SSSAS - what is the culture like currently?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The current 8th grade class, rising 9th, is lovely. We’d be happy to have your children join us and I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful community.

Not the girls. And I know because I had a kid in that class.

- Signed, an SSSAS parent

PS - to the posters who have received admissions for the US. The school should have had a current parent call you to welcome you to the school and answer any parent to parent questions. If someone has not called you by now, reach out to the admissions office and asked to be paired to a liaison.

Well, this scares me; my rising 9th grade daughter is on the verge of accepting. What are the issues you observed?

Well I don’t know if this is any different from 8th grades at other schools. That being said, there is a core group of very mean “popular” girls that love to invoke “8th grade priority” to 7th and 6th graders, especially in the halls, bathrooms and one particular staircase. There has been quite a bit of intragrade girl drama, I do know of one family specifically moved (not just changed schools) because their daughter was getting bullied so bad at school and online. One girl in particular is almost being pushed to leave but I think her parents are still keeping her there. There have been many friend dramas.

My kid has not been affected by it and she likes her friends there and academically has had a great year so for now we are staying. But the current 8th (and even somewhat the 7th) grades have intense girl drama. Is that just a function of being 13, maybe. But for another poster so say this grade is so amazing and nice is just lying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The current 8th grade class, rising 9th, is lovely. We’d be happy to have your children join us and I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful community.

Not the girls. And I know because I had a kid in that class.

- Signed, an SSSAS parent

PS - to the posters who have received admissions for the US. The school should have had a current parent call you to welcome you to the school and answer any parent to parent questions. If someone has not called you by now, reach out to the admissions office and asked to be paired to a liaison.

Well, this scares me; my rising 9th grade daughter is on the verge of accepting. What are the issues you observed?

Well I don’t know if this is any different from 8th grades at other schools. That being said, there is a core group of very mean “popular” girls that love to invoke “8th grade priority” to 7th and 6th graders, especially in the halls, bathrooms and one particular staircase. There has been quite a bit of intragrade girl drama, I do know of one family specifically moved (not just changed schools) because their daughter was getting bullied so bad at school and online. One girl in particular is almost being pushed to leave but I think her parents are still keeping her there. There have been many friend dramas.

My kid has not been affected by it and she likes her friends there and academically has had a great year so for now we are staying. But the current 8th (and even somewhat the 7th) grades have intense girl drama. Is that just a function of being 13, maybe. But for another poster so say this grade is so amazing and nice is just lying.

This is very unsettling. Does the school just turn a blind eye to the bullying behavior? Obviously they are not doing enough to address it but are they doing anything?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The current 8th grade class, rising 9th, is lovely. We’d be happy to have your children join us and I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful community.

Not the girls. And I know because I had a kid in that class.

- Signed, an SSSAS parent

PS - to the posters who have received admissions for the US. The school should have had a current parent call you to welcome you to the school and answer any parent to parent questions. If someone has not called you by now, reach out to the admissions office and asked to be paired to a liaison.

Well, this scares me; my rising 9th grade daughter is on the verge of accepting. What are the issues you observed?

Well I don’t know if this is any different from 8th grades at other schools. That being said, there is a core group of very mean “popular” girls that love to invoke “8th grade priority” to 7th and 6th graders, especially in the halls, bathrooms and one particular staircase. There has been quite a bit of intragrade girl drama, I do know of one family specifically moved (not just changed schools) because their daughter was getting bullied so bad at school and online. One girl in particular is almost being pushed to leave but I think her parents are still keeping her there. There have been many friend dramas.

My kid has not been affected by it and she likes her friends there and academically has had a great year so for now we are staying. But the current 8th (and even somewhat the 7th) grades have intense girl drama. Is that just a function of being 13, maybe. But for another poster so say this grade is so amazing and nice is just lying.

This is very unsettling. Does the school just turn a blind eye to the bullying behavior? Obviously they are not doing enough to address it but are they doing anything?

There has been some drama among girls in that grade but it is absolutely false to suggest the school doesn’t take it seriously and isn’t doing everything they can to address it. Social dynamics among middle schoolers are challenging at times but I think it’s a stretch to even call what has happened “bullying”.

