St. Andrew's School in Delaware

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a parent of a current student (and hopefully another two in the future) and St. Andrew’s is still a “must attend” school. They have a new Head of School (their 5th in almost 100 years) who is an alum and understands what makes it special, an incredibly committed and inspiring faculty who are “all-in” and a strong student body filled with mature, polite, hard working kids who are happy being kids. The community is unlike anything I’ve been a part of. A lot of that has to do with their cell phone policy (see last spring's article in The Atlantic) but it’s also one of three coed boarding schools in the country that is 100% residential. Its small size, focus on multi-sport athletes, daily family-style meals, and commitment to financial aid are also in the secret sauce. Definitely worth the ride up.

Thank you! Exactly the information and feedback we were looking for. It will go to the top of the list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this 6 year old thread hoping for more recent reviews of SAS. Any current parents or students who can offer a perspective? We will be considering for a fall ‘25 start. Is it still a ‘must attend’?

Happy to answer questions about SAS! DS graduated in 2023. It was a fantastic experience for him (and for me). Not as pleased with the new head--but simply adored the former head's philosophy/writing/etc. Yes, the school is expensive but they absolutely never nickel-and-dime you for extras. And there is lots of $$$$ for FA. If you want to start a private email, I'd be happy to converse in depth.

[Anonymous]

Can you please share more about their cell phone policy? Additionally, in your opinion, what are some of the things that helped your child to be admitted?

[Anonymous]

Students are expected to keep their cell phones in their rooms except for when they go to sleep and it goes into a box in the dorm common room until morning. It’s been that way since the dawn of cell phones. The great part is that the students really seem to buy into the expectation.

It’s hard to say how to “get into” St. Andrew’s. I think if your child spends time on the website and thinks “those are my people” then that’s a good start. I would set up a preview tour this spring or summer. The admissions team wants to help and every interaction we had with them was positive. I can honestly say I would feel that way even if my child was not accepted.

[Anonymous]

Just made the decision this weekend and accepted for next year. The cell phone policy was a big selling point and the kids looked like kids having fun. The academics seem rigorous but not too insane. I think it will be a good fit for our DC - he is a self starter and would have burned out quickly at the Big3 with DC pressure. Never thought we would consider boarding, but here we are and we are all excited for his experience ahead.

[Anonymous]

How many percent of students go to ivy leuge from St ANdrew school? Delaware

[Anonymous]

How many percent of students go to ivy leuge from St ANdrew school? Delaware

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree. Let's get back on topic. I have heard that while some of the top New England boarding schools are well-known feeder-schools to the Ivy League, Saint Andrew's is a top feeder school to the leading Liberal Arts universities in the US. Universities like Williams, Amherst and Wesleyan, also known as the "little Ivy's". These "little Ivy's" are in-turn feeders to the big Ivy's for those continuing on to for their masters. While Saint Andrew's students that are in the top 15 to 20 percent of their grades do head to the Ivy's directly, the majority matriculate to the top Liberal Arts schools, with many end up in the Ivy's for their masters. It's a slightly different emphasis than many other top boarding schools... and in some ways a more interesting approach.

Per their school profile of College matriculations 2020-2023 (2024 not updated yet):
Davidson, UVA, Princeton, Penn-highest number of students attending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just made the decision this weekend and accepted for next year. The cell phone policy was a big selling point and the kids looked like kids having fun. The academics seem rigorous but not too insane. I think it will be a good fit for our DC - he is a self starter and would have burned out quickly at the Big3 with DC pressure. Never thought we would consider boarding, but here we are and we are all excited for his experience ahead.

Congrats!! We are also looking at St. Andrews but are still a few years away. Our son is a rising 5th grader. We are also in the DC area. I'm curious which other schools you looked at in the area? How early is too early to do a preview tour? I'd appreciate any other advice you can provide on the admission process.

