St. Andrews: Don't Buy The "Happy Kids" Marketing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread seems to be fueled by one family’s complaints, who left the school several years ago. My DC is probably around the same grade (judging by the dates listed), and I hope the child who left is now happy elsewhere. No school is right for every child. For my DC and family, St. Andrew’s has been lovely, and has exceeded our hopes. Check out the school for yourself—the description the PP has provided of the school and administration does not match our experience at all.

Well-said, and, as the parent of a St. Andrew's US student, I completely agree with bolded text above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread seems to be fueled by one family’s complaints, who left the school several years ago. My DC is probably around the same grade (judging by the dates listed), and I hope the child who left is now happy elsewhere. No school is right for every child. For my DC and family, St. Andrew’s has been lovely, and has exceeded our hopes. Check out the school for yourself—the description the PP has provided of the school and administration does not match our experience at all.

Well-said, and, as the parent of a St. Andrew's US student, I completely agree with bolded text above.

Current US family here too and I also agree. 15:23 is too vague about the issues their child had. The only way to find out if it's right for your child is to have them visit/shadow a few times. Once a kid is in MS/US they are capable of comparing SAES to their currrent school and giving their input into the decision. Our kid couldn't be happier and it's been like night and day from the old school in all ways including the friendliness and support of fellow students and admin.

[Anonymous]

Current family who transferred from a DC private. Couldn't be happier. Culture is indeed positive, inclusive and rigorous. I encourage anyone who is interested in the school to go ahead and schedule a visit. Such a great way to learn about the school vs. forming opinions by reading an anonymous board.

[Anonymous]

Lots of “couldn’t be happier” in the past few posts. Maybe this is very dependent on a particular grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of “couldn’t be happier” in the past few posts. Maybe this is very dependent on a particular grade.

Possibly; that's very typical of independent schools. Because the grade cohort size is on the small size, you can have very different characteristics from grade-to-grade.

[Anonymous]

My child is applying to enter 9th grade next year. Any insight on the current 8th grade class and it's dynamics???

[Anonymous]

My neighbor’s daughter who is special needs was accepted last year. Also the Trump boy attends.

[Anonymous]

We are there and we are very happy. I honestly do t know what OP is talking about. I have a child with dyslexia and ADHD and one without any special needs. It’s been great for both! They are in the upper school now.

[Anonymous]

Have a child in the Upper School and our child is both happy and challenged. Our child really appreciates the teachers and feels that they are genuinely interested in the students as individuals and invested in the students learning. We have found that the school has exceeded our expectations so far. The school seems well run and we have found it to be a welcoming place. We feel very fortunate that our child wound up there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor’s daughter who is special needs was accepted last year. Also the Trump boy attends.

Is this good or bad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is applying to enter 9th grade next year. Any insight on the current 8th grade class and it's dynamics???

Oh my...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is applying to enter 9th grade next year. Any insight on the current 8th grade class and it's dynamics???

Just have your kid shadow and see. We have a kid there and he loves it. It's exceeded our expectations in terms of academics and culture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is applying to enter 9th grade next year. Any insight on the current 8th grade class and it's dynamics???

Oh my...

If that's an "oh my" regarding a specific high profile child, fear not - rising 9th grade is not that class. I'm also curious about this, since my rising 9th grader is considering applying. We have learned (sometimes the hard way) that class dynamics in a small school are very important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is applying to enter 9th grade next year. Any insight on the current 8th grade class and it's dynamics???

Oh my...

If that's an "oh my" regarding a specific high profile child, fear not - rising 9th grade is not that class. I'm also curious about this, since my rising 9th grader is considering applying. We have learned (sometimes the hard way) that class dynamics in a small school are very important.

Exactly! She is moving from a private school and doesn't want to accidentally enter a class that has some well known issues. Where she is now, the class is wonderful, but the class one year ahead of her is a nightmare. It does make a difference. Especially in a school on the smaller side.

[Anonymous]

SAES family here. I haven't heard of any classes with big issues. Usually there are quite a few new families in 9th plus the kids who are already there are looking forward to and very welcoming of the new students. Not sure an 8th grade family is on here and will report.