St. Albans acceptance rate = 25 to 30%?

[Anonymous]

And the public schools are worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think St Albans prioritizes boys from private elementary schools - I think STA is looking for boys who will stay through graduation and families who are committed to private school early demonstrate they value paying all that money for the private school experience. Further, STA knows the curriculum, teachers and culture of these places. Wouldn’t you listen to the opinion of someone you know first-hand than someone you don’t know? Same with coming from Beauvoir. They really know those kids because they came from the Close.

But don’t take that to mean that these boys are not deserving. They often are great students who achieve a lot of success at STA. Another poster mentioned that they like certain public schools more than others and this is in the same vein. They have seen students succeed and add to the community from these schools so they too seem like a known quantities.

Bottom line, there are many more qualified boys than slots. There are deserving boys who are not offered admission, certainly. I am glad there are so many private schools in the area and hopefully one of those other phenomenal choices worked out for your kid.

We of course they prioritize boys from private schools, esp BVR. That’s called a hook. Schools those kids fit the mold because the ones who don’t have already been counseled out (lovely phrase) and the parents have money and one or two of the other hooks. That’s what they build a class on. That’s the business model.

Get you kid into a k-8 early when merit does not count and they’ll get that private school bump. A k-12 (and BVR+NCS/STA counts) is even better; they can coast through US.

STA would usu admit a small number of DCPS students from Eaton ES and Deal Jr High back in the day for Forms I-IV. But that was 30 years ago in the 90s. Form III admits were around seven or eight students total from a mix of public and private schools.

That is still the case. 14 years ago and 4 years ago

What has changed from 30 years ago is Tuition and the declining ability of MC parents to afford 4- 9 years of Private MS/ HS that enables that move from DC Public.

30 years ago STA was about 20K or so a year, now its above 50K a year.

At the same time, Ward 1 home prices are now above 1 million so that requires join income of about 250K plus- just the group that WON"T be Getting FA

Hence, the Big Privates increasingly are taking solely the kids of Big Law and the Suburban rich about the smart, but MC DC kids

That's too bad. STA was definitely more middle class overall back then, and then as now, it stood at the top in terms of reputation. All it really took for a family to fit in at STA and similar schools was season tickets to the NSO, and anyone could afford those. Homes and rowhouses on the smaller side in Cleveland Park, AU Park, etc., still sold for under 100k in the late 70s. STA tuition was just above 15K/year in the 90s. Lots of students would take WMATA busses to and from STA, NCS, Sidwell, and all the other independent schools.

[Anonymous]

Your son still has to be really bright to get in, but it helps if he is really bright and you can afford 50K a year

The subset of parents who can meet that standard for 2-3 kids is very small

True, STA gives great FA but for the lower UMC with bright kids, it is increasingly SWW, Wilson or MOVE to NOVA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your son still has to be really bright to get in, but it helps if he is really bright and you can afford 50K a year

The subset of parents who can meet that standard for 2-3 kids is very small

True, STA gives great FA but for the lower UMC with bright kids, it is increasingly SWW, Wilson or MOVE to NOVA

yes, we are one of those: very bright son, UMC professionals with HHI under $500K and we are exceedingly rare at the school. We often feel like we're in our own demographic category which is ridiculous, considering our income.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son still has to be really bright to get in, but it helps if he is really bright and you can afford 50K a year

The subset of parents who can meet that standard for 2-3 kids is very small

True, STA gives great FA but for the lower UMC with bright kids, it is increasingly SWW, Wilson or MOVE to NOVA

yes, we are one of those: very bright son, UMC professionals with HHI under $500K and we are exceedingly rare at the school. We often feel like we're in our own demographic category which is ridiculous, considering our income.

The Centennial Campaign was supposed to address rising tuition costs / fees. Hopefully STA will take the lead on reducing tuition, and that other DC schools will follow. Just over 20 years ago private schools were affordable for most and financial aid helped the remainder.

(DC is probably a wealthier city today than it was back in the 80s and 90s, and tuition may reflect that. It was still culturally southern, very middle class overall but with some wealthy enclaves, and of course there was the political class. It also had the unfortunate moniker mudrer capital.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son still has to be really bright to get in, but it helps if he is really bright and you can afford 50K a year

The subset of parents who can meet that standard for 2-3 kids is very small

True, STA gives great FA but for the lower UMC with bright kids, it is increasingly SWW, Wilson or MOVE to NOVA

yes, we are one of those: very bright son, UMC professionals with HHI under $500K and we are exceedingly rare at the school. We often feel like we're in our own demographic category which is ridiculous, considering our income.

