St Albans for black students

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Just when I had hope for STA I see the governing board is still the same old same old - Chevy Members or conservative or both with the exception of a few. Sigh.

So? It's their school. They can have whomever they want on the governing board.

1) Whose school is it?
2) The composition of board is telling of the school leadership’s priorities.

Ask yourself, is STA worth $50k with all the race/social headaches for your black son? The STA have had years to figure out diversity. THEY CHOSE NOT TO. How many black male faculty does STA have? Any leading a department? Our supporters cannot only be coaches and kind gent at the front desk.

Additionally, is it worth being in a community that isn’t open to you? The parents will say they want diversity, but will they allow their kids to have a play date at your house? Will they explore professional relationships/opportunities with you? Will they invite you to CCC? If not, choose a community that’s more welcoming. From my STA experience - the school, price tag, and community misses the mark. Don’t fall for the we will make the numbers work. BS. Get everything in writing first.

Lol, what HS student has “ play dates” .

Frankly, STA kids spend 99 percent of their waking hours in class, at sports practice, doing homework/ studying,eating and sleeping.

Lunch at school is served family style and students have assigned tables set every month to make sure everyone is guided in getting to know others ( compare that to the social hierarchy in most MS / HS lunch rooms

As for your disappointment at not being invited to the Chevy chase cc to play tennis: STA is a school not a social climbing vehicle. Maybe your priorities are a bit off balance ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be furious if my son was thought of as just a diversity number. If the school and admin have this philosophy then it will naturally trickle down to everyone else.

This is fundamentally the school's problem. You have the super wealthy, mostly conservative, Chevy Chase club members (or similar) and then the token diversity kids. This never works well. My son and friends applied from DCPS with smart, professional parents but not ultra wealthy or waspy. None were admitted despite having top scores and grades. However, they were admitted to GDS, Sidwell and Maret. And female friends to NCS.
The following year it was the same story from our DCPS. None to STA despite being awesome kids. Who was admitted both years? Super pretty boys from one social circle who all attended a few feeder private schools. AND of course the few diversity kids. If the school would admit a few kids "in the middle" economically or a bit more of a social mix they probably wouldn't run into the same problems year after year. Even NCS has figured this out. They have a far more economically diverse student body.

Wow. Genearlizations about groups of people say more about you than STA. Did you reach out to the admissions office to ask for feedback on your son's application? They will respond. Do you understand how many great students, as you described, don't get offered admission (many of them from "feeder schools")? There are so many great students that apply and there simply aren't enough spaces for them all. Our son was waitlisted in an earlier year, and admitted in a later year. We solicited feedback and made some changes. It worked. We are not part of the "super wealthy" "CCC member" "social circle" crowd. Our son was waitlisted at Maret and other schools, so you just never know what they are looking for any particular year or how many slots are available.

Calling POC "diversity kids" is really insulting and diminishes their academic achievements. You are making the assumption that diversity=race and that they wouldn't have been admitted otherwise. How is it that you know the socio-economic make up of any particular school's admitted students? Sounds like a whole bunch of sour grapes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be furious if my son was thought of as just a diversity number. If the school and admin have this philosophy then it will naturally trickle down to everyone else.

This is fundamentally the school's problem. You have the super wealthy, mostly conservative, Chevy Chase club members (or similar) and then the token diversity kids. This never works well. My son and friends applied from DCPS with smart, professional parents but not ultra wealthy or waspy. None were admitted despite having top scores and grades. However, they were admitted to GDS, Sidwell and Maret. And female friends to NCS.
The following year it was the same story from our DCPS. None to STA despite being awesome kids. Who was admitted both years? Super pretty boys from one social circle who all attended a few feeder private schools. AND of course the few diversity kids. If the school would admit a few kids "in the middle" economically or a bit more of a social mix they probably wouldn't run into the same problems year after year. Even NCS has figured this out. They have a far more economically diverse student body.

This is very accurate.

