SSSAS Upper School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, we haven’t because nothing is graded within a month. Hold my beer.

You could have left last year.

Because parents of 8th graders on an entirely separate campus should have predicted a problem with a new US English teacher?

The English teacher is a problem, compounded by the generally poor idea (new this year) of allowing only in-class work on essays because of the fear of using ChatGPT to cheat. We’re toughing it out for this year, personally, because everything else is going great for DC and they are very happy. But the English department struggles are a big frustration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, we haven’t because nothing is graded within a month. Hold my beer.

You could have left last year.

Because parents of 8th graders on an entirely separate campus should have predicted a problem with a new US English teacher?

The English teacher is a problem, compounded by the generally poor idea (new this year) of allowing only in-class work on essays because of the fear of using ChatGPT to cheat. We’re toughing it out for this year, personally, because everything else is going great for DC and they are very happy. But the English department struggles are a big frustration.

Because everyone else is tired of watching the constant jockeying to ensure your child gets what you think they deserve - when clearly they can’t write independently, in class. These posts as a way to intimidate the school are not helping your kid. I’m sure the school can’t wait to deal with you come college application time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What exactly is the issue with this new English teacher??

It's so nuanced that it's too difficult to articulate in this type of forum. Conventional wisdom would suggest that if numerous kids have always had good grades in English and suddenly all have bad grades with a certain new teacher, it's not the kids. Their peers who have other teachers are getting good grades and by all accounts are being graded differently, or at least in a timely manner.

This is a huge deal when you are paying this amount of tuition and a new teacher literally has the power to eliminate college options for your child.

If getting a B instead of an A in freshman English will “eliminate college options” you might be a little over the top.

If you are not aware that this is absolutely true in admissions today, you are in for a rude awakening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What exactly is the issue with this new English teacher??

It's so nuanced that it's too difficult to articulate in this type of forum. Conventional wisdom would suggest that if numerous kids have always had good grades in English and suddenly all have bad grades with a certain new teacher, it's not the kids. Their peers who have other teachers are getting good grades and by all accounts are being graded differently, or at least in a timely manner.

This is a huge deal when you are paying this amount of tuition and a new teacher literally has the power to eliminate college options for your child.

If getting a B instead of an A in freshman English will “eliminate college options” you might be a little over the top.

If you are not aware that this is absolutely true in admissions today, you are in for a rude awakening.

+1. Very rude awakening

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, we haven’t because nothing is graded within a month. Hold my beer.

You could have left last year.

Because parents of 8th graders on an entirely separate campus should have predicted a problem with a new US English teacher?

The English teacher is a problem, compounded by the generally poor idea (new this year) of allowing only in-class work on essays because of the fear of using ChatGPT to cheat. We’re toughing it out for this year, personally, because everything else is going great for DC and they are very happy. But the English department struggles are a big frustration.

Because everyone else is tired of watching the constant jockeying to ensure your child gets what you think they deserve - when clearly they can’t write independently, in class. These posts as a way to intimidate the school are not helping your kid. I’m sure the school can’t wait to deal with you come college application time.

I have no idea how anonymous ranting on a forum would be considered intimidation of a school, and if you’re tired of people complaining about SSSAS maybe don’t read threads about SSSAS.

[Anonymous]

I’m not shocked to hear “several” kids who used to get good grades are now suddenly, in 9th grade, getting lower grades - especially with the shift to essay writing in class. When parents complain about this they just sound entitled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suspect any issue with the English teacher will be addressed. The Administration is generally very responsive. SSSAS deserves credit for taking ChatGPT on directly. Lots of other privates (and publics and colleges) are putting their heads in the sand. I have no information on that teacher/class/issue, but High school English has always been bumpy as honors teachers push students to analyze and write. Whether or not students previously relied upon ChatGPT (or help from parents), in-class essay writing is probably where they are going to run into trouble.

