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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]I think, if I'm reading this correctly, the poster implies that St. Albans is doing a worse job in admissions than Landon, Prep, St. Stephens? My goodness, that is myopic. The last time I checked St. Albans was still a school, correct? So the problem with lots of academically strong applicants who go on to be very successful high school and college students is what, exactly?[/quote]

They state that Landon, etc are doing a better job with scholar athletes in contact sports. Which is true.

There is no problem with a school being just a school, there are many schools/programs for kids that are smart and not athletic. But, St. Albans bills itself as "While our students reach exceptional academic goals and exhibit [b]first-rate athletic [/b]and artistic achievements".

But they are not delivering on "first-rate" in the athletic department for most sports. I don't think there is any shame in that. My son goes to a similar school, the only difference is the faculty, parents and students know the sports are mediocre compared to the area and nationally. So what? I don't care but to pretend we are a "first rate" athletic school is wrong.

The school can not just claim they are first rate in athletic achievement because they have a few students who achieve this outside the school programs.

[/quote]

Well, I read the post as saying that at the other IAC schools the Admissions Director would be fired for not recruiting enough athletes in football/basketball/lacrosse.  Which, I suppose, could be true -- but to me just emphasizes that St. Albans is smart not to focus on athletic recruiting at the expense of bringing in academically strong students who can do the work at what is a rigorous school but is also one that parents generally see as warm and caring.  I like a great dessert after a good meal too -- but if I have to pick I'm going to take the nutritious meal first.  If St. Albans can bring in top students who help them win football, basketball, baseball, and lacrosse games -- great!  But if they would be bringing in students who would struggle, that's not great for those kids nor for St. Albans.

I would also take issue with the idea that St. Albans isn't delivering "first-rate athletic and artistic achievements" along with strong academics.  They've currently got alums on Ivy League rosters for cross-country; track; rowing; swimming; ice hockey; sprint football; lacrosse; and baseball just from what I can remember from the past 3-4 years. Along with some additional Division I athletes (baseball, football, lacrosse, basketball at schools ranging from Maryland for basketball to UVA for baseball) and lots and lots of kids at NESCAC schools like Amherst, Bowdoin, Middlebury and great academic schools live Davidson playing the same range of sports.  They are not as strong as they have been in football, baseball, and lacrosse, but I would say what they are doing is similar to what the Ivies do at the collegiate level, and it's a blend that most parents and alums and board members are very happy with (of course, not everyone).

My bottom line is that I think St. Albans has a great niche -- it's different from Landon or Prep or Bullis's niche -- but it is working for them and yes, it does include a lot of athletic excellence although more focused on the running/rowing in recent years.  I would venture to say that the fact that school is doing a capital campaign to expand their athletic fields suggests that the school wants to signal to applicants and current families a continued or heightened emphasis on athletics, including in "field sports," so if that's what other posters are suggesting I don't disagree.  But the idea that there is some big rebellion winning because STA hasn't won banners in football/basketball/baseball/lacrosse in the past few years doesn't comport with what I'm seeing/hearing.[/quote]

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