Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

[Anonymous]

Welcome OP. I have a daughter in the 2029 cohort. I have not heard of any bullying; that post seems extreme and sad if it's true. It does feel a bit cliquey to be honest, but I think that's true at most all girls schools. There appears to be a group for everyone. I do think the girls are kinder at SR compared to Holton and NCS (having friends at both in the same grade).
My daughter works hard and has a solid friend group, however they are excited for new girls to join them in the fall. Having had another daughter join a new school in 9th (a few years ago at a different school) I would STRONGLY recommend that she try a sport in the fall. Preseason can be a great opportunity to meet girls before the first day of school.
I'd also suggest that she give it time. I would imagine she'd feel pretty settled in around Christmas time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is enrolled at SR for next year as well and we’re getting cold feet. She really enjoyed her visit and our family had a real good admissions process. However, the last few weeks we attended welcome events and a few sporting events and the vibe has felt off. Not the same vibe we got during the admissions process.

For 9th?

For 5th. I have a smart sporty girl who’s also really into the arts. She’s quiet, kind, and accepting and has a very diverse group of friends. We’re coming from a more diverse school as well but she wanted all girls. We did apply to Holton and NCS but she/we liked SR the most. I’m trying to focus on the whys that got us to accept and enroll. It just appears more people are alike than different and the people that are alike have no experience in how to interact with someone who is different. Sorry if this isn’t making any sense but I’m trying to put it as delicate as possible without this thread turning negative.

We had the same options as you (and the same feelings) and ended up choosing one of the others.
I understand it's hard not to keep thinking about the decision and weighing the pros and cons, but you've already made the decision. See how it works out this coming year.
I have no desire to repeat the admissions process, but at least the kids are young enough that if it doesn't work out, we can try another school.
Best of luck! I truly hope your daughter loves it.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is going into SR for next year also. Are there any communities for me to talk to parents or for my daughter to talk to students? We are only getting access to Inside SR in August.

[Anonymous]

DD played on an msi soccer team that was coached by a SR parent with all girls from the grade when we joined in 5th. I can’t remember how we linked up with the parent and team, but is reach out to the administration and see if there’s something like that you could get her involved in for fall.

For girls entering 9th, I strongly suggest they go out for a team even if they aren’t very sporty. It helps a ton.

[Anonymous]

I have a daughter in upper school who is serious about a sport, but also bookish. (And no country club membership.)

First, she has loved her teachers and says the class discussion is interesting and rigorous. She was skeptical of the argument that girls participate more in single gender classrooms. She's said that skepticism was wrong. The block schedule and office hours offerings are extremely helpful. So A++ on academics and support.

Second, the head of upper school is just an incredible human being. I'd heard all of the things you are hearing about the culture. I started to shift my thinking after hearing him address new parents. And my daughter feels he truly listens to the girls even if they don't always agree (like on the cell phone ban Please tell your girls to remember this!

Socially, I would give you the same reply that an alum (highly academic, but I think ran cross country but not super seriously) gave my daughter when she was applying: at reunions, there are about 10 girls she hopes to NOT run into. The rest of the class she is thrilled to see. That's tracking for my daughter. But she would say the "mean girls" are not bullies, but rather are aloof and kind of isolate themselves.

The first semester as her class gelled was a bit rough, but things certainly have evened out. Second the advice to get involved in extracurriculars early. (If sports are not her thing, there is a fall play and the choral program is great!)

I hope all of your 2029 daughters have a good experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a daughter in upper school who is serious about a sport, but also bookish. (And no country club membership.)

First, she has loved her teachers and says the class discussion is interesting and rigorous. She was skeptical of the argument that girls participate more in single gender classrooms. She's said that skepticism was wrong. The block schedule and office hours offerings are extremely helpful. So A++ on academics and support.

Second, the head of upper school is just an incredible human being. I'd heard all of the things you are hearing about the culture. I started to shift my thinking after hearing him address new parents. And my daughter feels he truly listens to the girls even if they don't always agree (like on the cell phone ban Please tell your girls to remember this!

Socially, I would give you the same reply that an alum (highly academic, but I think ran cross country but not super seriously) gave my daughter when she was applying: at reunions, there are about 10 girls she hopes to NOT run into. The rest of the class she is thrilled to see. That's tracking for my daughter. But she would say the "mean girls" are not bullies, but rather are aloof and kind of isolate themselves.

The first semester as her class gelled was a bit rough, but things certainly have evened out. Second the advice to get involved in extracurriculars early. (If sports are not her thing, there is a fall play and the choral program is great!)

I hope all of your 2029 daughters have a good experience.

