New STA parent seeking advice, suggestions, or just plain "I wish I had known X" info

[Anonymous]

Really? I always thought those who have a son who is the scholar-athlete type go to StA or Landon. I think its a pretty well known fact. Its the reason we are looking at these two schools There are lots of other schools in DC for just scholars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really? I always thought those who have a son who is the scholar-athlete type go to StA or Landon. I think its a pretty well known fact. Its the reason we are looking at these two schools There are lots of other schools in DC for just scholars.

LOL, I keep reading these posts that claim STA has lots of guys there who like to cook and knit and stuff and it's okay if you're not into sports. WTF? My son, the scholar-athlete, is at STA. Most guys there enjoy sports to some degree. Whenever people find out that my son goes to STA, they want to know what sport he plays. Come on, it is an all-boys school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really? I always thought those who have a son who is the scholar-athlete type go to StA or Landon. I think its a pretty well known fact. Its the reason we are looking at these two schools There are lots of other schools in DC for just scholars.

LOL, I keep reading these posts that claim STA has lots of guys there who like to cook and knit and stuff and it's okay if you're not into sports. WTF? My son, the scholar-athlete, is at STA. Most guys there enjoy sports to some degree. Whenever people find out that my son goes to STA, they want to know what sport he plays. Come on, it is an all-boys school.

Exhibits 1 and 2 for PP's comment about being horrified that DC did not fit in with other STA FAMILIES because he was not obsessed with sports. Moms like these PPs scare me and I worry for your boys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Filenes basement or sears for blazers if you arent running with the country club set.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Filenes basement or sears for blazers if you arent running with the country club set.

Thanks.

Do the boys care whether their blazers are from one place or another? In other words, does brand name matter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really? I always thought those who have a son who is the scholar-athlete type go to StA or Landon. I think its a pretty well known fact. Its the reason we are looking at these two schools There are lots of other schools in DC for just scholars.

LOL, I keep reading these posts that claim STA has lots of guys there who like to cook and knit and stuff and it's okay if you're not into sports. WTF? My son, the scholar-athlete, is at STA. Most guys there enjoy sports to some degree. Whenever people find out that my son goes to STA, they want to know what sport he plays. Come on, it is an all-boys school.

Exhibits 1 and 2 for PP's comment about being horrified that DC did not fit in with other STA FAMILIES because he was not obsessed with sports. Moms like these PPs scare me and I worry for your boys.

Obsessed with sports? Horrified Mom sounds a bit touched in the head. Why was she so shocked that there is a significant sports culture at STA? Booooo PP did that scare you too. Go cook some brownies with your son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Filenes basement or sears for blazers if you arent running with the country club set.

Thanks.

Do the boys care whether their blazers are from one place or another? In other words, does brand name matter?

Nope, Mothers are more label conscious. The boys don't care. Athletic shoes, now that's a different story.

[Anonymous]

There sure are some bizarre posts on this thread. I don't have a dog in this fight, as my sons are too young to even be thinking about StA. But something tells me that not all the posters posing as StA "moms" here are for real--and it's not simply the "into sports" concept that they are pushing, that by itself is fine and expected, at least by me. But I just don't believe that a parent would actually write "go cook some brownies," even on an anonymous message board. And if you are an actual StA mom, something tells me that you are not exactly part of the mainstream crowd there yourself.

[Anonymous]

could not agree more with the PP. But I am an STA mom, and I did cook brownies with my son this week (though I am not the one who said that above!). I can say there are indeed non sporty boys there. The key is to do something and be proud of it. The boys respect the super smart boys. They had like 40 kids go to the last lower school math meet for example! You are respected if you are a chorister. You are respected if you play an instrument well. You are respected for winning a part in the lower school play, for getting an academic award, for being the fastest, for being a good swimmer, for being a good artist....the list goes on. Even the kid who can eat the most nuggets gets some respect according to my son!

