in your mind, is STA worth it for high school?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all your thoughts. Final decision is made; we're going to send him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We put one kid through NCS and another through STA. If I had another daughter, I would have sent her to another all-girls high school in a second. If I had another boy, I would have demanded a co-ed school. It isn't specifically a problem with STA, but the kind of male bonding he learned at an all boys school, especially around sexism, troubled me. There are many nice kids at STA, but in my opinion all-male schools tend to be more toxic than serving a particular need.

NCS grad here. Totally agree. The sexism at STA is rampant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've found that most boys who have the perfect grades, etc needed to get into these schools have some degree of (often controlled) anxiety. The default for an 8th grade boy is to blow off grades a bit. Not to the degree of failing but to let a few things slide. It's almost a rite of passage or a stage of development. Those who make it through junior high with everything done perfectly are often motivated in part by anxiety. not pathological anxiety but some low-grade anxiety that is often motivating. I speak from experience.

Great post! Thank you!

TBH most high achievers have controlled anxiety. A family member recently graduated from STA and sings its praises - same point as above re sexism though. Also, not sure that this point has been made but STA is also about the connections that stick with you for life, not just the setup for college. Personally, I would make sure you have open conversations with DS about things said in the all boys environment, and provide opportunities for DS to interact with women outside the more structured STA/NCS events.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thinking things through as the binding date approaches.
My son is smart, funny, athletic, and very conscientious about his school work (in part due to anxiety which he hides well). We thought (think) STA would be a great fit
because he thrives when teachers invest in him. However, I have no doubt that he would thrive at any school. He's a kid who does what is expected of him.
Do you think STA is good investment and worth $50K a year for high school? Would welcome any thoughts and please be kind.

St Albans provides a great educational opportunity to all who work for it.

That being said, if at this point if your son is still trying to decide- ( and this is not a fake post ) then likely he should not enroll

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all your thoughts. Final decision is made; we're going to send him.

Congratulations to your son! Most people don’t send their kids to a school like STA just for the academics and/or college admissions but for the lifelong connections that he can make there.

[Anonymous]

This class (2025) is a great one. He will do well.

[Anonymous]

Short answer for us is clearly Yes - worth every penny. We are academically-focused and the academics are strong.

Longer answer: If - and only if - one lives a long (time) commute from StA, then one should consider how that would intersect with mandatory school sports until 6pm and with the school start time. Adding a long (time) commute could make for sleep schedule pressures given the length of the school day there. This is personal preference, but something to think about.

Opinion: We would be MUCH happier if the after-school sports were optional, such that school ended at 4pm at all grades (for those not on competitive sports teams). My own (more ancient than StA) school did have intra-mural sports through Form III (9th grade), but those always occurred within an overall school day which always ended at 4pm. Inter-school competitive sports teams (JV or V) practiced from 4pm-6pm, but those were purely optional. Our DC has documented fine motor limitations, which don’t impair daily life but do mean he always will be bottom in any sport. So he has no interest in sports. The mandatory-for-all 4pm-6pm sports are just a colossal waste of time for those not desiring to participate in competitive sports teams.

[Anonymous]

I agree about the sports. The requirement also limits what the boys who are less interested in sports can do outside of school on weekdays, such as volunteering or outside arts activities, or even (as rare as this is) an after-school job. I support requiring some engagement in athletics, but not every season every year. It's not the right balance for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree about the sports. The requirement also limits what the boys who are less interested in sports can do outside of school on weekdays, such as volunteering or outside arts activities, or even (as rare as this is) an after-school job. I support requiring some engagement in athletics, but not every season every year. It's not the right balance for everyone.

I wish they’d consider going to a two season requirement. That’s what comparable schools across the country do, like in Boston and throughout New England. Works much better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thinking things through as the binding date approaches.
My son is smart, funny, athletic, and very conscientious about his school work (in part due to anxiety which he hides well). We thought (think) STA would be a great fit
because he thrives when teachers invest in him. However, I have no doubt that he would thrive at any school. He's a kid who does what is expected of him.
Do you think STA is good investment and worth $50K a year for high school? Would welcome any thoughts and please be kind.

St Albans provides a great educational opportunity to all who work for it.

That being said, if at this point if your son is still trying to decide- ( and this is not a fake post ) then likely he should not enroll

It's a fake post. What OP hoped to accomplish is a mystery to all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all your thoughts. Final decision is made; we're going to send him.

Great! Then I'll see him at the Cathedral Commons Giant this weekend next year, taking selfies with the fruit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all your thoughts. Final decision is made; we're going to send him.

Great! Then I'll see him at the Cathedral Commons Giant this weekend next year, taking selfies with the fruit.

I’m sorry, what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all your thoughts. Final decision is made; we're going to send him.

Great! Then I'll see him at the Cathedral Commons Giant this weekend next year, taking selfies with the fruit.

I’m sorry, what?

I just passed at least 15 of them doing this when I went to buy food for the weekend. 1 pm Friday before Memorial Day. Oh to be a teen...no responsibility.

[Anonymous]

In this area, no private school is worth it. I've lived elsewhere and enrolled my kids in excellent privates. But here? No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In this area, no private school is worth it. I've lived elsewhere and enrolled my kids in excellent privates. But here? No.

Lived in NYC and the Bay Area and think totally opposite. You admittedly have a small sample so you can’t compare. I am totally sold on the value of our DC private!