Getting into St. Albans

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, I gather STA does its own testing. The 120 number, however, looks like a WISC number. I am not really interested in the STA number since our son has not taked that test and we have no ability to compare it with anything. But my son just took the WISC test, and we are thinking of possibly applying to STA. What does STA expect in terms of WISC? What range? How about the ERBs? My son scored 118 on WISC and mostly 7 to 8s one the ERBs. Otherwise, an above average kid in all areas, of course.

It's not a WISC score, it's from the Otis Lemon Intelligence Test. STA uses the OLIT as their admission test.

From Beauvoir apps they expect to see at least a 120, but will accept a lower score depending on other criteria.

Question for St. Albans parents out there with an average or above average child (strictly meaning less than 120 WISC) - does your child struggle with the work required by St. Albans? I know motivation factors into what kids (and people in general) are capable of accomplishing. But I'm wondering (if DS is fortunate to get accepted) if we're setting him up for failure or creating a situation where he may be stressed out or lacking in confidence. Any thoughts?

1) Smart

2) Athletic

3) Good looking

4) From money

5) Powerful/connected parent(s).

These are the ingredients for success at STA. If your DS only has one of the above, he will likely find it hard to succeed at STA. Two or more, and DS will be just fine.

You are so spot-on! The PP asking about the 118 WISC score, I wouldn't dwell too much on that. If your son's a combo 2 & 3, he's as good as in. Tutoring will help with any academic gaps.

[Anonymous]

I think this has to be one of the longest, continually hit-upon threads on DCUM.

Happy New Years, Getting into St. Albans thread!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting post about coaches first. Maybe they are confusing boys schools as I cannot think of a 6-9th grade teacher who was hired as a coach "first." The varsity baseball coach is a 6th grade teacher, and is one of the best teachers at the school. He had previous teaching experience too, but turned out to be fantastic -- motivating, organized, and very inspirational. More importantly, a natural teacher and my son really enjoyed him as a teacher (though to be honest he was a bit afraid of him too!). Otherwise some of the other teachers help coach, but none of them were hired as coaches first. I think anyone interested in STA should not rely on some of the info posted here, even if from supposed "alums" or "parents." Get a second opinion!

I agree. Contact the school's Director of Admissions who is also the school's head varsity soccer coach or chat with the asst. director who is the head varsity basketball coach.

And if they were first hired as coaches what difference does it make? Any less qualified for the multiple jobs performed? NO. Athletic adults who are also well educated. Fine with me and if any of you don't like it feel free to apply elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Maybe it was a school mixup. My friend at Landon told me a few years ago that her middle school son was being taught geography by a former Washington Redskins player whose college degree was in "criminal justice." Just guessing here, but it sounds like he MIGHT have been hired first as a coach! It makes a difference to me, because it tells me something about a school's priorities. I don't have a son at Landon or STA (but am considering both), but the emphasis that some boys' schools apparently put on sports gives me pause. If a guy can really coach AND teach, great, but the teaching has to be the priority, at least from my family's perspective. You know the old adage: Those who can't, teach. And those who can't teach, teach gym.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it was a school mixup. My friend at Landon told me a few years ago that her middle school son was being taught geography by a former Washington Redskins player whose college degree was in "criminal justice." Just guessing here, but it sounds like he MIGHT have been hired first as a coach! It makes a difference to me, because it tells me something about a school's priorities. I don't have a son at Landon or STA (but am considering both), but the emphasis that some boys' schools apparently put on sports gives me pause. If a guy can really coach AND teach, great, but the teaching has to be the priority, at least from my family's perspective. You know the old adage: Those who can't, teach. And those who can't teach, teach gym.

I don't think the school is right for your family. While I would disagree the school emphasizes sports more than academics, there certainly is a great deal of respect given to teachers/coaches (I would argue, deservedly) precisely for their important role as as mentors and counselors to the boys. I don't think your impression about coaches, or the importance of the coach-student relationship at the school, would be something shared by most families.

Good luck with what is always a difficult decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it was a school mixup. My friend at Landon told me a few years ago that her middle school son was being taught geography by a former Washington Redskins player whose college degree was in "criminal justice." Just guessing here, but it sounds like he MIGHT have been hired first as a coach! It makes a difference to me, because it tells me something about a school's priorities. I don't have a son at Landon or STA (but am considering both), but the emphasis that some boys' schools apparently put on sports gives me pause. If a guy can really coach AND teach, great, but the teaching has to be the priority, at least from my family's perspective. You know the old adage: Those who can't, teach. And those who can't teach, teach gym.

MIGHT in CAPS???? Why are YOU interested in these schools which do a fine job educating and mentoring BOYS? STA and Landon will do fine without your DS.

[Anonymous]

Isn't it ironic that DS super athlete, leader and brain with 2400 SATS headed to Ivy is somehow is no longer capable of academic or intellectual pusuits when he or she might return to the incubator to coach adn teach?

