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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any public school families in the incoming C form?

Yes.

[Anonymous]

What’s the transition like for a new boy who enters after 9th grade?

[Anonymous]

Any sibling preference for 9th if sister goes to NCS?

[Anonymous]

I think the application asks if there are any siblings / connections to any of the Cathedral schools, but whether that has any bearing I'm not sure. I don't think it is an automatic by any stretch. In fact some teachers have had their kids turned down for STA admission.

My kids transitioned earlier than 9th grade, so I don't have BTDT experience, but I did speak with a 9th grader who moved to St. Albans from a Bethesda area public school once about his transition, He said he really liked STA and made some friends quickly, but that the academics and homework were on "another level entirely" from what he was doing before and it took him a bit to adjust.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any sibling preference for 9th if sister goes to NCS?

It’s too weak to call it a sibling preference. It’s more like an appreciation. It’s not going to give your kid a significant boost.

More of a boost for siblings of STA kids, faculty, or alumni children.

[Anonymous]

How is the college placement office?

[Anonymous]

I have a current senior and am impressed with the level of attention and knowledge. Far beyond what we experienced with another private school here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is the college placement office?

Fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With sports such as baseball, golf and crew, it is the nature of the sport more than the competitiveness of the program that may or may not create cuts.

For example, with crew - there is one freshman boat which requires 8 rowers, a cox and maybe a few alternates in case of injury so if more than 12 boys want to row, yes there will be cuts because it is not fun or productive for a boy to just stand around while others are racing. It is better for that kid to find a different sport where he can participate more. Similarly with baseball, there are only so many boys that can warm a bench so if too many want to play there may be cuts.

Alternatively, lacrosse could sub in players during a game and has a JV and Varsity team so absorbs a lot of bodies so no cuts necessary. Similarly for track and field. Any number of kids can run.

So, I'm curious how a young boy would prepare to be competitive on the freshman rowing team?

Crew is a great sport all around for both getting your body in excellent cardio shape AND team spirit.

In addition, I am sure you thought of this but the list of colleges needing good rowers is a much BIGGER pool than the list of HS in USA that can supply them. Its basically the reverse of football.

Ivy League

As for the other part of your question, how young is your DC ? The basic body type is tall and slim, but with a great Cardio engine

Best way to begin is with aerobic conditioning: an Urg if your kid is in 7th, 8th grade. Otherwise, biking, running, swimming are great backgrounds.

A good indicator of innate Cardio ability is how fast can your son run the Mile ( assuming no training). Was he ever timed in PE class ? Did he beat the entire class and make it look easy ? If he can do that and both parents are tall ( especially the mom) those are good indicators.

Kid must be VERY determined though and willing to work their A+s off

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is the college placement office?

Fantastic.

Worth every penny.

[Anonymous]

Should I have heard from a Buddy family by now (incoming to HS).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With sports such as baseball, golf and crew, it is the nature of the sport more than the competitiveness of the program that may or may not create cuts.

For example, with crew - there is one freshman boat which requires 8 rowers, a cox and maybe a few alternates in case of injury so if more than 12 boys want to row, yes there will be cuts because it is not fun or productive for a boy to just stand around while others are racing. It is better for that kid to find a different sport where he can participate more. Similarly with baseball, there are only so many boys that can warm a bench so if too many want to play there may be cuts.

Alternatively, lacrosse could sub in players during a game and has a JV and Varsity team so absorbs a lot of bodies so no cuts necessary. Similarly for track and field. Any number of kids can run.

So, I'm curious how a young boy would prepare to be competitive on the freshman rowing team?

Crew is a great sport all around for both getting your body in excellent cardio shape AND team spirit.

In addition, I am sure you thought of this but the list of colleges needing good rowers is a much BIGGER pool than the list of HS in USA that can supply them. Its basically the reverse of football.

Ivy League

As for the other part of your question, how young is your DC ? The basic body type is tall and slim, but with a great Cardio engine

Best way to begin is with aerobic conditioning: an Urg if your kid is in 7th, 8th grade. Otherwise, biking, running, swimming are great backgrounds.

A good indicator of innate Cardio ability is how fast can your son run the Mile ( assuming no training). Was he ever timed in PE class ? Did he beat the entire class and make it look easy ? If he can do that and both parents are tall ( especially the mom) those are good indicators.

Kid must be VERY determined though and willing to work their A+s off

This probably works on average but it’s a weird mix. I’ve known some successful rowers who were biomechanically bad runners, and some powerful kids (football) who you wouldn’t necessarily have thought of as cardio strong. But yeah for prep running is good and lifting (squat, dead, power cleans) if they have been taught how to do it safely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Should I have heard from a Buddy family by now (incoming to HS).

Hi there. Yes absolutely! When we began at STA we heard from our buddy family in June. New parents are running the buddy program this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should I have heard from a Buddy family by now (incoming to HS).

Hi there. Yes absolutely! When we began at STA we heard from our buddy family in June. New parents are running the buddy program this year.

Contact admissions office and let them know. Should have beard by now.

[Anonymous]

How do new C formers handle their ties? Do kids wear the pre-tied clip on kind or is that just not a thing? Do people teach their kid how to tie a tie before school starts in case it comes undone during the day? Also, do any parents of older kids have suggestions on what you've found to be the most comfortable shirts and pants to buy that will hold up to the abuse that the boys put them through (we know about the exchange shop)?