in your mind, is STA worth it for high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would focus on how serious your sons anxiety is.
If it is bad then STA might not be the best for him

Agree. You might want to choose a school that is less of a pressure cooker.

How is it a pressure cooker though? Is the schedule on the website just for COVID time or does the academic day always only have 4 classes and end at lunch?

The current schedule is only because of COVID. It's about 60% of what the usual workload is; the school day usually ends around 2:30 if I recall, with lower school sports until 4/4:30 and upper school then from 4/4:30-6/6:30. It's a pressure cooker in normal times because: the day is long with required sports until 6/6:30; virtually all the boys are very high performing so everywhere you turn, someone is way better than you at something (true in life, but those who get in to STA at 9th were probably used to being at the top of the class pretty easily so it's an adjustment); the reading and writing is MUCH more challenging than what most publics and many other privates expect; if a kid if grade obsessed it can be hard to ascertain what it takes to get a high A from some teachers (it can feel like a moving target if used to having a rubric to work backwards from.) The homework load is relatively high. It was a shock for my son to realize he really did need to do homework from 7-11 or 12 weeknights, including Friday night, plus spend many hours on Sat and Sun to get papers written and study for tests in order to do well. I think the pressure comes for boys (and parents of boys) who compare themselves to others and worry about their position in a hierarchy. It is hard to be at the "top" at STA and it's an adjustment for many who come in at 9th. If he/you can ignore the invidious comparison dynamic and focus on learning and self-improvement and not obsess over where you stand relative to others, the boys seem to be really supportive of each other, help each other out, and come to recognize and appreciate the diverse individual talents of each other. Some kids just have a hard time making the adjustment away from thinking about school as a competitive environment.


Is that "worth it"? It has felt worth it for our family because I see how the work will prepare him for success in college, wherever that may be, although without the counterfactual of seeing what is happening in our public HS perhaps I'm overestimating the difference.

Above post is spot on. We were pleasantly surprised how much is STA is NOT a pressure cooker, but again it's COVID times so maybe not a true reflection of a typical year. The other students have been tremendously supportive and most teachers too. There is a culture of support, and our son hasn't indicated any "competition" going on. Then again, he's never bought into that anyway and is very focussed on his own work. The small class sizes, support systems and camaraderie have made it "worth it" to us. We are confident that our son will be well prepared for college and life. He's learning how to think, not what to think. He's also learning that there will always be greater and lesser students than him and he should focus on what he needs to do to be successful, yet help others when he can. Life is a team sport and STA is a fine coach.

[Anonymous]

Good to hear. I was pretty shocked to see such a light academic schedule for a school with a strong academic reputation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there are few expensive schools that are worth the tuition compared to public, but STA is one that falls in the worth it category.

I disagree that this is always the case. For a kid who would get lost in the shuffle perhaps but not necessarily a hard working student who is a rule follower and will do well anywhere. In fact, in a larger well regarded public school in this area, he might find more friend options and will definitely have more advanced class options his senior year, this is simply a factor of size. It really depends on the kid. OP, if you are still uncertain I’d say don’t do it. 200k plus the additional increase each year and then expected donations is money that could be spent on college or grad school or a vacation home... if you aren’t sold by now there is a reason you feel this way. I know a few families there in different grades. Some are happy and some feel so so. The happy ones have kids who who would not thrive at public or went to schools like STA themselves, the so so feeling ones are those whose sons would likely do well anywhere and are very strong students from what they say. Take from that what you will...

Best advise ever! wish our son did not attend despite getting into a good school. Having mental illness such as anxiety due to academic pressure is not right for anybody no matter what!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there are few expensive schools that are worth the tuition compared to public, but STA is one that falls in the worth it category.

I disagree that this is always the case. For a kid who would get lost in the shuffle perhaps but not necessarily a hard working student who is a rule follower and will do well anywhere. In fact, in a larger well regarded public school in this area, he might find more friend options and will definitely have more advanced class options his senior year, this is simply a factor of size. It really depends on the kid. OP, if you are still uncertain I’d say don’t do it. 200k plus the additional increase each year and then expected donations is money that could be spent on college or grad school or a vacation home... if you aren’t sold by now there is a reason you feel this way. I know a few families there in different grades. Some are happy and some feel so so. The happy ones have kids who who would not thrive at public or went to schools like STA themselves, the so so feeling ones are those whose sons would likely do well anywhere and are very strong students from what they say. Take from that what you will...

Best advise ever! wish our son did not attend despite getting into a good school. Having mental illness such as anxiety due to academic pressure is not right for anybody no matter what!

Did you consider pulling your son out of an environment that gave him so much anxiety? If so, why didn't you move him? Legitimately curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there are few expensive schools that are worth the tuition compared to public, but STA is one that falls in the worth it category.

