Anonymous wrote:For native and longtime Washingtonians, the Abbey’s rigor is legendary, especially among Catholic families. About 15 or 20 years ago, the Post named it the most challenging high school in DC. The school does not self-promote (nor does it have the social pedigree/connections of its Upper NW peers) and for a city as transient as DC is, I can understand why it flies under the radar. However, its reputation as one of the foremost academic experiences in the region does not need defending, and I can understand why a family who is looking for a premier all-boys education in the area would mention St Albans and St Anselm’s in the same breath.

+1

For native and longtime Washingtonians, the Abbey’s rigor is legendary, especially among Catholic families. About 15 or 20 years ago, the Post named it the most challenging high school in DC. The school does not self-promote (nor does it have the social pedigree/connections of its Upper NW peers) and for a city as transient as DC is, I can understand why it flies under the radar. However, its reputation as one of the foremost academic experiences in the region does not need defending, and I can understand why a family who is looking for a premier all-boys education in the area would mention St Albans and St Anselm’s in the same breath.

But they are not?! At all!

For what it's worth, and perhaps it's not worth much here, but I am certain that there are more than a few out there who would consider "Harvard or Notre Dame" a serious discussion...they are both top 20 schools with considerable strengths, far-reaching brand recognition, and international reputations...it just depends on what you're looking for, not unlike "STA or St. Anselm's"...

You’re kidding, right?

Anonymous wrote:Ok, but what’s to discuss? At best it’s like “Harvard or Notre Dame”. Not a serious discussion

What an intentionally ignorant, uneducated comment.

Ok, but what’s to discuss? At best it’s like “Harvard or Notre Dame”. Not a serious discussion

Serious enough to warrant 140 comments, I guess…

Anonymous wrote:Hoping someone can articulate the subtler cultural, social, and academic similarities and differences between these two schools. We are looking at both and understand the most obvious differences: proximity of a girl's school, role athletics plays, location, perceived social prestige, even the difference of religious flavor that comes with an Episcopalian versus Catholic identity. However, at the end of the day, they are both small, all-boys, academically rigorous, traditional-leaning schools, and we are curious if anyone can speak to the nuances. Thank you.

Serious thread? 😳

Another current St Anselm's parent here. I encourage you to look beyond academics when comparing schools. St Anselm's absolutely offers top notch academics and a thorough, well rounded education. What has disappointed us is the school's insistence on jamming academics down the boys' throats without allowing for anything else. Teachers have been rude and downright awful to each of our boys.

I can't say too much without outing myself in a small community. But please look at the school's traditions. Do the boys have official events with a sister school? Are there day to day traditions that bring joy to the school day? These are all things we see at the school that our non-Abbey student attends.

Both schools have middle school students. Compare the number of boys leaving each class before high school.

And, be sure to consider your child's needs beyond the academic curriculum.

I'm a current parent at SAAS, and my husband went to STA. We are long time Washingtonians, and we know both schools well. It's distressing to read some of these posts, as both schools are wonderful in their own ways, and it is the ethos of neither to go on the offensive. The Abbey is a unique place. My sense is that it is a little bit like STA was in the 80s or 90s (or earlier)...more old-school, a bit more steeped in traditional pedagogy, with older teachers who have been at the school for decades and more emphasis on academic experience than the "packaging" than many of its peer schools. (Those who have been around for a while might remember that STA wasn't necessarily known for cutting-edge classrooms pre-Marriott Hall.) That said, the one-dimensional nerd stereotype simply hasn't proven true in our experience. Yes, there are quirky boys at St. Anselm's, and yes, the vibe is certainly intellectual. However, the good majority of students have great social skills, are kind, polite, and outgoing, enjoy the sorts of antics boys in all-boys schools enjoy, and are very well-rounded...they have to be, because they are tasked with filling out rosters on soccer teams (PVAC champions this past fall) and basketball teams (the varsity team made the D.C. city single-A semifinals at Georgetown) and cast lists in musicals, leadership positions in clubs and student government, etc. In other words, many, if not most, boys at St. Anselm's would not seem out of place at STA, too. The combination of high academic and intellectual standards with a wonderfully diverse and down-to-earth student and parent body has been refreshing and inspiring for us and our son. It doesn't have the same social brand that STA does, of course, but it doesn't seem preoccupied with that. STA is a fantastic school in its own right...few will doubt that, I'm sure. But I wanted to throw a few words in support of its Catholic cousin on the other side of town...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a STA son and best friend's son attends SAAS.
STA is a much wealthier and connected crowd overall (honestly, it's kind of night and day) but there are regular Joes there as well (my family is one of them so we know many of the others). Sports are at a higher level and focus at STA but not the level of say Georgetown Prep or Gonzaga. SAAS plays in a lower league which can be good for a boy who wants to play sports but isn't a standout athlete. It can be difficult to get playing time at STA in some sports. Not all but some and it depends on the year. There is also boys in each STA grade who aren't focused on sports at all. SAAS has a higher percentage of quirky/geeky boys but they exist at both schools. Honestly you can't stereotype the boys at either. You have plenty of academics at STA and athletes at SAAS. Teachers are fantastic at both. Academics are very strong at both. I don't think you can go wrong. I would tour both and see what feels more like home. And check the commute! They are quite far apart and you are bound to live much closer to one.