Seriously, this is why anonymous boards suck. Anyone considering the school should speak to a current parent. I know admissions is pairing families so they can have conversations about the school - that would be the appropriate way to address any concerns. Also I have zero knowledge of anyone leaving as a result of behaviors between girls, and basically all this behavior was pre-covid anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any sense what it’s like to be an Arlington kid? That’s our biggest concern for rising 9th grader. Otherwise this is a perfect fit.

We’re not an Arlington family but for what it’s worth I think mostly being from Arlington is a non-issue. More than half the kids live in Alexandria but that includes places as far away as Belle Haven and Fort Hunt, which is just as far from campus as furthest north North Arlington. There are families from outside the beltway in McLean, NW DC, and Maryland, and I imagine those families have something to say about how their commute affects daily life - but really anything between Fort Hunt and far North Arlington is “normal” enough as to not even make people blink.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The current 8th grade class, rising 9th, is lovely. We’d be happy to have your children join us and I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful community.

Not the girls. And I know because I had a kid in that class.

- Signed, an SSSAS parent

PS - to the posters who have received admissions for the US. The school should have had a current parent call you to welcome you to the school and answer any parent to parent questions. If someone has not called you by now, reach out to the admissions office and asked to be paired to a liaison.

Well, this scares me; my rising 9th grade daughter is on the verge of accepting. What are the issues you observed?

Well I don’t know if this is any different from 8th grades at other schools. That being said, there is a core group of very mean “popular” girls that love to invoke “8th grade priority” to 7th and 6th graders, especially in the halls, bathrooms and one particular staircase. There has been quite a bit of intragrade girl drama, I do know of one family specifically moved (not just changed schools) because their daughter was getting bullied so bad at school and online. One girl in particular is almost being pushed to leave but I think her parents are still keeping her there. There have been many friend dramas.

My kid has not been affected by it and she likes her friends there and academically has had a great year so for now we are staying. But the current 8th (and even somewhat the 7th) grades have intense girl drama. Is that just a function of being 13, maybe. But for another poster so say this grade is so amazing and nice is just lying.

This is very unsettling. Does the school just turn a blind eye to the bullying behavior? Obviously they are not doing enough to address it but are they doing anything?

There has been some drama among girls in that grade but it is absolutely false to suggest the school doesn’t take it seriously and isn’t doing everything they can to address it. Social dynamics among middle schoolers are challenging at times but I think it’s a stretch to even call what has happened “bullying”.

Seriously, this is why anonymous boards suck. Anyone considering the school should speak to a current parent. I know admissions is pairing families so they can have conversations about the school - that would be the appropriate way to address any concerns. Also I have zero knowledge of anyone leaving as a result of behaviors between girls, and basically all this behavior was pre-covid anyway.

PP here:

1) behavior is not only precovid, it’s still there and it’s in person and online. I am not naming names but many of the offenders are very tall. Behavior is also online, on tik tok and snap chat.

2). Family left for 7th grade due to bullying, I have first hand knowledge as mother told me herself. It wasn’t a secret though.

3). The school has been intervening with one girl in particular and the family had been looking to switch schools (which I also heard directly from that mother). But she’s staying.

4). I have no idea if the school is handling it. I also don’t know the US staff very well because I haven’t had a kid on that campus yet. What should matter is how Mallett and the US staff should handle this. Next year it doesn’t matter re the MS. So instead of calling Grieves or Koonce or Japha, call the US. I would speak to an US and an 8th grade parent.

Look my kid has stayed away from this drama, and I don’t think it’s unique for 8th grade at any school. However this class isn’t “lovely”. They have the same 8th grade girl drama that probably others so. They tend to pick on their own group or who they think are popular in lower grades. They don’t seem to be interested in girls that aren’t “popular”. So they keep their angst to their own circle and maybe a little on the outside. My daughter doesn’t pay much attention to them and so far it hasn’t been a problem. But if it was believe me I’d been in someone’s office about it. So go in with your eyes open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The current 8th grade class, rising 9th, is lovely. We’d be happy to have your children join us and I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful community.