What are super pretty boys? Yes, the barbell question is something schools think about when determining how to allocate FA. However, if they give a lot to the middle they run into being accused of helping rich people. It's lose-lose sometimes, running a school and meeting everyone's hopes.

I'm not talking about allocating aid to the middle. I'm talking about admissions. Admitting kids who aren't from the CCC crowd and a select number of privates. STA admits in a barbell fashion. You have the super wealthy CCC crowd and their friends and then the diversity admits to make everyone feel good.
They have little interest in the middle social/economic ground. You know, the children of regular working professionals in DC who are willing to pay the $50K and have smart kids but don't have the right social contacts or cache.
You can't tell me that this isn't the case at STA. Sure, there are some exceptions. It's not to a person. And there are diversity admits who are ultra connected and wealthy. But I now have a child at NCS and the two schools are very different places in this regard. NCS admits from every social class. You have the elites/ CCC members. But then you just have the regular professional
class nobodies of DC. You have two fed families (gasp!). There is no pronounced barbell effect. And it works much better. The other Big3 have figured this out at well.
Off my soapbox now. But until STA stops admitting in this barbell fashion they're going to have issues of race and class pop up again and again and any amount of diversity programs, etc. won't lead to a healthy dynamic.

NP. It is unclear whether you are an STA family or applied and did not get admitted? If so please apply again. The numbers are tight and yes priority is given to current siblings first I believe then some alums etc... although many alums’ children do not get admitted. I know of several. I like STA and mostly like it for the HOS, chaplains, teachers, and staff. The HOS and administration in upper and lower school have handled many situations with kindness and class. I truly believe they have families best interest at heart and that is why we stay although we have thought of leaving a few times because of a few incidents. Yes I agree that the CCC crowd has become much more apparent in recent years and I do not know why. Some very nasty people belong to that club and it has trickled into the school community in various ways. It is upsetting to many to see some of these families and their friends get away with treating other families in the community so badly on numerous occasions. That is why I think there may be some posters surprised that just this year now two new CCC members are replacing two former CCC members on the governing board. It seems they are pulling from the same pool of families when there are so many families to choose from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be furious if my son was thought of as just a diversity number. If the school and admin have this philosophy then it will naturally trickle down to everyone else.

This is fundamentally the school's problem. You have the super wealthy, mostly conservative, Chevy Chase club members (or similar) and then the token diversity kids. This never works well. My son and friends applied from DCPS with smart, professional parents but not ultra wealthy or waspy. None were admitted despite having top scores and grades. However, they were admitted to GDS, Sidwell and Maret. And female friends to NCS.
The following year it was the same story from our DCPS. None to STA despite being awesome kids. Who was admitted both years? Super pretty boys from one social circle who all attended a few feeder private schools. AND of course the few diversity kids. If the school would admit a few kids "in the middle" economically or a bit more of a social mix they probably wouldn't run into the same problems year after year. Even NCS has figured this out. They have a far more economically diverse student body.

This is very accurate.

What are super pretty boys? Yes, the barbell question is something schools think about when determining how to allocate FA. However, if they give a lot to the middle they run into being accused of helping rich people. It's lose-lose sometimes, running a school and meeting everyone's hopes.

I'm not talking about allocating aid to the middle. I'm talking about admissions. Admitting kids who aren't from the CCC crowd and a select number of privates. STA admits in a barbell fashion. You have the super wealthy CCC crowd and their friends and then the diversity admits to make everyone feel good.
They have little interest in the middle social/economic ground. You know, the children of regular working professionals in DC who are willing to pay the $50K and have smart kids but don't have the right social contacts or cache.
You can't tell me that this isn't the case at STA. Sure, there are some exceptions. It's not to a person. And there are diversity admits who are ultra connected and wealthy. But I now have a child at NCS and the two schools are very different places in this regard. NCS admits from every social class. You have the elites/ CCC members. But then you just have the regular professional
class nobodies of DC. You have two fed families (gasp!). There is no pronounced barbell effect. And it works much better. The other Big3 have figured this out at well.
Off my soapbox now. But until STA stops admitting in this barbell fashion they're going to have issues of race and class pop up again and again and any amount of diversity programs, etc. won't lead to a healthy dynamic.