I work in education and have familiarity with both schools. I do think there are much quirkier kids at SAAS than STA. STA just has more of a whos-who feel to the parent community, and that's reflected in the kids, too. SAAS has some VERY quirky kids -- and parents. But what's nice about it that if your kid is a super-nerd, he will fit right in. In terms of the facility, tough to beat STA, which is an incredible campus in the shadows of the Cathedral. but if you don't care about facility, SAAS has a nice homey feel to it and there are some really wonderful teachers there. STA is more social. if your kid is social, SAAS might not feel like a fit.

Good thing you mentioned this, because otherwise I would simply conclude you have an ax to grind.

I hope this is a friendly rivalry, because it is off-putting to prospective parents to read this.

I honestly do not know what you mean by this post. This thread has a host of well-reasoned, thoughtful responses from STA and SAAS parents alike; it also has many responses which are uninformed, stereotypical, or both. I’ll leave it to you to determine in which category the “VERY quirky” and “super-nerd” post of earlier today — resurrecting the thread, no less — fits. Suffice to say, if you read through this thread and ignore the outliers, you should have a pretty nuanced view of the differences between the two schools, including the many “types” of students at each.

If you have a question that is not addressed in this thread, do feel free to ask it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a STA son and best friend's son attends SAAS.
STA is a much wealthier and connected crowd overall (honestly, it's kind of night and day) but there are regular Joes there as well (my family is one of them so we know many of the others). Sports are at a higher level and focus at STA but not the level of say Georgetown Prep or Gonzaga. SAAS plays in a lower league which can be good for a boy who wants to play sports but isn't a standout athlete. It can be difficult to get playing time at STA in some sports. Not all but some and it depends on the year. There is also boys in each STA grade who aren't focused on sports at all. SAAS has a higher percentage of quirky/geeky boys but they exist at both schools. Honestly you can't stereotype the boys at either. You have plenty of academics at STA and athletes at SAAS. Teachers are fantastic at both. Academics are very strong at both. I don't think you can go wrong. I would tour both and see what feels more like home. And check the commute! They are quite far apart and you are bound to live much closer to one.

I work in education and have familiarity with both schools. I do think there are much quirkier kids at SAAS than STA. STA just has more of a whos-who feel to the parent community, and that's reflected in the kids, too. SAAS has some VERY quirky kids -- and parents. But what's nice about it that if your kid is a super-nerd, he will fit right in. In terms of the facility, tough to beat STA, which is an incredible campus in the shadows of the Cathedral. but if you don't care about facility, SAAS has a nice homey feel to it and there are some really wonderful teachers there. STA is more social. if your kid is social, SAAS might not feel like a fit.

Good thing you mentioned this, because otherwise I would simply conclude you have an ax to grind.

I hope this is a friendly rivalry, because it is off-putting to prospective parents to read this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a STA son and best friend's son attends SAAS.
STA is a much wealthier and connected crowd overall (honestly, it's kind of night and day) but there are regular Joes there as well (my family is one of them so we know many of the others). Sports are at a higher level and focus at STA but not the level of say Georgetown Prep or Gonzaga. SAAS plays in a lower league which can be good for a boy who wants to play sports but isn't a standout athlete. It can be difficult to get playing time at STA in some sports. Not all but some and it depends on the year. There is also boys in each STA grade who aren't focused on sports at all. SAAS has a higher percentage of quirky/geeky boys but they exist at both schools. Honestly you can't stereotype the boys at either. You have plenty of academics at STA and athletes at SAAS. Teachers are fantastic at both. Academics are very strong at both. I don't think you can go wrong. I would tour both and see what feels more like home. And check the commute! They are quite far apart and you are bound to live much closer to one.

I work in education and have familiarity with both schools. I do think there are much quirkier kids at SAAS than STA. STA just has more of a whos-who feel to the parent community, and that's reflected in the kids, too. SAAS has some VERY quirky kids -- and parents. But what's nice about it that if your kid is a super-nerd, he will fit right in. In terms of the facility, tough to beat STA, which is an incredible campus in the shadows of the Cathedral. but if you don't care about facility, SAAS has a nice homey feel to it and there are some really wonderful teachers there. STA is more social. if your kid is social, SAAS might not feel like a fit.

Good thing you mentioned this, because otherwise I would simply conclude you have an ax to grind.

tx. we have this choice and are thinking through it very carefully.