New STA parent seeking advice, suggestions, or just plain "I wish I had known X" info

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's the problem comparing StA & public exmissions: money. Typically, StA parents with Ivy degrees can afford to send their legacy children to their schools. But, I have worked with TJ and Whitman parents who were undergraduate alums of P & Y, yet their children didn't even apply. Why? The parents could not afford it. Two working parents earning mid-level salaries won't get major Ivy FA. But they can’t pay full freight, particularly if they have several children. That's probably why hundreds of TJ grads attend W&M and U.Va each year. Those of us who can afford today's tuitition rates should coulnt our blessings. I have two extended family members who "turned down" Duke, and a friend whose daughter had to turn down several Ivys. It’s just a class issue, not a talent one.

A good point. Nothing new here, but I think (1) STA does very well in any apples to apples comparison; (2) the talented kids at the top of the class at STA would see similar results were they to apply from other schools; (c) it's a mistake to focus too much on 8-10 colleges given the long odds and the wide array of great ollege options; and (4) if you can focus on the journey (is your son getting a great secondary school education that will prepare him well for college) and not the destination (Ivy or bust!) you and he will be calmer and happier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's the problem comparing StA & public exmissions: money. Typically, StA parents with Ivy degrees can afford to send their legacy children to their schools. But, I have worked with TJ and Whitman parents who were undergraduate alums of P & Y, yet their children didn't even apply. Why? The parents could not afford it. Two working parents earning mid-level salaries won't get major Ivy FA. But they can’t pay full freight, particularly if they have several children. That's probably why hundreds of TJ grads attend W&M and U.Va each year. Those of us who can afford today's tuitition rates should coulnt our blessings. I have two extended family members who "turned down" Duke, and a friend whose daughter had to turn down several Ivys. It’s just a class issue, not a talent one.

A good point. Nothing new here, but I think (1) STA does very well in any apples to apples comparison; (2) the talented kids at the top of the class at STA would see similar results were they to apply from other schools; (c) it's a mistake to focus too much on 8-10 colleges given the long odds and the wide array of great ollege options; and (4) if you can focus on the journey (is your son getting a great secondary school education that will prepare him well for college) and not the destination (Ivy or bust!) you and he will be calmer and happier.

To the PP above - in the 1st paragraph of the quote: did you really say "its just a class issue, not a talent one?" Wow, just wow. If you honestly think that income and class are the same, you know nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's the problem comparing StA & public exmissions: money. Typically, StA parents with Ivy degrees can afford to send their legacy children to their schools. But, I have worked with TJ and Whitman parents who were undergraduate alums of P & Y, yet their children didn't even apply. Why? The parents could not afford it. Two working parents earning mid-level salaries won't get major Ivy FA. But they can’t pay full freight, particularly if they have several children. That's probably why hundreds of TJ grads attend W&M and U.Va each year. Those of us who can afford today's tuitition rates should coulnt our blessings. I have two extended family members who "turned down" Duke, and a friend whose daughter had to turn down several Ivys. It’s just a class issue, not a talent one.

A good point. Nothing new here, but I think (1) STA does very well in any apples to apples comparison; (2) the talented kids at the top of the class at STA would see similar results were they to apply from other schools; (c) it's a mistake to focus too much on 8-10 colleges given the long odds and the wide array of great ollege options; and (4) if you can focus on the journey (is your son getting a great secondary school education that will prepare him well for college) and not the destination (Ivy or bust!) you and he will be calmer and happier.

To the PP above - in the 1st paragraph of the quote: did you really say "its just a class issue, not a talent one?" Wow, just wow. If you honestly think that income and class are the same, you know nothing.

I'm not the first quoted poster, but I think they were probably using "class" as a shorthand for something like "socio-economic status." The wording might not have been spot on, but I don't think it's objectionable to suggest that many middle class families at TJ, particularly with multiple children, will opt for in-state options rather than Ivy league matriculations based upon cost. The FA packages at the Ivy leagues have gotten much, much, better, including better options for middle class families, but families with relatively high "on-paper" combined incomes, who live in expensive areas like Northern Virginia, can still really get squeezed.

[Anonymous]

Please tell me about Flower Mart which the school calene. I know it's not an STA event per se. But I'm gathering that it's something that some (most? all?) of the boys attend. Is if mainly for the younger boys? What happens there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's the problem comparing StA & public exmissions: money. Typically, StA parents with Ivy degrees can afford to send their legacy children to their schools. But, I have worked with TJ and Whitman parents who were undergraduate alums of P & Y, yet their children didn't even apply. Why? The parents could not afford it. Two working parents earning mid-level salaries won't get major Ivy FA. But they can’t pay full freight, particularly if they have several children. That's probably why hundreds of TJ grads attend W&M and U.Va each year. Those of us who can afford today's tuitition rates should coulnt our blessings. I have two extended family members who "turned down" Duke, and a friend whose daughter had to turn down several Ivys. It’s just a class issue, not a talent one.

6 Presidential Scholar Finalists from DC where just announced. 4 were STA boys, 1, an NCS girl, and 1, I think from a public. I think its silly to argue that parents 'bought' this. STA just has an amazing nose for future leaders, and they do manage to say no to plenty of legacies, and plenty of folks with money, and also find the resources for stellar kids where financial help is needed. Not suggesting plenty of kids don't burn out there or later (take a note Tiger moms), but from what I have seen, the kids who do well there or after, have earned it.

[Anonymous]

Flower mart is a big deal for ncs and sta lower schools. They take dates. It is like elementary school prom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please tell me about Flower Mart which the school calene. I know it's not an STA event per se. But I'm gathering that it's something that some (most? all?) of the boys attend. Is if mainly for the younger boys? What happens there?

It's like a cross between a carnival (fried dough, some very basic rides) and an English village bazaar (lots of flowers sold by little old ladies, thus the "Flowermart" name). The STA lower schoolers love it -- they go with friends, invite girls, it's cute. The high schoolers like it too -- they eat huge amounts of food from the trucks and flirt with the NCS girls. It's in the daytime, and faculty are all over the place too, so it's quite innocuous.

[csimon]

I like Primary Day for my DD/ Comments? Academics? Warmth? Know young children? my DD is very athletic and I am not opposed to single sex schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Flower mart is a big deal for ncs and sta lower schools. They take dates. It is like elementary school prom.

They "take dates"? In elementary school??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Flower mart is a big deal for ncs and sta lower schools. They take dates. It is like elementary school prom.

They "take dates"? In elementary school??

Yup. Very big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Flower mart is a big deal for ncs and sta lower schools. They take dates. It is like elementary school prom.

They "take dates"? In elementary school??

Yup. Very big deal.

Wait a second, the "lower school" encompasses 4th thru 8th, it is not elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Flower mart is a big deal for ncs and sta lower schools. They take dates. It is like elementary school prom.

They "take dates"? In elementary school??

Yup. Very big deal.

Wait a second, the "lower school" encompasses 4th thru 8th, it is not elementary school.

In my public school there was a fourth grade square dance (I know!) and we had dates. I also recall dates at age 10-12 or so for the annual carnival. Were we a fast crowd?

[Anonymous]

Do parents attend Flower Mart?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do parents attend Flower Mart?

Beauvoir parents do with kids. I'm sure some NCS & STA parents go to the Flower Mart but not sure if they go with their kids... or give them a little space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do parents attend Flower Mart?

Beauvoir parents do with kids. I'm sure some NCS & STA parents go to the Flower Mart but not sure if they go with their kids... or give them a little space.

What is there to do at Flower Mart for parents?