NP. It is unclear whether you are an STA family or applied and did not get admitted? If so please apply again. The numbers are tight and yes priority is given to current siblings first I believe then some alums etc... although many alums’ children do not get admitted. I know of several. I like STA and mostly like it for the HOS, chaplains, teachers, and staff. The HOS and administration in upper and lower school have handled many situations with kindness and class. I truly believe they have families best interest at heart and that is why we stay although we have thought of leaving a few times because of a few incidents. Yes I agree that the CCC crowd has become much more apparent in recent years and I do not know why. Some very nasty people belong to that club and it has trickled into the school community in various ways. It is upsetting to many to see some of these families and their friends get away with treating other families in the community so badly on numerous occasions. That is why I think there may be some posters surprised that just this year now two new CCC members are replacing two former CCC members on the governing board. It seems they are pulling from the same pool of families when there are so many families to choose from.

Prep and Landon has some of the same issues btw although Landon has become much more diverse under the new head and the community has changed for the better. It has become very diverse racially and religiously. Lots of Jewish and Muslim students as well as AA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:STA sure has kept the black students and Alumni quiet. They haven’t posted a word on Instagram.

Just as STA has a button to delete threads and posts they don’t like in DCUM, they have similar privileges at all the major social media platforms. You should ask your private school why they don’t have the same.

Not just Saint Albans. Landon, prep, and all the other predominantly white all boy schools in the area have all been silent. My son is applying in the fall and he’s not going to be doing any shucking and jiving, buck dancing, or boot licking nor do I want him around other boys who feel they have to so I’ve crossed these schools off the list.

Not sure about the "delete button" you mentioned... can you please elaborate? I've never heard of this.

This is unfortunate that you would cross schools of your list based on what you've read here on DCUM... one thing I've learned in the private school application process (our family navigated it 4 times) is that rarely do schools live up to their negative DCUM "reputations." For example, If you follow their social media, you will see that Landon is currently hosting several zoom discussions on race with their students, faculty and alumni. STA has publicly stated their plan committing to change. Do a little more digging rather than relying on this anonymous forum.

Have you actually visited these schools? Talked to current parents, alumni or faculty and staff? Taken a tour? Seen for yourself how the school operates and how the kids interact? Our white family would welcome you just as we would welcome any other family. Please do your diligence and visit, talk to people. You might be surprised. Peace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be furious if my son was thought of as just a diversity number. If the school and admin have this philosophy then it will naturally trickle down to everyone else.

This is fundamentally the school's problem. You have the super wealthy, mostly conservative, Chevy Chase club members (or similar) and then the token diversity kids. This never works well. My son and friends applied from DCPS with smart, professional parents but not ultra wealthy or waspy. None were admitted despite having top scores and grades. However, they were admitted to GDS, Sidwell and Maret. And female friends to NCS.
The following year it was the same story from our DCPS. None to STA despite being awesome kids. Who was admitted both years? Super pretty boys from one social circle who all attended a few feeder private schools. AND of course the few diversity kids. If the school would admit a few kids "in the middle" economically or a bit more of a social mix they probably wouldn't run into the same problems year after year. Even NCS has figured this out. They have a far more economically diverse student body.

This is very accurate.

What are super pretty boys? Yes, the barbell question is something schools think about when determining how to allocate FA. However, if they give a lot to the middle they run into being accused of helping rich people. It's lose-lose sometimes, running a school and meeting everyone's hopes.

