SSSAS - what is the culture like currently?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If SSSAS has an extremely active alumni community why are they still short millions for an already built science center? Alumni should value their school more and give generously. They don’t, it’s just a fact.

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Regarding BI vs SSSAS, if 35K extra a year is going to mean the difference between taking out loans for college or not, and you don’t qualify for aid, I’d say yeah consider BI. But that really doesn’t make BI “better” and in fact
I think it’s not hard to argue that SSSAS is obviously “better” in terms of facilities and opportunities.

I know BI is a natural comparison to SSSAS because they’re both in Alexandria, but many of the families at the lower school didn’t necessarily start in Alexandria (and for obvious reasons didn’t look at BI, which starts in 9th). They looked at least casually at lots of schools in the DC area (in the 50K range that independent schools here cost) because they were willing to move to be near a school community. There are also a number of families who came from (to name a few I know personally) Beauvoir and NCS/STA, Potomac, St Pats, and Langley. So despite those who would argue otherwise, the natural comparison for most families is other independent schools in DC, not Alexandria Catholic or public schools.

It goes without saying that the independent schools I listed above (along with others like Sidwell) are fabulous schools. Some are probably more challenging than St Stephen’s because they primarily have highly intelligent and hard working kids whereas St Stephen’s has a real variety of students with different interests and abilities. Some have better facilities (like Potomac!) because they have more families happy to donate millions. Some (like the Cathedral schools) might be better for those who want to live in the district.

But what St Stephen’s has, I think, is a unique blend of rigor (not the most rigorous for all kids all the time but certainly enough for top notch performers), support (why it’s often identified as not being a pressure cooker), community (the size and scale of Alexandria City contributes to this I think), athletics (all kids participate and the school is small enough that all kids CAN participate, even if that means they aren’t the “best” at every sport), and tradition and history (an extremely active alumni community, lots of enduring traditions that builds bonds etc).

So if rigor were my sole criterion perhaps we would have sent our kids to Sidwell or a Cathedral school; if sports were all I cared about maybe Gonzaga or Visi would be a top pick; if community were the only thing I needed I’d probably be happy with a solid Montessori school for the lower grades and a Falls Church City or Bethesda public high school. If prestige were all I cared about frankly I should have moved to NYC, because no one outside DC cares about DC schools (yes, even Sidwell).

But St Stephen’s is like the Goldilocks of DC schools. Enough rigor if my kid is ready for it; enough support if she needs it. Athletics for when my kid is in a sporty stage but a solid arts scene for when he suddenly wants to do musical theater. Community for me and my partner; tradition for when the kids are grown.

Plus, Alexandria is an awesome place to live. And perhaps the parent community at St Stephen’s is not as down to earth as public school parents (or so I hear) but they are SO much more down to earth than many of the aforementioned independent schools in DC (and I speak from experience).

Anyway we all just want the right fit for our kid and our family, and that means we’ll all want different things. But my family, and those of many of my friends, are extremely happy with the mix of rigor, support, community etc that St Stephen’s provides.

+1000. BI is not comparable on any level.

+1

BI is not nearly as exclusive or desired among the country club set.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to figure out why this is 300+ posts? Would other k-12s garner such wildly different and polarized opinions? What is it about this school?

Do a search on NCS (not even just the current thread) or Flint Hill. There are many love/hate schools discussed at GREAT length on DCUM.

The schools are not fungible. We visited both and have solid connections at the Close. My children were literally turned off by both NCS and St. Albans. I wanted them to like the schools. I like them. They have well known rigor and amazing alums etc. My son did his shadow day and came out and said he would prefer to never go back. First words out of his mouth. I asked if something happened and he said no but he didn’t like how stifling it felt and the campus felt claustrophobic to him and the boys “vibe” was not the kind he liked. It was visceral and he is a mild mannered kid so I have to respect it. And my daughter’s feeling about NCS was that it was bland and joyless. she was strongly opposed to a girls school as well so we just didn’t press the issues with either and they are happily at other schools. But to think that NCS or ST Albans could be swapped for SSSAS shows a total lack of familiarity with the culture at all of the schools. Our impression of SSSAS was positive. Happy kids, engaged staff, lots of traditions, and it felt like a bigger place. It felt more like Bullis, Sidwell, Potomac. Nothing like NCS or St. Albans.

