St. Andrews vs. Field
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Anonymous
| We looked at both and my kid ultimately chose Field. We didn't apply to St Andrews because of location BUT when I visited I was very impressed. Most of all because all the kids looked happy (in and out of class) and because I witnessed on my tour multiple occasions of one teenage kid being very nice to another. It seemed like a pretty nice bunch of folks. |
Anonymous
No animal cruelty intended  -- but it might help if you could be specific rather than using labels without any definition or context. And when you say you've "been in both of them" -- what does that mean exactly? Have you taught or had children attend both schools? If not, maybe it would be more helpful to post based on your actual experience with one or the other school, don't you think?
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Anonymous
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I'm not a PP but of course there is a cultural difference between Field and St Andrews. Every school has its own unique culture, and these two are palpably different to the visitor and in speaking to current teachers, families and kids.
My take: St. A's is clearly more structured and traditional in certain ways (dress code, teachers called Mr & Ms, etc), while Field is more laid back and hipsterish. Teachers at Field tend to be much younger, on average. Both schools seem to have happy kids; teachers at St. Andrews seem to get more training in differentiated instruction and experiential learning than teachers at Field, though my sense is that the very small (somewhat smaller than St Andrews') classes at Field naturally lend themselves to some differentiation and Field teachers, while lacking the more formal training that is the norm at St Andrews, are willing to be flexible and creative. St Andrews is a tad more sports oriented; Field is perhaps a bit more arts oriented, but the differences are minor. Neither is very diverse socioeconomically or racially/ethnically; both seem about on a par in terms of college admissions. Both are clearly fine schools; my DD has applied to both and I'd be happy to see her at either one. If she is lucky enough to be admitted to both, it will be her choice. |
Anonymous
This is 9:27, and my first post since then. To be clear, I never suggested that there were no cultural differences between the schools. Indeed, I posted a list of some specific differences earlier. My objection was only to posting of misinformation about either school. But these days I would argue that except for what you call your teachers, the dress code, and the obvious secular v religious affiliation, St. Andrew's in many ways has more in common with both GDS and Maret, on the one hand, and with Field and Burke, on the other, than those two groupings of schools have with one another although some might say they are all progressive to varying degrees while St Andrew's is not. My kids came from an official progressive school before St Andrew's, and transitioned very easily. Sure, it seemed odd at first not to call most teachers by their first names, but the kids quickly adjust and think it seemed odd that they used to do so. Again, I am talking about transitions in middle or high school. I think there are more clear distinctions in the lower elementary school years.. While I am sure somewhere there are still more traditional teaching methodology schools -- somewhere -- I think most of this traditional vs progressive debate these day are distinctions in search of real differences in the teaching in many schools. |
Anonymous
| What are the additional fees at SAES? |
Anonymous
| There is a laptop fee annually for the school issued lap top preloaded with software and some arrangement where you can own it after several years if you want. If your child takes the school bus that is additional - amount depending on one way or round trip - You need to check with the school re cost. Ther is a very small Parent Associatiom Fee. Books are purchased, but their cost Varies by class as some classes can use more software /internet resources. Depending on the sport, the school may provide the uniform free but you may have to purchase special shoes - that varies. Field trips are covered by tuition generally, including occasional trips to things plays at the Roindhouse Theatre or Arena Stage, and certain extracurricular trips that students must apply for with limited slots are also covered, while others still require a fee for a hotel room on a trip depending on specifics. Families in financial aid generally get aid also for any extras - but I am not sure if that is a percentage based total of extras. I will add that in our experience most schools charge for a lot of these extras but vary as to which are free and which are included. At our progressive elementary, books were free but very few were ever used, there were fees to participate in after school sports and other activities (unlike at SAES) and there was no bus option. So you need to look into details at all privates if fees will make or break the decision for you. The largest fee by far is the bus if you want it (but depending on where you live, they can save a lot in gas even at low prices today and in travel time) |
Anonymous
| PP, are there any Arlington or Alexandria families at St Andrews? They seem to offer bus service from everywhere except these towns.... |
Anonymous
| Don't know, call the school - they adjust bus service based on demand periodically. |
Anonymous
| The busstop for Arlington students is in McLean. It is a bit of a hike but the right school DC. |
Anonymous
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Ugh, we're in south arlington, so that's already a hike... particularly with a younger kid in school nearby. I wish DC had a metro circle line!
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