SSSAS Academics are on par with other schools. Our kids have graduated from a "Top 3 private", a high-end public and SSSAS. Without a doubt, the happiest with their experience was the SSSAS student. In our experience, the most challenging courses at SSSAS (starting in 10th grade through 12th grade) are on par with courses at the Top 3 Private and high-end public. Our SSSAS DC was eligible for more college credit than their siblings and more credit than they could ever use at their college of choice. (Many colleges are offering less and less credit.) Each of our DC have seen great continuity between their high school and college learning. Finally, the incidence of transcendent classroom experiences was probably the same in all three school systems, meaning their are great teachers everywhere. The only notable difference was a couple of disastrous public school teachers.

Our DC at SSSAS had a wonderful experience in each class, including English. In particular, DC's writing, which was already at a high level improved tremendously. The math department also deserves a special shout-out for its continuity, rigor, and success in preparing kids. Part of what makes SSSAS different is that, along with the most challenging courses, there are others that are less rigorous. Personally, I can't imagine dropping $200K on four years of high school to not take the most challenging classes, but every kid, family and situation is different.

Having parented high schoolers for 7+ years and seen it from the inside out, I can say that the mode SSSAS students are generally less stressed, happier, and more comfortable in their own skin than their peers at high-end publics publics and "top" privates.

SSSAS students do not attend Ivies at the same rate as their peers at "Top 3 Privates", but I would imagine that the outcomes for non-legacy students with rigorous course loads are probably about the same. Children of Ivy alums enjoy at least a 10X advantage in admissions (around 35-40% of Harvard students are legacies) I couldn't tell you where most of the SSSAS parents we know went to college, but the license plate holders, sweatshirts, ties and cocktail party banter at the Top 3 left no doubt as to each parent's alma mater.

No school is a golden ticket. Choose the school that will make your kid happy, not make you proud of your car magnet.

First, nope. Not on par with other schools at the same cost. And second, how can you possibly know that? Your entire submission is just a school booster rant with zero evidence to back it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suspect any issue with the English teacher will be addressed. The Administration is generally very responsive. SSSAS deserves credit for taking ChatGPT on directly. Lots of other privates (and publics and colleges) are putting their heads in the sand. I have no information on that teacher/class/issue, but High school English has always been bumpy as honors teachers push students to analyze and write. Whether or not students previously relied upon ChatGPT (or help from parents), in-class essay writing is probably where they are going to run into trouble.

SSSAS Academics are on par with other schools. Our kids have graduated from a "Top 3 private", a high-end public and SSSAS. Without a doubt, the happiest with their experience was the SSSAS student. In our experience, the most challenging courses at SSSAS (starting in 10th grade through 12th grade) are on par with courses at the Top 3 Private and high-end public. Our SSSAS DC was eligible for more college credit than their siblings and more credit than they could ever use at their college of choice. (Many colleges are offering less and less credit.) Each of our DC have seen great continuity between their high school and college learning. Finally, the incidence of transcendent classroom experiences was probably the same in all three school systems, meaning their are great teachers everywhere. The only notable difference was a couple of disastrous public school teachers.

Our DC at SSSAS had a wonderful experience in each class, including English. In particular, DC's writing, which was already at a high level improved tremendously. The math department also deserves a special shout-out for its continuity, rigor, and success in preparing kids. Part of what makes SSSAS different is that, along with the most challenging courses, there are others that are less rigorous. Personally, I can't imagine dropping $200K on four years of high school to not take the most challenging classes, but every kid, family and situation is different.

Having parented high schoolers for 7+ years and seen it from the inside out, I can say that the mode SSSAS students are generally less stressed, happier, and more comfortable in their own skin than their peers at high-end publics publics and "top" privates.

SSSAS students do not attend Ivies at the same rate as their peers at "Top 3 Privates", but I would imagine that the outcomes for non-legacy students with rigorous course loads are probably about the same. Children of Ivy alums enjoy at least a 10X advantage in admissions (around 35-40% of Harvard students are legacies) I couldn't tell you where most of the SSSAS parents we know went to college, but the license plate holders, sweatshirts, ties and cocktail party banter at the Top 3 left no doubt as to each parent's alma mater.