Ok, well then for the same price and similar culture but with vastly superior college outcomes I’d take Sidwell or Potomac.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to figure out why this is 300+ posts? Would other k-12s garner such wildly different and polarized opinions? What is it about this school?

Do a search on NCS (not even just the current thread) or Flint Hill. There are many love/hate schools discussed at GREAT length on DCUM.

The schools are not fungible. We visited both and have solid connections at the Close. My children were literally turned off by both NCS and St. Albans. I wanted them to like the schools. I like them. They have well known rigor and amazing alums etc. My son did his shadow day and came out and said he would prefer to never go back. First words out of his mouth. I asked if something happened and he said no but he didn’t like how stifling it felt and the campus felt claustrophobic to him and the boys “vibe” was not the kind he liked. It was visceral and he is a mild mannered kid so I have to respect it. And my daughter’s feeling about NCS was that it was bland and joyless. she was strongly opposed to a girls school as well so we just didn’t press the issues with either and they are happily at other schools. But to think that NCS or ST Albans could be swapped for SSSAS shows a total lack of familiarity with the culture at all of the schools. Our impression of SSSAS was positive. Happy kids, engaged staff, lots of traditions, and it felt like a bigger place. It felt more like Bullis, Sidwell, Potomac. Nothing like NCS or St. Albans.

Ok, well then for the same price and similar culture but with vastly superior college outcomes I’d take Sidwell or Potomac.

But would they take you. Both get way more qualified applicants than they have spots so only the truly clueless act like getting into either of these schools is just an application away. But thanks for playing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to figure out why this is 300+ posts? Would other k-12s garner such wildly different and polarized opinions? What is it about this school?

Do a search on NCS (not even just the current thread) or Flint Hill. There are many love/hate schools discussed at GREAT length on DCUM.

The schools are not fungible. We visited both and have solid connections at the Close. My children were literally turned off by both NCS and St. Albans. I wanted them to like the schools. I like them. They have well known rigor and amazing alums etc. My son did his shadow day and came out and said he would prefer to never go back. First words out of his mouth. I asked if something happened and he said no but he didn’t like how stifling it felt and the campus felt claustrophobic to him and the boys “vibe” was not the kind he liked. It was visceral and he is a mild mannered kid so I have to respect it. And my daughter’s feeling about NCS was that it was bland and joyless. she was strongly opposed to a girls school as well so we just didn’t press the issues with either and they are happily at other schools. But to think that NCS or ST Albans could be swapped for SSSAS shows a total lack of familiarity with the culture at all of the schools. Our impression of SSSAS was positive. Happy kids, engaged staff, lots of traditions, and it felt like a bigger place. It felt more like Bullis, Sidwell, Potomac. Nothing like NCS or St. Albans.

Ok, well then for the same price and similar culture but with vastly superior college outcomes I’d take Sidwell or Potomac.

But would they take you. Both get way more qualified applicants than they have spots so only the truly clueless act like getting into either of these schools is just an application away. But thanks for playing.

No the truly clueless think that SSSAS is on the same level as those DC and MD schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to figure out why this is 300+ posts? Would other k-12s garner such wildly different and polarized opinions? What is it about this school?

Do a search on NCS (not even just the current thread) or Flint Hill. There are many love/hate schools discussed at GREAT length on DCUM.

The schools are not fungible. We visited both and have solid connections at the Close. My children were literally turned off by both NCS and St. Albans. I wanted them to like the schools. I like them. They have well known rigor and amazing alums etc. My son did his shadow day and came out and said he would prefer to never go back. First words out of his mouth. I asked if something happened and he said no but he didn’t like how stifling it felt and the campus felt claustrophobic to him and the boys “vibe” was not the kind he liked. It was visceral and he is a mild mannered kid so I have to respect it. And my daughter’s feeling about NCS was that it was bland and joyless. she was strongly opposed to a girls school as well so we just didn’t press the issues with either and they are happily at other schools. But to think that NCS or ST Albans could be swapped for SSSAS shows a total lack of familiarity with the culture at all of the schools. Our impression of SSSAS was positive. Happy kids, engaged staff, lots of traditions, and it felt like a bigger place. It felt more like Bullis, Sidwell, Potomac. Nothing like NCS or St. Albans.

