Getting into St. Albans

[Anonymous]

My guess is that STA has the crab football game just to let the boys blow off steam during the visit. On our particular visit, my son's group did not play the game because of construction. They just sat in the library and "talked". And my son was accepted, without having his "athletic abilities" evaluated.

If your son does not like sports or participating in sports, STA is probably not a good choice for you son. In fact, any all boys school is probably not the right fit. It is part of the culture. You probably don't have to be a super awesome athlete, but you need to enjoy participating, otherwise your last hour of school will be miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My guess is that STA has the crab football game just to let the boys blow off steam during the visit. On our particular visit, my son's group did not play the game because of construction. They just sat in the library and "talked". And my son was accepted, without having his "athletic abilities" evaluated.

If your son does not like sports or participating in sports, STA is probably not a good choice for you son. In fact, any all boys school is probably not the right fit. It is part of the culture. You probably don't have to be a super awesome athlete, but you need to enjoy participating, otherwise your last hour of school will be miserable.

Is your son from Beauvoir? My son's class really had a good time playing crab football. They didn't want the game to end. The AD that year did watch them play. The AD also had a little interview session with each boy or groups of 2-3 in the library.

[Anonymous]

That is also how it was for my son. I

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I meant to continue. I think they played crab soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My guess is that STA has the crab football game just to let the boys blow off steam during the visit. On our particular visit, my son's group did not play the game because of construction. They just sat in the library and "talked". And my son was accepted, without having his "athletic abilities" evaluated.

If your son does not like sports or participating in sports, STA is probably not a good choice for you son. In fact, any all boys school is probably not the right fit. It is part of the culture. You probably don't have to be a super awesome athlete, but you need to enjoy participating, otherwise your last hour of school will be miserable.

Is your son from Beauvoir? My son's class really had a good time playing crab football. They didn't want the game to end. The AD that year did watch them play. The AD also had a little interview session with each boy or groups of 2-3 in the library.

No - he was not a Beauvoir applicant.

[Anonymous]

what exactly is crab football?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what exactly is crab football?

A devious game designed by STA admissions staff looking for the applicants to display their athletic prowess, team spirit, ability to refrain from cursing, talent and crawling around in coat and tie, and extent to which they were prepped by mom and dad (shouting "good job" after every play is the tell-tale sign).

[Anonymous]

Is there anyone who attended the reception last week for newly accepted families who felt totally out of place?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there anyone who attended the reception last week for newly accepted families who felt totally out of place?

Not a new parent. We've been at STA & NCS for years now. Somehow, our children fit in more than we do. It helps to start volunteering early. Lots of interesting families to get to know. Just be yourself, really. Also, get to know your son's teachers and the admin.

There are others who feel totally out of place too. I remember attending the newly accepted families reception feeling maybe the school wasn't really a good fit for my family. Everyone seemed so different from us. I'm glad we've basically moved passed those feelings. It's a tough and wonderful school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there anyone who attended the reception last week for newly accepted families who felt totally out of place?

Not a new parent. We've been at STA & NCS for years now. Somehow, our children fit in more than we do. It helps to start volunteering early. Lots of interesting families to get to know. Just be yourself, really. Also, get to know your son's teachers and the admin.

There are others who feel totally out of place too. I remember attending the newly accepted families reception feeling maybe the school wasn't really a good fit for my family. Everyone seemed so different from us. I'm glad we've basically moved passed those feelings. It's a tough and wonderful school.

Please elaborate on why everyone seemed so different from you, wh some families might not initially feel it was a good fit for them, and why it is a "tough" school. As for the latter, you stated it in the present tense, so I am wondering whether you still feel that to be the case. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there anyone who attended the reception last week for newly accepted families who felt totally out of place?

Not a new parent. We've been at STA & NCS for years now. Somehow, our children fit in more than we do. It helps to start volunteering early. Lots of interesting families to get to know. Just be yourself, really. Also, get to know your son's teachers and the admin.

There are others who feel totally out of place too. I remember attending the newly accepted families reception feeling maybe the school wasn't really a good fit for my family. Everyone seemed so different from us. I'm glad we've basically moved passed those feelings. It's a tough and wonderful school.

Please elaborate on why everyone seemed so different from you, wh some families might not initially feel it was a good fit for them, and why it is a "tough" school. As for the latter, you stated it in the present tense, so I am wondering whether you still feel that to be the case. Thank you.

Initially, I worried that economically we were way, way out of our league. I've learned that while there are some really wealthy families at the school there are more who aren't. It's a very diverse community on many surprising and interesting levels.

I'm happy that there's only a few cocktail parties a year as the small talk can get really small. Normally, I'm gregarious, but I find that at most school functions I feel self conscious -- socially inept, not completely comfortable. We're friendly with enough families that this isn't that big of a deal anymore. And as I said, volunteering has really helped me feel more like a member of the community.