No school is a golden ticket. Choose the school that will make your kid happy, not make you proud of your car magnet.

First, nope. Not on par with other schools at the same cost. And second, how can you possibly know that? Your entire submission is just a school booster rant with zero evidence to back it up.

Isn't the point of SSSAS to have all the trapping of elite privates without the academic stress? Sort of like Flint Hill, but with better grounds?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suspect any issue with the English teacher will be addressed. The Administration is generally very responsive. SSSAS deserves credit for taking ChatGPT on directly. Lots of other privates (and publics and colleges) are putting their heads in the sand. I have no information on that teacher/class/issue, but High school English has always been bumpy as honors teachers push students to analyze and write. Whether or not students previously relied upon ChatGPT (or help from parents), in-class essay writing is probably where they are going to run into trouble.

SSSAS Academics are on par with other schools. Our kids have graduated from a "Top 3 private", a high-end public and SSSAS. Without a doubt, the happiest with their experience was the SSSAS student. In our experience, the most challenging courses at SSSAS (starting in 10th grade through 12th grade) are on par with courses at the Top 3 Private and high-end public. Our SSSAS DC was eligible for more college credit than their siblings and more credit than they could ever use at their college of choice. (Many colleges are offering less and less credit.) Each of our DC have seen great continuity between their high school and college learning. Finally, the incidence of transcendent classroom experiences was probably the same in all three school systems, meaning their are great teachers everywhere. The only notable difference was a couple of disastrous public school teachers.

Our DC at SSSAS had a wonderful experience in each class, including English. In particular, DC's writing, which was already at a high level improved tremendously. The math department also deserves a special shout-out for its continuity, rigor, and success in preparing kids. Part of what makes SSSAS different is that, along with the most challenging courses, there are others that are less rigorous. Personally, I can't imagine dropping $200K on four years of high school to not take the most challenging classes, but every kid, family and situation is different.

Having parented high schoolers for 7+ years and seen it from the inside out, I can say that the mode SSSAS students are generally less stressed, happier, and more comfortable in their own skin than their peers at high-end publics publics and "top" privates.

SSSAS students do not attend Ivies at the same rate as their peers at "Top 3 Privates", but I would imagine that the outcomes for non-legacy students with rigorous course loads are probably about the same. Children of Ivy alums enjoy at least a 10X advantage in admissions (around 35-40% of Harvard students are legacies) I couldn't tell you where most of the SSSAS parents we know went to college, but the license plate holders, sweatshirts, ties and cocktail party banter at the Top 3 left no doubt as to each parent's alma mater.

No school is a golden ticket. Choose the school that will make your kid happy, not make you proud of your car magnet.

First, nope. Not on par with other schools at the same cost. And second, how can you possibly know that? Your entire submission is just a school booster rant with zero evidence to back it up.

Isn't the point of SSSAS to have all the trapping of elite privates without the academic stress? Sort of like Flint Hill, but with better grounds?

You are confusing academic stress with quality. At $50K per year folks want quality I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suspect any issue with the English teacher will be addressed. The Administration is generally very responsive. SSSAS deserves credit for taking ChatGPT on directly. Lots of other privates (and publics and colleges) are putting their heads in the sand. I have no information on that teacher/class/issue, but High school English has always been bumpy as honors teachers push students to analyze and write. Whether or not students previously relied upon ChatGPT (or help from parents), in-class essay writing is probably where they are going to run into trouble.

SSSAS Academics are on par with other schools. Our kids have graduated from a "Top 3 private", a high-end public and SSSAS. Without a doubt, the happiest with their experience was the SSSAS student. In our experience, the most challenging courses at SSSAS (starting in 10th grade through 12th grade) are on par with courses at the Top 3 Private and high-end public. Our SSSAS DC was eligible for more college credit than their siblings and more credit than they could ever use at their college of choice. (Many colleges are offering less and less credit.) Each of our DC have seen great continuity between their high school and college learning. Finally, the incidence of transcendent classroom experiences was probably the same in all three school systems, meaning their are great teachers everywhere. The only notable difference was a couple of disastrous public school teachers.

