St Alban's and NCS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They were/are intentional about their girls only befriending other rich, elite, country club belonging girls and they seek to hang out with boys from the same/similar kind of families. Their play dates, birthday parties, and other outside school hangouts were/are often exclusive to girls from similar backgrounds.

This is how I remember both schools back in the ‘90s. Quite a few of those STA/NCS friendships turned into marriages. Which for some I guess is the point.

NCS not like this anymore. Changed for the better - more diverse and families from all over the DMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They were/are intentional about their girls only befriending other rich, elite, country club belonging girls and they seek to hang out with boys from the same/similar kind of families. Their play dates, birthday parties, and other outside school hangouts were/are often exclusive to girls from similar backgrounds.

This is how I remember both schools back in the ‘90s. Quite a few of those STA/NCS friendships turned into marriages. Which for some I guess is the point.

NCS not like this anymore. Changed for the better - more diverse and families from all over the DMV.

It was plenty diverse with families from all over the DMV in the ‘90s also.

The school caters to a certain type of family which is core to its culture. You will never get rid of those types of families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They were/are intentional about their girls only befriending other rich, elite, country club belonging girls and they seek to hang out with boys from the same/similar kind of families. Their play dates, birthday parties, and other outside school hangouts were/are often exclusive to girls from similar backgrounds.

This is how I remember both schools back in the ‘90s. Quite a few of those STA/NCS friendships turned into marriages. Which for some I guess is the point.

NCS not like this anymore. Changed for the better - more diverse and families from all over the DMV.

It was plenty diverse with families from all over the DMV in the ‘90s also.

The school caters to a certain type of family which is core to its culture. You will never get rid of those types of families.

Not many club families in our class. Maybe a handful. It is just not that much a part of the culture as it is at xx.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They were/are intentional about their girls only befriending other rich, elite, country club belonging girls and they seek to hang out with boys from the same/similar kind of families. Their play dates, birthday parties, and other outside school hangouts were/are often exclusive to girls from similar backgrounds.

This is how I remember both schools back in the ‘90s. Quite a few of those STA/NCS friendships turned into marriages. Which for some I guess is the point.

NCS not like this anymore. Changed for the better - more diverse and families from all over the DMV.

It was plenty diverse with families from all over the DMV in the ‘90s also.

The school caters to a certain type of family which is core to its culture. You will never get rid of those types of families.

Not many club families in our class. Maybe a handful. It is just not that much a part of the culture as it is at xx.

Agree. It varies by grade but almost zero club families in the two grades my girls are in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They were/are intentional about their girls only befriending other rich, elite, country club belonging girls and they seek to hang out with boys from the same/similar kind of families. Their play dates, birthday parties, and other outside school hangouts were/are often exclusive to girls from similar backgrounds.

This is how I remember both schools back in the ‘90s. Quite a few of those STA/NCS friendships turned into marriages. Which for some I guess is the point.

NCS not like this anymore. Changed for the better - more diverse and families from all over the DMV.

It was plenty diverse with families from all over the DMV in the ‘90s also.

The school caters to a certain type of family which is core to its culture. You will never get rid of those types of families.

Not many club families in our class. Maybe a handful. It is just not that much a part of the culture as it is at xx.

Agree. It varies by grade but almost zero club families in the two grades my girls are in.

How would you know though. It’s a point of pride to not discuss such things. I would have said the same thing when I attended private, but it becomes apparent after graduation that these families were very much club families - they just knew not to announce it or make it obvious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They were/are intentional about their girls only befriending other rich, elite, country club belonging girls and they seek to hang out with boys from the same/similar kind of families. Their play dates, birthday parties, and other outside school hangouts were/are often exclusive to girls from similar backgrounds.

This is how I remember both schools back in the ‘90s. Quite a few of those STA/NCS friendships turned into marriages. Which for some I guess is the point.

NCS not like this anymore. Changed for the better - more diverse and families from all over the DMV.

It was plenty diverse with families from all over the DMV in the ‘90s also.

The school caters to a certain type of family which is core to its culture. You will never get rid of those types of families.

Not many club families in our class. Maybe a handful. It is just not that much a part of the culture as it is at xx.

Agree. It varies by grade but almost zero club families in the two grades my girls are in.

How would you know though. It’s a point of pride to not discuss such things. I would have said the same thing when I attended private, but it becomes apparent after graduation that these families were very much club families - they just knew not to announce it or make it obvious.