Ok, well then for the same price and similar culture but with vastly superior college outcomes I’d take Sidwell or Potomac.

But would they take you. Both get way more qualified applicants than they have spots so only the truly clueless act like getting into either of these schools is just an application away. But thanks for playing.

No the truly clueless think that SSSAS is on the same level as those DC and MD schools.

Not clueless. We live in Virginia. Maryland is not realistic from where will live. Potomac’s acceptance rate is super low and hard to figure out. Sports help but aren’t a lock but neither are top grades or other extracurriculars. But it is not a shoe-in for anyone. Same is try for Sidwell but even more so. It’s like college. Meeting the requirements on paper doesn’t get you in. And BTW, I know people rejected at SSSAS, Flint Hill, Bullis, and all the rest so even the schools you look down on are getting more applicants than they have spots for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to figure out why this is 300+ posts? Would other k-12s garner such wildly different and polarized opinions? What is it about this school?

Do a search on NCS (not even just the current thread) or Flint Hill. There are many love/hate schools discussed at GREAT length on DCUM.

The schools are not fungible. We visited both and have solid connections at the Close. My children were literally turned off by both NCS and St. Albans. I wanted them to like the schools. I like them. They have well known rigor and amazing alums etc. My son did his shadow day and came out and said he would prefer to never go back. First words out of his mouth. I asked if something happened and he said no but he didn’t like how stifling it felt and the campus felt claustrophobic to him and the boys “vibe” was not the kind he liked. It was visceral and he is a mild mannered kid so I have to respect it. And my daughter’s feeling about NCS was that it was bland and joyless. she was strongly opposed to a girls school as well so we just didn’t press the issues with either and they are happily at other schools. But to think that NCS or ST Albans could be swapped for SSSAS shows a total lack of familiarity with the culture at all of the schools. Our impression of SSSAS was positive. Happy kids, engaged staff, lots of traditions, and it felt like a bigger place. It felt more like Bullis, Sidwell, Potomac. Nothing like NCS or St. Albans.

Ok, well then for the same price and similar culture but with vastly superior college outcomes I’d take Sidwell or Potomac.

But would they take you. Both get way more qualified applicants than they have spots so only the truly clueless act like getting into either of these schools is just an application away. But thanks for playing.

No the truly clueless think that SSSAS is on the same level as those DC and MD schools.

No, it’s not that we’re clueless; it’s that WE DON’T CARE.

I don’t care what “level” St Stephen’s is on. I don’t care what other parents at other DC schools think. I don’t care about some absurd “ranking” of private schools.

Many families are very happy with SSSAS, clearly. (The person saying they didn’t raise enough for the upper school project is just wrong, they fundraised more than expected and came in under budget.)

It’s like this thread is a mix of St Stephen’s parents saying they are happy with the school and other posters chiming in to say they’re wrong, or delusional. But clearly the school is doing something right. And if it’s not for you or your family, that’s truly ok. It’s not for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to figure out why this is 300+ posts? Would other k-12s garner such wildly different and polarized opinions? What is it about this school?

Do a search on NCS (not even just the current thread) or Flint Hill. There are many love/hate schools discussed at GREAT length on DCUM.

The schools are not fungible. We visited both and have solid connections at the Close. My children were literally turned off by both NCS and St. Albans. I wanted them to like the schools. I like them. They have well known rigor and amazing alums etc. My son did his shadow day and came out and said he would prefer to never go back. First words out of his mouth. I asked if something happened and he said no but he didn’t like how stifling it felt and the campus felt claustrophobic to him and the boys “vibe” was not the kind he liked. It was visceral and he is a mild mannered kid so I have to respect it. And my daughter’s feeling about NCS was that it was bland and joyless. she was strongly opposed to a girls school as well so we just didn’t press the issues with either and they are happily at other schools. But to think that NCS or ST Albans could be swapped for SSSAS shows a total lack of familiarity with the culture at all of the schools. Our impression of SSSAS was positive. Happy kids, engaged staff, lots of traditions, and it felt like a bigger place. It felt more like Bullis, Sidwell, Potomac. Nothing like NCS or St. Albans.

Ok, well then for the same price and similar culture but with vastly superior college outcomes I’d take Sidwell or Potomac.

