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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mr. Roper is leaving; the new admissions director is Tyler Casertano, I believe.

Yes, that's accurate. Hart Roper has been fantastic and will be a big loss -- what a kind, honest, inspiring person to have in that role. BUT happily for STA the incoming AD will be terrific. Current STA Upper School History Teacher and Assistant Head of Admissions for the Upper School. He's a Yale grad, Master's from Columbia's well-known independent school leadership program, admissions experience at STA, has coached three sports at STA, has taught in STA's co-ed summer public policy program, and is incredibly well respected within the STA community by students, parents, faculty. Grew up in the boarding school world (family is in education) so he'll understand that piece too. I'm sure by the time he's 40 he'll be a successful Head of School somewhere so good move by STA to hire him for this position.

Anyone know where Roper is headed?

Why don't you email the school and ask it just like that.

DCUM at its best!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would you describe the overall tone of the school? Country club? WASPY? Down to earth? Materialistic? What's it like to be an average middle class parent in this community that has a reputation for having kids of political high-flyers and wealthy kids attending?

Is school predominantly conservative or is it a mix of liberal and conservative?

Second question first -- it's a mix of liberal and conservative. The Episcopal Church is very progressive on social issues (e.g., same sex marriage) and the school is very supportive on diversity/inclusivity issues. The student newspaper wrote an article about political affiliation at STA in the last year or two and I think basically said it was mainly Democratic but that conservatives didn't feel silenced and that there was good debate as a result.

Tone of the school? Well, there's plenty of money. They give a lot of financial aid for this area (STA and Sidwell give the most for the privates, and about the same amount) but the majority are still full pay students and $40,000 year is a defining amount. Plenty of professional parents, two income parents, etc. Doesn't seem flashily materialistic but I'm not a shoes/handbag type (I work). There do seem to be a lot of families that belong to the Chevy Chase club but that seems more of a thing in the lower school with the Beauvoir kids and the class becomes more diverse (and less defined by country club, etc) once you hit high school. I think the parent body is pretty nice, and the kids are very accepting of other kids and don't get hung up on possessions etc. But, it's still a community where a lot of the kids will take fancy trips at breaks or over the summer. In that sense I think any kid will at some point probably say "why don't we have this" or "why don't we do that" unless they are exceptionally mature and understanding (more mature than I was).

I think the local Catholic schools are more diverse economically for sure, but St. Albans is about as good as it gets for the "expensive day school" world. Boys are pretty straightforward with each other and that's nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mr. Roper is leaving; the new admissions director is Tyler Casertano, I believe.

Yes, that's accurate. Hart Roper has been fantastic and will be a big loss -- what a kind, honest, inspiring person to have in that role. BUT happily for STA the incoming AD will be terrific. Current STA Upper School History Teacher and Assistant Head of Admissions for the Upper School. He's a Yale grad, Master's from Columbia's well-known independent school leadership program, admissions experience at STA, has coached three sports at STA, has taught in STA's co-ed summer public policy program, and is incredibly well respected within the STA community by students, parents, faculty. Grew up in the boarding school world (family is in education) so he'll understand that piece too. I'm sure by the time he's 40 he'll be a successful Head of School somewhere so good move by STA to hire him for this position.

Anyone know where Roper is headed?

Why don't you email the school and ask it just like that.

DCUM at its best!

The original post sounded sort of brusque/rude. Prob just someone typing on phone but didn't sound so nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you describe the overall tone of the school? Country club? WASPY? Down to earth? Materialistic? What's it like to be an average middle class parent in this community that has a reputation for having kids of political high-flyers and wealthy kids attending?

Is school predominantly conservative or is it a mix of liberal and conservative?

Second question first -- it's a mix of liberal and conservative. The Episcopal Church is very progressive on social issues (e.g., same sex marriage) and the school is very supportive on diversity/inclusivity issues. The student newspaper wrote an article about political affiliation at STA in the last year or two and I think basically said it was mainly Democratic but that conservatives didn't feel silenced and that there was good debate as a result.

Tone of the school? Well, there's plenty of money. They give a lot of financial aid for this area (STA and Sidwell give the most for the privates, and about the same amount) but the majority are still full pay students and $40,000 year is a defining amount. Plenty of professional parents, two income parents, etc. Doesn't seem flashily materialistic but I'm not a shoes/handbag type (I work). There do seem to be a lot of families that belong to the Chevy Chase club but that seems more of a thing in the lower school with the Beauvoir kids and the class becomes more diverse (and less defined by country club, etc) once you hit high school. I think the parent body is pretty nice, and the kids are very accepting of other kids and don't get hung up on possessions etc. But, it's still a community where a lot of the kids will take fancy trips at breaks or over the summer. In that sense I think any kid will at some point probably say "why don't we have this" or "why don't we do that" unless they are exceptionally mature and understanding (more mature than I was).

