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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Invite only parties still exist at the high school level and can be cruel and elitist.

What?! Of course there are invite-only parties. In a given Form/Grade, there are roughly 160-170 kids. If you try to host a high school party with this many kids, good luck to you. Actually, I was amazed that several of the "Sweet 16" parties did seem to include everyone in the invitation. But in real life, and in high school, people invite their actual friends to parties. Can you explain how this is cruel? If your child isn't getting invited to many events, help them by hosting some small outings or get-togethers to build his social skills and friend base.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teach your child about drugs and drinking prior to high school.

This should happen regardless of where your kid goes to school (public, STA or any other private).

[Anonymous]

For those with sons who transitioned to STA from a public, what’s the hardest thing about the process?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those with sons who transitioned to STA from a public, what’s the hardest thing about the process?

getting in from public. They seem to admit 99% of their kids from private schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those with sons who transitioned to STA from a public, what’s the hardest thing about the process?

getting in from public. They seem to admit 99% of their kids from private schools.

Depends on the grade. Lots of public school admits at 4-6th. For upper and high school, the kids from private schools are just more competitive. Why? STA has a strong focus on liberal arts and writing. By the time they graduate, even the middle of the pack kids are strong writers. One of the jokes about STA boys is that they can talk to a wall. Being articulate and verbal is very important. Private schools do a better job of teaching writing and critical thinking.

If you want your kids to get into STA, make sure they are highly proficient writers, preferably at a level 2-3 grades ahead of their public school peers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those with sons who transitioned to STA from a public, what’s the hardest thing about the process?

getting in from public. They seem to admit 99% of their kids from private schools.

Depends on the grade. Lots of public school admits at 4-6th. For upper and high school, the kids from private schools are just more competitive. Why? STA has a strong focus on liberal arts and writing. By the time they graduate, even the middle of the pack kids are strong writers. One of the jokes about STA boys is that they can talk to a wall. Being articulate and verbal is very important. Private schools do a better job of teaching writing and critical thinking.

If you want your kids to get into STA, make sure they are highly proficient writers, preferably at a level 2-3 grades ahead of their public school peers.

This just isn't true. My son applied last year from public and they took 0 public school admits for 5th and one public school kid for 6th and this was a sibling. I'm not sure about for 4th. This came straight from the AD and was verified by friends of ours in the school.

[Anonymous]

how many admits did they have for 5th grade? ----Its not an entry year and admits are usually through attrition. It is possible no new kids in 5th .....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those with sons who transitioned to STA from a public, what’s the hardest thing about the process?

getting in from public. They seem to admit 99% of their kids from private schools.

Depends on the grade. Lots of public school admits at 4-6th. For upper and high school, the kids from private schools are just more competitive. Why? STA has a strong focus on liberal arts and writing. By the time they graduate, even the middle of the pack kids are strong writers. One of the jokes about STA boys is that they can talk to a wall. Being articulate and verbal is very important. Private schools do a better job of teaching writing and critical thinking.

If you want your kids to get into STA, make sure they are highly proficient writers, preferably at a level 2-3 grades ahead of their public school peers.

This just isn't true. My son applied last year from public and they took 0 public school admits for 5th and one public school kid for 6th and this was a sibling. I'm not sure about for 4th. This came straight from the AD and was verified by friends of ours in the school.

We know one child in 5th who's coming from public this fall. There is at least one incoming 4th grader coming in from public. I'm sure 6th has a few, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those with sons who transitioned to STA from a public, what’s the hardest thing about the process?

getting in from public. They seem to admit 99% of their kids from private schools.

Depends on the grade. Lots of public school admits at 4-6th. For upper and high school, the kids from private schools are just more competitive. Why? STA has a strong focus on liberal arts and writing. By the time they graduate, even the middle of the pack kids are strong writers. One of the jokes about STA boys is that they can talk to a wall. Being articulate and verbal is very important. Private schools do a better job of teaching writing and critical thinking.

If you want your kids to get into STA, make sure they are highly proficient writers, preferably at a level 2-3 grades ahead of their public school peers.

This just isn't true. My son applied last year from public and they took 0 public school admits for 5th and one public school kid for 6th and this was a sibling. I'm not sure about for 4th. This came straight from the AD and was verified by friends of ours in the school.

Maybe PP is talking about fall 2018 entrance. This info is wrong for fall 2019.

[Anonymous]

Several boys will be coming from public to lower school for this coming school year.

[Anonymous]

It is my understanding that the fifth grade admits are the new Cathedral choristers who come from both private and public schools. Occasionally, a spot will open if a boy leaves, but that is rare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is my understanding that the fifth grade admits are the new Cathedral choristers who come from both private and public schools. Occasionally, a spot will open if a boy leaves, but that is rare.

You can’t become a Chorister without first being admitted to STA. You have causality going the wrong way.

[Anonymous]

Any public school families in the incoming C form?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is my understanding that the fifth grade admits are the new Cathedral choristers who come from both private and public schools. Occasionally, a spot will open if a boy leaves, but that is rare.

You can’t become a Chorister without first being admitted to STA. You have causality going the wrong way.

You missed the point

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is my understanding that the fifth grade admits are the new Cathedral choristers who come from both private and public schools. Occasionally, a spot will open if a boy leaves, but that is rare.

You can’t become a Chorister without first being admitted to STA. You have causality going the wrong way.

You missed the point

No, you started with a fundamentally incorrect premise. Cathedral choristers are first and foremost STA or NCS students and have to go through the same competitive admissions process as any other student. Novices do not get an admissions boost like siblings and children of alumni or faculty.

Fifth graders are occasionally admitted based on attrition, but the original post implies that attrition in the Chorister program leads to 5th grade admits from both public and private schools. No.