SSSAS culture? For parents?

[Anonymous]

My DD is interested in applying to SSSAS for 9th. She's a happy, friendly kid who makes friends easily, and though she has zero interest in sports (she's more arts focused), a lot of her friends are very athletic, so I don't think SSSAS' sporty reputation is an issue for her. But, though I know it's NOT ABOUT ME, I am having a little trouble wrapping my own mind around SSSAS: its reputation as an American producer of what the Brits would call "jolly hockey sticks" girls, and, even more, its reputation as a bastion of the country club set. (I am most definitely NOT country club set: working mother, liberal politics, Ivy education but grew up poor, don't live in Mount Vernon!)

At the end of the day I will let DD apply and go to the school she prefers, but just wondering if anyone can comment on whether this stereotype of SSSAS is accurate or unfair. Would someone like me end up on the absolute periphery of parent culture, surrounded by Ladies who Lunch? Or is parent culture more diverse and accepting than I realize?

[Anonymous]

We looked very, truly hard at Saints, and ultimately we didn't apply. We had the same concerns that you have expressed. We also thought it seemed to be a boy-dominated environment (a view with which some of our Alexandria city neighbors agree), and the showy-$ features didn't appeal to us one bit. Good luck whatever pick you make!

[Anonymous]

There are working moms at SSSAS but you will not see them as often, for obvious reasons. Our experience has found SSSAS to be bifurcated and therefore cliquey: (1) extremely wealthy SAHMs who are the country club set, organize the book fairs, and host lots of functions. The philanthropist fundraiser types; and (2) the better educated but less wealthy working moms who aren't from money, but want their kids to have a terrific education at a more elite school. These families will donate to fundraisers but don't have the time to organize. It's all they can do to get to after care by 6 pm. But, geesh, someone has to pay the $30k-plus tuition. There are plenty of them , but they aren't as visual or vocal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are working moms at SSSAS but you will not see them as often, for obvious reasons. Our experience has found SSSAS to be bifurcated and therefore cliquey: (1) extremely wealthy SAHMs who are the country club set, organize the book fairs, and host lots of functions. The philanthropist fundraiser types; and (2) the better educated but less wealthy working moms who aren't from money, but want their kids to have a terrific education at a more elite school. These families will donate to fundraisers but don't have the time to organize. It's all they can do to get to after care by 6 pm. But, geesh, someone has to pay the $30k-plus tuition. There are plenty of them , but they aren't as visual or vocal.

Fwiw, the latter come from Del Ray, Rosemont, Potomac Greens, and over near Telegraph. Many zoned for the crappy Alexandria publics or weak FFX schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are working moms at SSSAS but you will not see them as often, for obvious reasons. Our experience has found SSSAS to be bifurcated and therefore cliquey: (1) extremely wealthy SAHMs who are the country club set, organize the book fairs, and host lots of functions. The philanthropist fundraiser types; and (2) the better educated but less wealthy working moms who aren't from money, but want their kids to have a terrific education at a more elite school. These families will donate to fundraisers but don't have the time to organize. It's all they can do to get to after care by 6 pm. But, geesh, someone has to pay the $30k-plus tuition. There are plenty of them , but they aren't as visual or vocal.

Fwiw, the latter come from Del Ray, Rosemont, Potomac Greens, and over near Telegraph. Many zoned for the crappy Alexandria publics or weak FFX schools.

We live in Alex city and my child play's several sports and I have met a lot of SSSAS moms/dads. This seems pretty accurate. They tend to all hang out together. That being said, I have got to know them casually at games and such and they are always friendly and polite and willing to chat.

[Anonymous]

We are about to be a new SSSAS family and we have been really happy with all but one parent we have met thus far. I am willing to be she was just having a bad day, too. We both work and we are not at all concerned about "fitting in." Sure, there is money there, but nobody cares. It is about the kids.

[Anonymous]

They definitely have the hottest moms in the DMV, for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They definitely have the hottest moms in the DMV, for sure.

OK, you have to be the same poster who wrote this last year. Are you a man or a self-promoting SSSAS mom?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They definitely have the hottest moms in the DMV, for sure.

OK, you have to be the same poster who wrote this last year. Are you a man or a self-promoting SSSAS mom?

You're definitely a hag. Some hating on hot women, and start pushing your chair away from the dinner table.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They definitely have the hottest moms in the DMV, for sure.

OK, you have to be the same poster who wrote this last year. Are you a man or a self-promoting SSSAS mom?

You're definitely a hag. Some hating on hot women, and start pushing your chair away from the dinner table.

Of course I'm a hag! But you didn't answer my question.

[Anonymous]

Former SSSAS mom here. I am politically liberal, geeky, not country club or even conventionally beautiful SAHM. Some of the moms there are completely snobbish - looking right through me - and almost all of those were the Belle Haven moms.

But so many others were entirely lovely. Seriously, there are some great parents there. And frankly, those are the ones who are more likely to be involved in things like the auction or to be room parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former SSSAS mom here. I am politically liberal, geeky, not country club or even conventionally beautiful SAHM. Some of the moms there are completely snobbish - looking right through me - and almost all of those were the Belle Haven moms.But so many others were entirely lovely. Seriously, there are some great parents there. And frankly, those are the ones who are more likely to be involved in things like the auction or to be room parents.

Frankly, you will find this at virtually every school in the area.

[Anonymous]

The Belle Haven moms were hilarious to watch. Still in high school themselves and trying to be the "cool" kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Former SSSAS mom here. I am politically liberal, geeky, not country club or even conventionally beautiful SAHM. Some of the moms there are completely snobbish - looking right through me - and almost all of those were the Belle Haven moms.But so many others were entirely lovely. Seriously, there are some great parents there. And frankly, those are the ones who are more likely to be involved in things like the auction or to be room parents.

Frankly, you will find this at virtually every school in the area.

Thanks, but we are at one of the "Big 3" and nothing compares to the Belle Haven mom-mafia. The NW set may be full of snobs, but they are far less obvious in their snobbery. They are at least polite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Former SSSAS mom here. I am politically liberal, geeky, not country club or even conventionally beautiful SAHM. Some of the moms there are completely snobbish - looking right through me - and almost all of those were the Belle Haven moms.But so many others were entirely lovely. Seriously, there are some great parents there. And frankly, those are the ones who are more likely to be involved in things like the auction or to be room parents.

Frankly, you will find this at virtually every school in the area.

Thanks, but we are at one of the "Big 3" and nothing compares to the Belle Haven mom-mafia. The NW set may be full of snobs, but they are far less obvious in their snobbery. They are at least polite.

if your child (I presume you yourself are no longer in school) is at a "big 3" (however you might define that), it eludes me how you would have the slightest idea what the mothers of SSSAS kids might or might not be like. And, why would you care?