I think the local Catholic schools are more diverse economically for sure, but St. Albans is about as good as it gets for the "expensive day school" world. Boys are pretty straightforward with each other and that's nice.

Thanks, 17:58. Your post is very reassuring and gives a nice sense of the social and political tones of STA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mr. Roper is leaving; the new admissions director is Tyler Casertano, I believe.

Yes, that's accurate. Hart Roper has been fantastic and will be a big loss -- what a kind, honest, inspiring person to have in that role. BUT happily for STA the incoming AD will be terrific. Current STA Upper School History Teacher and Assistant Head of Admissions for the Upper School. He's a Yale grad, Master's from Columbia's well-known independent school leadership program, admissions experience at STA, has coached three sports at STA, has taught in STA's co-ed summer public policy program, and is incredibly well respected within the STA community by students, parents, faculty. Grew up in the boarding school world (family is in education) so he'll understand that piece too. I'm sure by the time he's 40 he'll be a successful Head of School somewhere so good move by STA to hire him for this position.

Anyone know where Roper is headed?

Why don't you email the school and ask it just like that.

DCUM at its best!

The original post sounded sort of brusque/rude. Prob just someone typing on phone but didn't sound so nice.

He's heading to Tennessee

[Anonymous]

The tone is set most by the boys. Which is usually a good thing, in that the boys tend to forge strong and supportive bonds with each other. Money and what title your dad has matters very little. Personality, athletic and other prowess, and a sense of humor is what seems to factor in to a boy's fitting in with everyone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mr. Roper is leaving; the new admissions director is Tyler Casertano, I believe.

Yes, that's accurate. Hart Roper has been fantastic and will be a big loss -- what a kind, honest, inspiring person to have in that role. BUT happily for STA the incoming AD will be terrific. Current STA Upper School History Teacher and Assistant Head of Admissions for the Upper School. He's a Yale grad, Master's from Columbia's well-known independent school leadership program, admissions experience at STA, has coached three sports at STA, has taught in STA's co-ed summer public policy program, and is incredibly well respected within the STA community by students, parents, faculty. Grew up in the boarding school world (family is in education) so he'll understand that piece too. I'm sure by the time he's 40 he'll be a successful Head of School somewhere so good move by STA to hire him for this position.

Anyone know where Roper is headed?

Why don't you email the school and ask it just like that.

DCUM at its best!

The original post sounded sort of brusque/rude. Prob just someone typing on phone but didn't sound so nice.

He's heading to Tennessee

Well he will be greatly missed. Does anyone know why Mr. Roper is moving, and what he will be doing next?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mr. Roper is leaving; the new admissions director is Tyler Casertano, I believe.

Yes, that's accurate. Hart Roper has been fantastic and will be a big loss -- what a kind, honest, inspiring person to have in that role. BUT happily for STA the incoming AD will be terrific. Current STA Upper School History Teacher and Assistant Head of Admissions for the Upper School. He's a Yale grad, Master's from Columbia's well-known independent school leadership program, admissions experience at STA, has coached three sports at STA, has taught in STA's co-ed summer public policy program, and is incredibly well respected within the STA community by students, parents, faculty. Grew up in the boarding school world (family is in education) so he'll understand that piece too. I'm sure by the time he's 40 he'll be a successful Head of School somewhere so good move by STA to hire him for this position.

Anyone know where Roper is headed?

Why don't you email the school and ask it just like that.

DCUM at its best!

The original post sounded sort of brusque/rude. Prob just someone typing on phone but didn't sound so nice.

He's heading to Tennessee

Well he will be greatly missed. Does anyone know why Mr. Roper is moving, and what he will be doing next?

He accepted a position at a private boys school, Bell Academy, and will miss STA as well as be missed greatly. Will be a hard act to follow, but the new AD is fantastic too.

[Anonymous]

I believe he is moving to be closer to family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you describe the overall tone of the school? Country club? WASPY? Down to earth? Materialistic? What's it like to be an average middle class parent in this community that has a reputation for having kids of political high-flyers and wealthy kids attending?

