SSSAS - what is the culture like currently?

[Anonymous]

I know one person, who now is an adult, who has fond memories of SSSAS.

I also know some families who left within the past 10 years because child was being bullied during school hours and school administration was perceived as both indifferent and unwilling to protect the victim and stop the bullying.

We aren't sure what it all means, but we decided not to roll dice with our DC. So we dropped the school from our consideration. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

I cannot emphasize this enough: moms of so-called “mean girls” often see their daughter as the victim, not the perpetrator, of bullying. I would not be surprised if some of these posts are by those parents.

I’m a parent at SSSAS. The only kids I’ve known who have left recently were the sort that all the other parents were happy to be rid of. The administration didn’t “fix” the bullying, in their eyes, because the parents couldn’t see that their child WAS the bully.

Anyone interested in this school, or any school, should discuss with administrators what they do to help combat bullying and relational aggression.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that they have a bullying problem at the MS and LS. We’ve seen it, and there are accounts of administrators and moms bullying different moms of kids throughout the divisions.
In the MS, several kids have been bullied by one of the teachers who has several roles there, so it’s hard for them to get away from.
There have been multiple accounts of problems with poor management of teacher absence and kid-unfriendly subs far out of sync with the values the school talks about.
One of the coaches seems to creep out several moms (not the daughters, that I know of).

I wouldn’t dismiss claims of bullying if your kid hasn’t experienced it directly or if there are stories of disgruntlement. Others’ experience can 100% also be - and is -happening. Reports about a range of incidents throughout the years are widespread.

SSSAS offers cool options, but that’s not impressive at this price point if kids can’t get out of it what they should and moms can’t go about their business in peace. Other schools here probably offer cool options too, but who knows if it comes without the behavior.

This is a strong clue this poster is not to be trusted.

The kids aren’t “bullied” by the teacher / administrator. I know who (and what) you’re talking about. This teacher / administrator simply enforces the rules, and some parents don’t like it that their kid gets in trouble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I cannot emphasize this enough: moms of so-called “mean girls” often see their daughter as the victim, not the perpetrator, of bullying. I would not be surprised if some of these posts are by those parents.

I’m a parent at SSSAS. The only kids I’ve known who have left recently were the sort that all the other parents were happy to be rid of. The administration didn’t “fix” the bullying, in their eyes, because the parents couldn’t see that their child WAS the bully.

Anyone interested in this school, or any school, should discuss with administrators what they do to help combat bullying and relational aggression.

NP. I’m a parent at SSSAS too. My DC is not bullied. However, when my kid was in Middle School in each 8th grade anywhere between 12 and 20 kids left each year for another school. Are you trying to tell me all of those kids and parents were people who you and your friends were happy to see leave? Maybe you need to reevaluate your and your own child’s treatment and view of other people if there’s that many people you can’t stand. You sound like a mean girl mom.

[Anonymous]

Let's be real -- bad behavior, inappropriate language and jokes, and bullying can and do happen at every school. The question is whether/how the school handles it and the degree. As the parent of a current US student, I feel like SSSAS does a better job than most schools of dealing with inappropriate comments or language. They have counseled out students who were repeatedly problematic and called in parents (myself included) with reasonable disciplinary measures when they were made aware of questionable social media posts (a learning experience for my child and others).

That said, all in all, it is an open and supportive environment -- plenty of different affiliations based on interest (sports, robotics, community service, arts) and generally kids maintain friendships across the grade with various groups. I don't feel like there are kids who are continually the target of others - from what I hear most kids go from feeling neutral to positive about their classmates with the exception of a bit of cyclical girl drama that seems to fade pretty fast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that they have a bullying problem at the MS and LS. We’ve seen it, and there are accounts of administrators and moms bullying different moms of kids throughout the divisions.
In the MS, several kids have been bullied by one of the teachers who has several roles there, so it’s hard for them to get away from.
There have been multiple accounts of problems with poor management of teacher absence and kid-unfriendly subs far out of sync with the values the school talks about.
One of the coaches seems to creep out several moms (not the daughters, that I know of).

