Deep Racism Problems at NCS and STA: Questions/Answers we can't get through admissions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe the question to ask is what IS the best place to send a biracial boy? It seems that every private on this board has had issues. Is there one that has been a better experience? I also saw an interesting report that Black boys who attended Catholic tended to have better outcomes later in life. Not advocating that at all but made me wonder why that might be the case. Was not what I would have expected.

I think that's a good question. Also, maybe we shouldn't assume biracial means one racial combination. It could be any number of them. Mixed-race families are a growing demographic, and not a monolithic one. The "progressive" tend toward affinity groups, while perfectly laudable, are nonetheless woefully dated for many kids.

[Anonymous]

For what its worth, the new head of NCS in Fall 2021 will be coming from The Langley School where they have recently increased staff diversity—they hired AA Middle School Director, Dean of Students and MS Language Arts teacher. Don’t get me wrong, they still have a way to go, but as openings arise they seem to be making an effort to increase diversity. They also seem to let teachers dress how they are comfortable (no Banana Republic required) and allow them to introduce their personality/cultural interests into the curriculum. They have a social-emotional program that goes from K-8 that discusses DEI on an on-going basis. The student body is fairly ethnically diverse (not economically diverse which is a whole other issue, but prior to covid they were trying to expand financial aid as well). Obviously it would take her time to make changes at NCS, but she was their head of Upper School 8 years ago so she may not take as long as someone coming in who had never worked there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just adding my experience as a minority, and my family felt welcome at STA admission tour.

No offense, but they are suppose to be nice to you on an admission tour. That is the point, they put their best foot forward. They would not be doing their job if they let the public see behind the curtain.

Was responding to the posts saying they felt like they were treated / thought of different at admissions. We’re at the school now and the staff and teachers are just as warm. Kids are making friends too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AA parents who are interested in Stalbans for their son should talk to OJ Johnson in Admissions. Stalbans alum who coached and was AD at Wise HS. He understands.

Does he have influence? Is he helpful?

All I'm getting from some pp's is "we don't want your kind here; go to a sjw school if you want your child to even be accepted." I'm hoping that's not a cathedral parent.

I think what people are saying is that, like all schools, the school always wants to improve. I think that they deserve credit for being humbly honest and sincere in those efforts.

That being said, what any parent considering this school should put first and foremost is that it is very very challenging academically- first and foremost it is a college preparatory school. In fact, many grads later comment college was easier academically and that no school afterwards measures up to their experience at Saint Albans.

It has been pointed out more than once that that is not what is being said. You seem to almost want that to be the case, which is pretty distorted thinking.
Suit yourself and don't listen to anyone who presents a different view, but then wait.... that is exactly what you are accusing others of



But many high achieving parents don't apply for their son because they know that for their particular kid they couldn't do the work. There is nothing wrong with that kind of awareness

This high and mighty attitude is what irritates and disgusts most people. STA is a strong school academically, great, but so are a good number of other schools in our area and beyond. STA does not have this market cornered. And just because someone doesn't go to STA doesn't mean they can't handle the work. Not to mention there are plenty of boys at STA who are not academic stars, are they smart sure, but not any more exceptional than hundreds if not thousands of other boys in the DMV. Get over yourself.

+1.

Also in the context of this thread, it kind of seems like the poster who is so impressed with the "rigor" of the school is suggesting that children of color couldn't keep up. It's a pretty strong implication. At best, the comment is very tone deaf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For what its worth, the new head of NCS in Fall 2021 will be coming from The Langley School where they have recently increased staff diversity—they hired AA Middle School Director, Dean of Students and MS Language Arts teacher. Don’t get me wrong, they still have a way to go, but as openings arise they seem to be making an effort to increase diversity. They also seem to let teachers dress how they are comfortable (no Banana Republic required) and allow them to introduce their personality/cultural interests into the curriculum. They have a social-emotional program that goes from K-8 that discusses DEI on an on-going basis. The student body is fairly ethnically diverse (not economically diverse which is a whole other issue, but prior to covid they were trying to expand financial aid as well). Obviously it would take her time to make changes at NCS, but she was their head of Upper School 8 years ago so she may not take as long as someone coming in who had never worked there.

She was the head of the US at NCS before she went to Langley.

[Anonymous]

Again, multiple people have tried to share positive experiences. Each time posters ( don't know if its same person or multiple ) push back against that and try to discount it.

OK, its a very challenging school that prepares boys well for life .... this is somehow " insinuating " that someone is not qualified to attend ?

Where does it say that.

This is clearly a self imposed complex. No school can perhaps change the world view of a 50 year old parent, but maybe... just maybe those who are making educational decisions for their much younger kids- kids born in 2010, not 1970, should take a hard look at their own prejudices.