I'm not talking about allocating aid to the middle. I'm talking about admissions. Admitting kids who aren't from the CCC crowd and a select number of privates. STA admits in a barbell fashion. You have the super wealthy CCC crowd and their friends and then the diversity admits to make everyone feel good.
They have little interest in the middle social/economic ground. You know, the children of regular working professionals in DC who are willing to pay the $50K and have smart kids but don't have the right social contacts or cache.
You can't tell me that this isn't the case at STA. Sure, there are some exceptions. It's not to a person. And there are diversity admits who are ultra connected and wealthy. But I now have a child at NCS and the two schools are very different places in this regard./ NCS admits from every social class. You have the elites/ CCC members. But then you just have the regular professional
class nobodies of DC. You have two fed families (gasp!). There is no pronounced barbell effect. And it works much better. The other Big3 have figured this out at well.
Off my soapbox now. But until STA stops admitting in this barbell fashion they're going to have issues of race and class pop up again and again and any amount of diversity programs, etc. won't lead to a healthy dynamic.

We are an STA family, and your perceptions are wildly off. The school does not have a barbell admissions. It's actually about 1/4 CCC & wealthy crowd; 1/2 well-off, dual professional parents without cache or connections; and 1/4 kids who are from households who need financial aid.

The 50% who are ordinary people, often dual feds, doesn't happen until you hit Form A. In Form C and B, the CCC & wealthy crowd dominates because so many of the kids come from Beauvoir. That starts to change STA's middle school. That's equally true for NCS.

There's nothing STA or NCS can do about Beauvoir. Their charter requires them to accept the majority of students from there. Because Beauvoir has less financial resources than STA and NCS, more of their students are full-pay or almost. They like to give small financial aid grants to a large number of families, so not many lower-income families.

NP. This is not true in our case. One son’s grade only had 5 CCC families in 4th at STA and now has 1/4 CCC. They were admitted after C Form and are not Beauvoir families. Other son’s grade though has about 1/3 CCC and most are from Beauvoir and St. Pats so it varies grade to grade.

[Anonymous]

We are a professional biracial family from Bethesda. Our son (who applied from another private he found too small and not a public school) was admitted based on his good grades, sports and interviewing skills. We had zero names to drop and no country club memberships. We were full pay which could have made a difference but I'm sure there are a lot of other full pay, much wealthier kids out there that don't get in. St. Albans admissions team was by far the best we encountered and we really wanted our son to attend. Ultimately he chose one of the other Big 3 - Sidwell/GDS because he preferred the coeducational environment. My reply is meant for those posters who think "middle-class" kids don't get in (and I put this in quotes because families making about 500,000 are definitely privileged compared to the rest of the country but maybe not St. Albans).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:STA sure has kept the black students and Alumni quiet. They haven’t posted a word on Instagram.

Just as STA has a button to delete threads and posts they don’t like in DCUM, they have similar privileges at all the major social media platforms. You should ask your private school why they don’t have the same.

Not just Saint Albans. Landon, prep, and all the other predominantly white all boy schools in the area have all been silent. My son is applying in the fall and he’s not going to be doing any shucking and jiving, buck dancing, or boot licking nor do I want him around other boys who feel they have to so I’ve crossed these schools off the list.

Not sure about the "delete button" you mentioned... can you please elaborate? I've never heard of this.

This is unfortunate that you would cross schools of your list based on what you've read here on DCUM... one thing I've learned in the private school application process (our family navigated it 4 times) is that rarely do schools live up to their negative DCUM "reputations." For example, If you follow their social media, you will see that Landon is currently hosting several zoom discussions on race with their students, faculty and alumni. STA has publicly stated their plan committing to change. Do a little more digging rather than relying on this anonymous forum.

Have you actually visited these schools? Talked to current parents, alumni or faculty and staff? Taken a tour? Seen for yourself how the school operates and how the kids interact? Our white family would welcome you just as we would welcome any other family. Please do your diligence and visit, talk to people. You might be surprised. Peace.

I believe incoming parents are given a large red button to put on their desk and delete anything they don't like. It's very technical and I cannot elaborate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be furious if my son was thought of as just a diversity number. If the school and admin have this philosophy then it will naturally trickle down to everyone else.