Our DC at SSSAS had a wonderful experience in each class, including English. In particular, DC's writing, which was already at a high level improved tremendously. The math department also deserves a special shout-out for its continuity, rigor, and success in preparing kids. Part of what makes SSSAS different is that, along with the most challenging courses, there are others that are less rigorous. Personally, I can't imagine dropping $200K on four years of high school to not take the most challenging classes, but every kid, family and situation is different.

Having parented high schoolers for 7+ years and seen it from the inside out, I can say that the mode SSSAS students are generally less stressed, happier, and more comfortable in their own skin than their peers at high-end publics publics and "top" privates.

SSSAS students do not attend Ivies at the same rate as their peers at "Top 3 Privates", but I would imagine that the outcomes for non-legacy students with rigorous course loads are probably about the same. Children of Ivy alums enjoy at least a 10X advantage in admissions (around 35-40% of Harvard students are legacies) I couldn't tell you where most of the SSSAS parents we know went to college, but the license plate holders, sweatshirts, ties and cocktail party banter at the Top 3 left no doubt as to each parent's alma mater.

No school is a golden ticket. Choose the school that will make your kid happy, not make you proud of your car magnet.

First, nope. Not on par with other schools at the same cost. And second, how can you possibly know that? Your entire submission is just a school booster rant with zero evidence to back it up.

Isn't the point of SSSAS to have all the trapping of elite privates without the academic stress? Sort of like Flint Hill, but with better grounds?

You are confusing academic stress with quality. At $50K per year folks want quality I think.

Hard to have quality without stress. Either classes are taught at a high level requiring most students to work hard and some to still come up short or they are taught to a lower standard with less work, but all kids can do well and succeed. The former has quality, but stress. The latter lacks quality, but is stress free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suspect any issue with the English teacher will be addressed. The Administration is generally very responsive. SSSAS deserves credit for taking ChatGPT on directly. Lots of other privates (and publics and colleges) are putting their heads in the sand. I have no information on that teacher/class/issue, but High school English has always been bumpy as honors teachers push students to analyze and write. Whether or not students previously relied upon ChatGPT (or help from parents), in-class essay writing is probably where they are going to run into trouble.

SSSAS Academics are on par with other schools. Our kids have graduated from a "Top 3 private", a high-end public and SSSAS. Without a doubt, the happiest with their experience was the SSSAS student. In our experience, the most challenging courses at SSSAS (starting in 10th grade through 12th grade) are on par with courses at the Top 3 Private and high-end public. Our SSSAS DC was eligible for more college credit than their siblings and more credit than they could ever use at their college of choice. (Many colleges are offering less and less credit.) Each of our DC have seen great continuity between their high school and college learning. Finally, the incidence of transcendent classroom experiences was probably the same in all three school systems, meaning their are great teachers everywhere. The only notable difference was a couple of disastrous public school teachers.

Our DC at SSSAS had a wonderful experience in each class, including English. In particular, DC's writing, which was already at a high level improved tremendously. The math department also deserves a special shout-out for its continuity, rigor, and success in preparing kids. Part of what makes SSSAS different is that, along with the most challenging courses, there are others that are less rigorous. Personally, I can't imagine dropping $200K on four years of high school to not take the most challenging classes, but every kid, family and situation is different.

Having parented high schoolers for 7+ years and seen it from the inside out, I can say that the mode SSSAS students are generally less stressed, happier, and more comfortable in their own skin than their peers at high-end publics publics and "top" privates.

