Getting into St. Albans

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some very powerful folks with STRONG STA ties ( read not Beauvoir) who think the school is outsourcing too much of the admissions process to BVR. There are also some inside STA folks who think BVR kids are not as well prepared as they should be when they move over. I bet this will become a bigger deal over the next few years.

You sound disgruntled and incorrect. The Beauvoir boys are always majority of the top of the class and do very well at STA. The Beauvoir boys have a very inclusive way about them that was instilled at Beauvoir (regardless of whether their parents do) and STA loves them. Beauvoir is the National Cathedral elementary school and there is nothing anyone can do about that. Not sure if this post is in response to the fact that certain schools or children got shut out of C Form for the Fall, but STA needs inclusive boys and has a diverse community and Beauvoir is very diverse and these boys are inclusive.

This is true and I know one school in particular got shut out for c form so there may be some outrage there and they are now attacking beauvoir.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are some very powerful folks with STRONG STA ties ( read not Beauvoir) who think the school is outsourcing too much of the admissions process to BVR. There are also some inside STA folks who think BVR kids are not as well prepared as they should be when they move over. I bet this will become a bigger deal over the next few years.

Ha ha is this post for real? What do you mean by powerful? Are they going to try to use their money and clout to affect admissions? That won't go over very well and STA does not allow that which is why it is such a great school. Btw most of the book awards and prized go to Beauvoir kids and the top stidents all the way up are mostly the Beauvoir kids. Beauvoir kids are generally the most inclusive and tbe families are generally inclusive - except some of the county club crowd that all hang together but you will find that anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some very powerful folks with STRONG STA ties ( read not Beauvoir) who think the school is outsourcing too much of the admissions process to BVR. There are also some inside STA folks who think BVR kids are not as well prepared as they should be when they move over. I bet this will become a bigger deal over the next few years.

Ha ha is this post for real? What do you mean by powerful? Are they going to try to use their money and clout to affect admissions? That won't go over very well and STA does not allow that which is why it is such a great school. Btw most of the book awards and prized go to Beauvoir kids and the top stidents all the way up are mostly the Beauvoir kids. Beauvoir kids are generally the most inclusive and tbe families are generally inclusive - except some of the county club crowd that all hang together but you will find that anywhere.

+1 well said and very true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some very powerful folks with STRONG STA ties ( read not Beauvoir) who think the school is outsourcing too much of the admissions process to BVR. There are also some inside STA folks who think BVR kids are not as well prepared as they should be when they move over. I bet this will become a bigger deal over the next few years.

Ha ha is this post for real? What do you mean by powerful? Are they going to try to use their money and clout to affect admissions? That won't go over very well and STA does not allow that which is why it is such a great school. Btw most of the book awards and prized go to Beauvoir kids and the top stidents all the way up are mostly the Beauvoir kids. Beauvoir kids are generally the most inclusive and tbe families are generally inclusive - except some of the county club crowd that all hang together but you will find that anywhere.

I'm the parent of several STA grads -- and it's simply not true that "most of the book awards and prizes go to Beauvoir kids." Nor is it true that "the top students all way up are mostly Beauvoir kids." And it's also not true that the "Beauvoir kids are generally the most inclusive." Yes, Beauvoir kids are represented in the top academic group. Yes, they're also represented among the most inclusive. BUT it's just not true that Beauvoir kids are the majority in any of these category. By the time of STA graduation, Beauvoir students comprise less than half the senior class. And there are a mix of kids in all those categories! To make a "Beauvoir-wins!" claim doesn't reflect well on Beauvoir parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some very powerful folks with STRONG STA ties ( read not Beauvoir) who think the school is outsourcing too much of the admissions process to BVR. There are also some inside STA folks who think BVR kids are not as well prepared as they should be when they move over. I bet this will become a bigger deal over the next few years.

Ha ha is this post for real? What do you mean by powerful? Are they going to try to use their money and clout to affect admissions? That won't go over very well and STA does not allow that which is why it is such a great school. Btw most of the book awards and prized go to Beauvoir kids and the top stidents all the way up are mostly the Beauvoir kids. Beauvoir kids are generally the most inclusive and tbe families are generally inclusive - except some of the county club crowd that all hang together but you will find that anywhere.

I'm the parent of several STA grads -- and it's simply not true that "most of the book awards and prizes go to Beauvoir kids." Nor is it true that "the top students all way up are mostly Beauvoir kids." And it's also not true that the "Beauvoir kids are generally the most inclusive." Yes, Beauvoir kids are represented in the top academic group. Yes, they're also represented among the most inclusive. BUT it's just not true that Beauvoir kids are the majority in any of these category. By the time of STA graduation, Beauvoir students comprise less than half the senior class. And there are a mix of kids in all those categories! To make a "Beauvoir-wins!" claim doesn't reflect well on Beauvoir parents.