This is fundamentally the school's problem. You have the super wealthy, mostly conservative, Chevy Chase club members (or similar) and then the token diversity kids. This never works well. My son and friends applied from DCPS with smart, professional parents but not ultra wealthy or waspy. None were admitted despite having top scores and grades. However, they were admitted to GDS, Sidwell and Maret. And female friends to NCS.
The following year it was the same story from our DCPS. None to STA despite being awesome kids. Who was admitted both years? Super pretty boys from one social circle who all attended a few feeder private schools. AND of course the few diversity kids. If the school would admit a few kids "in the middle" economically or a bit more of a social mix they probably wouldn't run into the same problems year after year. Even NCS has figured this out. They have a far more economically diverse student body.

This is very accurate.

What are super pretty boys? Yes, the barbell question is something schools think about when determining how to allocate FA. However, if they give a lot to the middle they run into being accused of helping rich people. It's lose-lose sometimes, running a school and meeting everyone's hopes.

I'm not talking about allocating aid to the middle. I'm talking about admissions. Admitting kids who aren't from the CCC crowd and a select number of privates. STA admits in a barbell fashion. You have the super wealthy CCC crowd and their friends and then the diversity admits to make everyone feel good.
They have little interest in the middle social/economic ground. You know, the children of regular working professionals in DC who are willing to pay the $50K and have smart kids but don't have the right social contacts or cache.
You can't tell me that this isn't the case at STA. Sure, there are some exceptions. It's not to a person. And there are diversity admits who are ultra connected and wealthy. But I now have a child at NCS and the two schools are very different places in this regard. NCS admits from every social class. You have the elites/ CCC members. But then you just have the regular professional
class nobodies of DC. You have two fed families (gasp!). There is no pronounced barbell effect. And it works much better. The other Big3 have figured this out at well.
Off my soapbox now. But until STA stops admitting in this barbell fashion they're going to have issues of race and class pop up again and again and any amount of diversity programs, etc. won't lead to a healthy dynamic.

NP. It is unclear whether you are an STA family or applied and did not get admitted? If so please apply again. The numbers are tight and yes priority is given to current siblings first I believe then some alums etc... although many alums’ children do not get admitted. I know of several. I like STA and mostly like it for the HOS, chaplains, teachers, and staff. The HOS and administration in upper and lower school have handled many situations with kindness and class. I truly believe they have families best interest at heart and that is why we stay although we have thought of leaving a few times because of a few incidents. Yes I agree that the CCC crowd has become much more apparent in recent years and I do not know why. Some very nasty people belong to that club and it has trickled into the school community in various ways. It is upsetting to many to see some of these families and their friends get away with treating other families in the community so badly on numerous occasions. That is why I think there may be some posters surprised that just this year now two new CCC members are replacing two former CCC members on the governing board. It seems they are pulling from the same pool of families when there are so many families to choose from.

Surprise Surprise

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:STA sure has kept the black students and Alumni quiet. They haven’t posted a word on Instagram.

Just as STA has a button to delete threads and posts they don’t like in DCUM, they have similar privileges at all the major social media platforms. You should ask your private school why they don’t have the same.

Not just Saint Albans. Landon, prep, and all the other predominantly white all boy schools in the area have all been silent. My son is applying in the fall and he’s not going to be doing any shucking and jiving, buck dancing, or boot licking nor do I want him around other boys who feel they have to so I’ve crossed these schools off the list.

Not sure about the "delete button" you mentioned... can you please elaborate? I've never heard of this.

This is unfortunate that you would cross schools of your list based on what you've read here on DCUM... one thing I've learned in the private school application process (our family navigated it 4 times) is that rarely do schools live up to their negative DCUM "reputations." For example, If you follow their social media, you will see that Landon is currently hosting several zoom discussions on race with their students, faculty and alumni. STA has publicly stated their plan committing to change. Do a little more digging rather than relying on this anonymous forum.

Have you actually visited these schools? Talked to current parents, alumni or faculty and staff? Taken a tour? Seen for yourself how the school operates and how the kids interact? Our white family would welcome you just as we would welcome any other family. Please do your diligence and visit, talk to people. You might be surprised. Peace.

I believe incoming parents are given a large red button to put on their desk and delete anything they don't like. It's very technical and I cannot elaborate.

