Culture of St Albans

[Anonymous]

As we've considered the DC independent school options for our kids, we have not seriously considered St Albans until now.

Our DS is in Pre-K at Beauvoir and so far we are loving the school, and hearing so many positive things about the experience at St Albans.

I want my kids to have a strong education that fosters a love of learning and curiosity about the world around them. I want them to be open-minded to a variety of perspectives, clear about their own values, and committed to making the world a better place. I want them to be challenged and develop a sense of discipline but also feel warmly embraced for who they are - and committed to embracing others for who they are, just as they are.

I'd describe us (the parents) as Obama era Democrats -- absolutely progressive but somewhat moderate in our policy stances, at least in terms of today's progressive movement. We are deeply committed to a more equitable world for all - this is a core value for our family.

Most of our friends send their kids to GDS, Sidwell, or Maret. On the surface, those schools seem like a more natural fit in terms of an environment we'd all be comfortable in but the more I learn about St Albans, the more intrigued I am. And my primary (or secondary, or tertiary) goal in my kids' education is certainly not to surround my kids with people who think just as their parents do.

Still, I have not traditionally thought of an elite all boys school as an environment I'd want for my son. I look at the website and see pictures of young boys in suits and ties and it feels like a throw-back to a different era (an era that was not great for women, people of color, or even white men who did not fit a specific mold). But I recognize this reaction may be rooted in my own biases.

I know many people love St. Albans for their sons. Is that true of a wide range of families, including those who are more progressive? I respect that different people want different things for their kids' experiences, and it could be that St Albans is an amazing school but not the right fit for us.

But ultimately, I recognize that each of these schools has a stereotype attached to them, and usually the reality of the experience is far richer and far more welcoming to those who don't fit the stereotype than people suggest. I'm curious what the experience is at St Albans, especially for families who align with more progressive ideals.

I recognize this post is catnip for the trolls. But I hope I'll get some genuinely thoughtful responses from families who've sent their boys to St Albans and can provide insight to this topic. TIA.

[Anonymous]

Seem to instill a lifelong belief that they are better than everyone else.

[Anonymous]

It's not catnip for trolls but just a bit lofty and idealistic for a family with a kid in Pre-K.

Ultimately, all of the schools you mentioned are excellent. That your son is at Beauvoir tips the scales a bit toward St. Albans in terms of admission. That said, maybe let you kid spend a few years becoming a human being before hand-selecting the school that may or may not be a good fit. Life may take twists and turns different that the three or four years that you've experienced so far. Then, figure out what is best for where they actually are (not where you project them to be in five / eight years) and figure it out once you have the data and admissions offers.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate you asking this question. We turned BVR for one of the 3 schools you mentioned but recently have been having “what if?” thoughts about STA because of the academic rigor for 4th and up.

I went down a rabbit hole, searching threads and asking questions both online and to Cathedral families I know personally. In the end, we feel that DS will have the freedom to be himself at Sidwell/Maret/GDS (one of which where he is currently at) than conforming to the culture at STA and the pressures that come with it.

[Anonymous]

I’d be interested in hearing more about the culture and pressure at St. Albans.

[Anonymous]

There are so many things that matter in a school being a good fit beyond politics. Most things you don't yet know -- is your child a strong student? A strong athlete? Fits in with mainstream "boy" culture? Has any learning disabilities? Does best with more or less structure?

[Anonymous]

Fellow Beauvoir family here but with an older child at Beauvoir. Love that the rose colored glasses are still on for you. We love Beauvoir but have learned the past few years that the close isn't for us. We see through friends experiences that a school like GDS or Maret would be better for our family values and see the NCS/STA legacy families at Beauvoir and want something different. You just got here. Please don't think about this until 1st grade - you are still learning your kid and the environment.

[Anonymous]

Not a huge factor, but generally St. Albans Moms are very pretty. They work out, stay in shape, dress well, and on average are probably the hottest group of the local private schools. Great for the Dads, but sometimes a bit intimidating to new Moms.

[Anonymous]

My dear,

I'll let you in on a little secret. It doesn't matter where you send your kid to school, as long as the school is generally academically rigorous (public or private). The "culture" matters little, because education begins at home and YOU, the parents, must instill YOUR values and expectations. Don't let school mission statements convince you that they confer a special kind of magic and have access to a higher plane of moral principles. They don't. They're a business. They generally conduct good business and provide satisfactory instruction, with some exceptions. That's all.

