St. Andrews vs. STA for high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question - what’s the argument for all boys in this day and age? STA is a great school and we would send our DS there in spite of it being all boys.

Boys and girls learn differently. Boys and girls largely have different energy levels. Boys mature more slowly. Boys are falling behind in national university admission percentages. Boys need to be educated in a way that works for who they are.

I agree that it can be beneficial for boys to learn in an environment that respects their specific needs. Attending an all-boys school might be good for lower school.

But ultimately, they have to live and perform in a world that includes girls and is much, much more diverse than STA. In some ways, attending a homogenous boys school is a big disadvantage. When DC was at NCS, the boys who attended the upper school coordinate classes would roll in unprepared but ready to talk over and mansplain. And they're told constantly that they're exceptional and are being prepared to lead. It was nothing we wanted our sons to be a part of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:More HW, More Rigor and significantly Better College Placement at STA

Very dated view

Not dated at all. St. Albans is for future titans/business leaders/elected leaders. St. Andrews is for average kids + for people with LDs. Nothing wrong with that. Apples + oranges. Everyone deserves to be educated.

How’s your boat, Judge Smails?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ignore the “snobs” comments rest, assured, they have zero experience with either school. These are two very different schools.

Obviously, the biggest difference: One is coed one is not.

One is located in the suburbs with a beautiful suburban feel the other is the polar opposite with a fabulous city like feel. Both offet strong academics. Both offer sports. Contact admissions for both schools and decide which one is for you.

Most importantly, I think it’s time to decide whether you want to send your child to a coed school or not.

Keep in mind if you mention Saint Albans or certain other schools here, people love to chime in —even if their kids don’t go there —it’s very strange.

.

PP here. Actually I know STA well because I went to NCS and my younger brother went to STA.

True that I do not have direct experience with St Andrew’s. Perhaps it’s changed, but historically it was a school for rich kids who couldn’t get into a more prestigious choice and not nearly as rigorous [/qurote]

The fact that you used the word prestigious just makes me not believe you at all. Even worse, if you did attend NCS then your comment “ prestigious “ is cringey. I say this with all due respect.

I am not that poster, but anyone who has lived in DC knows that these are 2 very different schools. There is no need to be so sensitive. St. Albans is known as an elite boys school-- at the top range of what DC has to offer, and St. Andrews is known as a nice school for your more average intellect kid. There is nothing wrong with that...most kids are "average" afterall.

Um, okay, TBH you’re a bit weird, too.

For others who also do not get the caddy shack reference

Judge Elihu Smails is the main antagonist of the 1980 comedy film Caddyshack. He is the director and co-founder of the Caddie Scholarship Program and an avid customer at the Bushwood Country Club. He was portrayed by the late Ted Knight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question - what’s the argument for all boys in this day and age? STA is a great school and we would send our DS there in spite of it being all boys.

Boys and girls learn differently. Boys and girls largely have different energy levels. Boys mature more slowly. Boys are falling behind in national university admission percentages. Boys need to be educated in a way that works for who they are.

I agree that it can be beneficial for boys to learn in an environment that respects their specific needs. Attending an all-boys school might be good for lower school.

But ultimately, they have to live and perform in a world that includes girls and is much, much more diverse than STA. In some ways, attending a homogenous boys school is a big disadvantage. When DC was at NCS, the boys who attended the upper school coordinate classes would roll in unprepared but ready to talk over and mansplain. And they're told constantly that they're exceptional and are being prepared to lead. It was nothing we wanted our sons to be a part of.

1000% NOT our experience at STA. Our boys (4) have been pushed to work, to learn, to think and certainly not being told anything will be given to them. Your post is so off it seems either very dated or entirely made up based on false assumptions about STA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question - what’s the argument for all boys in this day and age? STA is a great school and we would send our DS there in spite of it being all boys.

Boys and girls learn differently. Boys and girls largely have different energy levels. Boys mature more slowly. Boys are falling behind in national university admission percentages. Boys need to be educated in a way that works for who they are.

I agree that it can be beneficial for boys to learn in an environment that respects their specific needs. Attending an all-boys school might be good for lower school.

