SSSAS - what is the culture like currently?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are excited to go to SSSAS but the previous Woke poster now gives me pause. Woke poster please know that people are tired of you and u ilk. You are exhausting to be around.

Troll

Nope. Have a child going there in the fall. Also have a federal job. I am tired of politics. It is in my world every day, and on social media and I get tired of the constant drumbeat of doom. To hear it coming from anything associated with my kids school makes me sad.

You live in the DMV. It's pervasive and not going anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a liberal, “woke” parent who pays very close attention to the moves of administration, to parent gossip, and social dynamics among the kids and I have zero complaints about SSSAS. It is more diverse than our ACPS elementary school. Every single teacher has been liberal minded and empathetic. The administrators are reasonable. There is a huge group of qualified male teacher role models in the middle school. Athletics are available to every student. There is opportunity to excel academically but no pressure to succeed at all costs. There are country club families but they are the minority. There are terrible Trump families but I have no idea how they listen to the “woke” agenda of the episcopal reverends. There are annoying donor events and donor pandering but it comes with every private school. My child has a tick and he has experienced almost zero bullying. Some kids are rough and they get phased out. Some kids can’t excel academically and they get phased out. Some families are more conservative and they go to same sex Catholic high schools. I’d say that it’s hard to socialize with kids who live in Maryland who happen to all be POC and that’s not great. Some 4th-8th grade girls are vicious but they grow out of it. Some 3rd-6th grade boys are rough and mean on the playground they move on or channel it into their sports. The new LS admin is a poc and you need to filter some of the complaints about her through that lens- entitled wealthy white families are met with resistance and a measured response from a professional black woman of color. Many do not receive that well. They want to be pandered to. I’ve been incredibly impressed. I went to a k-12 private school and this one is 1000x better.

Congratulations! You just stated everything that is wrong with SSSAS in a great summary! You are also keeping the losing flame of the 2024 election burning hot. "entitled wealthy white families are met with resistance and a measured response from a professional black woman of color. Many do not receive that well."-So much for all people should be treated equally, I guess? Oh, I forgot, liberals have a double standard for that. No free speech or equality if you disagree with them. Thank you for your divisive and woke attitude. You, and those like you who refuse to get it, will continue to ensure Republican victories.

I think PP gave a great assessment of the school without saying anything negative about other groups. You, on the other hand, could not provide a well-thought-out comment without attacking unnecessarily.

+1. Some people are just constantly triggered by everything though. Especially people who use the term “woke” unironically.

Wow another snowflake that does not get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are excited to go to SSSAS but the previous Woke poster now gives me pause. Woke poster please know that people are tired of you and u ilk. You are exhausting to be around.

Troll

Nope. Have a child going there in the fall. Also have a federal job. I am tired of politics. It is in my world every day, and on social media and I get tired of the constant drumbeat of doom. To hear it coming from anything associated with my kids school makes me sad.

You live in the DMV. It's pervasive and not going anywhere.

Thanks. I actually grew up here and went to private here. It used to be the case that Politics wasn’t day to day conversation everywhere. My family is a mix of both. And it’s been ok because we don’t have to make that the defining characteristic of our relationship. We chose SSSAS because the school seems super nice and has great classes and the people seem genuinely interested in educating kids. I do not care who they voted for. That’s not a defining feature of my relationship with them. It’s how it should be. I don’t care who my hairdresser voted for if she does my hair well. And I don’t care who my kids swim coach voted for if they are coaching well. And I don’t want them to push their views on me when I’m getting my hair done or on my kid from the side of the pool. I have no doubt that the school leans liberal. I am a cradle Episcopalian and know very well how the church leans. But it was the “woke” poster who took this thread into an angry place and there is just no need for it. Chill out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Oddly, I don't know one family amongst my kid's friends who belong to a country club. I'm sure they're there but they're hardly pervasive.

My child is in K, and we've met quite a few Belle Haven members. You have to listen for what they aren't saying, though, because Belle Haven seems to have this unwritten rule about actually referring to it in public. Most will simply call it the pool during the summer and discuss specific events they went to otherwise. It's an odd little quirk, but I have rarely heard members say anything about the club or mention it by name.

People say “the pool” because it’s less obnoxious than saying “the club”. Most kids at SSSAS belong to a pool. Whether it’s Belle Haven, Army Navy, or one of the many community pools that cost a few hundred a summer. So saying “the pool” is a way of being more inclusive.

And for the record we belong to a community pool and I’ve never, not once, felt judged (or even left out!) by families that belong to another pool club like Belle Haven.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Oddly, I don't know one family amongst my kid's friends who belong to a country club. I'm sure they're there but they're hardly pervasive.

My child is in K, and we've met quite a few Belle Haven members. You have to listen for what they aren't saying, though, because Belle Haven seems to have this unwritten rule about actually referring to it in public. Most will simply call it the pool during the summer and discuss specific events they went to otherwise. It's an odd little quirk, but I have rarely heard members say anything about the club or mention it by name.

