Woodberry Forest vs St. Albans for Boarding Applicant

[Anonymous]

When I was at UVa, the boys who came from Woodberry Forest were a type, and it wasn’t a good type. That alone would be enough reason for me to not send my son there.

[Anonymous]

St Albans is a day school, even if they do have a hallway for boarding students. Woodberry forrest will be a very different experience. St Albans also has decent presence with NCS for mingling with female peers and is located in NW DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1
STA isn’t really a true boarding school experience. It won’t be fun for him and he’ll hate it. We know 2 boys who had to board for a year bc they weren’t accepted as day students their first year. Both hated it and then were fine once they became day students. Is there a reason you only want relatively local?

[Anonymous]

Everything about STA boarding is correct. But my son is friends with some of the boarders and they like their situation (his friends are not international students). Ask if your son can meet with one or two of the boarders for lunch on a weekend. It's different than a true boarding school, but worth a consideration for a strong student.

[Anonymous]

If you want boarding and local, then you should put Episcopal and St. Andrews (DE) on your list. Both will give him a proper boarding experience as they are 100% boarding, and you'll be close enough to visit regularly if you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1
STA isn’t really a true boarding school experience. It won’t be fun for him and he’ll hate it. We know 2 boys who had to board for a year bc they weren’t accepted as day students their first year. Both hated it and then were fine once they became day students. Is there a reason you only want relatively local?

Why would they need to board for a year? That seems odd, since they're attending the same classes as day students and doing the same extracurricular activities, etc.

[Anonymous]

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

What a rude comment. You certainly don't understand the added benefits of a boarding school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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).

Blue Ridge is not in the same league as the other schools. The facilities are run down, the academics are sub-par, the school recruits athletes that are uninterested in learning, and bulling is out of control. The student turnover is very high. Woodberry Forest is by far a better option. If you want your son closer to home, choose Episcopal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1
STA isn’t really a true boarding school experience. It won’t be fun for him and he’ll hate it. We know 2 boys who had to board for a year bc they weren’t accepted as day students their first year. Both hated it and then were fine once they became day students. Is there a reason you only want relatively local?

Why would they need to board for a year? That seems odd, since they're attending the same classes as day students and doing the same extracurricular activities, etc.

School gets more tuition dollars from you. It’s a scam. If you really want to go to STA then we’ll make you pay for it by forcing you to board your first year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1
STA isn’t really a true boarding school experience. It won’t be fun for him and he’ll hate it. We know 2 boys who had to board for a year bc they weren’t accepted as day students their first year. Both hated it and then were fine once they became day students. Is there a reason you only want relatively local?

Why would they need to board for a year? That seems odd, since they're attending the same classes as day students and doing the same extracurricular activities, etc.

School gets more tuition dollars from you. It’s a scam. If you really want to go to STA then we’ll make you pay for it by forcing you to board your first year.

I don’t think that’s accurate. STA doesn’t have a set percentage that must be day vs boarding. For example, Madeira DOES like to balance day and boarding, but there’s more interest in day, so it’s actually a little easier to get into if you are willing to board even if you’re local. STA is not like that. A few boarding spots are available and are mostly used for internationally students; very, VERY occasionally for boys from other areas and almost never for local students.

[Anonymous]

ANY violation of the honor code. One fib and you are gone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ANY violation of the honor code. One fib and you are gone.

No idea what this is in reference to or even which school it applies to?