But ultimately, they have to live and perform in a world that includes girls and is much, much more diverse than STA. In some ways, attending a homogenous boys school is a big disadvantage. When DC was at NCS, the boys who attended the upper school coordinate classes would roll in unprepared but ready to talk over and mansplain. And they're told constantly that they're exceptional and are being prepared to lead. It was nothing we wanted our sons to be a part of.

1000% NOT our experience at STA. Our boys (4) have been pushed to work, to learn, to think and certainly not being told anything will be given to them. Your post is so off it seems either very dated or entirely made up based on false assumptions about STA.

There many dated and off base views about SAES also …

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question - what’s the argument for all boys in this day and age? STA is a great school and we would send our DS there in spite of it being all boys.

Boys and girls learn differently. Boys and girls largely have different energy levels. Boys mature more slowly. Boys are falling behind in national university admission percentages. Boys need to be educated in a way that works for who they are.

I agree that it can be beneficial for boys to learn in an environment that respects their specific needs. Attending an all-boys school might be good for lower school.

But ultimately, they have to live and perform in a world that includes girls and is much, much more diverse than STA. In some ways, attending a homogenous boys school is a big disadvantage. When DC was at NCS, the boys who attended the upper school coordinate classes would roll in unprepared but ready to talk over and mansplain. And they're told constantly that they're exceptional and are being prepared to lead. It was nothing we wanted our sons to be a part of.

1000% NOT our experience at STA. Our boys (4) have been pushed to work, to learn, to think and certainly not being told anything will be given to them. Your post is so off it seems either very dated or entirely made up based on false assumptions about STA.

Why would a parent of four boys at STA know how girls at NCS perceive STA boys?

(Negatively, is the answer, for most NCS girls. I agree with the PP. Entitled and didn't work as hard as NCS girls.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These stereotypes are just that.

DS was 99% on SSAT, 99.9% on SAT, no LD, admitted to first choice prestigious college. Attended SAES and loved the experience. We considered STA but wanted something that felt warmer and more inclusive.

We also had gifted child at SAES - no where is perfect but it was certainly challenging enough and they value student happiness and balance. Their parent community is very friendly and welcoming. We still miss the community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question - what’s the argument for all boys in this day and age? STA is a great school and we would send our DS there in spite of it being all boys.

Boys and girls learn differently. Boys and girls largely have different energy levels. Boys mature more slowly. Boys are falling behind in national university admission percentages. Boys need to be educated in a way that works for who they are.

I agree that it can be beneficial for boys to learn in an environment that respects their specific needs. Attending an all-boys school might be good for lower school.

But ultimately, they have to live and perform in a world that includes girls and is much, much more diverse than STA. In some ways, attending a homogenous boys school is a big disadvantage. When DC was at NCS, the boys who attended the upper school coordinate classes would roll in unprepared but ready to talk over and mansplain. And they're told constantly that they're exceptional and are being prepared to lead. It was nothing we wanted our sons to be a part of.

1000% NOT our experience at STA. Our boys (4) have been pushed to work, to learn, to think and certainly not being told anything will be given to them. Your post is so off it seems either very dated or entirely made up based on false assumptions about STA.

I'm the PP. Maybe my information is dated. It's from 5 years ago. Has everything changed? I doubt it. STA students most certainly ARE told how exceptional they are with regularity. The parents believe it and love it, from what I could tell from the hundreds of interactions I've had with STA families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question - what’s the argument for all boys in this day and age? STA is a great school and we would send our DS there in spite of it being all boys.

Boys and girls learn differently. Boys and girls largely have different energy levels. Boys mature more slowly. Boys are falling behind in national university admission percentages. Boys need to be educated in a way that works for who they are.

I agree that it can be beneficial for boys to learn in an environment that respects their specific needs. Attending an all-boys school might be good for lower school.

But ultimately, they have to live and perform in a world that includes girls and is much, much more diverse than STA. In some ways, attending a homogenous boys school is a big disadvantage. When DC was at NCS, the boys who attended the upper school coordinate classes would roll in unprepared but ready to talk over and mansplain. And they're told constantly that they're exceptional and are being prepared to lead. It was nothing we wanted our sons to be a part of.