Not the girls. And I know because I had a kid in that class.

- Signed, an SSSAS parent

PS - to the posters who have received admissions for the US. The school should have had a current parent call you to welcome you to the school and answer any parent to parent questions. If someone has not called you by now, reach out to the admissions office and asked to be paired to a liaison.

Well, this scares me; my rising 9th grade daughter is on the verge of accepting. What are the issues you observed?

Well I don’t know if this is any different from 8th grades at other schools. That being said, there is a core group of very mean “popular” girls that love to invoke “8th grade priority” to 7th and 6th graders, especially in the halls, bathrooms and one particular staircase. There has been quite a bit of intragrade girl drama, I do know of one family specifically moved (not just changed schools) because their daughter was getting bullied so bad at school and online. One girl in particular is almost being pushed to leave but I think her parents are still keeping her there. There have been many friend dramas.

My kid has not been affected by it and she likes her friends there and academically has had a great year so for now we are staying. But the current 8th (and even somewhat the 7th) grades have intense girl drama. Is that just a function of being 13, maybe. But for another poster so say this grade is so amazing and nice is just lying.

This is very unsettling. Does the school just turn a blind eye to the bullying behavior? Obviously they are not doing enough to address it but are they doing anything?

There has been some drama among girls in that grade but it is absolutely false to suggest the school doesn’t take it seriously and isn’t doing everything they can to address it. Social dynamics among middle schoolers are challenging at times but I think it’s a stretch to even call what has happened “bullying”.

Seriously, this is why anonymous boards suck. Anyone considering the school should speak to a current parent. I know admissions is pairing families so they can have conversations about the school - that would be the appropriate way to address any concerns. Also I have zero knowledge of anyone leaving as a result of behaviors between girls, and basically all this behavior was pre-covid anyway.

PP here:

1) behavior is not only precovid, it’s still there and it’s in person and online. I am not naming names but many of the offenders are very tall. Behavior is also online, on tik tok and snap chat.

2). Family left for 7th grade due to bullying, I have first hand knowledge as mother told me herself. It wasn’t a secret though.

3). The school has been intervening with one girl in particular and the family had been looking to switch schools (which I also heard directly from that mother). But she’s staying.

4). I have no idea if the school is handling it. I also don’t know the US staff very well because I haven’t had a kid on that campus yet. What should matter is how Mallett and the US staff should handle this. Next year it doesn’t matter re the MS. So instead of calling Grieves or Koonce or Japha, call the US. I would speak to an US and an 8th grade parent.

Look my kid has stayed away from this drama, and I don’t think it’s unique for 8th grade at any school. However this class isn’t “lovely”. They have the same 8th grade girl drama that probably others so. They tend to pick on their own group or who they think are popular in lower grades. They don’t seem to be interested in girls that aren’t “popular”. So they keep their angst to their own circle and maybe a little on the outside. My daughter doesn’t pay much attention to them and so far it hasn’t been a problem. But if it was believe me I’d been in someone’s office about it. So go in with your eyes open.

Fair enough.

But for reference, my DD is very close friends with two girls in our neighborhood, one of whom is in public and the other in another Alexandria private. My DD tells me some of the drama/bullying among girls she hears about from these friends, and has directly told me that she is “shocked” by what happens at other schools. When I asked her if those things happen at St. Stephens, she replied, with a very serious demeanor, “Never. That would never happen. We all know each other. It’s just not what we do.”

Difficult behavior at that age is hard to avoid. It’s heartbreaking, especially when it happens to your own kid, and especially when you feel powerless to stop it. But blaming the school, or suggesting others are cautious about attending the school, is unnecessary. Compared to many many other schools, SSSAS does a wonderful job fostering kindness and teaching children how to handle tricky social situations rather than turning a blind eye. Really, it does. A few rough situations doesn’t mean that class isn’t lovely - it is. Lovely doesn’t mean perfect, as no school or group of kids ever is. But I think there are fewer of this type of issue at St. Stephens than at most middle and high schools, and the administration deserves credit for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The current 8th grade class, rising 9th, is lovely. We’d be happy to have your children join us and I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful community.

