Any current or recent St. Albans families willing to discuss pros/cons?

[Anonymous]

The non-sporty types can succeed at STA in the classroom. I question whether they will get all they can get out of STA without getting involved on the teams with their classmates. If sports are a negative for the candidate, then I would look at other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is STA for non-sporty boys?

STA is for non-sporty boys. They play in a lower level league so they can compete at their level.

As the parent of some "sporty" STA grads, I hope that this statement is inaccurate. There are lots of STA kids that spend plenty of time working for their teams. Many STA athletes go on to play in college. If STA is becoming a place where "sporty" boys are a minority, then I expect there will be a corresponding and negative drop in the school's influence. Competitive athletic teams are vital to the STA experience.

The statement was not meant to say that a "sporty" kid can't go to STA but that the idea that a non sporty kid is going to be "out of place" is not accurate either. The fact is that some STA kids go onto college not most.

Yes they are "sporty" but not top athletes. This is a good thing because you don't want to have to feel like you kid has to play club and high school and have private trainer just to play HS sports. If you want to play sports you can at STA but if you went to, let's say Damatha, you would be cut. Also, they will not play athletic schools like Damatha. So most "sporty" kids at STA realize they can't compete at a higher level and they don't care, they just want to play. This is a positive thing, a kid just playing because he loves it. But a non-sporty kids is not going to be out of place becuase the fact is most kids won't play in college.

[Anonymous]

"The statement was not meant to say that a "sporty" kid can't go to STA but that the idea that a non sporty kid is going to be "out of place" is not accurate either. The fact is that some STA kids go onto college not most."

I presume that the PP meant that some STA kids go onto [play sports] in college -- right?

A few years ago (less than 5), approximately 25 of the 40 boys on the varsity football team went on to play a sport, not necessarily football, in college. I think that percentage has gone down in recent years. I disagree with PP's statement that ". . . most "sporty" kids at STA realize they can't compete at a higher level and they don't care." I think the "sporty" kids are very troubled that the admission team is failing to get in enough athletes so that STA teams in the traditional sports (football, basketball, lacrosse and baseball) can compete with STA's traditional rivals, Prep, Landon, etc. If the PP is right and the "sporty" kids don't care, then STA has certainly lost touch with its history and that would be a shame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"The statement was not meant to say that a "sporty" kid can't go to STA but that the idea that a non sporty kid is going to be "out of place" is not accurate either. The fact is that some STA kids go onto college not most."

I presume that the PP meant that some STA kids go onto [play sports] in college -- right?

A few years ago (less than 5), approximately 25 of the 40 boys on the varsity football team went on to play a sport, not necessarily football, in college. I think that percentage has gone down in recent years. I disagree with PP's statement that ". . . most "sporty" kids at STA realize they can't compete at a higher level and they don't care." I think the "sporty" kids are very troubled that the admission team is failing to get in enough athletes so that STA teams in the traditional sports (football, basketball, lacrosse and baseball) can compete with STA's traditional rivals, Prep, Landon, etc. If the PP is right and the "sporty" kids don't care, then STA has certainly lost touch with its history and that would be a shame.

Yes. I meant to fix that... go onto play sports in college.

STA can compete with Prep/Landon, but they can't compete with Damatha and Gonzaga. But note, Prep no longer plays IAC for football, rugby and fencing. And "don't care" may not describe it well, they "get it". They get redshirting. They understand that they are competent athletes but not "nationally" competitive. If your goal is to play football at Alabama you won't go to STA, if your goal is to play baseball at Yale you will.

[Anonymous]

I think sports matter more to STA parents than their sons. Most of the boys seem like nice kids who relish the chance to compete against the elite of the IAC and don't mind being on the losing end more often than not. For the parents, on the other hand, the ritual "humiliation" each fall and spring seems much to "bear."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think sports matter more to STA parents than their sons. Most of the boys seem like nice kids who relish the chance to compete against the elite of the IAC and don't mind being on the losing end more often than not. For the parents, on the other hand, the ritual "humiliation" each fall and spring seems much to "bear."

To the extent that you are really confident about your BS above, I can assure you that most of the "sporty" boys at STA revel in kicking some "bear" ass. Having seen the "Bears" lose in football to their inferior STA opponents more often than not in the past few years, I can also assure you that the humiliation observed was quite real and very evident in the excuses that emanated from the Bear parents. Thanks for giving me a reason to come to this year's game and confirming that many of the Landon faithful are un"bear"able.

[Anonymous]

This little IAC parent trash-talking spat is silly. STA has some excellent teams, some average teams, some teams with below-average records. Lots of kids get to play lots of sports and they seem to love their various teams. Some athletes going on to Division I college sports each year but more to Division III programs. In this year's senior class I can think of Division I or Ivy-bound athletes in lacrosse, cross-country, rowing, football, and soccer, off the top of my head, and many other Division III athletes in sports ranging from baseball to golf. If your son is very athletic he will certainly get plenty of college looks and could be well-placed for looks from the Ivies if he is very strong both athletically and academically. If he's moderately athletic he'll find a team and sport that's right for him. If he doesn't think he's athletic he might find out he's got a hidden talent (running or rowing). It's a nice program and there's no need to be defensive over it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The non-sporty types can succeed at STA in the classroom. I question whether they will get all they can get out of STA without getting involved on the teams with their classmates. If sports are a negative for the candidate, then I would look at other schools.

I second this. Sports really are still at the heart of the school, Muscular Christianity and all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The non-sporty types can succeed at STA in the classroom. I question whether they will get all they can get out of STA without getting involved on the teams with their classmates. If sports are a negative for the candidate, then I would look at other schools.

I second this. Sports really are still at the heart of the school, Muscular Christianity and all.

Really?!? Thought it was academics and going to an Ivy which is what STA is known for. If the heart really is sports, then they aren't doing such a great job.

[Anonymous]

The boys develop mentally and physically through athletics. The brotherhood is the core of the team. Boys are not eggheads nor jocks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:15:13 back -- here is an example of "community" too.

Last night, STA had its annual baseball dinner. It wasn't just for the varsity guys, but everyone. Lower school (and kids just newly accepted!) too who play baseball. It was a potluck and there was an inspirational speech by Brendan Sullivan (Headfirst founder and STA alum as well as baseball phenom), but also trivia presented by the seniors. We were sitting next to a family with a sibling in a different school and the parents could not get over the fact that the 6th grade teacher and varsity baseball coach knew EVERYONE. He called out kids, parents by name, when someone won a trivia question or a raffle. It was just really nice to be there and be part of it. We don't like everyone there, but we suspect any school would be like that and have found that there is a warm and nurturing community within the school that you might not get from the outside looking in. The baseball dinner was but one example of that.

things sure went south for the Headfirst St. Albans baseball camp run by two former STA buddies:

http://deadspin.com/bitchy-hilarious-lawsuit-tears-apart-a-prestigious-d-c-1441094085

http://legaltimes.typepad.com/files/motion-to-disqualify.pdf

http://legaltimes.typepad.com/files/elwood-counterclaim.pdf

OMG -- this is even juicier than Newmeyer v. SFS/Huntington. Great reading on a rainy, Halloween-hangover, day of procrastination and sugar-regret!

Grab coffee, early morning read

[Anonymous]

I do not understand the point here or see the relevance. But, if you're interested. PM me and we can meet for coffee.