1000% NOT our experience at STA. Our boys (4) have been pushed to work, to learn, to think and certainly not being told anything will be given to them. Your post is so off it seems either very dated or entirely made up based on false assumptions about STA.

4 boys currently at STA? There can only be one or two families that meet that criteria. You post often on here and glad you like the school. It is a great school but your experience may not be everyone’s and you should be more respectful of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These stereotypes are just that.

DS was 99% on SSAT, 99.9% on SAT, no LD, admitted to first choice prestigious college. Attended SAES and loved the experience. We considered STA but wanted something that felt warmer and more inclusive.

We also had gifted child at SAES - no where is perfect but it was certainly challenging enough and they value student happiness and balance. Their parent community is very friendly and welcoming. We still miss the community.

Former parent of gifted SAES student here as well. Agree wholeheartedly. There were plenty of gifted peers and overall interesting kids with very nice, interesting parents. I also recall more than a few kids transferring over from Sidwell, GDS and Cathedral schools for a less stressful academic experience and balanced life. There were kids who had outside interests that meant they needed more flexibility with school to pursue high level activities. Also those families with kids split among DC area privates were plenty happy with SAES too. The schools offer very different experiences.
.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question - what’s the argument for all boys in this day and age? STA is a great school and we would send our DS there in spite of it being all boys.

Boys and girls learn differently. Boys and girls largely have different energy levels. Boys mature more slowly. Boys are falling behind in national university admission percentages. Boys need to be educated in a way that works for who they are.

I agree that it can be beneficial for boys to learn in an environment that respects their specific needs. Attending an all-boys school might be good for lower school.

But ultimately, they have to live and perform in a world that includes girls and is much, much more diverse than STA. In some ways, attending a homogenous boys school is a big disadvantage. When DC was at NCS, the boys who attended the upper school coordinate classes would roll in unprepared but ready to talk over and mansplain. And they're told constantly that they're exceptional and are being prepared to lead. It was nothing we wanted our sons to be a part of.

1000% NOT our experience at STA. Our boys (4) have been pushed to work, to learn, to think and certainly not being told anything will be given to them. Your post is so off it seems either very dated or entirely made up based on false assumptions about STA.

4 boys currently at STA? There can only be one or two families that meet that criteria. You post often on here and glad you like the school. It is a great school but your experience may not be everyone’s and you should be more respectful of that.

Not the PP but asking them to show respect is kind of funny when they’re responding to a NCS parent essentially calling their sons dumb ass*oles. No calls for respect there?

[Anonymous]

This thread and so ma y others like it is just tired and devoid of fact or humility. These are both good schools and they pull from different communities. We are a St Andrew’s alumni family that has stayed involved with the school. There are many families with children simultaneously at SAES and other schools - but it is more typical for the split to exist between SAES & GDS, Maret, Sidwell, Bullis, and MCPS & DCPS than it is with one of the cathedral schools.

That said, I suspect the direct answers to OP’s questions are STA homework load is greater as it follows the traditional methodology vs SAES’s following more updated approaches to process and retention that focus on in class execution over out of class repetition. For inclusiveness, you need to look at the stats and that’s best done in direct consultation with each school’s admissions office. What I can share about SAES is it has a diverse student body and while there is a genuine emphasis on inclusion in the classroom, on the playing field and in other pursuits - the social networks are highly segregated. Finally there was the question on college placement. And here there is inherently an apples and oranges comparison. STA is known for its impressive placement but it also has a very connected community of multi generational legacies as parents, grandparents, etc. College placement from SAES is more diverse, with greater emphasis on SLAC placement. Also worth noting in recent years SAES has intentionally invested in infrastructure and curriculum, attracting a higher profile applicant. Admissions are increasingly competitive, particularly in the traditional 9th grade expansion year and admitted student profiles have improved significantly. What was a back up school for many years is now a first choice and no longer a sure thing. College admissions enhancement has followed with the expected lag time. Each new year’s placement is more impressive than the years prior.