Not the girls. And I know because I had a kid in that class.

- Signed, an SSSAS parent

PS - to the posters who have received admissions for the US. The school should have had a current parent call you to welcome you to the school and answer any parent to parent questions. If someone has not called you by now, reach out to the admissions office and asked to be paired to a liaison.

Well, this scares me; my rising 9th grade daughter is on the verge of accepting. What are the issues you observed?

Well I don’t know if this is any different from 8th grades at other schools. That being said, there is a core group of very mean “popular” girls that love to invoke “8th grade priority” to 7th and 6th graders, especially in the halls, bathrooms and one particular staircase. There has been quite a bit of intragrade girl drama, I do know of one family specifically moved (not just changed schools) because their daughter was getting bullied so bad at school and online. One girl in particular is almost being pushed to leave but I think her parents are still keeping her there. There have been many friend dramas.

My kid has not been affected by it and she likes her friends there and academically has had a great year so for now we are staying. But the current 8th (and even somewhat the 7th) grades have intense girl drama. Is that just a function of being 13, maybe. But for another poster so say this grade is so amazing and nice is just lying.

This is very unsettling. Does the school just turn a blind eye to the bullying behavior? Obviously they are not doing enough to address it but are they doing anything?

There has been some drama among girls in that grade but it is absolutely false to suggest the school doesn’t take it seriously and isn’t doing everything they can to address it. Social dynamics among middle schoolers are challenging at times but I think it’s a stretch to even call what has happened “bullying”.

Seriously, this is why anonymous boards suck. Anyone considering the school should speak to a current parent. I know admissions is pairing families so they can have conversations about the school - that would be the appropriate way to address any concerns. Also I have zero knowledge of anyone leaving as a result of behaviors between girls, and basically all this behavior was pre-covid anyway.

PP here:

1) behavior is not only precovid, it’s still there and it’s in person and online. I am not naming names but many of the offenders are very tall. Behavior is also online, on tik tok and snap chat.

2). Family left for 7th grade due to bullying, I have first hand knowledge as mother told me herself. It wasn’t a secret though.

3). The school has been intervening with one girl in particular and the family had been looking to switch schools (which I also heard directly from that mother). But she’s staying.

4). I have no idea if the school is handling it. I also don’t know the US staff very well because I haven’t had a kid on that campus yet. What should matter is how Mallett and the US staff should handle this. Next year it doesn’t matter re the MS. So instead of calling Grieves or Koonce or Japha, call the US. I would speak to an US and an 8th grade parent.

Look my kid has stayed away from this drama, and I don’t think it’s unique for 8th grade at any school. However this class isn’t “lovely”. They have the same 8th grade girl drama that probably others so. They tend to pick on their own group or who they think are popular in lower grades. They don’t seem to be interested in girls that aren’t “popular”. So they keep their angst to their own circle and maybe a little on the outside. My daughter doesn’t pay much attention to them and so far it hasn’t been a problem. But if it was believe me I’d been in someone’s office about it. So go in with your eyes open.

So you’re not going to name names but you are going to physically describe the minors you accuse of this behavior? How very mature of you. Do you even know what you are talking about?

- signed by parent of 8th grade girl

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The current 8th grade class, rising 9th, is lovely. We’d be happy to have your children join us and I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful community.

Not the girls. And I know because I had a kid in that class.

- Signed, an SSSAS parent

PS - to the posters who have received admissions for the US. The school should have had a current parent call you to welcome you to the school and answer any parent to parent questions. If someone has not called you by now, reach out to the admissions office and asked to be paired to a liaison.

Well, this scares me; my rising 9th grade daughter is on the verge of accepting. What are the issues you observed?

Well I don’t know if this is any different from 8th grades at other schools. That being said, there is a core group of very mean “popular” girls that love to invoke “8th grade priority” to 7th and 6th graders, especially in the halls, bathrooms and one particular staircase. There has been quite a bit of intragrade girl drama, I do know of one family specifically moved (not just changed schools) because their daughter was getting bullied so bad at school and online. One girl in particular is almost being pushed to leave but I think her parents are still keeping her there. There have been many friend dramas.

