Mass exodus from SSSAS Middle School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was already a mass exodus for the class of 2029 with many now going somewhere else for high school. The new dean of the MS is awful (the prior one was great and is still there but now just teaches in the classroom vs being the dean). The dress code shenanigans are so ridiculous. The US dean is a nightmare and the HOS for the US is super goofy.

In what way is the US Dean of Students a nightmare? I’ve never heard my kid or any of their friend have issues, nor any of my parent friends say one word about her. She’s fine. And if by HOS for US you mean the director of US (there’s only one HOS, and she’s head of the whole school), he’s wonderful. Students love him, parents love him.

My kids are in the US. The US dean is extremely problematic and inserts herself to create drama among students, especially girls, while laughing off horrible behavior from boys. The consequences are not uniform and when there is actual conflict that should be addressed (pretty standard HS concerns, nothing extraordinary), she won't enforce rules if she doesn't feel like it. The US head is perfectly nice, but his #1 concern is the staff, not the students. He is just ok, but better than the dean, unless you have a problem with the dean and then forget it.

All students and all parents do not love him.

I agree with this. They are good at listening to your concerns, smiling, nodding - and then doing nothing. And dismissing a lot as “drama.” Instead of thinking, “wow we’ve heard these concerns before, we should do something” they seem to think, “we hear these things a lot, it’s the usual complaints, no big deal.” And yes, sometimes it just feels like staff retention is more important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was already a mass exodus for the class of 2029 with many now going somewhere else for high school. The new dean of the MS is awful (the prior one was great and is still there but now just teaches in the classroom vs being the dean). The dress code shenanigans are so ridiculous. The US dean is a nightmare and the HOS for the US is super goofy.

In what way is the US Dean of Students a nightmare? I’ve never heard my kid or any of their friend have issues, nor any of my parent friends say one word about her. She’s fine. And if by HOS for US you mean the director of US (there’s only one HOS, and she’s head of the whole school), he’s wonderful. Students love him, parents love him.

My kids are in the US. The US dean is extremely problematic and inserts herself to create drama among students, especially girls, while laughing off horrible behavior from boys. The consequences are not uniform and when there is actual conflict that should be addressed (pretty standard HS concerns, nothing extraordinary), she won't enforce rules if she doesn't feel like it. The US head is perfectly nice, but his #1 concern is the staff, not the students. He is just ok, but better than the dean, unless you have a problem with the dean and then forget it.

All students and all parents do not love him.

I agree with this. They are good at listening to your concerns, smiling, nodding - and then doing nothing. And dismissing a lot as “drama.” Instead of thinking, “wow we’ve heard these concerns before, we should do something” they seem to think, “we hear these things a lot, it’s the usual complaints, no big deal.” And yes, sometimes it just feels like staff retention is more important.

Bottom line: SSSAS' best days are in the distant past. The school is not worth $55K or whatever is the current cost. The ROI is just not worth it.

[Anonymous]

The US dean is truly terrible. She needs to go. But, we have been happy at sssas overall. There’s no mass exodus from MS - normal attrition numbers. We always lose some and gain some for 9th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The US dean is truly terrible. She needs to go. But, we have been happy at sssas overall. There’s no mass exodus from MS - normal attrition numbers. We always lose some and gain some for 9th grade.

Just not our experience with two girls at the US in recent years. US dean is fine. US Director is great. Perhaps the best I have seen and yes I have seen a few. Kids were k-12 and recent grads and they and we loved it and results for college were great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The US dean is truly terrible. She needs to go. But, we have been happy at sssas overall. There’s no mass exodus from MS - normal attrition numbers. We always lose some and gain some for 9th grade.

Just not our experience with two girls at the US in recent years. US dean is fine. US Director is great. Perhaps the best I have seen and yes I have seen a few. Kids were k-12 and recent grads and they and we loved it and results for college were great.

I'm really glad you had such a good outcome for your family. I also do not like the US dean and thankfully my interactions with her have just been for superfluous reasons and nothing really material/serious. I really like the head of US athletics, she's a major asset to the school. We had some issues with a coach (and so did some other families) and she was very responsive. She has a great rapport with the students. The US director seems to be just a front man and not very genuine, like he feels like he has to be "on" all the time. Not sure if that is how all US directors are at every school as my experience is just limited to SSSAS.

[Anonymous]

I like the US head. He’s a good guy overall and he really knows the kids. I get that he’s not everyone’s type of personality and that’s just part of life. I do think the US Dean is not good but my kid doesn’t have a ton of exposure so we just stay away.
There are truly some incredible faculty members - who know their stuff and are passionate about their subjects. I agree that the head of athletics is also such an asset - the kids love her and she just has a great attitude and approach.

So no, it’s not perfect, like any place. But overall we are definitely pleased and my 2025 grad got the first choice school so we are thrilled with that outcome!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The more I hear about SSSAS the more I wonder why on earth someone would pay as much money as they do to send their child there... fools and their money, as the saying goes...

I think it is “fools and their money think the grapes are sour anyway.l”

[Anonymous]

They’ve been replaced

[Anonymous]

Who has been replaced??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who has been replaced??

DP but I assume they mean any students who left in this supposed “mass exodus.” SSSAS is not hurting for students. Like most schools in the area, there are more applicants than available seats.

[Anonymous]

So who is having posts deleted? LOL.

[Anonymous]

The people leave SSSAS in a huff are almost always conservative MAGA families because they think it’s a safe space for them and it’s not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The people leave SSSAS in a huff are almost always conservative MAGA families because they think it’s a safe space for them and it’s not.

Maybe they just determine the SSSAS product is no where near worth its cost?

[Anonymous]

What was the change in the dress code? They were always calling for uniforms for the MS when we were there. My kid left a few years ago, but to go to a specific sports school for HS. Overall it was a great place. Agree it is not worth the money if you are actually worried about money. If you have plenty of it, then it is worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What was the change in the dress code? They were always calling for uniforms for the MS when we were there. My kid left a few years ago, but to go to a specific sports school for HS. Overall it was a great place. Agree it is not worth the money if you are actually worried about money. If you have plenty of it, then it is worth it.

Collared tops with pants, shorts, or skirts, OR any dress with 2 inch straps.

Nobody knows what a collar is though because then they said a collar is as little as one inch feature and doesn’t have to fold over OR you can wear a dickie with any shirt.

Girl parents are freaking out because it’s impossible to shop for and confusing. I think they were going to clarify it before the school year but we’re only a few weeks out so I hope they clarify soon!!!