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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]"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![/quote]

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.[/quote]

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