St Albans vs Sidwell

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

Within the context of the pricey DC-area private school bubble, they are very different. We’re in a forum to discuss DC public schools. The base layer of similarity in that context is a given.

*to discuss DC private schools. Typo, sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree the main difference is single sex vs. coed. Otherwise, they are like blades of grass. Up close, to ants, the blades of grass are different, but those differences are tiny to anything larger. To people in the small world of DC privates, these schools are different but to anyone else anywhere else, they aren’t.

But we’re in, and talking about, the world of DC privates. Parsing small differences is how people figure out what is the best fit for their kid.

[Anonymous]

They are both great schools. My son chose STA over Sidwell for 9th and it's been a great fit for him. It's a great balance of rigor and kindness. The teachers are almost universally warm and just nice people who seem to love their jobs. I have a daughter at NCS and STA is comparatively much kinder and a bit less rigorous. My impression is that Sidwell is more similar to NCS--more of a pressure cooker, grind school.

Also, what makes a school a "pressure cooker" is not the straight academic standards. It's the vibe or culture. It's the way the teachers and administration interact with the kids, it's the kindness shown , the fun around the fringes, etc. STA manages to cultivate a culture of high academics with a really pleasant learning environment and a lot of support for the boys. I'm not sure how exactly. Whereas NCS is pretty much a joyless grind--teachers are nice but inflexible, administration is invisible, so much additional stress is placed on the girls due to inflexibility, useless policies, etc.

Anyway, I know this is a post about STA vs. Sidwell but those are my pro-STA thoughts as compared to another rigorous school and what I think makes it special.

[Anonymous]

If both are in the running, apply to both, and see where you get in. Honestly, it's a bit of a crap shoot with admissions. They're different, but both excellent in their own ways. Both are invested in having their students succeed. I will throw out there that it's generally more difficult for a gay or trans boy to thrive in a single sex setting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

NP. They are different though. Even socially the kids at STA and Sidwell do not mix at all socially. Single sex schools tend to know each their and mix at parties more. My kids are at one of these schools and these schools do not mix socially and do not know each other. Different social worlds, communities etc…

How different could the social worlds and communities possibly be at these two schools??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

NP. They are different though. Even socially the kids at STA and Sidwell do not mix at all socially. Single sex schools tend to know each their and mix at parties more. My kids are at one of these schools and these schools do not mix socially and do not know each other. Different social worlds, communities etc…

How different could the social worlds and communities possibly be at these two schools??

When everyone advises OP to apply to both, doesn’t it follow that the communities and the schools end up being mostly the same? Same people ask here about NPS/BVR/etc. and end ip applying to them all. Same people asking the same question every year. Not much difference between them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

NP. They are different though. Even socially the kids at STA and Sidwell do not mix at all socially. Single sex schools tend to know each their and mix at parties more. My kids are at one of these schools and these schools do not mix socially and do not know each other. Different social worlds, communities etc…

How different could the social worlds and communities possibly be at these two schools??

They aren’t. But note that it’s mostly the STA crowd that likes to think these schools are “very different.” (Agree with PP; that is such an annoying phrase!). I think it has to do with that CCC vibe people here are always talking about at STA, being so exclusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

NP. They are different though. Even socially the kids at STA and Sidwell do not mix at all socially. Single sex schools tend to know each their and mix at parties more. My kids are at one of these schools and these schools do not mix socially and do not know each other. Different social worlds, communities etc…

100% untrue in our experience. Sorry your kids are so isolated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

They ARE very different if you have boy who is not interested in single sex environment, who does not want to have a heavy sports requirement, and who doesn't want to be in a culture where sports participation plays a large role in social scene.

Obviously, they are both great academically. I'd say that college counseling is much better at STA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very different schools. Either would be good for a “bright” boy, so you’re going to have to figure out the best fit on your own. As a pp said, start with co-ed vs single-sex, it’s a blatant differentiator.