OP - other than the shared episcopal affiliations, these are two very different schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question - what’s the argument for all boys in this day and age? STA is a great school and we would send our DS there in spite of it being all boys.

Boys and girls learn differently. Boys and girls largely have different energy levels. Boys mature more slowly. Boys are falling behind in national university admission percentages. Boys need to be educated in a way that works for who they are.

I agree that it can be beneficial for boys to learn in an environment that respects their specific needs. Attending an all-boys school might be good for lower school.

But ultimately, they have to live and perform in a world that includes girls and is much, much more diverse than STA. In some ways, attending a homogenous boys school is a big disadvantage. When DC was at NCS, the boys who attended the upper school coordinate classes would roll in unprepared but ready to talk over and mansplain. And they're told constantly that they're exceptional and are being prepared to lead. It was nothing we wanted our sons to be a part of.

You are taking something you heard second hand from one teenage girl and generalizing to all boys' schools. Also, graduates of single sex schools have somehow managed to perform in the big world, so your concern that they have been socially hampered by their hours in a classroom is imaginary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread and so ma y others like it is just tired and devoid of fact or humility. These are both good schools and they pull from different communities. We are a St Andrew’s alumni family that has stayed involved with the school. There are many families with children simultaneously at SAES and other schools - but it is more typical for the split to exist between SAES & GDS, Maret, Sidwell, Bullis, and MCPS & DCPS than it is with one of the cathedral schools.

That said, I suspect the direct answers to OP’s questions are STA homework load is greater as it follows the traditional methodology vs SAES’s following more updated approaches to process and retention that focus on in class execution over out of class repetition. For inclusiveness, you need to look at the stats and that’s best done in direct consultation with each school’s admissions office. What I can share about SAES is it has a diverse student body and while there is a genuine emphasis on inclusion in the classroom, on the playing field and in other pursuits - the social networks are highly segregated. Finally there was the question on college placement. And here there is inherently an apples and oranges comparison. STA is known for its impressive placement but it also has a very connected community of multi generational legacies as parents, grandparents, etc. College placement from SAES is more diverse, with greater emphasis on SLAC placement. Also worth noting in recent years SAES has intentionally invested in infrastructure and curriculum, attracting a higher profile applicant. Admissions are increasingly competitive, particularly in the traditional 9th grade expansion year and admitted student profiles have improved significantly. What was a back up school for many years is now a first choice and no longer a sure thing. College admissions enhancement has followed with the expected lag time. Each new year’s placement is more impressive than the years prior.

OP - other than the shared episcopal affiliations, these are two very different schools.

While you have insight on SAES, you seem to misunderstand what a traditional approach to education is, so you might want to not comment about that: "out of class repetition"?.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question - what’s the argument for all boys in this day and age? STA is a great school and we would send our DS there in spite of it being all boys.

Boys and girls learn differently. Boys and girls largely have different energy levels. Boys mature more slowly. Boys are falling behind in national university admission percentages. Boys need to be educated in a way that works for who they are.

I agree that it can be beneficial for boys to learn in an environment that respects their specific needs. Attending an all-boys school might be good for lower school.

But ultimately, they have to live and perform in a world that includes girls and is much, much more diverse than STA. In some ways, attending a homogenous boys school is a big disadvantage. When DC was at NCS, the boys who attended the upper school coordinate classes would roll in unprepared but ready to talk over and mansplain. And they're told constantly that they're exceptional and are being prepared to lead. It was nothing we wanted our sons to be a part of.

1000% NOT our experience at STA. Our boys (4) have been pushed to work, to learn, to think and certainly not being told anything will be given to them. Your post is so off it seems either very dated or entirely made up based on false assumptions about STA.

I'm the PP. Maybe my information is dated. It's from 5 years ago. Has everything changed? I doubt it. STA students most certainly ARE told how exceptional they are with regularity. The parents believe it and love it, from what I could tell from the hundreds of interactions I've had with STA families.

I am surprised it wasn’t thousands of conversations and or signed affidavits from STA parents. I think your overstatements with respect to your evidence are very telling.