Chorus isn’t extracurricular at SR. It’s an academic class that meets 4 times per cycle and students earn grades just like any other class. Extracurriculars, like the play you mentioned meet outside of the regular school day. Either after school or during lunch. Although a lot of students have labs scheduled during lunch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Best of luck with SR. They seem more interested in image vs. education (esp. stem).

Have 2 recent graduates studying STEM in college. They were prepared remarkably well at SR. Both were new in 9th.

The class is big enough for most to find their people. Sorry to hear about the student who did not find a good group of friends. That was not my girls’ experience.

Best of luck to your daughter. I think most students are very happy at SR. I was sad when we were done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is enrolled at SR for next year as well and we’re getting cold feet. She really enjoyed her visit and our family had a real good admissions process. However, the last few weeks we attended welcome events and a few sporting events and the vibe has felt off. Not the same vibe we got during the admissions process.

For 9th?

For 5th. I have a smart sporty girl who’s also really into the arts. She’s quiet, kind, and accepting and has a very diverse group of friends. We’re coming from a more diverse school as well but she wanted all girls. We did apply to Holton and NCS but she/we liked SR the most. I’m trying to focus on the whys that got us to accept and enroll. It just appears more people are alike than different and the people that are alike have no experience in how to interact with someone who is different. Sorry if this isn’t making any sense but I’m trying to put it as delicate as possible without this thread turning negative.

The current 4th grade, next years 5th, is a very nice class!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is enrolled at SR for next year as well and we’re getting cold feet. She really enjoyed her visit and our family had a real good admissions process. However, the last few weeks we attended welcome events and a few sporting events and the vibe has felt off. Not the same vibe we got during the admissions process.

For 9th?

For 5th. I have a smart sporty girl who’s also really into the arts. She’s quiet, kind, and accepting and has a very diverse group of friends. We’re coming from a more diverse school as well but she wanted all girls. We did apply to Holton and NCS but she/we liked SR the most. I’m trying to focus on the whys that got us to accept and enroll. It just appears more people are alike than different and the people that are alike have no experience in how to interact with someone who is different. Sorry if this isn’t making any sense but I’m trying to put it as delicate as possible without this thread turning negative.

We will also be a new family for 5th. It will be a big change for us but DD is ready to make the jump and very excited. I’m optimistic that each girl will find their people and fit in. That being said, I get what you are saying. Keeping my fingers crossed the girls have a good year next year.

[Anonymous]

So how is the rising 9th grade.cohort? Now Im nervous.

[Anonymous]

NP popping in to say that I have a current SR 7th grader and it is a wonderful class. Grounded, friendly, smart, lovely girls who have large and overlapping friend groups - and a wide variety of interests and hobbies. New girls who joined in previous years integrated seamlessly - I noted especially in 6th that by October you couldn’t tell who was new! I have other kids who have been in middle school (not at SR) and can honestly say this is a very special group and I feel so lucky that my daughter landed in it. Set any reservations aside - it’s a really wonderful class!!! Welcome!!!

Anonymous wrote:NP here. DD is a 7th grader and she is considering it for high school, mostly because of the athletics and all-girls aspect. We are very reluctant because of everything we have heard about the mean girl attitude issues at the school. The reputation is definitely out there and it's not good. How is the current 7th grade cohort? (class of 2030)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is going into SR for next year also. Are there any communities for me to talk to parents or for my daughter to talk to students? We are only getting access to Inside SR in August.

Welcome! You should be assigned a mentor family who will help loop you into the community. Please reach out to the admissions office if you have not heard from anyone regarding this. The mentor family will invite you to an event with both new and old girls in the class prior to school starting so your daughter can meet new friends. The family typically will also be available to meet up so your daughter can have a peer to ask questions to and connect with. That helps the new girls tremendously so they have already met and become friendly with girls prior to the start of the school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is going into SR for next year also. Are there any communities for me to talk to parents or for my daughter to talk to students? We are only getting access to Inside SR in August.

Welcome! You should be assigned a mentor family who will help loop you into the community. Please reach out to the admissions office if you have not heard from anyone regarding this. The mentor family will invite you to an event with both new and old girls in the class prior to school starting so your daughter can meet new friends. The family typically will also be available to meet up so your daughter can have a peer to ask questions to and connect with. That helps the new girls tremendously so they have already met and become friendly with girls prior to the start of the school year.

When is this event with old and new families? I have a mentor family but haven't heard anything about it.

[Anonymous]

I know SR is a catholic school but is it conservative? Is it more on the right side or the left?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know SR is a catholic school but is it conservative? Is it more on the right side or the left?

Not an SR parent but the daughter of one of my close friends goes there. Not conservative and not super catholic. I heard about pride flags in the classroom and many of the girls go to pro choice marches.