St Albans vs St Anselm's

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAAS 26 AP classes
SA 13 AP Classes

SA 2024-2025 School profile
https://stalbansschool.myschoolapp.com/ftpimages/744/download/download_2514345.pdf
SAAS 2025 school profile https://stalbansschool.myschoolapp.com/ftpimages/744/download/download_2514345.pdf

Have had kids at both and they are great schools but the depth of really smart kids at STA is greater than SAAS.

Given their relative sizes, that's almost certainly true. As is the depth of really strong athletes, artists, whatever. I imagine any of that could figure into which is better for your kid--or none of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAAS 26 AP classes
SA 13 AP Classes

SA 2024-2025 School profile
https://stalbansschool.myschoolapp.com/ftpimages/744/download/download_2514345.pdf
SAAS 2025 school profile https://stalbansschool.myschoolapp.com/ftpimages/744/download/download_2514345.pdf

Have had kids at both and they are great schools but the depth of really smart kids at STA is greater than SAAS.

Is the sexism and misogyny as "great" at SAAS as it is at STA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAAS 26 AP classes
SA 13 AP Classes

SA 2024-2025 School profile
https://stalbansschool.myschoolapp.com/ftpimages/744/download/download_2514345.pdf
SAAS 2025 school profile https://stalbansschool.myschoolapp.com/ftpimages/744/download/download_2514345.pdf

Have had kids at both and they are great schools but the depth of really smart kids at STA is greater than SAAS.

Is the sexism and misogyny as "great" at SAAS as it is at STA?

No, it's less than StA (or Prep or Landon), but it's not non-existent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAAS 26 AP classes
SA 13 AP Classes

SA 2024-2025 School profile
https://stalbansschool.myschoolapp.com/ftpimages/744/download/download_2514345.pdf
SAAS 2025 school profile https://stalbansschool.myschoolapp.com/ftpimages/744/download/download_2514345.pdf

Have had kids at both and they are great schools but the depth of really smart kids at STA is greater than SAAS.

Is the sexism and misogyny as "great" at SAAS as it is at STA?

No, it's less than StA (or Prep or Landon), but it's not non-existent.

I can't think of Abbey boys who would tolerate a friend behaving in a sexist way. There was one comment made at a dance years ago, and the boys who heard it reported the kid to a teacher, and he was kicked out of the dance (turned out to not be a current student at the school).

[Anonymous]

^ lol the fact that he was not a student is why they reported it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAAS 26 AP classes
SA 13 AP Classes

SA 2024-2025 School profile
https://stalbansschool.myschoolapp.com/ftpimages/744/download/download_2514345.pdf
SAAS 2025 school profile https://stalbansschool.myschoolapp.com/ftpimages/744/download/download_2514345.pdf

Have had kids at both and they are great schools but the depth of really smart kids at STA is greater than SAAS.

Is the sexism and misogyny as "great" at SAAS as it is at STA?

No, it's less than StA (or Prep or Landon), but it's not non-existent.

I can't think of Abbey boys who would tolerate a friend behaving in a sexist way. There was one comment made at a dance years ago, and the boys who heard it reported the kid to a teacher, and he was kicked out of the dance (turned out to not be a current student at the school).

Don't be ridiculous. I've had two boys at the Abbey, one still there. I love the school and its boys. But they're boys, in an all-boys environment. I can think of only one I'd characterize as misogynistic, but sexist? Yeah, most (including, sigh, both of mine). It's not a mean-spirited sexism, but kind of a casual, ignorant one. They're pretty well positioned to outgrow it (both by the school and by the parents who send them there), and most of them do, but let's not give in to magical thinking.

