How many boys in the rising 4th grade are from Beauvoir?

I agree with 13:53 ... it is not for lack of WANTING socioeconomic diversity that some schools fall short, just a financial reality that it is not as possible as many would like it to be. Our school attempts to give aid whenever the formula says it is needed, but I don't believe they are actually able to fully honor that in recent years, if ever. And lately, they have capped the amount of aid at 50 percent of tuition to ensure that the families have "skin in the game" as well ... 50 percent off tuition is only enough aid for families that still make a fairly solid HHI unless they only need aid for one student ... and even then, private school at 50 percent off is still out of reach for the vast majority. Not much the schools can do about it ... I give them credit for doing as much as they do.

Fair points, PP.

Socio-economic diversity is more available to schools with more money (no kidding). Schools can be philosophically committed to diversity, but without a big endowment and huge fund raising resources, they can only give a limited scholarships. All schools need their tuition, but some are far more tuition dependent for immediate survival than others. Places like Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Saint Albans and Sidwell have far deeper resources than some of the newer (relatively) schools. To say one school claims commitment to diversity but has some small % fewer FA students is just snide, and doesn't look at the whole picture. If you want to consider whether they are "putting their money where their mouth is" try comparing the % of the total endowment or endowment generated income that goes to FA. Or, whether the school has donors that cough up huge sums for buildings, or needs to use this year's tuition dollars for basic upkeep, etc.

I guess I have seen a fair amount of GDS holier than thou comments on diversity and was surprised at how non-diverse the school is on a socio-economic level compared to some of the other privates. (The publicly reported numbers are under $1 million for about 1000 total enrollment--much much less than Sidwell or STA.). Interestingly, top colleges are going much more for socio-economic diversity than a generation ago.

GDS attracts a substantial number of minority applicants that do not require financial aid ... something that still seems to surprise some people, apparently. It is quite possible to attract such families by having a school culture that truly welcomes diversity rather than fulfills a quota. I think most if not all of the DC area schools achieve this goal ... the deep south is still struggling with this much more. So we should all be thankful for living here in this area and now at this point in history. Not that we need to quit being mindful of the importance of diversity ... but socioeconomic diversity is the area where financial aid is most needed now, at least from what I have observed first hand.

If you look at the amount of financial aid and total enrollment, STA also does well. I was surprised at how low the GDS amount of financial aid awarded was, given the reputation for diversity. I know GDS is a younger school, though, with less of an endowment than some of the longer-established schools.

Interestingly, St. Albans looks like it stacks up very well in terms of the level of financial aid. According to Peterson's Guide, STA gives financial aid to 27% of the studentsnin the upper school. http://www.nelnetsolutions.com/collegeprofiles/Profile.aspx?inunid=1942&reprjid=11&sponsor=1&tabid=10018

By comparison, the percentage for some other schools from Peterson's is:
GDS 18%
Maret 19%
Landon 19%

(I couldn't find a listing for Sidwell on Peterson's)

Everyone as in various races. I just don't feel that there is any blatant racism. I think the real issue around there is financial vs. non-financial aide.

yeah and she's the best. gotta love mrs. miller!

All joking aside, STA has women in senior leadership positions, including on the Board (Board Chair is a woman).

Not true. I am sure STA would not discriminate against transgendered applicants.

My research tells me that anyone with leadership capabilities has a decent chance of getting in. STA is attainable for everyone.

Except if you happen to be born with female genitalia.

What's your point, PP?

Hearing and reading about the school is one view and being there is another.