People say “the pool” because it’s less obnoxious than saying “the club”. Most kids at SSSAS belong to a pool. Whether it’s Belle Haven, Army Navy, or one of the many community pools that cost a few hundred a summer. So saying “the pool” is a way of being more inclusive.

And for the record we belong to a community pool and I’ve never, not once, felt judged (or even left out!) by families that belong to another pool club like Belle Haven.

The pool at Belle Haven isn’t even that nice or fancy. At all. And you hear constant Rt 1, Ft Hunt and Beltway traffic. It’s not the flex people think it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Oddly, I don't know one family amongst my kid's friends who belong to a country club. I'm sure they're there but they're hardly pervasive.

My child is in K, and we've met quite a few Belle Haven members. You have to listen for what they aren't saying, though, because Belle Haven seems to have this unwritten rule about actually referring to it in public. Most will simply call it the pool during the summer and discuss specific events they went to otherwise. It's an odd little quirk, but I have rarely heard members say anything about the club or mention it by name.

People say “the pool” because it’s less obnoxious than saying “the club”. Most kids at SSSAS belong to a pool. Whether it’s Belle Haven, Army Navy, or one of the many community pools that cost a few hundred a summer. So saying “the pool” is a way of being more inclusive.

And for the record we belong to a community pool and I’ve never, not once, felt judged (or even left out!) by families that belong to another pool club like Belle Haven.

The pool at Belle Haven isn’t even that nice or fancy. At all. And you hear constant Rt 1, Ft Hunt and Beltway traffic. It’s not the flex people think it is.

I don’t know that people think it’s a flex (or at least they shouldn’t). Many of the wealthiest families at the school don’t belong to any country club, probably because they either have a pool or spend the summer elsewhere. And Army Navy has reduced and reasonable fees for many levels of military and government, so there are solidly not rich families (like, officer spouse and fed) who attend that club. It’s just not the class divide that some posters here act like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Oddly, I don't know one family amongst my kid's friends who belong to a country club. I'm sure they're there but they're hardly pervasive.

My child is in K, and we've met quite a few Belle Haven members. You have to listen for what they aren't saying, though, because Belle Haven seems to have this unwritten rule about actually referring to it in public. Most will simply call it the pool during the summer and discuss specific events they went to otherwise. It's an odd little quirk, but I have rarely heard members say anything about the club or mention it by name.

People say “the pool” because it’s less obnoxious than saying “the club”. Most kids at SSSAS belong to a pool. Whether it’s Belle Haven, Army Navy, or one of the many community pools that cost a few hundred a summer. So saying “the pool” is a way of being more inclusive.

And for the record we belong to a community pool and I’ve never, not once, felt judged (or even left out!) by families that belong to another pool club like Belle Haven.

The pool at Belle Haven isn’t even that nice or fancy. At all. And you hear constant Rt 1, Ft Hunt and Beltway traffic. It’s not the flex people think it is.

I don’t know that people think it’s a flex (or at least they shouldn’t). Many of the wealthiest families at the school don’t belong to any country club, probably because they either have a pool or spend the summer elsewhere. And Army Navy has reduced and reasonable fees for many levels of military and government, so there are solidly not rich families (like, officer spouse and fed) who attend that club. It’s just not the class divide that some posters here act like.

Not sure what pools have to do with this topic, but it comes down to whether or not SSSAS is worth $55K. It seems like the answer is a definite no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Oddly, I don't know one family amongst my kid's friends who belong to a country club. I'm sure they're there but they're hardly pervasive.

My child is in K, and we've met quite a few Belle Haven members. You have to listen for what they aren't saying, though, because Belle Haven seems to have this unwritten rule about actually referring to it in public. Most will simply call it the pool during the summer and discuss specific events they went to otherwise. It's an odd little quirk, but I have rarely heard members say anything about the club or mention it by name.

People say “the pool” because it’s less obnoxious than saying “the club”. Most kids at SSSAS belong to a pool. Whether it’s Belle Haven, Army Navy, or one of the many community pools that cost a few hundred a summer. So saying “the pool” is a way of being more inclusive.

And for the record we belong to a community pool and I’ve never, not once, felt judged (or even left out!) by families that belong to another pool club like Belle Haven.

The pool at Belle Haven isn’t even that nice or fancy. At all. And you hear constant Rt 1, Ft Hunt and Beltway traffic. It’s not the flex people think it is.

I don’t know that people think it’s a flex (or at least they shouldn’t). Many of the wealthiest families at the school don’t belong to any country club, probably because they either have a pool or spend the summer elsewhere. And Army Navy has reduced and reasonable fees for many levels of military and government, so there are solidly not rich families (like, officer spouse and fed) who attend that club. It’s just not the class divide that some posters here act like.

Not sure what pools have to do with this topic, but it comes down to whether or not SSSAS is worth $55K. It seems like the answer is a definite no.

It’s a resounding yes for us. Each family can make their own decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Oddly, I don't know one family amongst my kid's friends who belong to a country club. I'm sure they're there but they're hardly pervasive.