I disagree that this is always the case. For a kid who would get lost in the shuffle perhaps but not necessarily a hard working student who is a rule follower and will do well anywhere. In fact, in a larger well regarded public school in this area, he might find more friend options and will definitely have more advanced class options his senior year, this is simply a factor of size. It really depends on the kid. OP, if you are still uncertain I’d say don’t do it. 200k plus the additional increase each year and then expected donations is money that could be spent on college or grad school or a vacation home... if you aren’t sold by now there is a reason you feel this way. I know a few families there in different grades. Some are happy and some feel so so. The happy ones have kids who who would not thrive at public or went to schools like STA themselves, the so so feeling ones are those whose sons would likely do well anywhere and are very strong students from what they say. Take from that what you will...

Best advise ever! wish our son did not attend despite getting into a good school. Having mental illness such as anxiety due to academic pressure is not right for anybody no matter what!

Did you consider pulling your son out of an environment that gave him so much anxiety? If so, why didn't you move him? Legitimately curious.

I'm not the PP but it is hard in HS to pull your kid out of a private HS unless they are really unhappy, even if you no longer think it's the best fit. Really hard, so those rethinking 9th grade entry should be certain they want the private school they are entering before June 1.

[Anonymous]

Best advise ever! wish our son did not attend despite getting into a good school. Having mental illness such as anxiety due to academic pressure is not right for anybody no matter what!

Did you consider pulling your son out of an environment that gave him so much anxiety? If so, why didn't you move him? Legitimately curious.

We did consider but DS wasn't willing and his therapist was also against pulling him out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would focus on how serious your sons anxiety is.
If it is bad then STA might not be the best for him

Exactly. And mother should ask if she has anxiety that plays into this and makes it worse. I hope both of you are working on this issue!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It might help to know why you decided to apply out of public to STA to determine if what you are looking for is realistic. As someone mentioned, don’t go there just to get into a top college. Being at the top of the grade academically is going to be tough and if that’s what your son wants, potentially very anxiety inducing. Some kids do better when everyone around them is pushing to do better and others do better when they are comfortably ahead of others. Tough to be comfortably ahead of others at STA.

I think realistic reasons are more personal growth oriented. If you want individual attention/motivating teachers, personal accountability, tight community, confidence building, leadership, etc those are realistic wants he could get at STA and potentially not at public.

Good luck! It’s a fantastic school and you are fortunate to have the choice.

No one mentioned applying out of public. Maybe kid is coming from a K-8. Reading comprehension again, people!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thinking things through as the binding date approaches.
My son is smart, funny, athletic, and very conscientious about his school work (in part due to anxiety which he hides well). We thought (think) STA would be a great fit
because he thrives when teachers invest in him. However, I have no doubt that he would thrive at any school. He's a kid who does what is expected of him.
Do you think STA is good investment and worth $50K a year for high school? Would welcome any thoughts and please be kind.

OP, it's impossible to answer this question for you. Is it a stretch for you to come up with $200,000 to send your kid to four years of high school, or are you made of money? What kind of "investment" are you talking about? Will it get him into a better college than if he goes to Next Door High School? No. Will he get a better high school education than if he goes to Next Door High School? Quite possibly. Will he love and thrive in the community at STA, as compared to Next Door High School? Impossible to know.

If you're really looking to put a dollar value on this decision, that's a 100% personal choice. No one can decide that but you.

Disagree. It will get him into a better college most likely. Yes the top top of Publics and others go to Ivies but even the lower tier at STA goes to pretty top notch schools. All go to 4 year college and most are in the top 30 in the country.

Do you have college tuition saved to afford about $85k a year of college? Because it is likely that is what college will cost. And if you are “DC poor” - making $150 - $200k for a family of four, you can forget about any financial help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thinking things through as the binding date approaches.
My son is smart, funny, athletic, and very conscientious about his school work (in part due to anxiety which he hides well). We thought (think) STA would be a great fit
because he thrives when teachers invest in him. However, I have no doubt that he would thrive at any school. He's a kid who does what is expected of him.
Do you think STA is good investment and worth $50K a year for high school? Would welcome any thoughts and please be kind.

OP, it's impossible to answer this question for you. Is it a stretch for you to come up with $200,000 to send your kid to four years of high school, or are you made of money? What kind of "investment" are you talking about? Will it get him into a better college than if he goes to Next Door High School? No. Will he get a better high school education than if he goes to Next Door High School? Quite possibly. Will he love and thrive in the community at STA, as compared to Next Door High School? Impossible to know.

If you're really looking to put a dollar value on this decision, that's a 100% personal choice. No one can decide that but you.

Disagree. It will get him into a better college most likely. Yes the top top of Publics and others go to Ivies but even the lower tier at STA goes to pretty top notch schools. All go to 4 year college and most are in the top 30 in the country.

Do you have college tuition saved to afford about $85k a year of college? Because it is likely that is what college will cost. And if you are “DC poor” - making $150 - $200k for a family of four, you can forget about any financial help.

Well, Harvard won’t charge you tuition, room and board if you make 150k or less as will most other Ivies and similar with huge endowments which are need blind. So if your child can get in...