Can we once and for all put a rest to the redundant term “very different,” especially when describing two $50,000 a year private schools located a mile apart in leafy NW DC?

They are not “very different.” They may be somewhat different, but they are more alike than people who want to sing the praises of the plethora of schools in this area want to concede. OP don’t be an idiot. They are both full of “bright boys,” another meaningless term.

NP. Definitely disagree. Visited both and they are pretty different. The similarities you highlighted are just the basics.
Your argument would've been more valuable had you shared how/why you see them as so alike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a daughter at Sidwell and two boys at STA.

Both schools are high pressure and extremely rigorous but STA has a more supportive, tight-knit vibe. The boys compete but the ethos is to acknowledge and appreciate each others’ strengths. Teachers are generally warmer and more engaged. This is a godsend during the high school years because the supportive environment helps mitigate the extreme demands kids face.

Sidwell has the extreme pressure but without as much supportive bonds. Students are competitive with one another. There are pockets of kids who support each other and are good friends. However, there’s more free form anxiety. Teachers are less warm. It’s up to students to find them if they need help.

I know my STA boys have been told countless times by teachers,”Come see me and we can talk about that some more” or something to that effect. Teachers invite you to engage with them. At Sidwell the teachers seem more distant and you have to be more entrepreneurial about getting help.

Sidwell has an edge in the sciences. STA has the edge in sports with the notable exception of basketball.

For a boy, I think STA is better. Our daughter chose Sidwell over NCS because Sidwell is less of a pressure cooker than NCS. She’s still in touch with Beauvoir friends who went to NCS, and she is happy that she did not go there.

This is all very true about Sidwell in Upper School. Hopefully the new principal will try to change this, he was a outlier in this respect and was warm as teacher and warm in his administrative role. It would take time though...Sidwell teachers have far too much autonomy. The have lacked good leadership and have had few tangible expectations with regards to being supportive mentors to students. It's really a shame that the school is so devoid of this - some kids seek it out and find the adults that will engage on this level - but there are others that do not get this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a daughter at Sidwell and two boys at STA.

Both schools are high pressure and extremely rigorous but STA has a more supportive, tight-knit vibe. The boys compete but the ethos is to acknowledge and appreciate each others’ strengths. Teachers are generally warmer and more engaged. This is a godsend during the high school years because the supportive environment helps mitigate the extreme demands kids face.

Sidwell has the extreme pressure but without as much supportive bonds. Students are competitive with one another. There are pockets of kids who support each other and are good friends. However, there’s more free form anxiety. Teachers are less warm. It’s up to students to find them if they need help.

I know my STA boys have been told countless times by teachers,”Come see me and we can talk about that some more” or something to that effect. Teachers invite you to engage with them. At Sidwell the teachers seem more distant and you have to be more entrepreneurial about getting help.

Sidwell has an edge in the sciences. STA has the edge in sports with the notable exception of basketball.

For a boy, I think STA is better. Our daughter chose Sidwell over NCS because Sidwell is less of a pressure cooker than NCS. She’s still in touch with Beauvoir friends who went to NCS, and she is happy that she did not go there.

This is all very true about Sidwell in Upper School. Hopefully the new principal will try to change this, he was an outlier in this respect and was warm as teacher and warm in his administrative role. It would take time though...Sidwell teachers have far too much autonomy. The have lacked good leadership and have had few tangible expectations with regards to being supportive mentors to students. It's really a shame that the school is so devoid of this - some kids seek it out and find the adults that will engage on this level - but there are others that do not get this.

The autonomy that the Sidwell teachers have is a strength of the school. It’s why they have the best teachers in the DMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a daughter at Sidwell and two boys at STA.

Both schools are high pressure and extremely rigorous but STA has a more supportive, tight-knit vibe. The boys compete but the ethos is to acknowledge and appreciate each others’ strengths. Teachers are generally warmer and more engaged. This is a godsend during the high school years because the supportive environment helps mitigate the extreme demands kids face.

