St. Stephen's & St. Agnes - acceptance rate

[Anonymous]

I am brand new to the world of private school, but I'm seriously considering sending my children to one. So, for SSSAS, does anyone know the acceptance rate? Or, anybody not get in, or know someone who did not get in? If so, why do you think the child did not get in? Also, how does the acceptance rate differ for Kindergarteners versus 4th/6th graders?

[Anonymous]

My child doesn't go to SSSA but I can give you some generalities. That is a very good school but not as tough to get into as say a Beauvoir or Sidwell. Again..it's still a good school so not everyone gets in. To make your chances better, helps to be Episcopalian, helps to have a good WPPSI score and a good playdate--the WPPSI and playdate are sort of a crapshoot but I would take the test later in the year so your child matures, I would maybe put them in some large playdate situations where you are watching to see if they share, are calm...it's hard but schools look for kids who will fit in the program so to speak first. Reccommendations help but frankly don't think they are that important unless the person is a huge deal and really knows your child.

As for fourth grade..much tougher to get into in all these schools. Why? A lot of people save their money on the early years and then want private later so harder in fourth, much harder in seventh (these are "entrance" years for the most part) and really hard in nineth. Can it be done..sure it can but if your heart is set on a certain school..I would start younger.

Hope this helps

[Anonymous]

I think things get harder in 4th, 7th and 9th because the kids actually have a record of academic or other achievement. It makes it much easier for the schools to admit accomplished kids, or kids who have no behavior problems.

In my friend's case, her dd was a better candidate for middle school then she was as a preschooler. Then, she was just like all the other kids: 99% WPPSI, good playdate and recommendations. For middle school applications, she was an A+ student, with outstanding SSAT scores and actual athletic accomplishments.

[Anonymous]

I'm a parent of three children at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School (SSSAS), so am happy to share my personal experience over the last 12 years in the lower school (JK-5) and middle school (6-8). It's a great place -tremendous community, innovative curriculum, master teachers who are passionate and creative, the nicest parents. It has become our children's second home and great partners for us in raising our daughters.

For us, finding the right school for our children involved research and reflection and instinct. I would always start with a conversation with a member of the Admissions Office - everyone on the SSSAS admissions team is experienced and wants to help families learn about the school AND find the right match for the child. It is a competitive process since they are building a community of friends as well as learners at each grade, so they look at all the facets of a child's profile. There are more applications than there are open spots for every grade, though the largest entry points for admission are kindergarten, 6th grade, and 9th grade. Being Episcopal does not influence your child's chance of admission, but I would say that SSSAS being a faith-based school is one of the richest dimenions of its mission.

[Anonymous]

I'm also a parent of a child at St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School (SSSAS). Really agree, it's a community! I don't think our family religion influenced the decision. You really do need to research a good match for your children. Our child loves the Saints, her teachers and the community of our school--so do we! Take advantage of discussing concerns and thoughts during the application process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am brand new to the world of private school, but I'm seriously considering sending my children to one. So, for SSSAS, does anyone know the acceptance rate? Or, anybody not get in, or know someone who did not get in? If so, why do you think the child did not get in? Also, how does the acceptance rate differ for Kindergarteners versus 4th/6th graders?

I assume you are fleeing ACPS?

When we considered SSSA, I think it was generally understood that it's easier to get in during the younger grades b/c everyone starts looking for privates before middle school.

[Anonymous]

bump

[Anonymous]

No direct personal experience but several kids in the neighborhood go. They switched from public after grade 2 when they didn't make the AAP cut in FCPS, so it can't be that hard to get in. Seems like a pretty good school.

[Anonymous]

Everyone I know who has applied has gotten into SSSA, but they all applied for the early years.

[Anonymous]

We hope that is true this year 15:20 but looked like more K applicants than spaces.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We hope that is true this year 15:20 but looked like more K applicants than spaces.

Don't forget that every school (well, perhaps not Sidwell) admits more than than they expect to enroll. Schools know and expect that every applicant has applied to other schools and so there will always be several accepted that choose to enroll elsewhere. Just because someone has applied, doesn't mean that school is their first, or even second or third choice. If you look at SAM2's poll, some people even applied to as many as 10 schools.

[Anonymous]

Hi! I am a student, and I recently got accepted to St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes. Being honest, it really wasn’t to hard!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi! I am a student, and I recently got accepted to St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes. Being honest, it really wasn’t to hard!

Thanks for bumping a 12-year-old thread to let us know!