Here's the part you DO have to watch out for, as long as the academic rigor is there: MONEY. Unless you're very wealthy, such that you wouldn't even notice the outlay, are you sure you want to spend that much on K-12 and not invest the money in the stock market, or spend it on something else instead? There's retirement and college in your future. Money invested while you put your kid in a reputable public could open horizons for later. Right now, in-state uni is 40K and out-of-state or private uni is 60-100K a year, total cost of attendance. There are home downpayments and grad schools to consider. There are a lot of things you can do to build generational wealth in your family, and paying for education has its place, but isn't the only pathway. There are many other things you can do to smooth the way for your descendants. Leveraging your money at the right time is important.

There is no academic difference between a highly-regarded public and a top private. Usually in this area, the publics are better at STEM and the private are better at writing, that's all. The best publics are in southwest Moco (Bethesda, Potomac, North Bethesda). The top privates for boys are St Albans, Sidwell, and some others.

I have teenage and young adult children, and live in Bethesda, where half the families send their kids to well-regarded privates, St Albans included, and half the families send their kids to the local publics (also well-regarded). All the kids are nice kids. All their parents are well-off. There is no difference in college admissions.

[Anonymous]

^^ there may be no difference in admissions. But there is a big difference, and different pros and cons, in experiences.

OP, good for you to thoughtfully ask. Main thing is to observe what your DC needs as they grow. This will actually be the driver.

[Anonymous]

You have a son at Beauvoir and you’ve never seriously considered sending him to St. Albans? Come on.

Also, guesses on the number of pages this post will eventually have?

[Anonymous]

Plenty of liberals at BVR and STA. I have daughters at NCS and maybe 10% of the class is republican not more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As we've considered the DC independent school options for our kids, we have not seriously considered St Albans until now.

Our DS is in Pre-K at Beauvoir and so far we are loving the school, and hearing so many positive things about the experience at St Albans.

I want my kids to have a strong education that fosters a love of learning and curiosity about the world around them. I want them to be open-minded to a variety of perspectives, clear about their own values, and committed to making the world a better place. I want them to be challenged and develop a sense of discipline but also feel warmly embraced for who they are - and committed to embracing others for who they are, just as they are.

I'd describe us (the parents) as Obama era Democrats -- absolutely progressive but somewhat moderate in our policy stances, at least in terms of today's progressive movement. We are deeply committed to a more equitable world for all - this is a core value for our family.

Most of our friends send their kids to GDS, Sidwell, or Maret. On the surface, those schools seem like a more natural fit in terms of an environment we'd all be comfortable in but the more I learn about St Albans, the more intrigued I am. And my primary (or secondary, or tertiary) goal in my kids' education is certainly not to surround my kids with people who think just as their parents do.

Still, I have not traditionally thought of an elite all boys school as an environment I'd want for my son. I look at the website and see pictures of young boys in suits and ties and it feels like a throw-back to a different era (an era that was not great for women, people of color, or even white men who did not fit a specific mold). But I recognize this reaction may be rooted in my own biases.

I know many people love St. Albans for their sons. Is that true of a wide range of families, including those who are more progressive? I respect that different people want different things for their kids' experiences, and it could be that St Albans is an amazing school but not the right fit for us.

But ultimately, I recognize that each of these schools has a stereotype attached to them, and usually the reality of the experience is far richer and far more welcoming to those who don't fit the stereotype than people suggest. I'm curious what the experience is at St Albans, especially for families who align with more progressive ideals.

I recognize this post is catnip for the trolls. But I hope I'll get some genuinely thoughtful responses from families who've sent their boys to St Albans and can provide insight to this topic. TIA.

You will not find this at STA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Plenty of liberals at BVR and STA. I have daughters at NCS and maybe 10% of the class is republican not more.

NCS/STA are way more than 10% Republican. I'd guess at least 1/3. DC itself is close to 10% republican and STA and NCS are the most republican spaces in the whole district. You're probably assuming the quiet people agree with you...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Plenty of liberals at BVR and STA. I have daughters at NCS and maybe 10% of the class is republican not more.

NCS/STA are way more than 10% Republican. I'd guess at least 1/3. DC itself is close to 10% republican and STA and NCS are the most republican spaces in the whole district. You're probably assuming the quiet people agree with you...

No, you are thinking of Visi and Gonzaga.