I have the phone app myself. More convenient and I can delete threads on the go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:STA sure has kept the black students and Alumni quiet. They haven’t posted a word on Instagram.

Just as STA has a button to delete threads and posts they don’t like in DCUM, they have similar privileges at all the major social media platforms. You should ask your private school why they don’t have the same.

Not just Saint Albans. Landon, prep, and all the other predominantly white all boy schools in the area have all been silent. My son is applying in the fall and he’s not going to be doing any shucking and jiving, buck dancing, or boot licking nor do I want him around other boys who feel they have to so I’ve crossed these schools off the list.

Not sure about the "delete button" you mentioned... can you please elaborate? I've never heard of this.

This is unfortunate that you would cross schools of your list based on what you've read here on DCUM... one thing I've learned in the private school application process (our family navigated it 4 times) is that rarely do schools live up to their negative DCUM "reputations." For example, If you follow their social media, you will see that Landon is currently hosting several zoom discussions on race with their students, faculty and alumni. STA has publicly stated their plan committing to change. Do a little more digging rather than relying on this anonymous forum.

Have you actually visited these schools? Talked to current parents, alumni or faculty and staff? Taken a tour? Seen for yourself how the school operates and how the kids interact? Our white family would welcome you just as we would welcome any other family. Please do your diligence and visit, talk to people. You might be surprised. Peace.

I believe incoming parents are given a large red button to put on their desk and delete anything they don't like. It's very technical and I cannot elaborate.

Nonsense. There are many posts and threads on these forums that are very negative against STA and they remain. The only two I’ve seen deleted were because they were telling lies about minors and in one posters were assuming a POC was not as bright which was untrue and libel. Many posters unaffiliated with STA wanted that taken down. We were one of them and not affiliated with the school but I thought it was racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are a professional biracial family from Bethesda. Our son (who applied from another private he found too small and not a public school) was admitted based on his good grades, sports and interviewing skills. We had zero names to drop and no country club memberships. We were full pay which could have made a difference but I'm sure there are a lot of other full pay, much wealthier kids out there that don't get in. St. Albans admissions team was by far the best we encountered and we really wanted our son to attend. Ultimately he chose one of the other Big 3 - Sidwell/GDS because he preferred the coeducational environment. My reply is meant for those posters who think "middle-class" kids don't get in (and I put this in quotes because families making about 500,000 are definitely privileged compared to the rest of the country but maybe not St. Albans).

Are you seriously calling $500k HHi "middle class"?
Wow

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be furious if my son was thought of as just a diversity number. If the school and admin have this philosophy then it will naturally trickle down to everyone else.

This is fundamentally the school's problem. You have the super wealthy, mostly conservative, Chevy Chase club members (or similar) and then the token diversity kids. This never works well. My son and friends applied from DCPS with smart, professional parents but not ultra wealthy or waspy. None were admitted despite having top scores and grades. However, they were admitted to GDS, Sidwell and Maret. And female friends to NCS.
The following year it was the same story from our DCPS. None to STA despite being awesome kids. Who was admitted both years? Super pretty boys from one social circle who all attended a few feeder private schools. AND of course the few diversity kids. If the school would admit a few kids "in the middle" economically or a bit more of a social mix they probably wouldn't run into the same problems year after year. Even NCS has figured this out. They have a far more economically diverse student body.

How do you know so much if you are not even at STA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Just when I had hope for STA I see the governing board is still the same old same old - Chevy Members or conservative or both with the exception of a few. Sigh.

So? It's their school. They can have whomever they want on the governing board.

1) Whose school is it?
2) The composition of board is telling of the school leadership’s priorities.

Ask yourself, is STA worth $50k with all the race/social headaches for your black son? The STA have had years to figure out diversity. THEY CHOSE NOT TO. How many black male faculty does STA have? Any leading a department? Our supporters cannot only be coaches and kind gent at the front desk.