Responses on this forum suggest you are confirmation bias driven. The OP's statements like " we have heard the official line from the school... but want to hear the real deal " suggest that, as an applicant parent OP is going into the process with a negative view that the stated mission of the school and the sincere good will displayed in its policy statements is just for show. That is a very negative attitude. And people posting from the parent community are not to be believed either. Well, then, OK- you win, but what did you win exactly ?

Confirmation bias ? And you'll deny your kid an opportunity for possibly a great education and wonderful life experience in favor of achieving a confirm of your bias. OK, congrat's on that

Next

[Anonymous]

"allow them to introduce their personality/cultural interests into the curriculum."

Let's hope not.

When I previously taught my students would ask about my "opinions" all the time and I'd give the same answer. You want my "opinion" buy me a cup of coffee and i'll be glad to furnish it. We're in a classroom and I'm a teacher not a preacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Again, multiple people have tried to share positive experiences. Each time posters ( don't know if its same person or multiple ) push back against that and try to discount it.

OK, its a very challenging school that prepares boys well for life .... this is somehow " insinuating " that someone is not qualified to attend ?

Where does it say that.

This is clearly a self imposed complex. No school can perhaps change the world view of a 50 year old parent, but maybe... just maybe those who are making educational decisions for their much younger kids- kids born in 2010, not 1970, should take a hard look at their own prejudices.

Responses on this forum suggest you are confirmation bias driven. The OP's statements like " we have heard the official line from the school... but want to hear the real deal " suggest that, as an applicant parent OP is going into the process with a negative view that the stated mission of the school and the sincere good will displayed in its policy statements is just for show. That is a very negative attitude. And people posting from the parent community are not to be believed either. Well, then, OK- you win, but what did you win exactly ?

Confirmation bias ? And you'll deny your kid an opportunity for possibly a great education and wonderful life experience in favor of achieving a confirm of your bias. OK, congrat's on that

Next

I sense your kids are not at STA anymore or that you are an alum. Nonetheless you are not at STA currently so unless you have current experience and can answer op about the recent posts about recent incidents, your posts are not helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"allow them to introduce their personality/cultural interests into the curriculum."

Let's hope not.

When I previously taught my students would ask about my "opinions" all the time and I'd give the same answer. You want my "opinion" buy me a cup of coffee and i'll be glad to furnish it. We're in a classroom and I'm a teacher not a preacher.

I know you mean well but your experiences are outdated and therefore not relevant to OP’s questions.

[Anonymous]

Alert! Deep racism at a school I don’t attend nor know anyone at. Alert!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"allow them to introduce their personality/cultural interests into the curriculum."

Let's hope not.

When I previously taught my students would ask about my "opinions" all the time and I'd give the same answer. You want my "opinion" buy me a cup of coffee and i'll be glad to furnish it. We're in a classroom and I'm a teacher not a preacher.

Excellent response

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For what its worth, the new head of NCS in Fall 2021 will be coming from The Langley School where they have recently increased staff diversity—they hired AA Middle School Director, Dean of Students and MS Language Arts teacher. Don’t get me wrong, they still have a way to go, but as openings arise they seem to be making an effort to increase diversity. They also seem to let teachers dress how they are comfortable (no Banana Republic required) and allow them to introduce their personality/cultural interests into the curriculum. They have a social-emotional program that goes from K-8 that discusses DEI on an on-going basis. The student body is fairly ethnically diverse (not economically diverse which is a whole other issue, but prior to covid they were trying to expand financial aid as well). Obviously it would take her time to make changes at NCS, but she was their head of Upper School 8 years ago so she may not take as long as someone coming in who had never worked there.

This is great - I think many think very highly of her.

[Anonymous]

Please boycott a school with racism and many other ‘isms’! Why would you allow your dear children to suffer from all those biases and discrimination? Why would you send your children to a school that you despise? Please boycott! By not sending your kids there, you are also doing me and many other families a favor; I want my kids to be there. It’s really win-win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please boycott a school with racism and many other ‘isms’! Why would you allow your dear children to suffer from all those biases and discrimination? Why would you send your children to a school that you despise? Please boycott! By not sending your kids there, you are also doing me and many other families a favor; I want my kids to be there. It’s really win-win.

Forgot to mention that I am a minority and an immigrant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please boycott a school with racism and many other ‘isms’! Why would you allow your dear children to suffer from all those biases and discrimination? Why would you send your children to a school that you despise? Please boycott! By not sending your kids there, you are also doing me and many other families a favor; I want my kids to be there. It’s really win-win.

Forgot to mention that I am a minority and an immigrant.

No, you are not an immigrant because you hate immigrant. Clearly, you are a racist.