But would they take you. Both get way more qualified applicants than they have spots so only the truly clueless act like getting into either of these schools is just an application away. But thanks for playing.

No the truly clueless think that SSSAS is on the same level as those DC and MD schools.

No, it’s not that we’re clueless; it’s that WE DON’T CARE.

I don’t care what “level” St Stephen’s is on. I don’t care what other parents at other DC schools think. I don’t care about some absurd “ranking” of private schools.

Many families are very happy with SSSAS, clearly. (The person saying they didn’t raise enough for the upper school project is just wrong, they fundraised more than expected and came in under budget.)

It’s like this thread is a mix of St Stephen’s parents saying they are happy with the school and other posters chiming in to say they’re wrong, or delusional. But clearly the school is doing something right. And if it’s not for you or your family, that’s truly ok. It’s not for everyone.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to figure out why this is 300+ posts? Would other k-12s garner such wildly different and polarized opinions? What is it about this school?

Do a search on NCS (not even just the current thread) or Flint Hill. There are many love/hate schools discussed at GREAT length on DCUM.

The schools are not fungible. We visited both and have solid connections at the Close. My children were literally turned off by both NCS and St. Albans. I wanted them to like the schools. I like them. They have well known rigor and amazing alums etc. My son did his shadow day and came out and said he would prefer to never go back. First words out of his mouth. I asked if something happened and he said no but he didn’t like how stifling it felt and the campus felt claustrophobic to him and the boys “vibe” was not the kind he liked. It was visceral and he is a mild mannered kid so I have to respect it. And my daughter’s feeling about NCS was that it was bland and joyless. she was strongly opposed to a girls school as well so we just didn’t press the issues with either and they are happily at other schools. But to think that NCS or ST Albans could be swapped for SSSAS shows a total lack of familiarity with the culture at all of the schools. Our impression of SSSAS was positive. Happy kids, engaged staff, lots of traditions, and it felt like a bigger place. It felt more like Bullis, Sidwell, Potomac. Nothing like NCS or St. Albans.

Ok, well then for the same price and similar culture but with vastly superior college outcomes I’d take Sidwell or Potomac.

But would they take you. Both get way more qualified applicants than they have spots so only the truly clueless act like getting into either of these schools is just an application away. But thanks for playing.

No the truly clueless think that SSSAS is on the same level as those DC and MD schools.

No, it’s not that we’re clueless; it’s that WE DON’T CARE.

I don’t care what “level” St Stephen’s is on. I don’t care what other parents at other DC schools think. I don’t care about some absurd “ranking” of private schools.

Many families are very happy with SSSAS, clearly. (The person saying they didn’t raise enough for the upper school project is just wrong, they fundraised more than expected and came in under budget.)

It’s like this thread is a mix of St Stephen’s parents saying they are happy with the school and other posters chiming in to say they’re wrong, or delusional. But clearly the school is doing something right. And if it’s not for you or your family, that’s truly ok. It’s not for everyone.

+2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to figure out why this is 300+ posts? Would other k-12s garner such wildly different and polarized opinions? What is it about this school?

Do a search on NCS (not even just the current thread) or Flint Hill. There are many love/hate schools discussed at GREAT length on DCUM.

The schools are not fungible. We visited both and have solid connections at the Close. My children were literally turned off by both NCS and St. Albans. I wanted them to like the schools. I like them. They have well known rigor and amazing alums etc. My son did his shadow day and came out and said he would prefer to never go back. First words out of his mouth. I asked if something happened and he said no but he didn’t like how stifling it felt and the campus felt claustrophobic to him and the boys “vibe” was not the kind he liked. It was visceral and he is a mild mannered kid so I have to respect it. And my daughter’s feeling about NCS was that it was bland and joyless. she was strongly opposed to a girls school as well so we just didn’t press the issues with either and they are happily at other schools. But to think that NCS or ST Albans could be swapped for SSSAS shows a total lack of familiarity with the culture at all of the schools. Our impression of SSSAS was positive. Happy kids, engaged staff, lots of traditions, and it felt like a bigger place. It felt more like Bullis, Sidwell, Potomac. Nothing like NCS or St. Albans.

Ok, well then for the same price and similar culture but with vastly superior college outcomes I’d take Sidwell or Potomac.