The Centennial Campaign was supposed to address rising tuition costs / fees. Hopefully STA will take the lead on reducing tuition, and that other DC schools will follow. Just over 20 years ago private schools were affordable for most and financial aid helped the remainder.

(DC is probably a wealthier city today than it was back in the 80s and 90s, and tuition may reflect that. It was still culturally southern, very middle class overall but with some wealthy enclaves, and of course there was the political class. It also had the unfortunate moniker mudrer capital.)

Highly unlikely because too many families like the high tuition as a de facto barrier to entry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son still has to be really bright to get in, but it helps if he is really bright and you can afford 50K a year

The subset of parents who can meet that standard for 2-3 kids is very small

True, STA gives great FA but for the lower UMC with bright kids, it is increasingly SWW, Wilson or MOVE to NOVA

yes, we are one of those: very bright son, UMC professionals with HHI under $500K and we are exceedingly rare at the school. We often feel like we're in our own demographic category which is ridiculous, considering our income.

The Centennial Campaign was supposed to address rising tuition costs / fees. Hopefully STA will take the lead on reducing tuition, and that other DC schools will follow. Just over 20 years ago private schools were affordable for most and financial aid helped the remainder.

(DC is probably a wealthier city today than it was back in the 80s and 90s, and tuition may reflect that. It was still culturally southern, very middle class overall but with some wealthy enclaves, and of course there was the political class. It also had the unfortunate moniker mudrer capital.)

Highly unlikely because too many families like the high tuition as a de facto barrier to entry.

There’s a little secret the big 3 schools don’t admit and that is that financial aid IS included into the budget and costs and the tuition therefore is paying for financial aid. Yes I have paid attention closely to the state of the school presentations and if you look closely you can see it clearly. I support financial aid but I think it should be paid for separately with different funds and not part of tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son still has to be really bright to get in, but it helps if he is really bright and you can afford 50K a year

The subset of parents who can meet that standard for 2-3 kids is very small

True, STA gives great FA but for the lower UMC with bright kids, it is increasingly SWW, Wilson or MOVE to NOVA

yes, we are one of those: very bright son, UMC professionals with HHI under $500K and we are exceedingly rare at the school. We often feel like we're in our own demographic category which is ridiculous, considering our income.

The Centennial Campaign was supposed to address rising tuition costs / fees. Hopefully STA will take the lead on reducing tuition, and that other DC schools will follow. Just over 20 years ago private schools were affordable for most and financial aid helped the remainder.

(DC is probably a wealthier city today than it was back in the 80s and 90s, and tuition may reflect that. It was still culturally southern, very middle class overall but with some wealthy enclaves, and of course there was the political class. It also had the unfortunate moniker mudrer capital.)

Highly unlikely because too many families like the high tuition as a de facto barrier to entry.

There’s a little secret the big 3 schools don’t admit and that is that financial aid IS included into the budget and costs and the tuition therefore is paying for financial aid. Yes I have paid attention closely to the state of the school presentations and if you look closely you can see it clearly. I support financial aid but I think it should be paid for separately with different funds and not part of tuition.

This is true. The financial aid costs are folded into the total expenses. There are enough big donors that they should be able to make them separate than the actual coats of attending the school. I would not care if the tuition was not so high but unfortunately it is so high at all of the big 3 schools and middle class families are really feeling the squeeze. They make too much for aid but $250-$300k in dc is not much. After taxes etc it doesn’t leave much to pay $55k in tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son still has to be really bright to get in, but it helps if he is really bright and you can afford 50K a year

The subset of parents who can meet that standard for 2-3 kids is very small

True, STA gives great FA but for the lower UMC with bright kids, it is increasingly SWW, Wilson or MOVE to NOVA

yes, we are one of those: very bright son, UMC professionals with HHI under $500K and we are exceedingly rare at the school. We often feel like we're in our own demographic category which is ridiculous, considering our income.

The Centennial Campaign was supposed to address rising tuition costs / fees. Hopefully STA will take the lead on reducing tuition, and that other DC schools will follow. Just over 20 years ago private schools were affordable for most and financial aid helped the remainder.

(DC is probably a wealthier city today than it was back in the 80s and 90s, and tuition may reflect that. It was still culturally southern, very middle class overall but with some wealthy enclaves, and of course there was the political class. It also had the unfortunate moniker mudrer capital.)

Highly unlikely because too many families like the high tuition as a de facto barrier to entry.