Do you have kids in private now? Curious what brings you to these boards now? Things have really changed it sounds like from 30 plus years ago so it is difficult to compare to your experiences of times past.

Club families at Chevy and Congo are much more forthcoming nowadays (we also had experience years ago and yes agree people did not talk about it). Influx of new money changed that. People wear shirts, bumper stickers, hats, have private parties there and post it, etc… def not a secret. These are small classes- of course your know because the kids know. It’s not a secret.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They were/are intentional about their girls only befriending other rich, elite, country club belonging girls and they seek to hang out with boys from the same/similar kind of families. Their play dates, birthday parties, and other outside school hangouts were/are often exclusive to girls from similar backgrounds.

This is how I remember both schools back in the ‘90s. Quite a few of those STA/NCS friendships turned into marriages. Which for some I guess is the point.

NCS not like this anymore. Changed for the better - more diverse and families from all over the DMV.

It was plenty diverse with families from all over the DMV in the ‘90s also.

The school caters to a certain type of family which is core to its culture. You will never get rid of those types of families.

Not many club families in our class. Maybe a handful. It is just not that much a part of the culture as it is at xx.

Agree. It varies by grade but almost zero club families in the two grades my girls are in.

How would you know though. It’s a point of pride to not discuss such things. I would have said the same thing when I attended private, but it becomes apparent after graduation that these families were very much club families - they just knew not to announce it or make it obvious.

Do you have kids in private now? Curious what brings you to these boards now? Things have really changed it sounds like from 30 plus years ago so it is difficult to compare to your experiences of times past.

Club families at Chevy and Congo are much more forthcoming nowadays (we also had experience years ago and yes agree people did not talk about it). Influx of new money changed that. People wear shirts, bumper stickers, hats, have private parties there and post it, etc… def not a secret. These are small classes- of course your know because the kids know. It’s not a secret.

I’m a current parent with kids in private. And although I did not grow up in a club family, we are currently a “club family” , and we definitely don’t talk about it. The only time we have found out about other club families at our kid’s school is because my husband plays golf and he ends up discussing golf with the other dad’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They were/are intentional about their girls only befriending other rich, elite, country club belonging girls and they seek to hang out with boys from the same/similar kind of families. Their play dates, birthday parties, and other outside school hangouts were/are often exclusive to girls from similar backgrounds.

This is how I remember both schools back in the ‘90s. Quite a few of those STA/NCS friendships turned into marriages. Which for some I guess is the point.

NCS not like this anymore. Changed for the better - more diverse and families from all over the DMV.

It was plenty diverse with families from all over the DMV in the ‘90s also.

The school caters to a certain type of family which is core to its culture. You will never get rid of those types of families.

Not many club families in our class. Maybe a handful. It is just not that much a part of the culture as it is at xx.

Agree. It varies by grade but almost zero club families in the two grades my girls are in.

How would you know though. It’s a point of pride to not discuss such things. I would have said the same thing when I attended private, but it becomes apparent after graduation that these families were very much club families - they just knew not to announce it or make it obvious.

Do you have kids in private now? Curious what brings you to these boards now? Things have really changed it sounds like from 30 plus years ago so it is difficult to compare to your experiences of times past.

Club families at Chevy and Congo are much more forthcoming nowadays (we also had experience years ago and yes agree people did not talk about it). Influx of new money changed that. People wear shirts, bumper stickers, hats, have private parties there and post it, etc… def not a secret. These are small classes- of course your know because the kids know. It’s not a secret.

I’m a current parent with kids in private. And although I did not grow up in a club family, we are currently a “club family” , and we definitely don’t talk about it. The only time we have found out about other club families at our kid’s school is because my husband plays golf and he ends up discussing golf with the other dad’s.

Husband plays golf! Club family??? How boring!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NCS opened in 1900, so it's not from the renaissance, but it's not exactly new. I'm not sure what schools around are older -- maybe St Johns?

Sidwell was founded in the 1870s

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NCS opened in 1900, so it's not from the renaissance, but it's not exactly new. I'm not sure what schools around are older -- maybe St Johns?

Sidwell was founded in the 1870s

The Catholic schools. Georgetown Prep - 1789. Georgetown Visitation - 1799

[Anonymous]

STA seems to be grade specific. Have sent a bunch through and one group of parents is the nicest, hardest working, most down to earth, give the shirts off of their backs types you can imagine. Truly kind, committed people who would do anything for our son. And some of these people are extremely successful so they could have been snobby jerks but were not. The other classes, with typically less successful and hence more insecure types, not so much.