This particular discussion seems pretty focused on the Lower School, and certainly initially Beauvoir would be dominant in numbers and, assuming a bell curve, in achievements as well. But great reminder that a graduating class of St. Albans is made up of less than 50% Beauvoir grads -- the class expands substantially along the way, and many talented kids come in ninth grade. You really can't tell by high school who came from Beauvoir, whether by friendship groups or achievements. I think it's a strength of the school that it builds on the great Beauvoir feeder but is not limited or defined by it.

Good luck to all as the new school year starts! Love that first day Cathedral ceremony in which the new 4th graders walk in with a tall senior on each side. It's always cute to see how kind the "big boys" are to the new C formers.

[Anonymous]

How do you log into the sta email if you have a new kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you log into the sta email if you have a new kid

If there's a problem, I believe the student's advisors can help the students get their login information so they can access the email and the school website. I think there are also technology people in the Upper and Lower School who could help. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some very powerful folks with STRONG STA ties ( read not Beauvoir) who think the school is outsourcing too much of the admissions process to BVR. There are also some inside STA folks who think BVR kids are not as well prepared as they should be when they move over. I bet this will become a bigger deal over the next few years.

You sound disgruntled and incorrect. The Beauvoir boys are always majority of the top of the class and do very well at STA. The Beauvoir boys have a very inclusive way about them that was instilled at Beauvoir (regardless of whether their parents do) and STA loves them. Beauvoir is the National Cathedral elementary school and there is nothing anyone can do about that. Not sure if this post is in response to the fact that certain schools or children got shut out of C Form for the Fall, but STA needs inclusive boys and has a diverse community and Beauvoir is very diverse and these boys are inclusive.

One issue might be that the top academic boys at Beauvoir (as far as that type of thing is visible at a young age) aren't all going with STA as they have in the past. Instead, it seems like about half of the top academic boys are going to STA and the rest are choosing co-Ed schools, mostly Sidwell but also GDS and Maret. Most still go to STA and are very happy there, but it seems like a shift. Also, STA gets all of the boys who are admitted based on the Beauvoir preference who would not have been admitted to other top schools, so there may be some initial catching up to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some very powerful folks with STRONG STA ties ( read not Beauvoir) who think the school is outsourcing too much of the admissions process to BVR. There are also some inside STA folks who think BVR kids are not as well prepared as they should be when they move over. I bet this will become a bigger deal over the next few years.

You sound disgruntled and incorrect. The Beauvoir boys are always majority of the top of the class and do very well at STA. The Beauvoir boys have a very inclusive way about them that was instilled at Beauvoir (regardless of whether their parents do) and STA loves them. Beauvoir is the National Cathedral elementary school and there is nothing anyone can do about that. Not sure if this post is in response to the fact that certain schools or children got shut out of C Form for the Fall, but STA needs inclusive boys and has a diverse community and Beauvoir is very diverse and these boys are inclusive.

One issue might be that the top academic boys at Beauvoir (as far as that type of thing is visible at a young age) aren't all going with STA as they have in the past. Instead, it seems like about half of the top academic boys are going to STA and the rest are choosing co-Ed schools, mostly Sidwell but also GDS and Maret. Most still go to STA and are very happy there, but it seems like a shift. Also, STA gets all of the boys who are admitted based on the Beauvoir preference who would not have been admitted to other top schools, so there may be some initial catching up to do.

Only a handful of boys from Beauvoir's third grade (5-7 out of some 45 in the last 5 years) didn't go to STA. It's definitely not the "top" boys from Beauvoir who are choosing to go somewhere else. It's the one who were heavily dependent on resource teachers, often for learning disabilities, who are advised to look for a fit better than the competitive atmosphere of STA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some very powerful folks with STRONG STA ties ( read not Beauvoir) who think the school is outsourcing too much of the admissions process to BVR. There are also some inside STA folks who think BVR kids are not as well prepared as they should be when they move over. I bet this will become a bigger deal over the next few years.

Ha ha is this post for real? What do you mean by powerful? Are they going to try to use their money and clout to affect admissions? That won't go over very well and STA does not allow that which is why it is such a great school. Btw most of the book awards and prized go to Beauvoir kids and the top stidents all the way up are mostly the Beauvoir kids. Beauvoir kids are generally the most inclusive and tbe families are generally inclusive - except some of the county club crowd that all hang together but you will find that anywhere.

Have there been sta teachers, admins, board members etc that did not send their kids to BVR? If those folks bypass BVR, might it say something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some very powerful folks with STRONG STA ties ( read not Beauvoir) who think the school is outsourcing too much of the admissions process to BVR. There are also some inside STA folks who think BVR kids are not as well prepared as they should be when they move over. I bet this will become a bigger deal over the next few years.

