Getting into St. Albans

[Anonymous]

In fourth grade approximately 10-16 of the 40-45 students (varies from year to year) are non-Beauvoir - - some public, some private.

Fifth and sixth grade they only accept a few - -5 or6. I would try not to apply for these years because your odds are lower.

Seventh they admit 18-20.
Don't know the mix between public and private applicants.

I am not a mathematician but from my count it appears the Beauvoir entitlement babies have a much clearer, easier and unimpeded shot into STA. As unimpeded as those attending their neighorhood assigned public schools!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

In fourth grade approximately 10-16 of the 40-45 students (varies from year to year) are non-Beauvoir - - some public, some private.

Fifth and sixth grade they only accept a few - -5 or6. I would try not to apply for these years because your odds are lower.

Seventh they admit 18-20.
Don't know the mix between public and private applicants.

I am not a mathematician but from my count it appears the Beauvoir entitlement babies have a much clearer, easier and unimpeded shot into STA. As unimpeded as those attending their neighorhood assigned public schools!

True, only 2/3 B boys, at most, are rejected during 4th grade entry year. About 28 enter during 4th grade.

[Anonymous]

I do not believe that 2/3 of B boys are rejected at STA!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Best post" author: We are considering applying our son to STA next year. I was wondering what kind of a kid would do well at STA given their culture. Do you have to be ultra-competitive to survive there? What is the culture like between the boys? Is is very friendly and supporive, or more competitive and hierarchical? Thanks!

My sense is that they are looking for a diverse class makeup, and part of that would be including boys who play against the STA super-preppy stereotype. We have not sensed an ultra-competitive vibe in our time there, although there are certainly some driven boys (and parents). It is a demanding atmosphere, and one where conformity is the norm.

We were pleasantly surprised by how much the faculty/administration encourage a more communitarian ethos, and the whole 'do you know who I am?' factor is simply nonexistent -- the school is bigger than any family or alum; they expelled Al Gore's son while he was VP, which speaks volumes. With regard to student cliques, they exist as anywhere but don't seem to be terribly corrosive. The lower school leadership (Paul Herman, lower school Head, in particular is absolutely outstanding) seems very focused on preventing an alpha boy gang from developing and thriving.

Thanks for your response. Very helpful! Just to clarify, what do you mean by including boys who "play against the STA super-preppy stereotype?" Do you mean boys who are artistic or into musical theatre/ballet, or something different? Thanks.

Yes, I think boys who bring a strong interest in the arts very much fit the 'against-stereotype' bill. I think if a boy really didn't like sports STA wouldn't be the right place given its seasonal sports requirement, but if a boy's true passion lies in music/arts -- and he's fine with physical activity -- that would very much be welcome; they want those boys. I do think, however, there are better choices for a strongly iconoclastic kid, as STA is still a pretty conformist place. I think all those blue blazers would drive a strongly 'different drummer' type up the wall.

[Anonymous]

I believe the pp meant 2 or 3 Beauvoir boys are not accepted, not two thirds. Also, yes Beauvoir boys have an easier time getting into STA. I believe STA takes all qualified Beauvoir boys. They can't take all qualified non-Beauvoir boys because they don't have enough slots. I don't know how many non BV boys apply and how many get in for 4th. A fair amount of people go to Beauvoir so they have a better chance of getting into STA and NCS, although it's not a given.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe the pp meant 2 or 3 Beauvoir boys are not accepted, not two thirds. Also, yes Beauvoir boys have an easier time getting into STA. I believe STA takes all qualified Beauvoir boys. They can't take all qualified non-Beauvoir boys because they don't have enough slots. I don't know how many non BV boys apply and how many get in for 4th. A fair amount of people go to Beauvoir so they have a better chance of getting into STA and NCS, although it's not a given.

Yes, I meant 2 or 3 Beauvoir boys. About 30 from Beauvoir will apply to STA for 4th grade and roughly 26-28 will enroll. Getting into STA was my goal for DS and I knew that Beauvoir was the best route in.

[Anonymous]

We are considering whether to apply our DC next year to 4th form from an area private, or to wait until 7th grade. I am getting the sense that perhaps its easier to get in at 7th? Do others have perspective on this? It seems like so many spots are taken by Beauvoir boys at 4th that 7th may be easier. But then again, there may be more applicants at 7th.