It's tough because the school's work ethic and expectations of excellence are considerable. Whining isn't an option. On the surface, it's not a cuddly-wuddly place; however, the teachers, coaches & staff are very dedicated and supportive. Brown panelled walls and all, my son loves it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there anyone who attended the reception last week for newly accepted families who felt totally out of place?

Not a new parent. We've been at STA & NCS for years now. Somehow, our children fit in more than we do. It helps to start volunteering early. Lots of interesting families to get to know. Just be yourself, really. Also, get to know your son's teachers and the admin.

There are others who feel totally out of place too. I remember attending the newly accepted families reception feeling maybe the school wasn't really a good fit for my family. Everyone seemed so different from us. I'm glad we've basically moved passed those feelings. It's a tough and wonderful school.

Please elaborate on why everyone seemed so different from you, wh some families might not initially feel it was a good fit for them, and why it is a "tough" school. As for the latter, you stated it in the present tense, so I am wondering whether you still feel that to be the case. Thank you.

Initially, I worried that economically we were way, way out of our league. I've learned that while there are some really wealthy families at the school there are more who aren't. It's a very diverse community on many surprising and interesting levels.

I'm happy that there's only a few cocktail parties a year as the small talk can get really small. Normally, I'm gregarious, but I find that at most school functions I feel self conscious -- socially inept, not completely comfortable. We're friendly with enough families that this isn't that big of a deal anymore. And as I said, volunteering has really helped me feel more like a member of the community.

It's tough because the school's work ethic and expectations of excellence are considerable. Whining isn't an option. On the surface, it's not a cuddly-wuddly place; however, the teachers, coaches & staff are very dedicated and supportive. Brown panelled walls and all, my son loves it.

Thanks for your insight. What grade did your son enter STA? Was it a difficult transition for him? Sounds like it has been a great environment for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there anyone who attended the reception last week for newly accepted families who felt totally out of place?

Not a new parent. We've been at STA & NCS for years now. Somehow, our children fit in more than we do. It helps to start volunteering early. Lots of interesting families to get to know. Just be yourself, really. Also, get to know your son's teachers and the admin.

There are others who feel totally out of place too. I remember attending the newly accepted families reception feeling maybe the school wasn't really a good fit for my family. Everyone seemed so different from us. I'm glad we've basically moved passed those feelings. It's a tough and wonderful school.

Please elaborate on why everyone seemed so different from you, wh some families might not initially feel it was a good fit for them, and why it is a "tough" school. As for the latter, you stated it in the present tense, so I am wondering whether you still feel that to be the case. Thank you.

Initially, I worried that economically we were way, way out of our league. I've learned that while there are some really wealthy families at the school there are more who aren't. It's a very diverse community on many surprising and interesting levels.

I'm happy that there's only a few cocktail parties a year as the small talk can get really small. Normally, I'm gregarious, but I find that at most school functions I feel self conscious -- socially inept, not completely comfortable. We're friendly with enough families that this isn't that big of a deal anymore. And as I said, volunteering has really helped me feel more like a member of the community.

It's tough because the school's work ethic and expectations of excellence are considerable. Whining isn't an option. On the surface, it's not a cuddly-wuddly place; however, the teachers, coaches & staff are very dedicated and supportive. Brown panelled walls and all, my son loves it.

Thanks for your insight. What grade did your son enter STA? Was it a difficult transition for him? Sounds like it has been a great environment for him.

4th. The transition was really smooth. He settled in pretty quickly. Learned how to knot his tie and made sure he was wearing a belt each day, LOL. Took his homework seriously right from the start. Enjoyed his new level of independence.

I hope your son loves it there too.

[Anonymous]

PP, so then all boys must tie their own ties, rather than clip ons? I assume this to be true. Just checking.

What about shoes - I've noticed many boys wearing running shoes. I guess that's okay?

Finally, any tips on where to buy good quality boys' blazers?

Thanks.

DCUM of Newly Admitted STA Student

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, so then all boys must tie their own ties, rather than clip ons? I assume this to be true. Just checking.

What about shoes - I've noticed many boys wearing running shoes. I guess that's okay?

Finally, any tips on where to buy good quality boys' blazers?

Thanks.

DCUM of Newly Admitted STA Student

Clip ons and zip ons are fine. Athletic shoes usually. At fhe opening Cathedral service, I notice that some C-form boys wear casual, dark, non-dressy shoes; however, athletic shoes are fine.

Blazers: Maybe buy one new for special occasions. For daily wear get a few pre-owned. Hopefully, the student exchange will return in September and you can buy a few there for $20. The daily blue blazer goes through a lot. The boys pull off their blazers while outside playing in the prison yard, it gets stepped on, balled up in the backpack, lunch gets on the sleeves, etc. There's a shop in Bethesda with good quality blue blazers (maybe, someone will chime in with the name and address). You can find some good deals on Ebay periodically for around $25.

Congratulations!