There’s a little secret the big 3 schools don’t admit and that is that financial aid IS included into the budget and costs and the tuition therefore is paying for financial aid. Yes I have paid attention closely to the state of the school presentations and if you look closely you can see it clearly. I support financial aid but I think it should be paid for separately with different funds and not part of tuition.

I really hope this is not true. We are full pay and donate yearly, but will re-evaluate in a couple years because of the increase in tuition. It’s worth it now, but not sure how much longer. We would not quality for financial aid. Like PP, we are in similar demographic category.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son still has to be really bright to get in, but it helps if he is really bright and you can afford 50K a year

The subset of parents who can meet that standard for 2-3 kids is very small

True, STA gives great FA but for the lower UMC with bright kids, it is increasingly SWW, Wilson or MOVE to NOVA

yes, we are one of those: very bright son, UMC professionals with HHI under $500K and we are exceedingly rare at the school. We often feel like we're in our own demographic category which is ridiculous, considering our income.

The Centennial Campaign was supposed to address rising tuition costs / fees. Hopefully STA will take the lead on reducing tuition, and that other DC schools will follow. Just over 20 years ago private schools were affordable for most and financial aid helped the remainder.

(DC is probably a wealthier city today than it was back in the 80s and 90s, and tuition may reflect that. It was still culturally southern, very middle class overall but with some wealthy enclaves, and of course there was the political class. It also had the unfortunate moniker mudrer capital.)

Highly unlikely because too many families like the high tuition as a de facto barrier to entry.

There’s a little secret the big 3 schools don’t admit and that is that financial aid IS included into the budget and costs and the tuition therefore is paying for financial aid. Yes I have paid attention closely to the state of the school presentations and if you look closely you can see it clearly. I support financial aid but I think it should be paid for separately with different funds and not part of tuition.

I really hope this is not true. We are full pay and donate yearly, but will re-evaluate in a couple years because of the increase in tuition. It’s worth it now, but not sure how much longer. We would not quality for financial aid. Like PP, we are in similar demographic category.

We have friends who were just accepted and applied for (and received) aid for one kid, $450K+ income, rental property, country club membership, etc. It was surprising to say the least. I personally know their HHI and it's also public information. They have a LOT of money saved (short term and long term) so STA is clearly
not requiring them to use their money to fund the tuition.
As I scrape together tuition I find this disconcerting.
I simply encourage you (and us) and others like us to apply. I actually feel very foolish for not applying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son still has to be really bright to get in, but it helps if he is really bright and you can afford 50K a year

The subset of parents who can meet that standard for 2-3 kids is very small

True, STA gives great FA but for the lower UMC with bright kids, it is increasingly SWW, Wilson or MOVE to NOVA

yes, we are one of those: very bright son, UMC professionals with HHI under $500K and we are exceedingly rare at the school. We often feel like we're in our own demographic category which is ridiculous, considering our income.

The Centennial Campaign was supposed to address rising tuition costs / fees. Hopefully STA will take the lead on reducing tuition, and that other DC schools will follow. Just over 20 years ago private schools were affordable for most and financial aid helped the remainder.

(DC is probably a wealthier city today than it was back in the 80s and 90s, and tuition may reflect that. It was still culturally southern, very middle class overall but with some wealthy enclaves, and of course there was the political class. It also had the unfortunate moniker mudrer capital.)

Highly unlikely because too many families like the high tuition as a de facto barrier to entry.

There’s a little secret the big 3 schools don’t admit and that is that financial aid IS included into the budget and costs and the tuition therefore is paying for financial aid. Yes I have paid attention closely to the state of the school presentations and if you look closely you can see it clearly. I support financial aid but I think it should be paid for separately with different funds and not part of tuition.

I really hope this is not true. We are full pay and donate yearly, but will re-evaluate in a couple years because of the increase in tuition. It’s worth it now, but not sure how much longer. We would not quality for financial aid. Like PP, we are in similar demographic category.

We have friends who were just accepted and applied for (and received) aid for one kid, $450K+ income, rental property, country club membership, etc. It was surprising to say the least. I personally know their HHI and it's also public information. They have a LOT of money saved (short term and long term) so STA is clearly
not requiring them to use their money to fund the tuition.
As I scrape together tuition I find this disconcerting.
I simply encourage you (and us) and others like us to apply. I actually feel very foolish for not applying.

