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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Strangely enough, I wish we had applied to a couple of less academically rigorous/intense schools.  I am starting to doubt our decision to limit our applications to the Big 3.  Even if our child gets in, it may not be the most enjoyable experience.  Our back up is our strong public school, which we would be fine with.[/quote]

Were you influenced by talking to current families or more from the characterizations of pressure cookers on this board? [/quote]

Both.  This board makes the top schools sound incredibly joyless but current parents also freely admit that the academics are very intense. [b] I have an academically strong child but I can't help but wonder if they would have a more enjoyable experience at a school like Bullis or SSSAS as opposed to GDS/Sidwell/St. Albans, etc. - particularly since I don't think the college outcomes from any of these schools for unconnected children are measurably different.  Too late at this point but I think I would have done things a little differently.  This is for a 9th grader.  [/quote]
[/b]

I have a freshman at SSSAS who is very happy.  As cliche as it sounds, it's definitely a joyful place for him.  My husband and I both went to pressure cooker schools (mine was an even bigger pressure cooker than his) and we did not want that for our son.

He works hard both in school and in sports, but he also has enough down time which he desperately needs.  The key is finding the right amount of balance of being busy and being able to relax.  We believe it's really important to "be a kid" especially after these past two years.  All of our kids have lost so much.

We've been very impressed with his teachers.  They are incredibly supportive, but they also push him.  He is also learning how to study, how to write, and how to manage his time.

Socially, he's also very happy and has lots of all different kinds of friends.  He is very sporty, but also likes theater and video games and he's found friends with all of those interests.  There are about 115 kids in the grade which doesn't feel too small or too big.  There's also a really strong sense of community with annual traditions, etc.  All the parents we have met have been welcoming and friendly.

I know application deadlines have passed, but if you truly are interested I would give admissions a call.  It can't hurt.  [/quote]

I love reading posts like this!

We’re another SSSAS family and when we applied (a couple years ago) it wasn’t at the top of my list (I don’t know why - I think I naively thought we’d either do a “big 3” or public). I nearly didn’t go to the open house! But from the beginning I was just blown away by the combination of academics and a joyful love of learning and a really kind and caring community. I saw they recently released a new admissions video that’s super goofy and I just thought, yup, that is ACTUALLY what St Stephens is like - warm, joyful, goofy, while still being academically strong. It’s not a pressure cooker, in that parents and teachers seem to universally value balance and joy over achievement, but LEARNING for the joy of learning is highly valued.

It’s a reminder to other parents not to get too wrapped up in what you think your top choice “should” be, but to really consider a school for what it is.[/quote]

Shhhh.  We don't want the prestige whores ruining Saints.  [/quote]

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