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

[Anonymous]

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St. Ablans = the most snotty prep school in the area

Perhaps the parents. But the boys and young men I know from St. Albans are some of the most grounded, civic minded, and compassionate kids I have met.

[Anonymous]

So how did your new to STA son do after the first week?

Mixed on our end.

Teacher seems great. Lunch is awesome. Other boys seem hyper preppy and sporty. DS is neither.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So how did your new to STA son do after the first week?

Mixed on our end.

Teacher seems great. Lunch is awesome. Other boys seem hyper preppy and sporty. DS is neither.

Lost a blazer, a tie, and gym clothes.

Otherwise, great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So how did your new to STA son do after the first week?

Mixed on our end.

Teacher seems great. Lunch is awesome. Other boys seem hyper preppy and sporty. DS is neither.

Lost a blazer, a tie, and gym clothes.

Otherwise, great.

He will find them when he is in Form B . . . LOL!!! My son lost all the same items in Form C. They all showed up the first week back in Form B. Wishing your son a great school year!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll jump on the bandwagon and ask a few questions as well. I'm getting ready to apply for the next school year. We're being encouraged by people who are involved with the school because of our DC's skill set: scholar/athlete. Our DC, who also fits into a minority category, has been very successful (gifted program placement) in the public school system and does not necessarily want to change things. DC is also showing promise in two different sports at the travel level. DC is disciplined and goal oriented; he is also very social and popular with fellow students/friends. Though we cannot afford the tuition, it is not the cause for our anxiety about having him possibly attend the school. We are concerned about the social dynamics. Right now he is confident, driven and sure of himself. I wonder if that will change at a place where he will be in the financially disadvantage group. We are professional and would be considered well read and well traveled, but we would not be at the financial level of most of the population there. Any advice would be helpful?

Let me make sure I hear you correctly: You son is doing well in a gifted program, is happy with lots of friends and doesn't want to leave his current school environment. So, what exactly do you hope to gain by uprooting your child ? And that is before you throw in that you can't afford the tuition. I call troll post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll jump on the bandwagon and ask a few questions as well. I'm getting ready to apply for the next school year. We're being encouraged by people who are involved with the school because of our DC's skill set: scholar/athlete. Our DC, who also fits into a minority category, has been very successful (gifted program placement) in the public school system and does not necessarily want to change things. DC is also showing promise in two different sports at the travel level. DC is disciplined and goal oriented; he is also very social and popular with fellow students/friends. Though we cannot afford the tuition, it is not the cause for our anxiety about having him possibly attend the school. We are concerned about the social dynamics. Right now he is confident, driven and sure of himself. I wonder if that will change at a place where he will be in the financially disadvantage group. We are professional and would be considered well read and well traveled, but we would not be at the financial level of most of the population there. Any advice would be helpful?

Let me make sure I hear you correctly: You son is doing well in a gifted program, is happy with lots of friends and doesn't want to leave his current school environment. So, what exactly do you hope to gain by uprooting your child ? And that is before you throw in that you can't afford the tuition. I call troll post.

Fine, but I call shotgun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Other boys seem hyper preppy and sporty.

It is St. Albans.

what did you expect???????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll jump on the bandwagon and ask a few questions as well. I'm getting ready to apply for the next school year. We're being encouraged by people who are involved with the school because of our DC's skill set: scholar/athlete. Our DC, who also fits into a minority category, has been very successful (gifted program placement) in the public school system and does not necessarily want to change things. DC is also showing promise in two different sports at the travel level. DC is disciplined and goal oriented; he is also very social and popular with fellow students/friends. Though we cannot afford the tuition, it is not the cause for our anxiety about having him possibly attend the school. We are concerned about the social dynamics. Right now he is confident, driven and sure of himself. I wonder if that will change at a place where he will be in the financially disadvantage group. We are professional and would be considered well read and well traveled, but we would not be at the financial level of most of the population there. Any advice would be helpful?

Let me make sure I hear you correctly: You son is doing well in a gifted program, is happy with lots of friends and doesn't want to leave his current school environment. So, what exactly do you hope to gain by uprooting your child ? And that is before you throw in that you can't afford the tuition. I call troll post.

I agree with you we shouldn't change things, but DH is insisting. He has even taken over the application process, a first for him. I am usually the one in charge of school stuff. He has not been pushy about it but going about it in a passive/aggressive way, trying to convince DS why this is a good choice for him.

[Anonymous]

All schools are finically diverse. This is Washington and everyone has their non-profit meeting criteria down cold.

There are many reasons to send a child to STA. Its a great school, a disciplined and challenging environment and any kid will get a great education there. Some parents are Alumni. Others have no public option and are extremely grateful for the opportunity. But you seem to have a good fit elsewhere already and your kid is thriving to boot.

I don't know any parent who takes a kid who is doing great academically and socially out of a great school and tries to make them repeat their success when :

1) the parents can't afford the tuition
2) the kid does not want to go to the school


Analogy: I have a great marriage: I love my spouse and we have three happy, healthy kids and a great work/life balance, but lets file for divorce and start dating again and see if we can each find just a good a partner and have our kids adjust. You know, just for the hell of it.

[Anonymous]

Nobody cares about your finances...we are too busy making flash cards...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Other boys seem hyper preppy and sporty.

It is St. Albans.

what did you expect???????

I wish my DH and I had not worn Birkenstocks to the first school event. We are new parents, and I may be paranoid, but believe we have already been branded by others.

[Anonymous]

My son asked a girl to homecoming. And she said yes! What do I need to do now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son asked a girl to homecoming. And she said yes! What do I need to do now?

good lord, butt out ! I believe your job is simply to loan your DS the car keys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son asked a girl to homecoming. And she said yes! What do I need to do now?

good lord, butt out ! I believe your job is simply to loan your DS the car keys.

It's not a bad idea to see what the dinner plans are and make sure there is a transportation plan that would NOTpotentially involve drinking/driving. Uber can be a good choice. Sometimes parents also help with corsage acquisition, I think.