But would they take you. Both get way more qualified applicants than they have spots so only the truly clueless act like getting into either of these schools is just an application away. But thanks for playing.

No the truly clueless think that SSSAS is on the same level as those DC and MD schools.

No, it’s not that we’re clueless; it’s that WE DON’T CARE.

I don’t care what “level” St Stephen’s is on. I don’t care what other parents at other DC schools think. I don’t care about some absurd “ranking” of private schools.

Many families are very happy with SSSAS, clearly. (The person saying they didn’t raise enough for the upper school project is just wrong, they fundraised more than expected and came in under budget.)

It’s like this thread is a mix of St Stephen’s parents saying they are happy with the school and other posters chiming in to say they’re wrong, or delusional. But clearly the school is doing something right. And if it’s not for you or your family, that’s truly ok. It’s not for everyone.

+2

Look at the thread history - many families left and/or were very unhappy too. And, trust me, the school definitely cares about its reputation. 20 years ago comparing to BI would be absurd. Today? It's not at all absurd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to figure out why this is 300+ posts? Would other k-12s garner such wildly different and polarized opinions? What is it about this school?

Do a search on NCS (not even just the current thread) or Flint Hill. There are many love/hate schools discussed at GREAT length on DCUM.

The schools are not fungible. We visited both and have solid connections at the Close. My children were literally turned off by both NCS and St. Albans. I wanted them to like the schools. I like them. They have well known rigor and amazing alums etc. My son did his shadow day and came out and said he would prefer to never go back. First words out of his mouth. I asked if something happened and he said no but he didn’t like how stifling it felt and the campus felt claustrophobic to him and the boys “vibe” was not the kind he liked. It was visceral and he is a mild mannered kid so I have to respect it. And my daughter’s feeling about NCS was that it was bland and joyless. she was strongly opposed to a girls school as well so we just didn’t press the issues with either and they are happily at other schools. But to think that NCS or ST Albans could be swapped for SSSAS shows a total lack of familiarity with the culture at all of the schools. Our impression of SSSAS was positive. Happy kids, engaged staff, lots of traditions, and it felt like a bigger place. It felt more like Bullis, Sidwell, Potomac. Nothing like NCS or St. Albans.

Ok, well then for the same price and similar culture but with vastly superior college outcomes I’d take Sidwell or Potomac.

But would they take you. Both get way more qualified applicants than they have spots so only the truly clueless act like getting into either of these schools is just an application away. But thanks for playing.

No the truly clueless think that SSSAS is on the same level as those DC and MD schools.

No, it’s not that we’re clueless; it’s that WE DON’T CARE.

I don’t care what “level” St Stephen’s is on. I don’t care what other parents at other DC schools think. I don’t care about some absurd “ranking” of private schools.

Many families are very happy with SSSAS, clearly. (The person saying they didn’t raise enough for the upper school project is just wrong, they fundraised more than expected and came in under budget.)

It’s like this thread is a mix of St Stephen’s parents saying they are happy with the school and other posters chiming in to say they’re wrong, or delusional. But clearly the school is doing something right. And if it’s not for you or your family, that’s truly ok. It’s not for everyone. [/quote

This!!! This thread is so weird. Many parents coming on to say they (and their kids) are having a great experience at the US, and then a bunch of people come on and say "no, you're wrong, the school sucks and you should go to one of the "better" schools" It's bizarre.

We are an US family and have had a great experience with the school. It hasn't been perfect, but the good FAR outweighs any not-so-great things. We have found the environment enriching, positive, and full of energy. I don't get why there are a few people just ripping the school apart. It's actually great, and we would choose it all over again if asked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to figure out why this is 300+ posts? Would other k-12s garner such wildly different and polarized opinions? What is it about this school?

Do a search on NCS (not even just the current thread) or Flint Hill. There are many love/hate schools discussed at GREAT length on DCUM.