[Anonymous]

It appears that about 40 % of applicants get into STA in 9th from some of info in public domain. I suspect that the applicants in later years are superior to those entering at 4th grade and a 40 percent admission rate may still be a high bar given qwuality of applicants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It appears that about 40 % of applicants get into STA in 9th from some of info in public domain. I suspect that the applicants in later years are superior to those entering at 4th grade and a 40 percent admission rate may still be a high bar given qwuality of applicants.

It also seems that perhaps has many as 40% get in at 4th depending on the year. Does anyone have a sense of how this year is going at the 4th grade level?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are considering whether to apply our DC next year to 4th form from an area private, or to wait until 7th grade. I am getting the sense that perhaps its easier to get in at 7th? Do others have perspective on this? It seems like so many spots are taken by Beauvoir boys at 4th that 7th may be easier. But then again, there may be more applicants at 7th.

I don't know which would be a better year. It may, in part, depend on the number/quality of the other applicants for that year. The admissions director is very nice and I think you could call him and talk to him about this. Of course it also depends on how much you like your current school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are considering whether to apply our DC next year to 4th form from an area private, or to wait until 7th grade. I am getting the sense that perhaps its easier to get in at 7th? Do others have perspective on this? It seems like so many spots are taken by Beauvoir boys at 4th that 7th may be easier. But then again, there may be more applicants at 7th.

I guess it all depends on what type of student your DS is. So he's in 2nd grade now? Does he have strong standardized test scores? The longer you wait the more emphasis will be placed on grades, test scores, and teacher recs. At 4th & 7th it looks like about 16 new boys enter. As PP said contact Hart Roper (Admisssions Director), he's extremely easy to talk to. I'm sure he keeps demos about the number of boys who enroll at these entry grades who are unconnected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are considering whether to apply our DC next year to 4th form from an area private, or to wait until 7th grade. I am getting the sense that perhaps its easier to get in at 7th? Do others have perspective on this? It seems like so many spots are taken by Beauvoir boys at 4th that 7th may be easier. But then again, there may be more applicants at 7th.

I guess it all depends on what type of student your DS is. So he's in 2nd grade now? Does he have strong standardized test scores? The longer you wait the more emphasis will be placed on grades, test scores, and teacher recs. At 4th & 7th it looks like about 16 new boys enter. As PP said contact Hart Roper (Admisssions Director), he's extremely easy to talk to. I'm sure he keeps demos about the number of boys who enroll at these entry grades who are unconnected.

Yes, DS is in 2nd grade. We do like our current school but I think for DS the transition to a new school would be easier in 4th grade. I also don't have anything negative to say about current school, but I do feel its time for a change. I think DS would love an all boys environment and STA is appealing on multiple levels. I suppose if he didn't get in next year we could always reapply in 7th. DS is a good student with very good text scores, but in this area it seems like every kid meets that criteria.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are considering whether to apply our DC next year to 4th form from an area private, or to wait until 7th grade. I am getting the sense that perhaps its easier to get in at 7th? Do others have perspective on this? It seems like so many spots are taken by Beauvoir boys at 4th that 7th may be easier. But then again, there may be more applicants at 7th.

I guess it all depends on what type of student your DS is. So he's in 2nd grade now? Does he have strong standardized test scores? The longer you wait the more emphasis will be placed on grades, test scores, and teacher recs. At 4th & 7th it looks like about 16 new boys enter. As PP said contact Hart Roper (Admisssions Director), he's extremely easy to talk to. I'm sure he keeps demos about the number of boys who enroll at these entry grades who are unconnected.

Yes, DS is in 2nd grade. We do like our current school but I think for DS the transition to a new school would be easier in 4th grade. I also don't have anything negative to say about current school, but I do feel its time for a change. I think DS would love an all boys environment and STA is appealing on multiple levels. I suppose if he didn't get in next year we could always reapply in 7th. DS is a good student with very good text scores, but in this area it seems like every kid meets that criteria.

The year that my DS began C Form the non-Beauvoir boys came from DC public schools, Sidwell, Maryland & VA pubs & privates, different states, and several internationals. One had an older sib. Of course, each year is different depending upon the needs of that particular class.

[Anonymous]

Does STA ever call people before mailing out the decisions? Our son goes to another private school and our renewal deposit is due soon. I know lots of people are probably in the same boat, but it would be nice to get a realistic update as to our chances before shelling out some money to his current school.

Thanks for any thoughts out there.

[Anonymous]

From my experience they don't call people before mailing out letters, but I do know that the admits tend to get their letters a day or so before the rejects.