boarding. My son loved WFS and would do anything to have just a few more days at the school with his friends again. Those boys are bonded for life. It was a transformational experience and while STA is also a wonderful school these two are quite different. WFS has a golf course with it, a rice running through it etc.

[Anonymous]

Also admission is varied year to year. I recently heard that this potential incoming class has very strong candidates with lots of siblings so don’t assume admission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WFS is an outstanding school and very different from STA in that it is 100% boarding. My son loved WFS and would do anything to have just a few more days at the school with his friends again. Those boys are bonded for life. It was a transformational experience and while STA is also a wonderful school these two are quite different. WFS has a golf course with it, a rice running through it etc.

*River running through it. Boys fish for fun.

[Anonymous]

STA really isn’t a boarding school. Maybe a few athletes who don’t live close to the school and some international kids, but that’s about it.

[Anonymous]

WFS is a good option. I also like Blue Ridge School near C'ville. STA also is fine, but it is a bit different as it is mostly a day school.

I would have DC visit all of these and compare/contrast.

I am not a fan of Episcopal HS in Alexandria City. Too many challenges with substance abuse have arisen there (I have no idea why though).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St. Albans is very honest about the fact that their boarding program is very small and dominated by international students. It's a warm community, but definitely not the "boarding school experience" you'd be looking for.

Woodberry Forest is 100% boarding and has a mesmerizing and bucolic campus with greenery that reaches into an seemingly-limitless expanse.

Keep in mind that Woodberry is very conservative and very strict. They have a one-strike rule and kick out around 10-15 boys per year for breaking it.

If you want something more balanced and local, look into Episcopal (way more traditional boarding school environment). Also, look into St. Andrews (less conservative and also well-regarded).

What do boys get kicked out for? Kicking out 10-15 boys/year sounds extreme!