New STA parent seeking advice, suggestions, or just plain "I wish I had known X" info

[Anonymous]

As a new Form I mom, here is a good lesson that I learned last week:

1.) First, moms who have been at STA for longer than you do not always know the answer either. The differences between Forms A and I are that great.


2.) The text books you order on-line for your son are for home use. These books do not go in with him. There are some books you order that do go into to school with your son: literature, Wordly Wise, Language books, and probably a few others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For college applicants, which transcripts are provided to the colleges - from as far back as 9th grade?

Yes, upper school. I wish I could delete my son's less than stellar grades from 9th grade. I keep hearing that some schools don't look back at 9th grade. While they may not place a great deal of weight on 9th grade as long as there is an upward trend 10th grade and especially junior year and up, the competition is stiff when applying at highly selective schools. A lackluster year (9th grade) can be the kiss of death.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For college applicants, which transcripts are provided to the colleges - from as far back as 9th grade?

Yes, upper school. I wish I could delete my son's less than stellar grades from 9th grade. I keep hearing that some schools don't look back at 9th grade. While they may not place a great deal of weight on 9th grade as long as there is an upward trend 10th grade and especially junior year and up, the competition is stiff when applying at highly selective schools. A lackluster year (9th grade) can be the kiss of death.

On the other hand, St. Albans does not publish class rank so a less than stellar 9th grade experience, followed by an upward trend culminating in very strong work in junior year and first semester of senior year, is less of a factor than it would be at a school that uses class rank and shares that with the colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any advice for a family of modest financial means on the fence about applying for 4th grade? How much FA is available? My gut tells me we would be happier at a public school system, and that DS will thrive almost anywhere provided academics are solid and he fits in socially. Have you seen families leave solely for financial reasons?

Saint Albans embraces smart kids whether they are children of wealthy parents or not. Period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any advice for a family of modest financial means on the fence about applying for 4th grade? How much FA is available? My gut tells me we would be happier at a public school system, and that DS will thrive almost anywhere provided academics are solid and he fits in socially. Have you seen families leave solely for financial reasons?

Saint Albans embraces smart kids whether they are children of wealthy parents or not. Period.

Good to know.

[Anonymous]

What happens at Back to School night for the lower school? Is it a 2-parent affair, or is 1 parent sufficient representation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What happens at Back to School night for the lower school? Is it a 2-parent affair, or is 1 parent sufficient representation?

One parent is fine. You just attend your kids classes for a very short time period. Don't stress if neither parent can make it, for that matter -- this is not like a one-on-one parent-teacher conference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happens at Back to School night for the lower school? Is it a 2-parent affair, or is 1 parent sufficient representation?

One parent is fine. You just attend your kids classes for a very short time period. Don't stress if neither parent can make it, for that matter -- this is not like a one-on-one parent-teacher conference.

If your child is in C Form expect to receive a cll fom the lower school head if one parent does not attend.

[Anonymous]

What is a cII form?

[Anonymous]

Cll form?

[Anonymous]

NP. Call from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. Call from.

In other words, they send the message that you need to get off your fat asses and show some interest and support of the school and your son, dammit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happens at Back to School night for the lower school? Is it a 2-parent affair, or is 1 parent sufficient representation?

One parent is fine. You just attend your kids classes for a very short time period. Don't stress if neither parent can make it, for that matter -- this is not like a one-on-one parent-teacher conference.

If your child is in C Form expect to receive a cll fom the lower school head if one parent does not attend.

Ignore this, it is silly and fake. Good gracious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Call from.

In other words, they send the message that you need to get off your fat asses and show some interest and support of the school and your son, dammit.

People really believe the Lower School Head monitors attendance and calls families where only one parent attends Back to School Night? Take the hook out, already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happens at Back to School night for the lower school? Is it a 2-parent affair, or is 1 parent sufficient representation?

One parent is fine. You just attend your kids classes for a very short time period. Don't stress if neither parent can make it, for that matter -- this is not like a one-on-one parent-teacher conference.

If your child is in C Form expect to receive a cll fom the lower school head if one parent does not attend.

Ignore this, it is silly and fake. Good gracious.

You're obviously not an Sta parent. Head of lower school likes at least one parent to attend or he will call.