Is school predominantly conservative or is it a mix of liberal and conservative?

Second question first -- it's a mix of liberal and conservative. The Episcopal Church is very progressive on social issues (e.g., same sex marriage) and the school is very supportive on diversity/inclusivity issues. The student newspaper wrote an article about political affiliation at STA in the last year or two and I think basically said it was mainly Democratic but that conservatives didn't feel silenced and that there was good debate as a result.

Tone of the school? Well, there's plenty of money. They give a lot of financial aid for this area (STA and Sidwell give the most for the privates, and about the same amount) but the majority are still full pay students and $40,000 year is a defining amount. Plenty of professional parents, two income parents, etc. Doesn't seem flashily materialistic but I'm not a shoes/handbag type (I work). There do seem to be a lot of families that belong to the Chevy Chase club but that seems more of a thing in the lower school with the Beauvoir kids and the class becomes more diverse (and less defined by country club, etc) once you hit high school. I think the parent body is pretty nice, and the kids are very accepting of other kids and don't get hung up on possessions etc. But, it's still a community where a lot of the kids will take fancy trips at breaks or over the summer. In that sense I think any kid will at some point probably say "why don't we have this" or "why don't we do that" unless they are exceptionally mature and understanding (more mature than I was).

I think the local Catholic schools are more diverse economically for sure, but St. Albans is about as good as it gets for the "expensive day school" world. Boys are pretty straightforward with each other and that's nice.

+1 but I gotta clarify that Edmund Burke tops the independent schools in DC as far as financial aid; about 30 percent of their students receive partial or full funding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The tone is set most by the boys. Which is usually a good thing, in that the boys tend to forge strong and supportive bonds with each other. Money and what title your dad has matters very little. Personality, athletic and other prowess, and a sense of humor is what seems to factor in to a boy's fitting in with everyone else.

True dat.

Observations of friends there in the '80s, and my son there now, totally jibe with PP's description. If an STA kid is at home in his own skin, and if he doesn't take himself too seriously, he will be fine (just as he would be anywhere, actually!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you describe the overall tone of the school? Country club? WASPY? Down to earth? Materialistic? What's it like to be an average middle class parent in this community that has a reputation for having kids of political high-flyers and wealthy kids attending?

Is school predominantly conservative or is it a mix of liberal and conservative?

Second question first -- it's a mix of liberal and conservative. The Episcopal Church is very progressive on social issues (e.g., same sex marriage) and the school is very supportive on diversity/inclusivity issues. The student newspaper wrote an article about political affiliation at STA in the last year or two and I think basically said it was mainly Democratic but that conservatives didn't feel silenced and that there was good debate as a result.

Tone of the school? Well, there's plenty of money. They give a lot of financial aid for this area (STA and Sidwell give the most for the privates, and about the same amount) but the majority are still full pay students and $40,000 year is a defining amount. Plenty of professional parents, two income parents, etc. Doesn't seem flashily materialistic but I'm not a shoes/handbag type (I work). There do seem to be a lot of families that belong to the Chevy Chase club but that seems more of a thing in the lower school with the Beauvoir kids and the class becomes more diverse (and less defined by country club, etc) once you hit high school. I think the parent body is pretty nice, and the kids are very accepting of other kids and don't get hung up on possessions etc. But, it's still a community where a lot of the kids will take fancy trips at breaks or over the summer. In that sense I think any kid will at some point probably say "why don't we have this" or "why don't we do that" unless they are exceptionally mature and understanding (more mature than I was).

I think the local Catholic schools are more diverse economically for sure, but St. Albans is about as good as it gets for the "expensive day school" world. Boys are pretty straightforward with each other and that's nice.

+1 but I gotta clarify that Edmund Burke tops the independent schools in DC as far as financial aid; about 30 percent of their students receive partial or full funding.

Yeah, that's a higher percentage of students who receive aid. For a full picture one also needs to know the average award (and of course the amount of tuition). Good for Burke, they don't get as much air time but a great school.

[Anonymous]

Do they need laceup shoes at all? If so, where does one buy them? My DS will be a 7th grader at STA.

[Anonymous]

The boys where all types of shoes . . . Rarely see dress shoes on normal school days . . . Brightly colored sneakers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they need laceup shoes at all? If so, where does one buy them? My DS will be a 7th grader at STA.

I think there are a couple of events where they would not wear sneakers with their school dress code. But it would not need to be lace up shoes; it could be leather loafers or something like that. On most days most of the kids just wear sneakers, though.