[Anonymous]

We sent our DS to SAAS in 9th grade after looking very broadly at private schools, particularly those starting in 9th grade or where the class size increases substantially in high school. Our experience has been very positive for a number of reasons, some of which surprised us:
- a really nice community of boys (and parents!)
- an excellent 4-year Arabic language program
- the value add of 4 years of religion classes that are mostly taught w. a philosophical approach
- small classes (think 2:1 student-to-teacher ratio)
- the ability to pursue Independent Study as an Upperclassman (often with a teacher who is a PhD)
- great institutional commitment to the Fine Arts
- ability to play on a sports team and benefit from that experience even if not a great athlete

For a boy who takes advantage of what this small and personalized environment has to offer, SAAS can be an excellent experience and a rock-solid foundation for college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a STA son and best friend's son attends SAAS.
STA is a much wealthier and connected crowd overall (honestly, it's kind of night and day) but there are regular Joes there as well (my family is one of them so we know many of the others). Sports are at a higher level and focus at STA but not the level of say Georgetown Prep or Gonzaga. SAAS plays in a lower league which can be good for a boy who wants to play sports but isn't a standout athlete. It can be difficult to get playing time at STA in some sports. Not all but some and it depends on the year. There is also boys in each STA grade who aren't focused on sports at all. SAAS has a higher percentage of quirky/geeky boys but they exist at both schools. Honestly you can't stereotype the boys at either. You have plenty of academics at STA and athletes at SAAS. Teachers are fantastic at both. Academics are very strong at both. I don't think you can go wrong. I would tour both and see what feels more like home. And check the commute! They are quite far apart and you are bound to live much closer to one.

Sports are about the same level as Prep. They are also in the IAC. But they may be stronger at Gonzaga as they are WCAC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:click on Profile class 2025 box

https://www.saintanselms.org/academics/college-counseling/class-profile-and-college-acceptances

Never knew that grade inflation was that bad at SAAS. Two-thirds of the class has a gpa of 3.75 or better and nearly 20% have perfect gpas.

The Class of 2025 is particularly strong academically. But I will say that getting a 4.0 at SAAS is not at all easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a STA son and best friend's son attends SAAS.
STA is a much wealthier and connected crowd overall (honestly, it's kind of night and day) but there are regular Joes there as well (my family is one of them so we know many of the others). Sports are at a higher level and focus at STA but not the level of say Georgetown Prep or Gonzaga. SAAS plays in a lower league which can be good for a boy who wants to play sports but isn't a standout athlete. It can be difficult to get playing time at STA in some sports. Not all but some and it depends on the year. There is also boys in each STA grade who aren't focused on sports at all. SAAS has a higher percentage of quirky/geeky boys but they exist at both schools. Honestly you can't stereotype the boys at either. You have plenty of academics at STA and athletes at SAAS. Teachers are fantastic at both. Academics are very strong at both. I don't think you can go wrong. I would tour both and see what feels more like home. And check the commute! They are quite far apart and you are bound to live much closer to one.

Sports are about the same level as Prep. They are also in the IAC. But they may be stronger at Gonzaga as they are WCAC.

SAAS sports are NOT at the same level as Prep.

Prep has 500 boys, athletic facilities of a well-equipped Division III college, and a tradition of athletic excellence. Prep wins the IAC Founders Cup just about every year. While the Interstate Athletic Conference (Prep, Landon, STA, Bullis, etc.) isn’t at the same level as the WCAC (Gonzaga, De Matha, etc.), li is way better than the league SAAS competes in.

Each year Prep sends kids to play in college, frequently at the Division I level.

[Anonymous]

If you're the kind of parent who sniffs at there not being enough instagram notifications of elite college admissions at SAAS, it's definitely the wrong place for you.

Nobody goes to a bad school, everyone is extremely well prepared to succeed at college. Who cares about the particular Ivy admissions in a given year.

