It might help to know why you decided to apply out of public to STA to determine if what you are looking for is realistic. As someone mentioned, don’t go there just to get into a top college. Being at the top of the grade academically is going to be tough and if that’s what your son wants, potentially very anxiety inducing. Some kids do better when everyone around them is pushing to do better and others do better when they are comfortably ahead of others. Tough to be comfortably ahead of others at STA.

I think realistic reasons are more personal growth oriented. If you want individual attention/motivating teachers, personal accountability, tight community, confidence building, leadership, etc those are realistic wants he could get at STA and potentially not at public.

Good luck! It’s a fantastic school and you are fortunate to have the choice.

I'll add, who wouldn't? Honestly, what's up with Sidwell anyway? When it it get such a grindy rep? Not appealing to us, but who would that appeal to?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thinking things through as the binding date approaches.
My son is smart, funny, athletic, and very conscientious about his school work (in part due to anxiety which he hides well). We thought (think) STA would be a great fit
because he thrives when teachers invest in him. However, I have no doubt that he would thrive at any school. He's a kid who does what is expected of him.
Do you think STA is good investment and worth $50K a year for high school? Would welcome any thoughts and please be kind.

This also worries me. I thought St. A could be a little sink or swim. On the other hand "he does what is expected of him" and I am guessing a lot is so he may rise to the occasion! I just wonder if OP is looking for a little more nurturing, which St. A may have--but hadn't heard that was the overall 'feel'

Is STA nurturing in the sense that teachers are relational and invested? We chose STA over Sidwell because we were under the impression that STA was a bit warmer (?) I hesitate to say "supportive" (because he's organized andd self motivated) but that's sort of what I mean.

it sounds like OP would like some warmth.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thinking things through as the binding date approaches.
My son is smart, funny, athletic, and very conscientious about his school work (in part due to anxiety which he hides well). We thought (think) STA would be a great fit
because he thrives when teachers invest in him. However, I have no doubt that he would thrive at any school. He's a kid who does what is expected of him.
Do you think STA is good investment and worth $50K a year for high school? Would welcome any thoughts and please be kind.

This also worries me. I thought St. A could be a little sink or swim. On the other hand "he does what is expected of him" and I am guessing a lot is so he may rise to the occasion! I just wonder if OP is looking for a little more nurturing, which St. A may have--but hadn't heard that was the overall 'feel'

Is STA nurturing in the sense that teachers are relational and invested? We chose STA over Sidwell because we were under the impression that STA was a bit warmer (?) I hesitate to say "supportive" (because he's organized andd self motivated) but that's sort of what I mean.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there are few expensive schools that are worth the tuition compared to public, but STA is one that falls in the worth it category.

In what ways? can you elaborate what comes to mind?

The curriculum, the teaching methods, the ECs, the reputation.

Anonymous wrote:I think there are few expensive schools that are worth the tuition compared to public, but STA is one that falls in the worth it category.

In what ways? can you elaborate what comes to mind?

Anonymous wrote:Thinking things through as the binding date approaches.
My son is smart, funny, athletic, and very conscientious about his school work (in part due to anxiety which he hides well). We thought (think) STA would be a great fit
because he thrives when teachers invest in him. However, I have no doubt that he would thrive at any school. He's a kid who does what is expected of him.
Do you think STA is good investment and worth $50K a year for high school? Would welcome any thoughts and please be kind.

This also worries me. I thought St. A could be a little sink or swim. On the other hand "he does what is expected of him" and I am guessing a lot is so he may rise to the occasion! I just wonder if OP is looking for a little more nurturing, which St. A may have--but hadn't heard that was the overall 'feel'

I would focus on how serious your sons anxiety is.
If it is bad then STA might not be the best for him

I think there are few expensive schools that are worth the tuition compared to public, but STA is one that falls in the worth it category.

OP- I think if you are able to spend the money with no problem that it's worthwhile. IF your public is like ours, the classes will be large. At StA your child will have small classes and the teachers will all know him. The curriculum is rich as well. If the $ is not easy to part with, or if you will constantly be comparing our wondering, then I'd say no.

Congrats! It sounds like he will do well anywhere. I’d say it depends on specific activities and programs he would or could do in either environment. The OP is too general. Also, consider the commute as time lost to family and other activities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thinking things through as the binding date approaches.
My son is smart, funny, athletic, and very conscientious about his school work (in part due to anxiety which he hides well). We thought (think) STA would be a great fit
because he thrives when teachers invest in him. However, I have no doubt that he would thrive at any school. He's a kid who does what is expected of him.
Do you think STA is good investment and worth $50K a year for high school? Would welcome any thoughts and please be kind.

That depends on so many variables. Stupid question. Impossible to accurately answer. Hopefully your DC has better critical thinking skills and knows better than to rely on an anonymous board to make such a serious decision.

PP, did get off of your broom before typing this reply? Wow. OP was clearly just looking for others to share experiences and ideas (like most others who post here).

Anonymous wrote:Thinking things through as the binding date approaches.
My son is smart, funny, athletic, and very conscientious about his school work (in part due to anxiety which he hides well). We thought (think) STA would be a great fit
because he thrives when teachers invest in him. However, I have no doubt that he would thrive at any school. He's a kid who does what is expected of him.
Do you think STA is good investment and worth $50K a year for high school? Would welcome any thoughts and please be kind.

OP, it's impossible to answer this question for you. Is it a stretch for you to come up with $200,000 to send your kid to four years of high school, or are you made of money? What kind of "investment" are you talking about? Will it get him into a better college than if he goes to Next Door High School? No. Will he get a better high school education than if he goes to Next Door High School? Quite possibly. Will he love and thrive in the community at STA, as compared to Next Door High School? Impossible to know.

If you're really looking to put a dollar value on this decision, that's a 100% personal choice. No one can decide that but you.

Anonymous wrote:Thinking things through as the binding date approaches.
My son is smart, funny, athletic, and very conscientious about his school work (in part due to anxiety which he hides well). We thought (think) STA would be a great fit
because he thrives when teachers invest in him. However, I have no doubt that he would thrive at any school. He's a kid who does what is expected of him.
Do you think STA is good investment and worth $50K a year for high school? Would welcome any thoughts and please be kind.

That depends on so many variables. Stupid question. Impossible to accurately answer. Hopefully your DC has better critical thinking skills and knows better than to rely on an anonymous board to make such a serious decision.

Thinking things through as the binding date approaches.
My son is smart, funny, athletic, and very conscientious about his school work (in part due to anxiety which he hides well). We thought (think) STA would be a great fit
because he thrives when teachers invest in him. However, I have no doubt that he would thrive at any school. He's a kid who does what is expected of him.
Do you think STA is good investment and worth $50K a year for high school? Would welcome any thoughts and please be kind.