We did apply and education consultant fully expected us to get in. Had nothing lower than an A, sports, and stem activities and were not accepted or even wait-listed. Don’t waste your time or effort or your child’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son still has to be really bright to get in, but it helps if he is really bright and you can afford 50K a year

The subset of parents who can meet that standard for 2-3 kids is very small

True, STA gives great FA but for the lower UMC with bright kids, it is increasingly SWW, Wilson or MOVE to NOVA

yes, we are one of those: very bright son, UMC professionals with HHI under $500K and we are exceedingly rare at the school. We often feel like we're in our own demographic category which is ridiculous, considering our income.

The Centennial Campaign was supposed to address rising tuition costs / fees. Hopefully STA will take the lead on reducing tuition, and that other DC schools will follow. Just over 20 years ago private schools were affordable for most and financial aid helped the remainder.

(DC is probably a wealthier city today than it was back in the 80s and 90s, and tuition may reflect that. It was still culturally southern, very middle class overall but with some wealthy enclaves, and of course there was the political class. It also had the unfortunate moniker mudrer capital.)

Highly unlikely because too many families like the high tuition as a de facto barrier to entry.

There’s a little secret the big 3 schools don’t admit and that is that financial aid IS included into the budget and costs and the tuition therefore is paying for financial aid. Yes I have paid attention closely to the state of the school presentations and if you look closely you can see it clearly. I support financial aid but I think it should be paid for separately with different funds and not part of tuition.

I really hope this is not true. We are full pay and donate yearly, but will re-evaluate in a couple years because of the increase in tuition. It’s worth it now, but not sure how much longer. We would not quality for financial aid. Like PP, we are in similar demographic category.

We have friends who were just accepted and applied for (and received) aid for one kid, $450K+ income, rental property, country club membership, etc. It was surprising to say the least. I personally know their HHI and it's also public information. They have a LOT of money saved (short term and long term) so STA is clearly
not requiring them to use their money to fund the tuition.
As I scrape together tuition I find this disconcerting.
I simply encourage you (and us) and others like us to apply. I actually feel very foolish for not applying.

We did apply and education consultant fully expected us to get in. Had nothing lower than an A, sports, and stem activities and were not accepted or even wait-listed. Don’t waste your time or effort or your child’s.

she meant apply for financial aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son still has to be really bright to get in, but it helps if he is really bright and you can afford 50K a year

The subset of parents who can meet that standard for 2-3 kids is very small

True, STA gives great FA but for the lower UMC with bright kids, it is increasingly SWW, Wilson or MOVE to NOVA

yes, we are one of those: very bright son, UMC professionals with HHI under $500K and we are exceedingly rare at the school. We often feel like we're in our own demographic category which is ridiculous, considering our income.

The Centennial Campaign was supposed to address rising tuition costs / fees. Hopefully STA will take the lead on reducing tuition, and that other DC schools will follow. Just over 20 years ago private schools were affordable for most and financial aid helped the remainder.

(DC is probably a wealthier city today than it was back in the 80s and 90s, and tuition may reflect that. It was still culturally southern, very middle class overall but with some wealthy enclaves, and of course there was the political class. It also had the unfortunate moniker mudrer capital.)

Highly unlikely because too many families like the high tuition as a de facto barrier to entry.

There’s a little secret the big 3 schools don’t admit and that is that financial aid IS included into the budget and costs and the tuition therefore is paying for financial aid. Yes I have paid attention closely to the state of the school presentations and if you look closely you can see it clearly. I support financial aid but I think it should be paid for separately with different funds and not part of tuition.

I really hope this is not true. We are full pay and donate yearly, but will re-evaluate in a couple years because of the increase in tuition. It’s worth it now, but not sure how much longer. We would not quality for financial aid. Like PP, we are in similar demographic category.

We have friends who were just accepted and applied for (and received) aid for one kid, $450K+ income, rental property, country club membership, etc. It was surprising to say the least. I personally know their HHI and it's also public information. They have a LOT of money saved (short term and long term) so STA is clearly
not requiring them to use their money to fund the tuition.
As I scrape together tuition I find this disconcerting.
I simply encourage you (and us) and others like us to apply. I actually feel very foolish for not applying.

We did apply and education consultant fully expected us to get in. Had nothing lower than an A, sports, and stem activities and were not accepted or even wait-listed. Don’t waste your time or effort or your child’s.

she meant apply for financial aid.

