Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is applying to enter 9th grade next year. Any insight on the current 8th grade class and it's dynamics???

Just have your kid shadow and see. We have a kid there and he loves it. It's exceeded our expectations in terms of academics and culture.

Agree completely -- our DC is a senior and we have found that St. Andrew's compares favorably with the "Big 3" school that our older child attended. I can't comment on the current 8th-grade class, but, in general, the school's culture is about co-existence and kindness.

Our DS started in 9th grade at St. Andrew's. He's a very bright but quiet boy and we weren't sure how long it would take for him to find his groove. It turns out that he found a small group of friends really quickly, likes his teachers, is challenged by his classes, and enjoys his fall sport.

So, yes, I'd say for our family, the first month has been a very happy experience. We almost didn't choose the school because of its location outside the beltway (not super convenient for us), but he wanted to go. If the next 4 years are anything like the first 4 weeks, we'll be very grateful.

I have son in the current 7th grade class plays multiple sports with many 8th graders (both last year and this year). He recently told a fried applying to join that class that the boys were "nice and funny" The PP is correct that the class will about double in size between 8th and 9th grade. That will for sure change the social dynamics, but I haven't heard anything negative about that particular class. Full disclosure--DS is not tuned into the girl dynamics at all so I have nothing to report on that front.