St. Ann's has been doing this since the 1970s. They're a known quantity. My DH is an alum from the 1980s and the Ivy admits were even more off the charts then.

The admissions people are very familiar with the school.

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know anything about the preschool process for St Ann’s? We got invited for tour and play date, but want to manage expectations: is 3s entry point mainly for legacies and siblings?

It’s not some some special invitation. It’s part of the process for admission.

Anyone know anything about the preschool process for St Ann’s? We got invited for tour and play date, but want to manage expectations: is 3s entry point mainly for legacies and siblings?

Ivies know the school so can read between the lines. Based on the St. Ann's kids and families I know, I think the school really punches above its weight. Plenty of smart kids but for some reason Ivies love it even though it is fine, not spectacular.

School is filled with those who like to be different for the sake of being different, which is much more easy to do when you have daddy's billions supporting you.

Hooks.

I think PP is right, but also students are able to cultivate interesting profiles without the pressures of grades. Colleges really seem to want the “unique” kids nowadays, even if some of it is manufactured. Their school profile shows that 35% of students apply to colleges without test scores too.

https://issuu.com/saintannsschool/docs/2025-26_school_profile?fr=sNjQ5ZjgzNTAzOTM

And I don’t think the test scores they do show are any better than Packer. Maybe the trick to getting into college is just not having any quantifiable attributes so you have no weaknesses.

Money and connections

Realistically how do St Anns kids get into top Ivy college without grades?