Admissions there is very tight for Upper School. As in ten or so boys. The past two years, in particular 2021, they had record numbers of applicants.
I'm sure they prefer full pay families but even then it is likely not going to happen unless you have a hook.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son still has to be really bright to get in, but it helps if he is really bright and you can afford 50K a year

The subset of parents who can meet that standard for 2-3 kids is very small

True, STA gives great FA but for the lower UMC with bright kids, it is increasingly SWW, Wilson or MOVE to NOVA

yes, we are one of those: very bright son, UMC professionals with HHI under $500K and we are exceedingly rare at the school. We often feel like we're in our own demographic category which is ridiculous, considering our income.

The Centennial Campaign was supposed to address rising tuition costs / fees. Hopefully STA will take the lead on reducing tuition, and that other DC schools will follow. Just over 20 years ago private schools were affordable for most and financial aid helped the remainder.

(DC is probably a wealthier city today than it was back in the 80s and 90s, and tuition may reflect that. It was still culturally southern, very middle class overall but with some wealthy enclaves, and of course there was the political class. It also had the unfortunate moniker mudrer capital.)

Highly unlikely because too many families like the high tuition as a de facto barrier to entry.

There’s a little secret the big 3 schools don’t admit and that is that financial aid IS included into the budget and costs and the tuition therefore is paying for financial aid. Yes I have paid attention closely to the state of the school presentations and if you look closely you can see it clearly. I support financial aid but I think it should be paid for separately with different funds and not part of tuition.

I really hope this is not true. We are full pay and donate yearly, but will re-evaluate in a couple years because of the increase in tuition. It’s worth it now, but not sure how much longer. We would not quality for financial aid. Like PP, we are in similar demographic category.

We have friends who were just accepted and applied for (and received) aid for one kid, $450K+ income, rental property, country club membership, etc. It was surprising to say the least. I personally know their HHI and it's also public information. They have a LOT of money saved (short term and long term) so STA is clearly
not requiring them to use their money to fund the tuition.
As I scrape together tuition I find this disconcerting.
I simply encourage you (and us) and others like us to apply. I actually feel very foolish for not applying.

We did apply and education consultant fully expected us to get in. Had nothing lower than an A, sports, and stem activities and were not accepted or even wait-listed. Don’t waste your time or effort or your child’s.

she meant apply for financial aid.

Admissions there is very tight for Upper School. As in ten or so boys. The past two years, in particular 2021, they had record numbers of applicants.
I'm sure they prefer full pay families but even then it is likely not going to happen unless you have a hook.

It’s not 10 it’s closer to 20-25 in recent years admitted for 9th. Why do you always reply with the same sentence to every post your facts are wrong! We were in one of the recent classes and it was 22 boys admitted and year before was 25.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son still has to be really bright to get in, but it helps if he is really bright and you can afford 50K a year

The subset of parents who can meet that standard for 2-3 kids is very small

True, STA gives great FA but for the lower UMC with bright kids, it is increasingly SWW, Wilson or MOVE to NOVA

yes, we are one of those: very bright son, UMC professionals with HHI under $500K and we are exceedingly rare at the school. We often feel like we're in our own demographic category which is ridiculous, considering our income.

The Centennial Campaign was supposed to address rising tuition costs / fees. Hopefully STA will take the lead on reducing tuition, and that other DC schools will follow. Just over 20 years ago private schools were affordable for most and financial aid helped the remainder.

(DC is probably a wealthier city today than it was back in the 80s and 90s, and tuition may reflect that. It was still culturally southern, very middle class overall but with some wealthy enclaves, and of course there was the political class. It also had the unfortunate moniker mudrer capital.)

Highly unlikely because too many families like the high tuition as a de facto barrier to entry.

There’s a little secret the big 3 schools don’t admit and that is that financial aid IS included into the budget and costs and the tuition therefore is paying for financial aid. Yes I have paid attention closely to the state of the school presentations and if you look closely you can see it clearly. I support financial aid but I think it should be paid for separately with different funds and not part of tuition.

I really hope this is not true. We are full pay and donate yearly, but will re-evaluate in a couple years because of the increase in tuition. It’s worth it now, but not sure how much longer. We would not quality for financial aid. Like PP, we are in similar demographic category.

We have friends who were just accepted and applied for (and received) aid for one kid, $450K+ income, rental property, country club membership, etc. It was surprising to say the least. I personally know their HHI and it's also public information. They have a LOT of money saved (short term and long term) so STA is clearly
not requiring them to use their money to fund the tuition.
As I scrape together tuition I find this disconcerting.
I simply encourage you (and us) and others like us to apply. I actually feel very foolish for not applying.

How in the world would you know how much money they may or may not have saved?! Some of the people that post on here are real stalkers it’s alarming to me.