Anonymous
Post 05/10/2010 13:59     Subject: Re:Getting into St. Albans
Does anyone know how STA compares to Gilman (the all boys school in Baltimore?)

Also, I know Beauvoir applicants to 4th grade to STA submit 2nd and 3rd grade transcripts; what do all other applicants to 4th submit (ie: 2nd and 3rd grade transcripts too or everything since K?)
Anonymous
Post 04/24/2010 18:30     Subject: Re:Getting into St. Albans
Also, anyone know how many Beauvoir boys are heading to STA next year?
Anonymous
Post 04/24/2010 12:33     Subject: Re:Getting into St. Albans
Anyone hear from the 4th grade waitlist?
Anonymous
Post 03/28/2010 14:09     Subject: Getting into St. Albans
I know this is late, but the school nurse is very aware of serious allergies and is quite pro-active in making sure that they are in a safe environment. For example, for one student with an extremely serious allergy, they make sure that no one at his particular table for that time period eats peanut-butter/peanut products. If a boy assigned to the same table wants peanut butter he will go to another table for that day.
Anonymous
Post 03/23/2010 22:24     Subject: Getting into St. Albans
Thx for the responses on the food allergies. I will most likely address the issue if we are admitted (big IF)!
Anonymous
Post 03/23/2010 20:48     Subject: Getting into St. Albans
My son is in Lower School and eats with boys grades 4 through 8. I just asked him, and he says that there is no one table for those with allergies. He believes that anyone with allergies would probably let the faculty member at his table know, and the faculty member would make special arrangements with seating. I'm sure that any special dietary requirements could be worked out with the kitchen; the chef is a wonderful person. My son says he's not heard of any issues in the refectory involving allergies. STA is very accommodating to students with particular needs, and I hope you will feel comfortable addressing any issues with the AD when you apply.
Anonymous
Post 03/23/2010 20:42     Subject: Getting into St. Albans
I am positive they make arrangements for allergies. I know my son has mentioned another boy with a peanut allergy and he eats in the refectory with the other boys. Good luck!
Anonymous
Post 03/23/2010 20:22     Subject: Getting into St. Albans
We are thinking about applying our son to 4th grade next year, and STA is one of our top choices. Our son has a severe peanut allergy. We are currently in Montgomery County schools and the school has a "nut free" table for him. He sits there every day with his friends that bring nut free lunches.

From what I understand, STA has assigned seating with a faculty member at lunchtime. Do they do anything special for kids with peanut (or any other type of food) allergies? I imagine that there is at least 1 student w/ a peanut allergy. Thanks for any info.
Anonymous
Post 03/23/2010 11:43     Subject: Getting into St. Albans
Anonymous wrote:From the twin mom: Thanks to the STA folks for the encouraging responses. I will talk to the AD early in the application season. And my typo in my original post was a classic: I meant "too few spots," not "two few spots"!!!


06:41 here again. I'm so glad you are encouraged to give St. Albans a try. I forgot to mention in my first post that we learned two years ago, when DC was admitted, that you don't have to be rich, famous, or connected to be admitted to STA. We are not rich or famous and we had no connections at all, but STA admitted at our DC on his merits alone. STA is really a more down-to-earth place than one would think, looking at it from the outside. What I love is how welcoming the school has been to us as a new family.

Just the other day I was talking to the upper school dean of students, and he said of someone, "they're a St. Albans family." I like that about the school and its poeple: their sense of family.
Anonymous
Post 03/23/2010 11:30     Subject: Getting into St. Albans
From the twin mom: Thanks to the STA folks for the encouraging responses. I will talk to the AD early in the application season. And my typo in my original post was a classic: I meant "too few spots," not "two few spots"!!!
Anonymous
Post 03/23/2010 06:41     Subject: Getting into St. Albans
Anonymous wrote:Here's another admissions question for the STA folks. Recently there was a thread about how hard it is for twins to get accepted at privates. Are there many twins at STA (besids the Bayhs)? I have twins who would like to apply for 9th, but we are not famous or super rich and have no special connections to the school. Is STA open to twins, or are there just two few spots for them to give two places to one family?


STA parent here. It seems to me that STA is a school that values its families and that they would try if at all possible to accept twins together. I would talk to the admissions director and see what he says. By all means, apply and give it a shot.
Anonymous
Post 03/23/2010 00:44     Subject: Getting into St. Albans
To the person who was WL at STA for 9 - my email is srstatton@aol.com. I would like to talk to you privately.
Anonymous
Post 03/23/2010 00:40     Subject: Getting into St. Albans
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Unless Catholic religious instruction is a priority or the $7000 difference in tuition fee is important, why would you choose GP over STA?

Oh boy, am I going to jump in here. Why would you be surprised that someone would pick GP over STA? We have been accepted to both and are choosing GP. Here's why:
1. It has the most balanced package of high quality academics, spiritual platform, athletics, facilities, and "gentlemen factor" that we have found anywhere. STA is excellent is many of these categories and arguably better in a few (but not by much) but doesn't have the "combination" of all like GP.
2. GP is larger, and therefore less insular. But for us, not too big.
3. The GP academics alone are supurb. Average SATs at GP are only 48 point lower than STA (yes, I know STA doesn't publish theirs, but the information exists and is available for those who seek). They don't have to apologize against anyone including Sidwell, Potomac, etc.
4. Yes, the environment at STA is much stuffier than GPs. People take themselves very serious there. You can have just as prestigous and quality a program at GP, without the attitude.
5. There is more of a "nerd" factor at STA. We want our boys to be more well rounded.
6. The facilities are great and beautiful at both, but they are superior at Prep. Have you seen their athletic center (it is mind boggling) and the brand new George Center?
7. There is no comparison in the athletics program. STA gets excellent production out of the smaller student base that they have to work with, but Prep's is just on another level.
8. We love the Jesuit program and the "men for others" underpining. And, we are not Catholic. We wanted some spiritual focus. It struck us that STA's was very much downplayed and not as much a part of the day to day.

We have respect and admiration for STA. We would be honored for our sons to be there. But we are blessed with options. It is just not the same level and depth of across the board excellence in all catagories that GP is.


Awesome. I agree completely. Now definitiely choosiing GP over STA. I feel that St albans is really stufy.
Anonymous
Post 03/22/2010 16:39     Subject: Getting into St. Albans
It seems to me that the sibling policy would apply in the case of twins, but in an even stronger way than when the siblings are in different grades and applying at different times. I think a school would try if possible to accept both twins or reject both twins.
Anonymous
Post 03/22/2010 12:45     Subject: Re:Getting into St. Albans
And 5th grade twins too!