My child is in K, and we've met quite a few Belle Haven members. You have to listen for what they aren't saying, though, because Belle Haven seems to have this unwritten rule about actually referring to it in public. Most will simply call it the pool during the summer and discuss specific events they went to otherwise. It's an odd little quirk, but I have rarely heard members say anything about the club or mention it by name.

People say “the pool” because it’s less obnoxious than saying “the club”. Most kids at SSSAS belong to a pool. Whether it’s Belle Haven, Army Navy, or one of the many community pools that cost a few hundred a summer. So saying “the pool” is a way of being more inclusive.

And for the record we belong to a community pool and I’ve never, not once, felt judged (or even left out!) by families that belong to another pool club like Belle Haven.

The pool at Belle Haven isn’t even that nice or fancy. At all. And you hear constant Rt 1, Ft Hunt and Beltway traffic. It’s not the flex people think it is.

I don’t know that people think it’s a flex (or at least they shouldn’t). Many of the wealthiest families at the school don’t belong to any country club, probably because they either have a pool or spend the summer elsewhere. And Army Navy has reduced and reasonable fees for many levels of military and government, so there are solidly not rich families (like, officer spouse and fed) who attend that club. It’s just not the class divide that some posters here act like.

Not sure what pools have to do with this topic, but it comes down to whether or not SSSAS is worth $55K. It seems like the answer is a definite no.

We think it's more than worth what we pay. If we could afford full pay, I'd still think it was worth it. It's been an amazing school so far.

[Anonymous]

If you want to be surrounded by rich people, and I mean truly rich, SSSAS is the way to go. It’s for people willing to pay top dollar for meh because they don’t really care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want to be surrounded by rich people, and I mean truly rich, SSSAS is the way to go. It’s for people willing to pay top dollar for meh because they don’t really care.

We have >$200 HHI and picked SSSAS because it was an excellent fit for DC, who is 2e, and who has excelled in an academic environment that challenges the giftedness and supports the learning difference. DC’s friends do mostly have more money than we do (an opinion based solely on what I’ve seen of their homes) but not overwhelmingly so. Certainly not what anyone on DCUM, which skews wealthy but tries to downplay it, would call “truly rich.” I’m sure there are families there with that much wealth, just as there are at, say, the Cathedral schools, but there are also kids being picked up in beat-up old Hondas, and everything in between.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to be surrounded by rich people, and I mean truly rich, SSSAS is the way to go. It’s for people willing to pay top dollar for meh because they don’t really care.

We have >$200 HHI and picked SSSAS because it was an excellent fit for DC, who is 2e, and who has excelled in an academic environment that challenges the giftedness and supports the learning difference. DC’s friends do mostly have more money than we do (an opinion based solely on what I’ve seen of their homes) but not overwhelmingly so. Certainly not what anyone on DCUM, which skews wealthy but tries to downplay it, would call “truly rich.” I’m sure there are families there with that much wealth, just as there are at, say, the Cathedral schools, but there are also kids being picked up in beat-up old Hondas, and everything in between.

Did you mean <$200k household income? If so I don’t know how you do that with school alone costing ~$50k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to be surrounded by rich people, and I mean truly rich, SSSAS is the way to go. It’s for people willing to pay top dollar for meh because they don’t really care.

We have >$200 HHI and picked SSSAS because it was an excellent fit for DC, who is 2e, and who has excelled in an academic environment that challenges the giftedness and supports the learning difference. DC’s friends do mostly have more money than we do (an opinion based solely on what I’ve seen of their homes) but not overwhelmingly so. Certainly not what anyone on DCUM, which skews wealthy but tries to downplay it, would call “truly rich.” I’m sure there are families there with that much wealth, just as there are at, say, the Cathedral schools, but there are also kids being picked up in beat-up old Hondas, and everything in between.

Did you mean <$200k household income? If so I don’t know how you do that with school alone costing ~$50k.

Yes, I did mean <$200k, sorry. And no, we did not qualify for financial aid. Our parents pay about a third, instead. Fortunately DC’s previous k-8 was less expensive. But both schools are worth every penny, and we could and would manage the full cost if we had to. It’s easier to get aid (need and/or merit) for college - and there are far more options - and getting the right fit for DC’s foundational education was important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to be surrounded by rich people, and I mean truly rich, SSSAS is the way to go. It’s for people willing to pay top dollar for meh because they don’t really care.

We have >$200 HHI and picked SSSAS because it was an excellent fit for DC, who is 2e, and who has excelled in an academic environment that challenges the giftedness and supports the learning difference. DC’s friends do mostly have more money than we do (an opinion based solely on what I’ve seen of their homes) but not overwhelmingly so. Certainly not what anyone on DCUM, which skews wealthy but tries to downplay it, would call “truly rich.” I’m sure there are families there with that much wealth, just as there are at, say, the Cathedral schools, but there are also kids being picked up in beat-up old Hondas, and everything in between.

I think most of the people trying to appear ultra wealthy on here are full of it. They’re “up playing” it to the max, not for playing it.

[Anonymous]

*not downplaying it