It is an thletic school as it rests on the premise that the well rounded boy needs physical activity and to learn to be a good sport and team mate. Everyone does have to play something when you get to 6th grade and up. That includes many options though not just teams but also conditioning classes, voyager (kayaking and rick climbing), as well as the array of team and individual sports. If you want to play football, you get to. Even if you never played before. Not all the schools are that way...

My point is that no one should take any anonymous poster at their word without doing some homework. Talk to families who are at the school if you have real questions, and if you don't know anyone there aske the admissions office for some names.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you have questions regarding the athletic culture at the school contact the Admission Director who is also the Head Soccer coach or the assistant Admission Director who also happens to be the Head Basketball coach. Many classroom teachers function in a dual capacity as teacher-coaches. Ask why.

Yes, the boys are very respectful of each others talents. They have vast opportunities to participate in other interests. STA develops the full boy without a doubt. Beginning in Form A/6th grade the boys join team sports. In the fall there are 3 team sports & voyager offered, winter 5 team sports offered, & about 6 team sports are offered in the spring. True, not all boys are good athletes and choose to play on a team. For the guys who are not interested in playing on a team, they have the year-round option of physical conditioning, Voyager or participating in an individual sport that they are nationally recognized.

In Form A/6th grade, there are roughly 46 boys in the grade
Form I/7th grade, 65 boys
Form II/8th grade, 60-65
Each team needs at least 15 players.

In the upper school years about 15 more boys are admitted. I suppose if you're not participating on a team your entire career at STA and you're not into sports at all, you could choose the non-team option. Maybe about 15-20 guys per grade will go this route. Usually, the older guys who are also involved in the arts choose Voyager, or conditioning.

[Anonymous]

21:07 Here. Wow! I did not mean to start such a firestorm. I have just always thought that StA is a close fit specifically for the boy who is a scholar-athlete. Its a well reserached and well-regarded model in education (for both boys and girls). Such a statement does not denigrate boys who do not fit that model. There are lots of other excellent choices among DC and US private and boarding schools for other types, as well as for the scholar-athlete. Also, the term scholar-athlete does not by definition mean these boys aren't into music or cooking (although knitting is probably a stretch). My amazingly athletic son, who mind you is only in 2nd grade, is also a phenomenal musician (yes, at 7), loves to help make brownies and chocolate chip cookies (if he gets to lick the spoon) and is sweet and gentle and kind to his friends when he is not trying to score on one of them in lacrosse. We all know full well (god, I hope we do anyway) that all of our sons (and daughters) are multi-dimensional beings. The scholar-athlete is just a general term for the type of boy that I have always been told StA is specifically geared toward. I would never applying or send my child to a school where he or she would struggle to fit in or be unhappy. I know there are parents who would not, do not, agree with me on this point but, I believe that its best to follow and support your children's personality/interests rather than try to fit them into a mold that you envision. StA just sounds like a good fit for certain kinds of boys, again, I'll say it, the scholar-athlete type.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:21:07 Here. Wow! I did not mean to start such a firestorm. I have just always thought that StA is a close fit specifically for the boy who is a scholar-athlete. Its a well reserached and well-regarded model in education (for both boys and girls). Such a statement does not denigrate boys who do not fit that model. There are lots of other excellent choices among DC and US private and boarding schools for other types, as well as for the scholar-athlete. Also, the term scholar-athlete does not by definition mean these boys aren't into music or cooking (although knitting is probably a stretch). My amazingly athletic son, who mind you is only in 2nd grade, is also a phenomenal musician (yes, at 7), loves to help make brownies and chocolate chip cookies (if he gets to lick the spoon) and is sweet and gentle and kind to his friends when he is not trying to score on one of them in lacrosse. We all know full well (god, I hope we do anyway) that all of our sons (and daughters) are multi-dimensional beings. The scholar-athlete is just a general term for the type of boy that I have always been told StA is specifically geared toward. I would never applying or send my child to a school where he or she would struggle to fit in or be unhappy. I know there are parents who would not, do not, agree with me on this point but, I believe that its best to follow and support your children's personality/interests rather than try to fit them into a mold that you envision. StA just sounds like a good fit for certain kinds of boys, again, I'll say it, the scholar-athlete type.