The schools are not fungible. We visited both and have solid connections at the Close. My children were literally turned off by both NCS and St. Albans. I wanted them to like the schools. I like them. They have well known rigor and amazing alums etc. My son did his shadow day and came out and said he would prefer to never go back. First words out of his mouth. I asked if something happened and he said no but he didn’t like how stifling it felt and the campus felt claustrophobic to him and the boys “vibe” was not the kind he liked. It was visceral and he is a mild mannered kid so I have to respect it. And my daughter’s feeling about NCS was that it was bland and joyless. she was strongly opposed to a girls school as well so we just didn’t press the issues with either and they are happily at other schools. But to think that NCS or ST Albans could be swapped for SSSAS shows a total lack of familiarity with the culture at all of the schools. Our impression of SSSAS was positive. Happy kids, engaged staff, lots of traditions, and it felt like a bigger place. It felt more like Bullis, Sidwell, Potomac. Nothing like NCS or St. Albans.

Ok, well then for the same price and similar culture but with vastly superior college outcomes I’d take Sidwell or Potomac.

But would they take you. Both get way more qualified applicants than they have spots so only the truly clueless act like getting into either of these schools is just an application away. But thanks for playing.

No the truly clueless think that SSSAS is on the same level as those DC and MD schools.

No, it’s not that we’re clueless; it’s that WE DON’T CARE.

I don’t care what “level” St Stephen’s is on. I don’t care what other parents at other DC schools think. I don’t care about some absurd “ranking” of private schools.

Many families are very happy with SSSAS, clearly. (The person saying they didn’t raise enough for the upper school project is just wrong, they fundraised more than expected and came in under budget.)

It’s like this thread is a mix of St Stephen’s parents saying they are happy with the school and other posters chiming in to say they’re wrong, or delusional. But clearly the school is doing something right. And if it’s not for you or your family, that’s truly ok. It’s not for everyone.

+2

Look at the thread history - many families left and/or were very unhappy too. And, trust me, the school definitely cares about its reputation. 20 years ago comparing to BI would be absurd. Today? It's not at all absurd.

Here’s the thing. No school is right for everyone. No school has zero students or families unhappy with their experience. I’m sorry some families didn’t find their fit at SSSAS, but it has been wonderful for our DC. I do t care how it compares to BI. We aren’t Catholic and BI is much bigger, and would have been a poor fit for DC. If BI is the better fit for your kid (or any kid), that’s wonderful! I hope they have as good an experience there as my kid is having at SSSAS. I’m not going to tell someone who had a poor experience and left that they have it all wrong and their kid should have stayed. I’m not sure why you are telling us we have it all wrong and our kid should leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It has a strong performing arts program with good facilities. Those activities are treated on par with sports. Most schools we visited had athletic fields of that quality so I think they are trying to keep up.

True but the technology/robotics is an afterthought. It’s in a crowded room in the basement. Definitely not equal weight to sports

You make it sound like a dungeon. The building is on a hill so the robotics room has a wall of windows and an exterior door. The kids open it up and even bring materials outside to work on when the weather is nice. There are also far fewer students doing robotics vs performing arts, vs sports.

There’s no stigma against kids who aren’t athletic or don’t participate in sports. It’s very much a school that enables students to pursue their interests. Students don’t ever have to do a sport to fulfill the PE requirement - robotics and performing arts can cover all of it. There are also plenty of students who do both sports and performing arts or robotics.

I had a child who was involved with the robotics team all four years at the US and he loved it! We made a great group of friends and we loved that the coaches encouraged and supported the kids, but also stepped back and let the kids come up with the concept and do all the work. We were also very impressed with the support the team received from the school. The Director of the US drove down for the day to support the team at a competition in Richmond. The Head of the School attended a competition in Tysons Corner on a weekend to support the team and then showed up at the school one evening to cheer on the kids as they got off the bus after a competition. The robotics team is not an afterthought!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to figure out why this is 300+ posts? Would other k-12s garner such wildly different and polarized opinions? What is it about this school?

Do a search on NCS (not even just the current thread) or Flint Hill. There are many love/hate schools discussed at GREAT length on DCUM.

The schools are not fungible. We visited both and have solid connections at the Close. My children were literally turned off by both NCS and St. Albans. I wanted them to like the schools. I like them. They have well known rigor and amazing alums etc. My son did his shadow day and came out and said he would prefer to never go back. First words out of his mouth. I asked if something happened and he said no but he didn’t like how stifling it felt and the campus felt claustrophobic to him and the boys “vibe” was not the kind he liked. It was visceral and he is a mild mannered kid so I have to respect it. And my daughter’s feeling about NCS was that it was bland and joyless. she was strongly opposed to a girls school as well so we just didn’t press the issues with either and they are happily at other schools. But to think that NCS or ST Albans could be swapped for SSSAS shows a total lack of familiarity with the culture at all of the schools. Our impression of SSSAS was positive. Happy kids, engaged staff, lots of traditions, and it felt like a bigger place. It felt more like Bullis, Sidwell, Potomac. Nothing like NCS or St. Albans.