Additionally, is it worth being in a community that isn’t open to you? The parents will say they want diversity, but will they allow their kids to have a play date at your house? Will they explore professional relationships/opportunities with you? Will they invite you to CCC? If not, choose a community that’s more welcoming. From my STA experience - the school, price tag, and community misses the mark. Don’t fall for the we will make the numbers work. BS. Get everything in writing first.

NP. You sound bitter and I am sorry about whatever has happened to make you so angry. Not sure if your son was not admitted or if you were at the school and left? I understand some of what you are saying and agree that the CCC crowd sucks the life out of the school but don’t agree with all of what you say. $50k a year for school is a luxury and STA nor any other school owes you or anyone else money to be able to afford that. We struggle to pay tuition and give up a lot. If we were unable to do so I would not expect STA to pay for us. It sounds like STA is not for you and you have made up your mind. Let others make up their own minds. Best of luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be furious if my son was thought of as just a diversity number. If the school and admin have this philosophy then it will naturally trickle down to everyone else.

This is fundamentally the school's problem. You have the super wealthy, mostly conservative, Chevy Chase club members (or similar) and then the token diversity kids. This never works well. My son and friends applied from DCPS with smart, professional parents but not ultra wealthy or waspy. None were admitted despite having top scores and grades. However, they were admitted to GDS, Sidwell and Maret. And female friends to NCS.
The following year it was the same story from our DCPS. None to STA despite being awesome kids. Who was admitted both years? Super pretty boys from one social circle who all attended a few feeder private schools. AND of course the few diversity kids. If the school would admit a few kids "in the middle" economically or a bit more of a social mix they probably wouldn't run into the same problems year after year. Even NCS has figured this out. They have a far more economically diverse student body.

This is very accurate.

What are super pretty boys? Yes, the barbell question is something schools think about when determining how to allocate FA. However, if they give a lot to the middle they run into being accused of helping rich people. It's lose-lose sometimes, running a school and meeting everyone's hopes.

I'm not talking about allocating aid to the middle. I'm talking about admissions. Admitting kids who aren't from the CCC crowd and a select number of privates. STA admits in a barbell fashion. You have the super wealthy CCC crowd and their friends and then the diversity admits to make everyone feel good.
They have little interest in the middle social/economic ground. You know, the children of regular working professionals in DC who are willing to pay the $50K and have smart kids but don't have the right social contacts or cache.
You can't tell me that this isn't the case at STA. Sure, there are some exceptions. It's not to a person. And there are diversity admits who are ultra connected and wealthy. But I now have a child at NCS and the two schools are very different places in this regard./ NCS admits from every social class. You have the elites/ CCC members. But then you just have the regular professional
class nobodies of DC. You have two fed families (gasp!). There is no pronounced barbell effect. And it works much better. The other Big3 have figured this out at well.
Off my soapbox now. But until STA stops admitting in this barbell fashion they're going to have issues of race and class pop up again and again and any amount of diversity programs, etc. won't lead to a healthy dynamic.

We are an STA family, and your perceptions are wildly off. The school does not have a barbell admissions. It's actually about 1/4 CCC & wealthy crowd; 1/2 well-off, dual professional parents without cache or connections; and 1/4 kids who are from households who need financial aid.

The 50% who are ordinary people, often dual feds, doesn't happen until you hit Form A. In Form C and B, the CCC & wealthy crowd dominates because so many of the kids come from Beauvoir. That starts to change STA's middle school. That's equally true for NCS.

There's nothing STA or NCS can do about Beauvoir. Their charter requires them to accept the majority of students from there. Because Beauvoir has less financial resources than STA and NCS, more of their students are full-pay or almost. They like to give small financial aid grants to a large number of families, so not many lower-income families.

Beauvoir, at least recently, is very diverse racially and socio-economically. Not as many ccc families. I’m not anti-ccc per se, and I have friends who are members. However, in the main, it’s not a good crew to have dominate any class. It’s stunningly homogenous—racially, socioeconomically, and politically. A few ccc families, fine (just like any other homogenous group). More than a small number, though, and class cohesion, diversity, and friendliness takes a hit. That’s just reality.