[Anonymous]

Wanted to revive this. We are looking at 9th grade for DS next year. Not 100% sold on the DC options yet. Hadn't thought of boarding but St. Andrews seems like an interesting option -- but in looking at the web site it does seem like it's lacking in diversity (at least in URMs) in both the student body and faculty. Can anyone speak to this? I liked the strong outplacement while still appearing to be a lower pressure environment. Love the no cell phone policy as well.

How is the new head? What kind of student thrives there?

[Anonymous]

Anyone have experience there? Especially re: the cell phone policy. And is it true they have less trouble with drinking/drugs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My spouse went there; loved it. Very good education. Still close with the h.s. friends.

Have to say though that St. A's isn't above having double standards. While my spouse was there, there was one incident where two kids were caught breaking a particular rule. One kid (the poor one) was expelled. The one (with very rich parents) was not.

Akin to what happened at St. Albans when Gore's son was caught smoking weed. Baby Gore was suspended the other students expelled. (At least Al & Tipper didn't like the double standard and sent him to Sidwell after that.)

Al the third was "counseled out" of sta. allowed to resign. I don't think the others were expelled.

Correct, the other students were not expelled, likely because Al III was part of the group.

[Anonymous]

Hi! Current parent here. We love the school. Love it. DC loves it. Everyone loves it. I keep thinking there must be someone who does not love it… but I think the admissions department does a great job selecting kids who just fit the mold.

They keep the kids really engaged and active in sports, music, theater and whatever they are interested in. Good communication from the advisors and we know what is going on. Lots of opportunities to visit. We decided to send our DC there bc it was better than spending every waking hour driving around the DMV to games, activities, and friends. Everything is now in one place. I would say that it is not a super intense, serious athletic school outside of crew. This is fine for our DC… But if you are looking for travel teams, D1 scholarships for your sporty kid… it is probably not the right place.

They produce smart, nice people who care about each other and the world. Go for a tour in the Fall and be mesmerized by the location, pond, leaves, happy kids, etc. Magical!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wanted to revive this. We are looking at 9th grade for DS next year. Not 100% sold on the DC options yet. Hadn't thought of boarding but St. Andrews seems like an interesting option -- but in looking at the web site it does seem like it's lacking in diversity (at least in URMs) in both the student body and faculty. Can anyone speak to this? I liked the strong outplacement while still appearing to be a lower pressure environment. Love the no cell phone policy as well.

How is the new head? What kind of student thrives there?

We did not know the old head of school, so nothing to compare it to. The current Head of School is wonderful, caring, and interested in our DC. From the parent’s perspective, she is accessible, at all the games, and really has set a great tone for the vision of the school. I’m not sure what the standard is, but she seems great! Kids respect her. We have not had any concerns over the years that would require direct resolution from her so to us she has been A+.

From our DC and his friends… I think the kid that thrives there is someone who is naturally a self starter, organized, and an advocate for themselves. Someone who is confident in their skills and knows how to express them. A joiner. They are in charge of their future from day 1. They have to ask for a schedule change, they have to pick the teams they try out for, they have to advocate for what they want. My DC thrives in the responsibility they are given as leaders for the younger kids and takes it seriously. It is hard to tell the URM make up of the student body from our parent visit days. Ask specifically about this when you talk to the admissions office. I’m sure they will tell you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have experience there? Especially re: the cell phone policy. And is it true they have less trouble with drinking/drugs?

Hi - current parent again. Cell phone policy was 100% harder for us than for DC. It is amazing. It encourages real relationships and was one of the key reasons we decided to send DC there. When we toured Potomac, Landon, etc it was like watching zombies walk around. Then you go to St Andrews and it is like 1980s high school with kids playing on the lawn, someone playing a guitar, kids swimming. I missed the constant texts, etc. etc. Made me rethink my cell phone use TBH.

We haven’t heard anything about drinking or drugs. Nothing. Which now that I think about it… is kind of strange. I’ll ask him about it. They keep the kids so busy that I can’t imagine when they would have time.

Hope that helps! It is a great place.