Getting into St. Albans

[Anonymous]

When do the largest percentage of public school kids typically enter?

[Anonymous]

St. Albans School was, truth be told, not at the top of our list. We wanted more of an "artsy" school, and our impression was that in an all boys atmosphere, the arts would take a back seat to sports. That impression dissolved over the past few weeks, when I found myself at the school's "Lessons and Carols" and then again at the National Cathedral's Christmas day service in which the National Cathedral's choir of Men and Boys (the latter, it was explained to me, made up exclusively of boys at STA). It was all sublime. At least in my view, St. Albans has moved to the top of our list. DS is still hesitating, and his first choice is Maret. Who knows whether we'll have a choice, but god willing that we do, it may be one very difficult choice.

[Anonymous]

Good luck to your son, PP! St. Albans does have a good vocal program, drama dept, etc. Sports are definitely important there, you are not wrong to think that, but it would be a mistake to typecast it as "just" a jock school. Maret is a great place too, so here's wishing you a happy new year with lots of great choices.

[Anonymous]

I have a friend whose son is applying for 8th grade. He's not a good student, nor a spectacular athlete but his parents while not alumni, are very well off and make a habit of generous donations to their schools. I am just curious what his chances are. He would be repeating 8th grade in order to enhance his application and the parents hinted at knowing a board member.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a friend whose son is applying for 8th grade. He's not a good student, nor a spectacular athlete but his parents while not alumni, are very well off and make a habit of generous donations to their schools. I am just curious what his chances are. He would be repeating 8th grade in order to enhance his application and the parents hinted at knowing a board member.

The troll is back!

[Anonymous]

It does not sound genuine, agreed. If it IS genuine, it is unanswerable before March 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Or those crazy elite people. As in 4th generation at the Cathedral schools, DAR, etc.

Maybe I am not with it . . . I get the 4th generation Cathedral schools part but what is DAR??????

And, particularly after middle school, a fair number that are the stark, polar opposite of rich and elite.

Please explain why this happens after middle school. . . .

DAR is Daughters of the American Revolution. It means that 7 generations ago you had an ancestor who fought as a member of rag tag bunch against the most powerful army of the day and won.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Or those crazy elite people. As in 4th generation at the Cathedral schools, DAR, etc.

Maybe I am not with it . . . I get the 4th generation Cathedral schools part but what is DAR??????

And, particularly after middle school, a fair number that are the stark, polar opposite of rich and elite.

Please explain why this happens after middle school. . . .

DAR is Daughters of the American Revolution. It means that 7 generations ago you had an ancestor who fought as a member of rag tag bunch against the most powerful army of the day and won.

A lot of people who could be in the DAR are not...still are a rag tag bunch. I think most public school kids are from VA and come in for high school along with the Norwoods[ends at grade 8].

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a friend whose son is applying for 8th grade. He's not a good student, nor a spectacular athlete but his parents while not alumni, are very well off and make a habit of generous donations to their schools. I am just curious what his chances are. He would be repeating 8th grade in order to enhance his application and the parents hinted at knowing a board member.

What kind of "friend" writes something like this in a public forum. Troll!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, why did you select St. Albans? It sounds like you're not pleased with the experience. Perhaps you discovered that it wasn't the right place after the fact. But have you allowed your child to continue there?

I selected St. Albans because it seemed to me to be the best school at the time, and I was very much influenced by the tremendous hype surrounding it. It is impossible not to be impressed by the school. I have not taken my son out of St. Albans. In the end, I don't think it is a bad place, I just don't expect any of my rabble rousing would make any difference in changing the things I do not like. I am only saying that when you let your decicions be influenced by the degree of competitiveness at entry, you are immediately putting yourself in a position to dismiss things about the school you may very well not like. I know during the tours, no parents with whom I toured asked a single pointed or critical question. They wouldn't dare. They're too afraid their kid's application would end up in a trash bin. That in itself has allowed St. Albans to be less accountable.

Actually, in the rarified air of DC I find it refreshing that there is at least one school where the typical high powered Washington parent "wouldn't dare". LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, why did you select St. Albans? It sounds like you're not pleased with the experience. Perhaps you discovered that it wasn't the right place after the fact. But have you allowed your child to continue there?

I selected St. Albans because it seemed to me to be the best school at the time, and I was very much influenced by the tremendous hype surrounding it. It is impossible not to be impressed by the school. I have not taken my son out of St. Albans. In the end, I don't think it is a bad place, I just don't expect any of my rabble rousing would make any difference in changing the things I do not like. I am only saying that when you let your decicions be influenced by the degree of competitiveness at entry, you are immediately putting yourself in a position to dismiss things about the school you may very well not like. I know during the tours, no parents with whom I toured asked a single pointed or critical question. They wouldn't dare. They're too afraid their kid's application would end up in a trash bin. That in itself has allowed St. Albans to be less accountable.

Actually, in the rarified air of DC I find it refreshing that there is at least one school where the typical high powered Washington parent "wouldn't dare". LOL

Private School Admissions Directors at places like St. Albans, Beauvoir, and Sidwell are like gods. To no one else would the Washington power-elite bow down so quickly and so deeply.

[Anonymous]

If big sis is at NCS, is that treated as a de facto sibling preference for STA applicant little brother?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a friend whose son is applying for 8th grade. He's not a good student, nor a spectacular athlete but his parents while not alumni, are very well off and make a habit of generous donations to their schools. I am just curious what his chances are. He would be repeating 8th grade in order to enhance his application and the parents hinted at knowing a board member.

It's real. He is coming from a certain school in McLean.

[Anonymous]

If these are big time donors and the kid can walk, talk and chew gum at the same time he is a shoo in. Good as gold. The kid doesn't need to be an academic or athletic superstar -- a ATM superstar is an acceptable hook. All other things being equal, any private school would be foolish not to accept the child of a heavy financial hitter. Everyone in a class can't graduate at #1. Since when was average performance considered a failure.

[Anonymous]

So PP, you think it's fine for said child to struggle academically throughout his years there so that mom and dad can proudly tout the STA name? I hope the school wouldn't stoop to that level.