My kid has not been affected by it and she likes her friends there and academically has had a great year so for now we are staying. But the current 8th (and even somewhat the 7th) grades have intense girl drama. Is that just a function of being 13, maybe. But for another poster so say this grade is so amazing and nice is just lying.

This is very unsettling. Does the school just turn a blind eye to the bullying behavior? Obviously they are not doing enough to address it but are they doing anything?

There has been some drama among girls in that grade but it is absolutely false to suggest the school doesn’t take it seriously and isn’t doing everything they can to address it. Social dynamics among middle schoolers are challenging at times but I think it’s a stretch to even call what has happened “bullying”.

Seriously, this is why anonymous boards suck. Anyone considering the school should speak to a current parent. I know admissions is pairing families so they can have conversations about the school - that would be the appropriate way to address any concerns. Also I have zero knowledge of anyone leaving as a result of behaviors between girls, and basically all this behavior was pre-covid anyway.

PP here:

1) behavior is not only precovid, it’s still there and it’s in person and online. I am not naming names but many of the offenders are very tall. Behavior is also online, on tik tok and snap chat.

2). Family left for 7th grade due to bullying, I have first hand knowledge as mother told me herself. It wasn’t a secret though.

3). The school has been intervening with one girl in particular and the family had been looking to switch schools (which I also heard directly from that mother). But she’s staying.

4). I have no idea if the school is handling it. I also don’t know the US staff very well because I haven’t had a kid on that campus yet. What should matter is how Mallett and the US staff should handle this. Next year it doesn’t matter re the MS. So instead of calling Grieves or Koonce or Japha, call the US. I would speak to an US and an 8th grade parent.

Look my kid has stayed away from this drama, and I don’t think it’s unique for 8th grade at any school. However this class isn’t “lovely”. They have the same 8th grade girl drama that probably others so. They tend to pick on their own group or who they think are popular in lower grades. They don’t seem to be interested in girls that aren’t “popular”. So they keep their angst to their own circle and maybe a little on the outside. My daughter doesn’t pay much attention to them and so far it hasn’t been a problem. But if it was believe me I’d been in someone’s office about it. So go in with your eyes open.

So you’re not going to name names but you are going to physically describe the minors you accuse of this behavior? How very mature of you. Do you even know what you are talking about?

- signed by parent of 8th grade girl

I do, and if you are an 8th grade girl there you would know exactly what that means. Unless your daughter is one of them and if so, maybe sit down and have a talk with her about why she is so mean instead of being defensive. Take a look at all her social media. Ask her what she does at lunch, in particular directed towards 7th graders. Just because you keep your eyes closed doesn't mean the problem isn't right in front of you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the OP. Thanks so much for the responses so far!! To the previous poster, we are also in Arlington and hoping for a number of Arlington families for incoming 9th graders! I've been so incredibly impressed by the Admissions process - and every single person I have spoken to has been incredibly kind. Excited about next year!

????? They're in sales....

I wondered that too when I was first applying (to the lower school). I thought, they can’t really all be that nice, right? Especially because some other schools we looked at, while very professional and competent, were nowhere near as warm and welcoming. But you know what? They actually ARE extremely kind, and it really IS an extremely warm and supportive community. The administration, including the people in admissions, genuinely cares about my family. I see the head of admissions every day when I pick up my kids in the carpool line, and the associate head of school as well. They are there working with the kids, they know their names, they know their interests. They are parents in the community, much like many teachers, and they are just plain good people. It’s so sad that we’ve come to a point where genuine kindness is questioned as having an ulterior motive. [/quote

They have to be nice. They have so many kids who want to get out by 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The current 8th grade class, rising 9th, is lovely. We’d be happy to have your children join us and I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful community.

Not the girls. And I know because I had a kid in that class.

- Signed, an SSSAS parent

PS - to the posters who have received admissions for the US. The school should have had a current parent call you to welcome you to the school and answer any parent to parent questions. If someone has not called you by now, reach out to the admissions office and asked to be paired to a liaison.

Well, this scares me; my rising 9th grade daughter is on the verge of accepting. What are the issues you observed?