[Anonymous]

College placement as one metric. For the Class of 2021:

Harvard (multiple), Yale (multiple), Princeton (multiple), Columbia, Dartmouth (a boatload), Cornell (multiple), Alabama, BC, Chicago (lots), Bates, Berkeley, Boston College, Bowdoin (many), Denver, Duke, Gettysburg, Indiana, McGill, Miami, Michigan (multiple), Northeastern, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Pomona, Richmond, Rollins, St. Andrews (multiple), SMU, Temple, Tulane (multiple), UCLA, UNC, UT, UVA, VMI, Wake (multiple), Wash U (multiple), Wesleyan, West Point, Washington and Lee (multiple), Williams, Wisconsin.


This represents 80-90% of the class of the class. So yes OP, 100% worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:College placement as one metric. For the Class of 2021:

Harvard (multiple), Yale (multiple), Princeton (multiple), Columbia, Dartmouth (a boatload), Cornell (multiple), Alabama, BC, Chicago (lots), Bates, Berkeley, Boston College, Bowdoin (many), Denver, Duke, Gettysburg, Indiana, McGill, Miami, Michigan (multiple), Northeastern, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Pomona, Richmond, Rollins, St. Andrews (multiple), SMU, Temple, Tulane (multiple), UCLA, UNC, UT, UVA, VMI, Wake (multiple), Wash U (multiple), Wesleyan, West Point, Washington and Lee (multiple), Williams, Wisconsin.


This represents 80-90% of the class of the class. So yes OP, 100% worth it.

I actually think this is the entire class. I don't see anyone you've missed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thinking things through as the binding date approaches.
My son is smart, funny, athletic, and very conscientious about his school work (in part due to anxiety which he hides well). We thought (think) STA would be a great fit
because he thrives when teachers invest in him. However, I have no doubt that he would thrive at any school. He's a kid who does what is expected of him.
Do you think STA is good investment and worth $50K a year for high school? Would welcome any thoughts and please be kind.

OP, it's impossible to answer this question for you. Is it a stretch for you to come up with $200,000 to send your kid to four years of high school, or are you made of money? What kind of "investment" are you talking about? Will it get him into a better college than if he goes to Next Door High School? No. Will he get a better high school education than if he goes to Next Door High School? Quite possibly. Will he love and thrive in the community at STA, as compared to Next Door High School? Impossible to know.

If you're really looking to put a dollar value on this decision, that's a 100% personal choice. No one can decide that but you.

Disagree. It will get him into a better college most likely. Yes the top top of Publics and others go to Ivies but even the lower tier at STA goes to pretty top notch schools. All go to 4 year college and most are in the top 30 in the country.

Do you have college tuition saved to afford about $85k a year of college? Because it is likely that is what college will cost. And if you are “DC poor” - making $150 - $200k for a family of four, you can forget about any financial help.

Well, Harvard won’t charge you tuition, room and board if you make 150k or less as will most other Ivies and similar with huge endowments which are need blind. So if your child can get in...

Just FYI, that is a bit exaggerated. If OP has been earning $150k for a while, she can’t suddenly downshift to a lower paying job and expect aid. I know someone in a similar scenario but due to illness - still didn’t work out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:College placement as one metric. For the Class of 2021:

Harvard (multiple), Yale (multiple), Princeton (multiple), Columbia, Dartmouth (a boatload), Cornell (multiple), Alabama, BC, Chicago (lots), Bates, Berkeley, Boston College, Bowdoin (many), Denver, Duke, Gettysburg, Indiana, McGill, Miami, Michigan (multiple), Northeastern, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Pomona, Richmond, Rollins, St. Andrews (multiple), SMU, Temple, Tulane (multiple), UCLA, UNC, UT, UVA, VMI, Wake (multiple), Wash U (multiple), Wesleyan, West Point, Washington and Lee (multiple), Williams, Wisconsin.


This represents 80-90% of the class of the class. So yes OP, 100% worth it.

If you can pay for it. Note the lesser ranked schools - those are for the kids whose parents splashed out on private school but didn’t save enough for college. This happened to a friend. They got merit from a lower ranked college but kid is now unchallenged at that institution and will be transferring, at a large added expense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:College placement as one metric. For the Class of 2021:

Harvard (multiple), Yale (multiple), Princeton (multiple), Columbia, Dartmouth (a boatload), Cornell (multiple), Alabama, BC, Chicago (lots), Bates, Berkeley, Boston College, Bowdoin (many), Denver, Duke, Gettysburg, Indiana, McGill, Miami, Michigan (multiple), Northeastern, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Pomona, Richmond, Rollins, St. Andrews (multiple), SMU, Temple, Tulane (multiple), UCLA, UNC, UT, UVA, VMI, Wake (multiple), Wash U (multiple), Wesleyan, West Point, Washington and Lee (multiple), Williams, Wisconsin.


This represents 80-90% of the class of the class. So yes OP, 100% worth it.

I actually think this is the entire class. I don't see anyone you've missed

Wow impressive. There is not a single bad school on that list.