St. Andrews vs. STA for high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread and so ma y others like it is just tired and devoid of fact or humility. These are both good schools and they pull from different communities. We are a St Andrew’s alumni family that has stayed involved with the school. There are many families with children simultaneously at SAES and other schools - but it is more typical for the split to exist between SAES & GDS, Maret, Sidwell, Bullis, and MCPS & DCPS than it is with one of the cathedral schools.

That said, I suspect the direct answers to OP’s questions are STA homework load is greater as it follows the traditional methodology vs SAES’s following more updated approaches to process and retention that focus on in class execution over out of class repetition. For inclusiveness, you need to look at the stats and that’s best done in direct consultation with each school’s admissions office. What I can share about SAES is it has a diverse student body and while there is a genuine emphasis on inclusion in the classroom, on the playing field and in other pursuits - the social networks are highly segregated. Finally there was the question on college placement. And here there is inherently an apples and oranges comparison. STA is known for its impressive placement but it also has a very connected community of multi generational legacies as parents, grandparents, etc. College placement from SAES is more diverse, with greater emphasis on SLAC placement. Also worth noting in recent years SAES has intentionally invested in infrastructure and curriculum, attracting a higher profile applicant. Admissions are increasingly competitive, particularly in the traditional 9th grade expansion year and admitted student profiles have improved significantly. What was a back up school for many years is now a first choice and no longer a sure thing. College admissions enhancement has followed with the expected lag time. Each new year’s placement is more impressive than the years prior.

OP - other than the shared episcopal affiliations, these are two very different schools.

This is intriguing (I am an applicant). Can you expound and share what you mean by this, and what experiences or insight you have regarding this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread and so ma y others like it is just tired and devoid of fact or humility. These are both good schools and they pull from different communities. We are a St Andrew’s alumni family that has stayed involved with the school. There are many families with children simultaneously at SAES and other schools - but it is more typical for the split to exist between SAES & GDS, Maret, Sidwell, Bullis, and MCPS & DCPS than it is with one of the cathedral schools.

That said, I suspect the direct answers to OP’s questions are STA homework load is greater as it follows the traditional methodology vs SAES’s following more updated approaches to process and retention that focus on in class execution over out of class repetition. For inclusiveness, you need to look at the stats and that’s best done in direct consultation with each school’s admissions office. What I can share about SAES is it has a diverse student body and while there is a genuine emphasis on inclusion in the classroom, on the playing field and in other pursuits - the social networks are highly segregated. Finally there was the question on college placement. And here there is inherently an apples and oranges comparison. STA is known for its impressive placement but it also has a very connected community of multi generational legacies as parents, grandparents, etc. College placement from SAES is more diverse, with greater emphasis on SLAC placement. Also worth noting in recent years SAES has intentionally invested in infrastructure and curriculum, attracting a higher profile applicant. Admissions are increasingly competitive, particularly in the traditional 9th grade expansion year and admitted student profiles have improved significantly. What was a back up school for many years is now a first choice and no longer a sure thing. College admissions enhancement has followed with the expected lag time. Each new year’s placement is more impressive than the years prior.

OP - other than the shared episcopal affiliations, these are two very different schools.

I'm not the PP but I think she means there are lots of cliques.

This is intriguing (I am an applicant). Can you expound and share what you mean by this, and what experiences or insight you have regarding this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Serious question - what’s the argument for all boys in this day and age? STA is a great school and we would send our DS there in spite of it being all boys.

Boys and girls learn differently. Boys and girls largely have different energy levels. Boys mature more slowly. Boys are falling behind in national university admission percentages. Boys need to be educated in a way that works for who they are.

I agree that it can be beneficial for boys to learn in an environment that respects their specific needs. Attending an all-boys school might be good for lower school.

But ultimately, they have to live and perform in a world that includes girls and is much, much more diverse than STA. In some ways, attending a homogenous boys school is a big disadvantage. When DC was at NCS, the boys who attended the upper school coordinate classes would roll in unprepared but ready to talk over and mansplain. And they're told constantly that they're exceptional and are being prepared to lead. It was nothing we wanted our sons to be a part of.

1000% NOT our experience at STA. Our boys (4) have been pushed to work, to learn, to think and certainly not being told anything will be given to them. Your post is so off it seems either very dated or entirely made up based on false assumptions about STA.

