St Andelm's Abbey

[Anonymous]

Not sure what your middle school offerings are but below (from the SAAS website) is the required curriculum for 6th/7th/8th grade. You can see their HS class offerings on the school website as well.

Form A (6th Grade)
•Introduction to Liberal Arts, Grammar and Study Skills - 5
•English Composition, Grammar and Literature - 5
•Fundamentals of Math - 5
•Life Science - 6
•Reading the Hebrew Scriptures - 3
•Geography - 5
•Music Appreciation, Instrumental Music or Chorus - 2
•Introduction to Art - 3
•Introduction to Computers - 2
•Physical Education - 2
•Intramurals - 1 double period

Form I (7th Grade)
•English - 5
•Latin I-A (first half of First Year Latin) - 5
•Pre-Algebra - 5
•Earth Science - 5
•Reading the Hebrew Scriptures - 3
•Introduction to Classical Civilizations - 4
•Music Appreciation, Instrumental Music or Chorus - 2
•Basic Studio Art - 2
•Introduction to Drama - 2
•Computer Fundamentals or Advanced Computer - 2
•Physical Education - 2
•Intramurals - 1 double period

Form II (8th Grade)
•English - 5
•Latin I-B (second half of First Year Latin) - 5
•Modern Language (French I, Spanish I, or Arabic I) - 5
•Algebra I - 5
•Physical Science - 6
•Introduction to the New Testament - 3
•U.S. History - 4
•Music Appreciation, Instrumental Music or Chorus - 2
•Physical Education - 1
•Intramurals - 1 double period

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not op, but we, too, are looking ahead to schools to visit this fall for our rising 5th grader (so we'd be applying for 6th grade entry). We are jewish and while I appreciate the inclusive nature of SAAS, I don't think we'd feel comfortable sending our son to a catholic high school (I went on the website and was not even sure what benedictine meant ). But otherwise, this school sounds fantastic and a great fit for our son. Are there any non-religious schools that have a number of similarities? Our son loves debating and discussing, is a voracious reader of history, ancient and more recent, and recently asked me if he could take latin! (I checked, and it is not offered in our mcps middle school) He also loves sports but is not very athletic and so plays everything at a "rec" level (but with passion). As someone else described another child in this thread, my son needs structure and high expectations, because he otherwise coasts unless he is personally interested in the subject.

Is he at all athletic? You could try the Episcopal schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure what your middle school offerings are but below (from the SAAS website) is the required curriculum for 6th/7th/8th grade. You can see their HS class offerings on the school website as well.

Form A (6th Grade)
•Introduction to Liberal Arts, Grammar and Study Skills - 5
•English Composition, Grammar and Literature - 5
•Fundamentals of Math - 5
•Life Science - 6
•Reading the Hebrew Scriptures - 3
•Geography - 5
•Music Appreciation, Instrumental Music or Chorus - 2
•Introduction to Art - 3
•Introduction to Computers - 2
•Physical Education - 2
•Intramurals - 1 double period

Form I (7th Grade)
•English - 5
•Latin I-A (first half of First Year Latin) - 5
•Pre-Algebra - 5
•Earth Science - 5
•Reading the Hebrew Scriptures - 3
•Introduction to Classical Civilizations - 4
•Music Appreciation, Instrumental Music or Chorus - 2
•Basic Studio Art - 2
•Introduction to Drama - 2
•Computer Fundamentals or Advanced Computer - 2
•Physical Education - 2
•Intramurals - 1 double period

Form II (8th Grade)
•English - 5
•Latin I-B (second half of First Year Latin) - 5
•Modern Language (French I, Spanish I, or Arabic I) - 5
•Algebra I - 5
•Physical Science - 6
•Introduction to the New Testament - 3
•U.S. History - 4
•Music Appreciation, Instrumental Music or Chorus - 2
•Physical Education - 1
•Intramurals - 1 double period

When we toured a 9th grade classroom, they were diagramming sentences - and it was a review. My son, I think, was intimidated. The education there is something very special. But I think it is probably much harder to adjust to in high school. If I had had my druthers, I would have sent my son in 6th grade.

[Anonymous]

I must say I am loving this thread and our son is only 2 lol! But loving hearing all these positives about st. Anslems. We live in NE and will definitely be looking into it for 6th grade. What an absolutely special place this school sounds like.

[Anonymous]

I definitely think it can be a harder transition for boys who don't come until 9th grade. When we toured when our son was in 4th and 5th (he's now in 6th at SAAS), multiple teachers mentioned how it was easier for the boys who started in 6th grade and had three years to adjust to the expectations and workload. Particularly given the lack of grammar education in public school nowadays, a student starting in 9th would seem to be behind the ball.

And yes, we think it is a very special place. Just looking at the suggested reading list on their web site, or the newsletters, will give you a sense of the culture -- very interested in ideas and the life of the mind. And we love that there are activities for all types of boys and parents to enjoy -- new parent get-togethers included dinner at a parent's house, trivia night with the high school quiz bowl, movie night, sports events, a gala, and so forth.

[Anonymous]

Our son started in 9th grade and has done well. Yes- there is more homework- but it seems to be manageable. The kids who might have a harder time, I would guess, are kids who take more time to read, or take more time to write. The grammar is definitely a brand new thing. And the fact that points are subtracted for misspelling was an eye-opener for my kid. Hilarious.

