St. Steven/St.Agnes?

[Anonymous]

Know several families recently accepted for lower school grades. All good kids, but different interests. One is an avid music lover, another sports and reading, another is rather fragile and "artsy." How much room is there for kids who follow their own beat?

[Anonymous]

Heard once upon a time, the Lower School at St. Agnes was fabulous, with an outstanding admissions director, but now just a standard independent school.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure what the history is with the AD - but I know of many families that have recently left the school and are openly unhappy about various things kids/ teachers/culture etc. From what I understand, most of the turnover has to do with social (bullying/cliques etc), ineffective teachers and general quality issues. Until recent years, they were known as a conservative, "ALPHA/Jock school. With so many spots to fill and applications down, I'm not sure they even have enough apps to fill their spots, much less single out kids with that certain "fit". I also hear that the kids leave in droves after middle school and that the HS is not good - but again - I know other families that are happy there, and we have many wonderful friends that send their kids there (although reviews are VERY mixed - parents of athletes def. seem most happy). If any parents could shed some light about what is going on at SSSA I'd appreciate it. I'm trying to figure it out myself. Our child is in a K-8 and we live in Alexandria. Initially I thought SSSA would be an option for us for HS, but I'm not sure I'd even look there now. On the other hand - is it changing for the better? Is the HS really mediocre (unless you are a jock) or is the culture welcoming since so many new kids enter in 9th grade? I'd love to hear a current parent perspective.

[Anonymous]

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I have also heard that it is very girl focused. A lot of kids we know who have left are boys. I agree with the previous poster. Supposedly the lower school is really good, due in large part to the relatively new director. The middle school is decent and the high school supposedly very average. I have also heard that only about 20% of kids, in general who enter at K graduate from high school at any K-12 school however.