Well I don’t know if this is any different from 8th grades at other schools. That being said, there is a core group of very mean “popular” girls that love to invoke “8th grade priority” to 7th and 6th graders, especially in the halls, bathrooms and one particular staircase. There has been quite a bit of intragrade girl drama, I do know of one family specifically moved (not just changed schools) because their daughter was getting bullied so bad at school and online. One girl in particular is almost being pushed to leave but I think her parents are still keeping her there. There have been many friend dramas.

My kid has not been affected by it and she likes her friends there and academically has had a great year so for now we are staying. But the current 8th (and even somewhat the 7th) grades have intense girl drama. Is that just a function of being 13, maybe. But for another poster so say this grade is so amazing and nice is just lying.

This is very unsettling. Does the school just turn a blind eye to the bullying behavior? Obviously they are not doing enough to address it but are they doing anything?

My daughter also experienced bullying while she was at SSSAS. We expected a more constructive environment for our child for that amount of tuition. No, the school administration didn't do anything. Some of the bad behavior comes from the children of faculty and there isn't anything you can do about it. They talk the talk about an inclusive and kind environment, but they don't necessarily walk the walk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The current 8th grade class, rising 9th, is lovely. We’d be happy to have your children join us and I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful community.

Not the girls. And I know because I had a kid in that class.

- Signed, an SSSAS parent

PS - to the posters who have received admissions for the US. The school should have had a current parent call you to welcome you to the school and answer any parent to parent questions. If someone has not called you by now, reach out to the admissions office and asked to be paired to a liaison.

+1

+1 more

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The current 8th grade class, rising 9th, is lovely. We’d be happy to have your children join us and I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful community.

Not the girls. And I know because I had a kid in that class.

- Signed, an SSSAS parent

PS - to the posters who have received admissions for the US. The school should have had a current parent call you to welcome you to the school and answer any parent to parent questions. If someone has not called you by now, reach out to the admissions office and asked to be paired to a liaison.

Well, this scares me; my rising 9th grade daughter is on the verge of accepting. What are the issues you observed?

Well I don’t know if this is any different from 8th grades at other schools. That being said, there is a core group of very mean “popular” girls that love to invoke “8th grade priority” to 7th and 6th graders, especially in the halls, bathrooms and one particular staircase. There has been quite a bit of intragrade girl drama, I do know of one family specifically moved (not just changed schools) because their daughter was getting bullied so bad at school and online. One girl in particular is almost being pushed to leave but I think her parents are still keeping her there. There have been many friend dramas.

My kid has not been affected by it and she likes her friends there and academically has had a great year so for now we are staying. But the current 8th (and even somewhat the 7th) grades have intense girl drama. Is that just a function of being 13, maybe. But for another poster so say this grade is so amazing and nice is just lying.

This is very unsettling. Does the school just turn a blind eye to the bullying behavior? Obviously they are not doing enough to address it but are they doing anything?

My daughter also experienced bullying while she was at SSSAS. We expected a more constructive environment for our child for that amount of tuition. No, the school administration didn't do anything. Some of the bad behavior comes from the children of faculty and there isn't anything you can do about it. They talk the talk about an inclusive and kind environment, but they don't necessarily walk the walk.

+1000. The school focuses its energies elsewhere when it comes to inclusiveness and belonging. Kids bullied who don’t speak up because it will get back to them and make things worse and staff is clueless. Can’t wait to leave.

[Anonymous]

So they have all kinds of formal inclusiveness and kindness programs but don’t do anything when kids are actually being bullied? Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

We have two kids in the MS at SSSAS. Live in Arlington. Have found the administration and teachers incredibly responsive to us, and unfailingly interested in supporting our kids. My 8th grader has never mentioned a word about bullying - and not a sporty cool kid. Same thing for our 6th grader. Are there a lot of kids who play sports, specifically lax? Absolutely. But, are there other types of kids who feel comfortable and happy. For sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So they have all kinds of formal inclusiveness and kindness programs but don’t do anything when kids are actually being bullied? Ridiculous.

Unfortunately, this is true. It all looks good on paper, but it isn't how to actually works.