Sidwell has the extreme pressure but without as much supportive bonds. Students are competitive with one another. There are pockets of kids who support each other and are good friends. However, there’s more free form anxiety. Teachers are less warm. It’s up to students to find them if they need help.

I know my STA boys have been told countless times by teachers,”Come see me and we can talk about that some more” or something to that effect. Teachers invite you to engage with them. At Sidwell the teachers seem more distant and you have to be more entrepreneurial about getting help.

Sidwell has an edge in the sciences. STA has the edge in sports with the notable exception of basketball.

For a boy, I think STA is better. Our daughter chose Sidwell over NCS because Sidwell is less of a pressure cooker than NCS. She’s still in touch with Beauvoir friends who went to NCS, and she is happy that she did not go there.

This is all very true about Sidwell in Upper School. Hopefully the new principal will try to change this, he was an outlier in this respect and was warm as teacher and warm in his administrative role. It would take time though...Sidwell teachers have far too much autonomy. The have lacked good leadership and have had few tangible expectations with regards to being supportive mentors to students. It's really a shame that the school is so devoid of this - some kids seek it out and find the adults that will engage on this level - but there are others that do not get this.

The autonomy that the Sidwell teachers have is a strength of the school. It’s why they have the best teachers in the DMV.

The level of autonomy that Sidwell teachers have isn’t a strength. My 9th grade son, who attends Sidwell, has two teachers (physics and English) who are decidedly, NOT “the best.” His English teacher has been particularly disappointing. She isn’t easily accessible, and she doesn’t seem to like teaching (or dealing with students). She was only available remotely during Reading Day (“email me if you have questions”), and she once canceled class because she had something in her eye. My son said that he will try to avoid having her as a teacher in the future. I don’t blame him!

[Anonymous]

One difference applies to Jewish kids. I went to St Albans and my class was probably 10-15% Jewish, despite it being a Christian school with mandatory chapel, that is part of the National Cathedral. Sidwell has historically had far more Jewish students, perhaps many who would not be so comfortable with all the Christianity over at the Close. Sidwell is a Friends school, but actual Quaker students — I don’t think they go there, certainly not in more than tiny numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a daughter at Sidwell and two boys at STA.

Both schools are high pressure and extremely rigorous but STA has a more supportive, tight-knit vibe. The boys compete but the ethos is to acknowledge and appreciate each others’ strengths. Teachers are generally warmer and more engaged. This is a godsend during the high school years because the supportive environment helps mitigate the extreme demands kids face.

Sidwell has the extreme pressure but without as much supportive bonds. Students are competitive with one another. There are pockets of kids who support each other and are good friends. However, there’s more free form anxiety. Teachers are less warm. It’s up to students to find them if they need help.

I know my STA boys have been told countless times by teachers,”Come see me and we can talk about that some more” or something to that effect. Teachers invite you to engage with them. At Sidwell the teachers seem more distant and you have to be more entrepreneurial about getting help.

Sidwell has an edge in the sciences. STA has the edge in sports with the notable exception of basketball.

For a boy, I think STA is better. Our daughter chose Sidwell over NCS because Sidwell is less of a pressure cooker than NCS. She’s still in touch with Beauvoir friends who went to NCS, and she is happy that she did not go there.

This is all very true about Sidwell in Upper School. Hopefully the new principal will try to change this, he was an outlier in this respect and was warm as teacher and warm in his administrative role. It would take time though...Sidwell teachers have far too much autonomy. The have lacked good leadership and have had few tangible expectations with regards to being supportive mentors to students. It's really a shame that the school is so devoid of this - some kids seek it out and find the adults that will engage on this level - but there are others that do not get this.

The autonomy that the Sidwell teachers have is a strength of the school. It’s why they have the best teachers in the DMV.

Ok - go ahead and tell yourself that. There is a way to give teachers autonomy in what they teach but still expect them to be accessible, caring human beings that act as mentors who want kids to succeed and are supportive and warm. Some may be this way, but many are notoriously not.