New STA parent seeking advice, suggestions, or just plain "I wish I had known X" info

[Anonymous]

Do spots ever open up for 8th grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do spots ever open up for 8th grade?

Yes. Varies year by year. Depends on whether any 7th graders were expelled, counseled out, bullied out, moved out of area, etc.

[Anonymous]

what about this year for 8th grade spots?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what about this year for 8th grade spots?

I think one expulsion and one relocating.

[Anonymous]

Those are two that have already happened. wondered whether there are any others leaving at the end of the school year (move to a new school, another family relocation, etc).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those are two that have already happened. wondered whether there are any others leaving at the end of the school year (move to a new school, another family relocation, etc).

You are just a curious bird, aren't you. I figured you were a waitlisted mom trying to game out the landscape. Turns out you are just a hen already in the STA henhouse looking for gossip?

[Anonymous]

Not at all, son of a good friend is applying. Waitlisted, and was just wondering whether other families are moving away or boys moving schools (sometimes they move for things like a favorite sport, a sibling switching schools and so on, and I'm out of the loop with that grade as I have an older child). I know many move after 8th so there is always next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not at all, son of a good friend is applying. Waitlisted, and was just wondering whether other families are moving away or boys moving schools (sometimes they move for things like a favorite sport, a sibling switching schools and so on, and I'm out of the loop with that grade as I have an older child). I know many move after 8th so there is always next year.

If w/l, they should know about now whether anyone else is leaving. The better bet is next year. As you know, it's an entry year. As you may also know, there will likely be quite a few kids leaving for a variety of reasons prior to 9th.

[Anonymous]

Whether STA accepts a new student for 8th has zero to do with attrition. My son's year 7 kids left at end of 7th for various reasons and yet they took 0 new boys for 8th. In order to get in at 8th, a very non-traditional year, the applicant needs to really wow them and bring something special or additional to the class. There is no reason for them to give away at spot at 8th where so many phenomenal applicants will apply 9th.

[Anonymous]

While the class does not seem cohesive as a group, our son not told us of any specific or physical bullying incidents, and I have not aware that a child left last year because of social media bullying? If these are true, I would hope the school would take a strong stance on bullying (communication with the boys and parents) in the tough middle school years. these boys are going to be together for years.

[Anonymous]

Is it really okay to where tennis shoes on the first day of school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it really okay to where tennis shoes on the first day of school?

For the first day (not registration day) OpeningCathedral service some sort of leather shoes should be worn; after that, it is fine to wear sneakers with dress code.

[Anonymous]

Do they have cuts for baseball or lacrosse in the spring for 9th grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they have cuts for baseball or lacrosse in the spring for 9th grade?

I do not think they cut in 9th.

[Anonymous]

Just saw above question about no cuts in 9th grade for lacrosse or baseball, what about for tennis, golf, crew?