[Anonymous]

I am not sure I understand your post...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it was a school mixup. My friend at Landon told me a few years ago that her middle school son was being taught geography by a former Washington Redskins player whose college degree was in "criminal justice." Just guessing here, but it sounds like he MIGHT have been hired first as a coach! It makes a difference to me, because it tells me something about a school's priorities. I don't have a son at Landon or STA (but am considering both), but the emphasis that some boys' schools apparently put on sports gives me pause. If a guy can really coach AND teach, great, but the teaching has to be the priority, at least from my family's perspective. You know the old adage: Those who can't, teach. And those who can't teach, teach gym.

MIGHT in CAPS???? Why are YOU interested in these schools which do a fine job educating and mentoring BOYS? STA and Landon will do fine without your DS.

There are some really excellent coach-teachers at STA and some really inadequate coach-teachers that have no business teaching core curriculum subjects. Just because a man can throw/catch/bat a ball and win a classroom full of boy's awe doesn't mean that he should be playing classroom teacher. Really review and thoroughly understand what your son should be learning in each grade, especially during grades 4-8.

Don't waste your son's time and your money by leaving him ill-prepared for 9th grade and beyond.

[Anonymous]

That is true at every school, and I consider myself an educated consumer. Dollar for dollar, I would still pick STA for my sons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it was a school mixup. My friend at Landon told me a few years ago that her middle school son was being taught geography by a former Washington Redskins player whose college degree was in "criminal justice." Just guessing here, but it sounds like he MIGHT have been hired first as a coach! It makes a difference to me, because it tells me something about a school's priorities. I don't have a son at Landon or STA (but am considering both), but the emphasis that some boys' schools apparently put on sports gives me pause. If a guy can really coach AND teach, great, but the teaching has to be the priority, at least from my family's perspective. You know the old adage: Those who can't, teach. And those who can't teach, teach gym.

MIGHT in CAPS???? Why are YOU interested in these schools which do a fine job educating and mentoring BOYS? STA and Landon will do fine without your DS.

There are some really excellent coach-teachers at STA and some really inadequate coach-teachers that have no business teaching core curriculum subjects. Just because a man can throw/catch/bat a ball and win a classroom full of boy's awe doesn't mean that he should be playing classroom teacher. Really review and thoroughly understand what your son should be learning in each grade, especially during grades 4-8.

Don't waste your son's time and your money by leaving him ill-prepared for 9th grade and beyond.

I wonder then why the school is consistently ranked among the best high schools in the country. Wait wait, let me save you the trouble. Legacies, money, and preexisting aptitude. It usually comes back to that. I for one have researched the curriculum and feel my son is in good hands. I will agree with you however that just because someone can win over a class of boys doesn,t mean he should be in the classroom. Beauvoir has certainly taught me that!

[Anonymous]

I was wondering what the typical progress reports look like for boys (especially those admitted to 4th grade.) Since many private schools in the early grades do not use the typical letter grades (A,B,C etc) does St. Alban's expect the equivalent of an "all A" report card on the progress reports? For the boys coming from Beauvoir (or elsewhere), do they need to have the highest rating across the board on these reports? Much has been discussed re: testing expectations, but not on progress reports from lower grades. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

As to PP 13:12. Yes, there was a Landon MS teacher who was a former Redskins player. He coaches football there now. Lots of parental complaints about his teaching, so he was moved to the HS a couple of years ago. Don't know why he still teaches at Landon, but he does.

[Anonymous]

PP 13:12 here. That's what I mean about priorities, 13:12! I would love to send my kids to Landon based on its reputation for music, which they are very involved in, but when I hear reports like that, I am just so afraid I would spend four years feeling that the administration did not share our values (ie, education, including the arts, first, athletics second). That seems to be a hard set of values to find at the all-boys schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it was a school mixup. My friend at Landon told me a few years ago that her middle school son was being taught geography by a former Washington Redskins player whose college degree was in "criminal justice." Just guessing here, but it sounds like he MIGHT have been hired first as a coach! It makes a difference to me, because it tells me something about a school's priorities. I don't have a son at Landon or STA (but am considering both), but the emphasis that some boys' schools apparently put on sports gives me pause. If a guy can really coach AND teach, great, but the teaching has to be the priority, at least from my family's perspective. You know the old adage: Those who can't, teach. And those who can't teach, teach gym.

MIGHT in CAPS???? Why are YOU interested in these schools which do a fine job educating and mentoring BOYS? STA and Landon will do fine without your DS.

There are some really excellent coach-teachers at STA and some really inadequate coach-teachers that have no business teaching core curriculum subjects. Just because a man can throw/catch/bat a ball and win a classroom full of boy's awe doesn't mean that he should be playing classroom teacher. Really review and thoroughly understand what your son should be learning in each grade, especially during grades 4-8.

Don't waste your son's time and your money by leaving him ill-prepared for 9th grade and beyond.

I wonder then why the school is consistently ranked among the best high schools in the country. Wait wait, let me save you the trouble. Legacies, money, and preexisting aptitude. It usually comes back to that. I for one have researched the curriculum and feel my son is in good hands. I will agree with you however that just because someone can win over a class of boys doesn,t mean he should be in the classroom. Beauvoir has certainly taught me that!

Preexisting aptitude, really? Odd that STA nurtures so few National Merit Semifinalists. By the way, what's the the school's average SAT score since you for one are on top of your research? I agree with this, its ranking is probably based upon the rep of its legacies and money.