Let's save that talk for the Landon boys lol


4 boys currently at STA? There can only be one or two families that meet that criteria. You post often on here and glad you like the school. It is a great school but your experience may not be everyone’s and you should be more respectful of that.

Not the PP but asking them to show respect is kind of funny when they’re responding to a NCS parent essentially calling their sons dumb ass*oles. No calls for respect there?

[Anonymous]

You can't be serious. There is no comparison between STA and SAES. SAES is not in STA's league.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can't be serious. There is no comparison between STA and SAES. SAES is not in STA's league.

+1

[Anonymous]

Unless your kid fits in better at SAES. Get over yourself. Maybe the PP is uncomfortable with nazi imagery in the yearbook.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can't be serious. There is no comparison between STA and SAES. SAES is not in STA's league.

Exactly! SAES is for average kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't be serious. There is no comparison between STA and SAES. SAES is not in STA's league.

Exactly! SAES is for average kids.

My child is not average nor are many of her friends, but we find many of the teachers to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't be serious. There is no comparison between STA and SAES. SAES is not in STA's league.

Exactly! SAES is for average kids.

My child is not average nor are many of her friends, but we find many of the teachers to be.

My husband and I were also surprised that two of our DC's teachers were very average. We expected more from the school then is being delivered.

[Anonymous]

We have one at a Big 3 and one still at our K-8. I could say the same about both of our kids’ schools. They have some gifted teachers who have really made a difference in our kids’ learning, but some are pretty average in comparison. They are not bad teachers, but can every teacher at a school really be great? Serious question.

[Anonymous]

I am an old Landon boy who knows STA and also has relatives who went to St. Andrews. I.e., i don't have skin in this game.
In my view, St.Albans/Cathderal and Sidwell Friends offer the best schooling in the DC area. They ARE prestigious.
St. Andrews is in fact much better than a school for kids who can't get into STA. It has a more balanced approach and values a wider spectrum of student - plenty of smart kids, plenty of more normal, and a few with issues who thought to deserve a shot at good schooling.
Both approaches are valid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an old Landon boy who knows STA and also has relatives who went to St. Andrews. I.e., i don't have skin in this game.
In my view, St.Albans/Cathderal and Sidwell Friends offer the best schooling in the DC area. They ARE prestigious.
St. Andrews is in fact much better than a school for kids who can't get into STA. It has a more balanced approach and values a wider spectrum of student - plenty of smart kids, plenty of more normal, and a few with issues who thought to deserve a shot at good schooling.
Both approaches are valid.

St. Andrew's has the reputation of teaching bright children with learning differences, but the reality is they really don't know how to do it effectively.

[Anonymous]

SAES took several of my my friends kids during Covid who were really struggling in public (getting C's). This would never happen at STA as it's just not their mission (no judgement).
However, SAES has a whole variety of kids--from those who need extra support to high flyers. I increasingly think this environment sounds nice. The intensity of the Big3 schools (we have kids
in 2 different high schools) is wearing my kids (and me) down.

[Anonymous]

We're a family that had experience at both SAES and a cathedral school. Both kids did well and were challenged, both matriculated at great colleges, but only one felt like he had a balanced life. SAES all the way. Why burn them out?? And there's a huge benefit to attending a coed school. These kids aren't going out into a single sex world.

[Anonymous]

Both good Episcopal schools welcoming to families of all faiths. STA is all-male, traditional, and a bigger brand name amongst the country club set. SAES is newer, co-ed, and more diverse and forward-looking. Both nice campuses. STA is Dead Poets Society and religious about tradition. SAES is research-based teaching and religious about student happiness. Some DCUM posters are upset their child didn't get into the 'right' school and jealous of the strides SAES has achieved, or want to tear down STA's well-earned reputation for academic excellence, hence the trolling. But both schools offer top notch experiences with small class sizes and outstanding teachers. And there are plenty of kids at each who (gasp!) turned down Sidwell or GDS in favor of a better fit. If your son wants to push himself academically, play lots of sports vs. IAC teams (think Bullis, Landon, GTown Prep), wear a coat and tie, and get into a good college: choose STA. If your son wants to go to school with girls, have a well-balanced education/social/emotional experience, and get more varsity playing time vs. MAC sports teams (think Sidwell, GDS, Potomac), and get into a good college, choose SAES. Best way to figure out which is a better fit is to visit both campuses and have you son meet current students, teachers, and coaches. Good luck!