I really hope you don't talk like this about your child when you're not anonymous, for your sake! Good grief!

[Anonymous]

and since you are not even at the school, perhaps you should wait until you actually go and take a look 9and hopefully apply) before making comments on a thread for a new STA parent seeking advice. Your son is only 7 after all. I find your post just plain wrong. As mentioned above by another actual STA parent, boys of all kinds do fit in well there, because the academic reputation is what it is. I cannot say I know the same is true at Landon for example. Anyone who claims that every boy is a scholar athlete (or has to be in order to be happy) is just plain wrong.

And the PP who says that faculty/admin have dual roles as coaches is missing a more salient point: the school (like so many other jock schools) does not hire a ton of coach only positions, and actually hires the teacher/administrator first who then happens to be able to help coach. Moreover, it is a wonderful thing for the boys to have their teachers (including women ones by the way) also as their coaches. They tend to behave better, listen and seek them out when they need advice/mentoring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:21:07 Here. Wow! I did not mean to start such a firestorm. I have just always thought that StA is a close fit specifically for the boy who is a scholar-athlete. Its a well reserached and well-regarded model in education (for both boys and girls). Such a statement does not denigrate boys who do not fit that model. There are lots of other excellent choices among DC and US private and boarding schools for other types, as well as for the scholar-athlete. Also, the term scholar-athlete does not by definition mean these boys aren't into music or cooking (although knitting is probably a stretch). My amazingly athletic son, who mind you is only in 2nd grade, is also a phenomenal musician (yes, at 7), loves to help make brownies and chocolate chip cookies (if he gets to lick the spoon) and is sweet and gentle and kind to his friends when he is not trying to score on one of them in lacrosse. We all know full well (god, I hope we do anyway) that all of our sons (and daughters) are multi-dimensional beings. The scholar-athlete is just a general term for the type of boy that I have always been told StA is specifically geared toward. I would never applying or send my child to a school where he or she would struggle to fit in or be unhappy. I know there are parents who would not, do not, agree with me on this point but, I believe that its best to follow and support your children's personality/interests rather than try to fit them into a mold that you envision. StA just sounds like a good fit for certain kinds of boys, again, I'll say it, the scholar-athlete type.

I really hope you don't talk like this about your child when you're not anonymous, for your sake! Good grief!

Uhhh. We do this all the time at Beauvoir, where presumably this DCUM is from. What's wrong with being proud of your well-rounded son?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:and since you are not even at the school, perhaps you should wait until you actually go and take a look 9and hopefully apply) before making comments on a thread for a new STA parent seeking advice. Your son is only 7 after all. I find your post just plain wrong. As mentioned above by another actual STA parent, boys of all kinds do fit in well there, because the academic reputation is what it is. I cannot say I know the same is true at Landon for example. Anyone who claims that every boy is a scholar athlete (or has to be in order to be happy) is just plain wrong.

And the PP who says that faculty/admin have dual roles as coaches is missing a more salient point: the school (like so many other jock schools) does not hire a ton of coach only positions, and actually hires the teacher/administrator first who then happens to be able to help coach. Moreover, it is a wonderful thing for the boys to have their teachers (including women ones by the way) also as their coaches. They tend to behave better, listen and seek them out when they need advice/mentoring.

As I said OP, if this is an area that you need more clarity contact the school. The admin-coaches & teacher-coaches at the school are already quite accomplished in the sport that they coach. It's not by happenstance that someone is hired as a teacher, etc. and then becomes a coach who can help out.

Does GDS, Sidwell, Maret, etc. also follow the admin-coach or teacher-coach model? Landon does. No you do not have to be a scholar athlete to succeed at STA.