My sons, who are very different, found their own path and loved it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at Beauvoir and considering next steps.

We recognize that St Alban's and NCS are among the very best schools in DC but are struggling with the question of if these are the environments we want to raise our kids.

I had friends in college who attended NCS and spoke about what a toxic environment it was - unhealthy competition, eating disorders. I remember thinking how glad I was this wasn't my experience. That was decades ago - is it better now?

We hear people rave about St. Alban's. But when we went on a tour it also felt a bit off to us. -- the high schoolers we interacted with on the tour seemed like great kids but all had this vibe of a bit neurotic and overwhelmed.

I have no doubt that these kids are getting excellent educations and learning how to navigate a high-achieving culture. But are these happy environments? Do kids emerge from schools well-adjusted and ready to thrive and enjoy life?

What do these schools do to actively support this healthy mindset, beyond teaching them to achieve academically?

Are there parents of kids at these school who have had similar doubts? Were those fears confirmed or were you pleasantly surprised?

Please do not respond if you have no experience with the school.

I find NCS and St Alban very strange. They pretend they still live in some traditional bubble from 100 years ago. But the building, the single sex, the location, and the tradition are so out of place in the current time. I got that they want to imitate Oxford or Cambridge. But they never really were contemporary. The Close feels so odd. Just a reminder: the National Cathedral was built in 1893. My grand-grandmother's chair was older.

Well, I find this statement (bolded) very strange. How is the location out of place in the current time? Single sex schools are more popular than ever, so you're wrong about that. And what "tradition" is so out of place in the current time?

Your entire post is based on personal feelings (a grudge?) that most people do not share.

First of all, the National Cathedral was built in modern times in a Gothic style. So, all of its associations are not part of a natural time.
All of the service, cathedral, and uniform are all things of the past. It is classic, maybe. But it is just so out of place in Teleytown.
Single sex schools are somewhat popular. Not than ever.

It’s not in Tenleytown. And only the youngest girls (4-6th grades) wear uniforms. The National Cathedral is one of the most progressive churches around. Weird comments to make when they’re not even accurate.

But the whole vibe is repressive and strange. Most progressive church. I just don't get why being on the Close is a good thing. Fake old building and tourist spot.

The oldest buildings are well over 100 years old. The cathedral itself, finished in the 1990s, is Gothic Revival. But I wouldn't call it fake.

Just a very vibe, old-man (though NCS is a woman) vibe of old money and power and glory to a certain past. No doubt the education is great. But I wonder how the students feel.

DC has little old money. Almost none in fact. Lots of interlopers and visitors have come though but nothing like NYC or Boston areas. Don’t make things up to drive your prejudices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NCS opened in 1900, so it's not from the renaissance, but it's not exactly new. I'm not sure what schools around are older -- maybe St Johns?

Sidwell was founded in the 1870s

The Catholic schools. Georgetown Prep - 1789. Georgetown Visitation - 1799

Both associated with the only real old money based in the DC area for a long time. The Carrolls were probably the wealthiest people at the time of the Revolution and John was involved in founding both schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at Beauvoir and considering next steps.

We recognize that St Alban's and NCS are among the very best schools in DC but are struggling with the question of if these are the environments we want to raise our kids.

I had friends in college who attended NCS and spoke about what a toxic environment it was - unhealthy competition, eating disorders. I remember thinking how glad I was this wasn't my experience. That was decades ago - is it better now?

We hear people rave about St. Alban's. But when we went on a tour it also felt a bit off to us. -- the high schoolers we interacted with on the tour seemed like great kids but all had this vibe of a bit neurotic and overwhelmed.

I have no doubt that these kids are getting excellent educations and learning how to navigate a high-achieving culture. But are these happy environments? Do kids emerge from schools well-adjusted and ready to thrive and enjoy life?

What do these schools do to actively support this healthy mindset, beyond teaching them to achieve academically?

Are there parents of kids at these school who have had similar doubts? Were those fears confirmed or were you pleasantly surprised?

Please do not respond if you have no experience with the school.

I find NCS and St Alban very strange. They pretend they still live in some traditional bubble from 100 years ago. But the building, the single sex, the location, and the tradition are so out of place in the current time. I got that they want to imitate Oxford or Cambridge. But they never really were contemporary. The Close feels so odd. Just a reminder: the National Cathedral was built in 1893. My grand-grandmother's chair was older.