I wouldn’t dismiss claims of bullying if your kid hasn’t experienced it directly or if there are stories of disgruntlement. Others’ experience can 100% also be - and is -happening. Reports about a range of incidents throughout the years are widespread.

SSSAS offers cool options, but that’s not impressive at this price point if kids can’t get out of it what they should and moms can’t go about their business in peace. Other schools here probably offer cool options too, but who knows if it comes without the behavior.

This is a strong clue this poster is not to be trusted.

The kids aren’t “bullied” by the teacher / administrator. I know who (and what) you’re talking about. This teacher / administrator simply enforces the rules, and some parents don’t like it that their kid gets in trouble.

NP here. If it’s who I’m thinking about she plays favorites and isn’t anything like the person who had the job before her (who was an absolutely lovely person with parents and kids and it’s such a shame that person left). This admin/teacher had a huge issue with boys. I’m not sure why. I am always puzzled why people go into teaching or work in schools who clearly don’t like kids or a gender of kids. And no, I don’t have a kid who’s been disciplined by her but I’ve had plenty of interactions to know.

[Anonymous]

The school sounds like a looney bin.

[Anonymous]

We live in Alexandria and it was tempting to apply to the school but we heard enough negative things about SSSAS from neighbors and friends that we didn't. PP who mentioned to cast a wide net is right! So many better schools have great transportation systems so don't limit yourself to the immediate area - take the time to find the right school even if it is further away. It's worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school sounds like a looney bin.

Ha! I think it’s definitely a mixed bag. I’ve heard from people that they are underwhelmed given the cost and others who love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school sounds like a looney bin.

Ha! I think it’s definitely a mixed bag. I’ve heard from people that they are underwhelmed given the cost and others who love it.

We love it.

Posters here are looney though!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cannot emphasize this enough: moms of so-called “mean girls” often see their daughter as the victim, not the perpetrator, of bullying. I would not be surprised if some of these posts are by those parents.

I’m a parent at SSSAS. The only kids I’ve known who have left recently were the sort that all the other parents were happy to be rid of. The administration didn’t “fix” the bullying, in their eyes, because the parents couldn’t see that their child WAS the bully.

Anyone interested in this school, or any school, should discuss with administrators what they do to help combat bullying and relational aggression.

NP. I’m a parent at SSSAS too. My DC is not bullied. However, when my kid was in Middle School in each 8th grade anywhere between 12 and 20 kids left each year for another school. Are you trying to tell me all of those kids and parents were people who you and your friends were happy to see leave? Maybe you need to reevaluate your and your own child’s treatment and view of other people if there’s that many people you can’t stand. You sound like a mean girl mom.

The number of kids who leave between 8th and 9th is easily fact checked with the school, FYI, and it’s not typically more than 10. Many of those kids have siblings who remain at the school.

[Anonymous]

My daughter’s experience joining in middle school: if you are not from the same wealthy area of Alexandria and a Belle Haven member, your child will have a tough time becoming a member of the school community. It is not impossible, but the value system of many of the kids and their parents is pretty messed up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s experience joining in middle school: if you are not from the same wealthy area of Alexandria and a Belle Haven member, your child will have a tough time becoming a member of the school community. It is not impossible, but the value system of many of the kids and their parents is pretty messed up.

This checks out. I think there’s an effort for more types of kids and backgrounds but at $55,000/year ultimately the culture is very privileged and country club.

[Anonymous]

We are so thankful DC was not accepted for HS. Lol! We definitely got caught up in the admissions process and there was disappointment initially, but now when I talk to parents of kids who do go there, it does not sound like the joyful, supportive environment he ended up at elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are so thankful DC was not accepted for HS. Lol! We definitely got caught up in the admissions process and there was disappointment initially, but now when I talk to parents of kids who do go there, it does not sound like the joyful, supportive environment he ended up at elsewhere.

Can I ask where DC ended up?

Sometimes things definitely work out for the best!