I am sure that the transition in 6th makes it easier, but it is very doable in 9th.

It is a special place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not op, but we, too, are looking ahead to schools to visit this fall for our rising 5th grader (so we'd be applying for 6th grade entry). We are jewish and while I appreciate the inclusive nature of SAAS, I don't think we'd feel comfortable sending our son to a catholic high school (I went on the website and was not even sure what benedictine meant ). But otherwise, this school sounds fantastic and a great fit for our son. Are there any non-religious schools that have a number of similarities? Our son loves debating and discussing, is a voracious reader of history, ancient and more recent, and recently asked me if he could take latin! (I checked, and it is not offered in our mcps middle school) He also loves sports but is not very athletic and so plays everything at a "rec" level (but with passion). As someone else described another child in this thread, my son needs structure and high expectations, because he otherwise coasts unless he is personally interested in the subject.

Is he at all athletic? You could try the Episcopal schools.

These also have a Christian deity who is taught to be all-powerful, and a belief in the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ -- who is God. Plus the Holy Trinity, veneration of saints, Communion, sacraments, heaven, hell, confession, and a pathway to heaven for believers in the holiness of Jesus Christ.

Let me stress I am neither Catholic nor Episcopal; I just never understand the advice to nervous Jews that Episcopal institutions are okay while Catholic ones are problematic for them.

We are considered SAAS for the academics, and we are atheists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I definitely think it can be a harder transition for boys who don't come until 9th grade. When we toured when our son was in 4th and 5th (he's now in 6th at SAAS), multiple teachers mentioned how it was easier for the boys who started in 6th grade and had three years to adjust to the expectations and workload. Particularly given the lack of grammar education in public school nowadays, a student starting in 9th would seem to be behind the ball.

And yes, we think it is a very special place. Just looking at the suggested reading list on their web site, or the newsletters, will give you a sense of the culture -- very interested in ideas and the life of the mind. And we love that there are activities for all types of boys and parents to enjoy -- new parent get-togethers included dinner at a parent's house, trivia night with the high school quiz bowl, movie night, sports events, a gala, and so forth.

Where can one find the newsletters?

[Anonymous]

There are links to "news" from the front page of the website. Unfortunately, I don't think the school newspaper is published on the website, presumably for privacy reasons.

[Anonymous]

SAAS parents, the college admissions seem pretty typical for a DC area public school - Harvard 1, Stanford 0, Princeton 0, Yale 0, Columbia 1 - over the past 3 years. How does that jibe with the academic focus and heavy emphasis on APs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SAAS parents, the college admissions seem pretty typical for a DC area public school - Harvard 1, Stanford 0, Princeton 0, Yale 0, Columbia 1 - over the past 3 years. How does that jibe with the academic focus and heavy emphasis on APs?

There are only 30-40 graduates each year from SAAS (so about 5-10% of the size of a typical local public school graduating class). So unless you multiply the SAAS admissions to particular schools by a factor of 10 your comparisons to public schools are meaningless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAAS parents, the college admissions seem pretty typical for a DC area public school - Harvard 1, Stanford 0, Princeton 0, Yale 0, Columbia 1 - over the past 3 years. How does that jibe with the academic focus and heavy emphasis on APs?

There are only 30-40 graduates each year from SAAS (so about 5-10% of the size of a typical local public school graduating class). So unless you multiply the SAAS admissions to particular schools by a factor of 10 your comparisons to public schools are meaningless.

Hmm - new poster here - this still seems like a relatively small representation if the pp is correct in that the numbers quoted were over the past 3 years...

[Anonymous]

The online issue of Our Parish Times has the SAAS kids and where they are going. Impressive list-- West Point, Yale, Michigan, Penn, Cornell, U of C, VA Tech, etc.

http://www.parishtimes.com/uploads/8/3/6/6/8366083/opt_0516.pdf

Page 15.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAAS parents, the college admissions seem pretty typical for a DC area public school - Harvard 1, Stanford 0, Princeton 0, Yale 0, Columbia 1 - over the past 3 years. How does that jibe with the academic focus and heavy emphasis on APs?

There are only 30-40 graduates each year from SAAS (so about 5-10% of the size of a typical local public school graduating class). So unless you multiply the SAAS admissions to particular schools by a factor of 10 your comparisons to public schools are meaningless.

Hmm - new poster here - this still seems like a relatively small representation if the pp is correct in that the numbers quoted were over the past 3 years...

SAAS is the kind of school that cares more about educating its young people than catering to the admissions games of top schools. It really is a school for those who want a well educated child, especially in the traditional sense of that word. It is not a great school for those who are focused on admission to a highly rated undergraduate institution (although they do have graduates who do go on to that kind of program). Also,many of the SAAS families could not afford HYP. The tuition at SAAS is not as high as other privates, and it attracts people who wouldn't otherwize consider private school, but are attracted either to its educational approach or to its religious aspect. Many of these people are in the income level that does not receive much financial aid but can not easily afford full tuition, especially for multiple kids. They tend to look for undergraduate institutions that give better financial packages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The online issue of Our Parish Times has the SAAS kids and where they are going. Impressive list-- West Point, Yale, Michigan, Penn, Cornell, U of C, VA Tech, etc.

http://www.parishtimes.com/uploads/8/3/6/6/8366083/opt_0516.pdf

Page 15.

Thanks for posting. The entire issue was just lovely.