Well, I find this statement (bolded) very strange. How is the location out of place in the current time? Single sex schools are more popular than ever, so you're wrong about that. And what "tradition" is so out of place in the current time?

Your entire post is based on personal feelings (a grudge?) that most people do not share.

First of all, the National Cathedral was built in modern times in a Gothic style. So, all of its associations are not part of a natural time.
All of the service, cathedral, and uniform are all things of the past. It is classic, maybe. But it is just so out of place in Teleytown.
Single sex schools are somewhat popular. Not than ever.

It’s not in Tenleytown. And only the youngest girls (4-6th grades) wear uniforms. The National Cathedral is one of the most progressive churches around. Weird comments to make when they’re not even accurate.

But the whole vibe is repressive and strange. Most progressive church. I just don't get why being on the Close is a good thing. Fake old building and tourist spot.

The oldest buildings are well over 100 years old. The cathedral itself, finished in the 1990s, is Gothic Revival. But I wouldn't call it fake.

Just a very vibe, old-man (though NCS is a woman) vibe of old money and power and glory to a certain past. No doubt the education is great. But I wonder how the students feel.

DC has little old money. Almost none in fact. Lots of interlopers and visitors have come though but nothing like NYC or Boston areas. Don’t make things up to drive your prejudices.

🤣never heard money talks and wealth whispers? There is tons of whispering in this city, you just probably aren't close enough to hear it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are at Beauvoir and considering next steps.

We recognize that St Alban's and NCS are among the very best schools in DC but are struggling with the question of if these are the environments we want to raise our kids.

I had friends in college who attended NCS and spoke about what a toxic environment it was - unhealthy competition, eating disorders. I remember thinking how glad I was this wasn't my experience. That was decades ago - is it better now?

We hear people rave about St. Alban's. But when we went on a tour it also felt a bit off to us. -- the high schoolers we interacted with on the tour seemed like great kids but all had this vibe of a bit neurotic and overwhelmed.

I have no doubt that these kids are getting excellent educations and learning how to navigate a high-achieving culture. But are these happy environments? Do kids emerge from schools well-adjusted and ready to thrive and enjoy life?

What do these schools do to actively support this healthy mindset, beyond teaching them to achieve academically?

Are there parents of kids at these school who have had similar doubts? Were those fears confirmed or were you pleasantly surprised?

Please do not respond if you have no experience with the school.

I find NCS and St Alban very strange. They pretend they still live in some traditional bubble from 100 years ago. But the building, the single sex, the location, and the tradition are so out of place in the current time. I got that they want to imitate Oxford or Cambridge. But they never really were contemporary. The Close feels so odd. Just a reminder: the National Cathedral was built in 1893. My grand-grandmother's chair was older.

Well, I find this statement (bolded) very strange. How is the location out of place in the current time? Single sex schools are more popular than ever, so you're wrong about that. And what "tradition" is so out of place in the current time?

Your entire post is based on personal feelings (a grudge?) that most people do not share.

First of all, the National Cathedral was built in modern times in a Gothic style. So, all of its associations are not part of a natural time.
All of the service, cathedral, and uniform are all things of the past. It is classic, maybe. But it is just so out of place in Teleytown.
Single sex schools are somewhat popular. Not than ever.

It’s not in Tenleytown. And only the youngest girls (4-6th grades) wear uniforms. The National Cathedral is one of the most progressive churches around. Weird comments to make when they’re not even accurate.

But the whole vibe is repressive and strange. Most progressive church. I just don't get why being on the Close is a good thing. Fake old building and tourist spot.

The oldest buildings are well over 100 years old. The cathedral itself, finished in the 1990s, is Gothic Revival. But I wouldn't call it fake.

Just a very vibe, old-man (though NCS is a woman) vibe of old money and power and glory to a certain past. No doubt the education is great. But I wonder how the students feel.

DC has little old money. Almost none in fact. Lots of interlopers and visitors have come though but nothing like NYC or Boston areas. Don’t make things up to drive your prejudices.

🤣never heard money talks and wealth whispers? There is tons of whispering in this city, you just probably aren't close enough to hear it.

I agree with this comment. It’s definitely here and always has been. It just doesn’t make itself known by being obvious. And why should they, they literally have nothing to prove, especially not to a bunch of transplants.