SSSAS students do not attend Ivies at the same rate as their peers at "Top 3 Privates", but I would imagine that the outcomes for non-legacy students with rigorous course loads are probably about the same. Children of Ivy alums enjoy at least a 10X advantage in admissions (around 35-40% of Harvard students are legacies) I couldn't tell you where most of the SSSAS parents we know went to college, but the license plate holders, sweatshirts, ties and cocktail party banter at the Top 3 left no doubt as to each parent's alma mater.

No school is a golden ticket. Choose the school that will make your kid happy, not make you proud of your car magnet.

First, nope. Not on par with other schools at the same cost. And second, how can you possibly know that? Your entire submission is just a school booster rant with zero evidence to back it up.

Isn't the point of SSSAS to have all the trapping of elite privates without the academic stress? Sort of like Flint Hill, but with better grounds?

You are confusing academic stress with quality. At $50K per year folks want quality I think.

Hard to have quality without stress. Either classes are taught at a high level requiring most students to work hard and some to still come up short or they are taught to a lower standard with less work, but all kids can do well and succeed. The former has quality, but stress. The latter lacks quality, but is stress free.

This is a nutty perspective. I feel bad for your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suspect any issue with the English teacher will be addressed. The Administration is generally very responsive. SSSAS deserves credit for taking ChatGPT on directly. Lots of other privates (and publics and colleges) are putting their heads in the sand. I have no information on that teacher/class/issue, but High school English has always been bumpy as honors teachers push students to analyze and write. Whether or not students previously relied upon ChatGPT (or help from parents), in-class essay writing is probably where they are going to run into trouble.

SSSAS Academics are on par with other schools. Our kids have graduated from a "Top 3 private", a high-end public and SSSAS. Without a doubt, the happiest with their experience was the SSSAS student. In our experience, the most challenging courses at SSSAS (starting in 10th grade through 12th grade) are on par with courses at the Top 3 Private and high-end public. Our SSSAS DC was eligible for more college credit than their siblings and more credit than they could ever use at their college of choice. (Many colleges are offering less and less credit.) Each of our DC have seen great continuity between their high school and college learning. Finally, the incidence of transcendent classroom experiences was probably the same in all three school systems, meaning their are great teachers everywhere. The only notable difference was a couple of disastrous public school teachers.

Our DC at SSSAS had a wonderful experience in each class, including English. In particular, DC's writing, which was already at a high level improved tremendously. The math department also deserves a special shout-out for its continuity, rigor, and success in preparing kids. Part of what makes SSSAS different is that, along with the most challenging courses, there are others that are less rigorous. Personally, I can't imagine dropping $200K on four years of high school to not take the most challenging classes, but every kid, family and situation is different.

Having parented high schoolers for 7+ years and seen it from the inside out, I can say that the mode SSSAS students are generally less stressed, happier, and more comfortable in their own skin than their peers at high-end publics publics and "top" privates.

SSSAS students do not attend Ivies at the same rate as their peers at "Top 3 Privates", but I would imagine that the outcomes for non-legacy students with rigorous course loads are probably about the same. Children of Ivy alums enjoy at least a 10X advantage in admissions (around 35-40% of Harvard students are legacies) I couldn't tell you where most of the SSSAS parents we know went to college, but the license plate holders, sweatshirts, ties and cocktail party banter at the Top 3 left no doubt as to each parent's alma mater.

No school is a golden ticket. Choose the school that will make your kid happy, not make you proud of your car magnet.

First, nope. Not on par with other schools at the same cost. And second, how can you possibly know that? Your entire submission is just a school booster rant with zero evidence to back it up.

Isn't the point of SSSAS to have all the trapping of elite privates without the academic stress? Sort of like Flint Hill, but with better grounds?

You are confusing academic stress with quality. At $50K per year folks want quality I think.

Hard to have quality without stress. Either classes are taught at a high level requiring most students to work hard and some to still come up short or they are taught to a lower standard with less work, but all kids can do well and succeed. The former has quality, but stress. The latter lacks quality, but is stress free.

This is a nutty perspective. I feel bad for your kids.

+1. You can get a "stress free" school for less than $50K. And good luck then finding a "stress free" college.