Ha ha is this post for real? What do you mean by powerful? Are they going to try to use their money and clout to affect admissions? That won't go over very well and STA does not allow that which is why it is such a great school. Btw most of the book awards and prized go to Beauvoir kids and the top stidents all the way up are mostly the Beauvoir kids. Beauvoir kids are generally the most inclusive and tbe families are generally inclusive - except some of the county club crowd that all hang together but you will find that anywhere.

Have there been sta teachers, admins, board members etc that did not send their kids to BVR? If those folks bypass BVR, might it say something?

Silly question. Of course some board members' children came from other schools - even some from public and some came in the upper grades so obviously they would have gone to other schools. With the exception of a few a few years ago - most Sta faculty have kids that attend Beauvoir. Not sure what your issue with Beauvoir is or what makes you so angry at the school. If it is because your child did not get admitted to Sta over a beauvoir student please don't be bitter. I say this with all sincerity. The numbers have been very tight with siblings, alumni children, etc... I would apply again for the upper grades. Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

After 4th grade, how many students do they admit by year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some very powerful folks with STRONG STA ties ( read not Beauvoir) who think the school is outsourcing too much of the admissions process to BVR. There are also some inside STA folks who think BVR kids are not as well prepared as they should be when they move over. I bet this will become a bigger deal over the next few years.

Ha ha is this post for real? What do you mean by powerful? Are they going to try to use their money and clout to affect admissions? That won't go over very well and STA does not allow that which is why it is such a great school. Btw most of the book awards and prized go to Beauvoir kids and the top stidents all the way up are mostly the Beauvoir kids. Beauvoir kids are generally the most inclusive and tbe families are generally inclusive - except some of the county club crowd that all hang together but you will find that anywhere.

Have there been sta teachers, admins, board members etc that did not send their kids to BVR? If those folks bypass BVR, might it say something?

Silly question. Of course some board members' children came from other schools - even some from public and some came in the upper grades so obviously they would have gone to other schools. With the exception of a few a few years ago - most Sta faculty have kids that attend Beauvoir. Not sure what your issue with Beauvoir is or what makes you so angry at the school. If it is because your child did not get admitted to Sta over a beauvoir student please don't be bitter. I say this with all sincerity. The numbers have been very tight with siblings, alumni children, etc... I would apply again for the upper grades. Best of
luck.

I think there have been lots of different posters on this thread so not sure who is saying what but wow, what pretense in the last post. Assuming sour grapes and inability to obtain a slot in a class is misplaced absent facts.

But to the point raised, and to make it clear: I do not have an issue with BVR, my son was admitted a few years back and has loved it, BVR and non BVR kids in all, notwithstanding the fact he came in from a different track. That said, I have heard sta folks of the types mentioned above say other than positive things about BVR. Don't know if they were accurate, don't know why they were mentioned to me in light of the fact that The BVR question is years back in my rear view mirror, and don't really care. But if the question is whether there are STA people who have raised issues, it is my experience there have been.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some very powerful folks with STRONG STA ties ( read not Beauvoir) who think the school is outsourcing too much of the admissions process to BVR. There are also some inside STA folks who think BVR kids are not as well prepared as they should be when they move over. I bet this will become a bigger deal over the next few years.

Ha ha is this post for real? What do you mean by powerful? Are they going to try to use their money and clout to affect admissions? That won't go over very well and STA does not allow that which is why it is such a great school. Btw most of the book awards and prized go to Beauvoir kids and the top stidents all the way up are mostly the Beauvoir kids. Beauvoir kids are generally the most inclusive and tbe families are generally inclusive - except some of the county club crowd that all hang together but you will find that anywhere.

Have there been sta teachers, admins, board members etc that did not send their kids to BVR? If those folks bypass BVR, might it say something?

Silly question. Of course some board members' children came from other schools - even some from public and some came in the upper grades so obviously they would have gone to other schools. With the exception of a few a few years ago - most Sta faculty have kids that attend Beauvoir. Not sure what your issue with Beauvoir is or what makes you so angry at the school. If it is because your child did not get admitted to Sta over a beauvoir student please don't be bitter. I say this with all sincerity. The numbers have been very tight with siblings, alumni children, etc... I would apply again for the upper grades. Best of
luck.

I think there have been lots of different posters on this thread so not sure who is saying what but wow, what pretense in the last post. Assuming sour grapes and inability to obtain a slot in a class is misplaced absent facts.

But to the point raised, and to make it clear: I do not have an issue with BVR, my son was admitted a few years back and has loved it, BVR and non BVR kids in all, notwithstanding the fact he came in from a different track. That said, I have heard sta folks of the types mentioned above say other than positive things about BVR. Don't know if they were accurate, don't know why they were mentioned to me in light of the fact that The BVR question is years back in my rear view mirror, and don't really care. But if the question is whether there are STA people who have raised issues, it is my experience there have been.

Well the college acceptances for the Beauvoir boys that went on to STA has been pretty impressive so they must be doing something right. Many great students from all the schools.

[Anonymous]

Tell them your son wants to play football!