Not everyone should go to Ivies, even if they can get in. Maybe your son should go to the Naval Academy, or Carnegie Mellon or CalPoly or RISDI. If you have 30 kids in a class and no one goes to an Ivy but you've got three who go to schools like that—and then do well while there—that's much more important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a STA son and best friend's son attends SAAS.
STA is a much wealthier and connected crowd overall (honestly, it's kind of night and day) but there are regular Joes there as well (my family is one of them so we know many of the others). Sports are at a higher level and focus at STA but not the level of say Georgetown Prep or Gonzaga. SAAS plays in a lower league which can be good for a boy who wants to play sports but isn't a standout athlete. It can be difficult to get playing time at STA in some sports. Not all but some and it depends on the year. There is also boys in each STA grade who aren't focused on sports at all. SAAS has a higher percentage of quirky/geeky boys but they exist at both schools. Honestly you can't stereotype the boys at either. You have plenty of academics at STA and athletes at SAAS. Teachers are fantastic at both. Academics are very strong at both. I don't think you can go wrong. I would tour both and see what feels more like home. And check the commute! They are quite far apart and you are bound to live much closer to one.

Sports are about the same level as Prep. They are also in the IAC. But they may be stronger at Gonzaga as they are WCAC.

SAAS sports are NOT at the same level as Prep.

Prep has 500 boys, athletic facilities of a well-equipped Division III college, and a tradition of athletic excellence. Prep wins the IAC Founders Cup just about every year. While the Interstate Athletic Conference (Prep, Landon, STA, Bullis, etc.) isn’t at the same level as the WCAC (Gonzaga, De Matha, etc.), li is way better than the league SAAS competes in.

Each year Prep sends kids to play in college, frequently at the Division I level.

I strongly suspect the PP was referring to STA being on the same level as Prep: "Sports are about the same level as Prep. They are also in the IAC." STA and prep are indeed both IAC.

Everyone knows SAAS is not at that level, and has no interest in being at that level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St Anselm's isnt even in the same league as St Albans.

In what sense?

One is the epitome of the WASP DC elite, the other a Catholic, mediocre private. Not the same.

SAAS parents don’t really think this way; they just want their intellectual kids to be happy.

If they wanted them happy, they wouldn’t send them there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Admissions offices know St Anselms. Abbey boys have a reputation for being smart and motivated. This has held for at least 50 years.

That made me laugh out loud. It’s just regurgitated from years past.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a STA son and best friend's son attends SAAS.
STA is a much wealthier and connected crowd overall (honestly, it's kind of night and day) but there are regular Joes there as well (my family is one of them so we know many of the others). Sports are at a higher level and focus at STA but not the level of say Georgetown Prep or Gonzaga. SAAS plays in a lower league which can be good for a boy who wants to play sports but isn't a standout athlete. It can be difficult to get playing time at STA in some sports. Not all but some and it depends on the year. There is also boys in each STA grade who aren't focused on sports at all. SAAS has a higher percentage of quirky/geeky boys but they exist at both schools. Honestly you can't stereotype the boys at either. You have plenty of academics at STA and athletes at SAAS. Teachers are fantastic at both. Academics are very strong at both. I don't think you can go wrong. I would tour both and see what feels more like home. And check the commute! They are quite far apart and you are bound to live much closer to one.

Sports are about the same level as Prep. They are also in the IAC. But they may be stronger at Gonzaga as they are WCAC.

SAAS sports are NOT at the same level as Prep.

Prep has 500 boys, athletic facilities of a well-equipped Division III college, and a tradition of athletic excellence. Prep wins the IAC Founders Cup just about every year. While the Interstate Athletic Conference (Prep, Landon, STA, Bullis, etc.) isn’t at the same level as the WCAC (Gonzaga, De Matha, etc.), li is way better than the league SAAS competes in.

Each year Prep sends kids to play in college, frequently at the Division I level.

I strongly suspect the PP was referring to STA being on the same level as Prep: "Sports are about the same level as Prep. They are also in the IAC." STA and prep are indeed both IAC.

Everyone knows SAAS is not at that level, and has no interest in being at that level.

Yes, you are right.

ALthough I'm not sure "everyone knows" based on some of the wacky opinions I've seen from time to time.