Ok, well then for the same price and similar culture but with vastly superior college outcomes I’d take Sidwell or Potomac.

But would they take you. Both get way more qualified applicants than they have spots so only the truly clueless act like getting into either of these schools is just an application away. But thanks for playing.

No the truly clueless think that SSSAS is on the same level as those DC and MD schools.

No, it’s not that we’re clueless; it’s that WE DON’T CARE.

I don’t care what “level” St Stephen’s is on. I don’t care what other parents at other DC schools think. I don’t care about some absurd “ranking” of private schools.

Many families are very happy with SSSAS, clearly. (The person saying they didn’t raise enough for the upper school project is just wrong, they fundraised more than expected and came in under budget.)

It’s like this thread is a mix of St Stephen’s parents saying they are happy with the school and other posters chiming in to say they’re wrong, or delusional. But clearly the school is doing something right. And if it’s not for you or your family, that’s truly ok. It’s not for everyone.

+2

Look at the thread history - many families left and/or were very unhappy too. And, trust me, the school definitely cares about its reputation. 20 years ago comparing to BI would be absurd. Today? It's not at all absurd.

Here’s the thing. No school is right for everyone. No school has zero students or families unhappy with their experience. I’m sorry some families didn’t find their fit at SSSAS, but it has been wonderful for our DC. I do t care how it compares to BI. We aren’t Catholic and BI is much bigger, and would have been a poor fit for DC. If BI is the better fit for your kid (or any kid), that’s wonderful! I hope they have as good an experience there as my kid is having at SSSAS. I’m not going to tell someone who had a poor experience and left that they have it all wrong and their kid should have stayed. I’m not sure why you are telling us we have it all wrong and our kid should leave.

Where did the PP say your kid should leave? They were simply stating the school's rep is not what is used to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to figure out why this is 300+ posts? Would other k-12s garner such wildly different and polarized opinions? What is it about this school?

Do a search on NCS (not even just the current thread) or Flint Hill. There are many love/hate schools discussed at GREAT length on DCUM.

The schools are not fungible. We visited both and have solid connections at the Close. My children were literally turned off by both NCS and St. Albans. I wanted them to like the schools. I like them. They have well known rigor and amazing alums etc. My son did his shadow day and came out and said he would prefer to never go back. First words out of his mouth. I asked if something happened and he said no but he didn’t like how stifling it felt and the campus felt claustrophobic to him and the boys “vibe” was not the kind he liked. It was visceral and he is a mild mannered kid so I have to respect it. And my daughter’s feeling about NCS was that it was bland and joyless. she was strongly opposed to a girls school as well so we just didn’t press the issues with either and they are happily at other schools. But to think that NCS or ST Albans could be swapped for SSSAS shows a total lack of familiarity with the culture at all of the schools. Our impression of SSSAS was positive. Happy kids, engaged staff, lots of traditions, and it felt like a bigger place. It felt more like Bullis, Sidwell, Potomac. Nothing like NCS or St. Albans.

Ok, well then for the same price and similar culture but with vastly superior college outcomes I’d take Sidwell or Potomac.

But would they take you. Both get way more qualified applicants than they have spots so only the truly clueless act like getting into either of these schools is just an application away. But thanks for playing.

No the truly clueless think that SSSAS is on the same level as those DC and MD schools.

No, it’s not that we’re clueless; it’s that WE DON’T CARE.

I don’t care what “level” St Stephen’s is on. I don’t care what other parents at other DC schools think. I don’t care about some absurd “ranking” of private schools.

Many families are very happy with SSSAS, clearly. (The person saying they didn’t raise enough for the upper school project is just wrong, they fundraised more than expected and came in under budget.)

It’s like this thread is a mix of St Stephen’s parents saying they are happy with the school and other posters chiming in to say they’re wrong, or delusional. But clearly the school is doing something right. And if it’s not for you or your family, that’s truly ok. It’s not for everyone.

+2

+3