No backup for us. STA was the only school we applied to and our son got in (for 9th).

It's crazy how so many people comment on schools they don't have a child attending. Instead, it's a bunch of old stereotypes. STA is an all-boys elite Episcopal school in DC. No other school is exactly like that here in DC. What about boarding school OP? Have you considered it? Some are actually less intense to get into since the economy is still in the tank.

Back on-topic, I think several PPs are on the mark with suggestions of Georgetown Prep (if you're Catholic, or at least cool with Catholic school) and Potomac (if you're not). Episcopal also is worth a look if you'd consider boarding. Gonzaga might be a better fit than St. Anselm's for an athletic, social boy. And if you're hoping for something in what looks like it might be your neighborhood, you also should check out WIS -- it's not St. Albans, but it's not Sidwell/GDS/Maret, either, so might offer a different kind of "good fit." None of these schools is really a "back-up," though, so maybe also look at St. Johns if the thoughts of Wilson or moving both make your skin crawl? Good luck.

How the hell did this turn into another LAX thread??? Geez... OP, did you ever figure out a back up school? I guess if your DS just happens to play lax this was helpful (maybe??)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that Landon is no longer dominant in lacrosse (still very good of course) may turn out in the long run to be a good development for Landon as an institution.

I have nothing to do with Landon, but the statement above is crazy. Landon has had a very up/down year, but they are still one of the best schools anywhere for lacrosse. Witness their victory this year over Haverford, the #1 program in the country last year.

Not to hijack the thread with lacrosse . . . But parity has arrived in this area. No one team, whether Landon or Prep, is "dominant" this year (or, I suspect, in the future). Landon has 5 or so losses already this year, including to Bullis, Gilman, and Calverton. Gonzaga has some big wins, as does Prep and St. Stephens St. Agnes. Since you thought describing Landon as "very good" was crazy, I'll even say Landon is still "very, very good" -- but not dominant. And with Gonzaga, with 800 boys, now going in for lacrosse, and DeMatha with its 1000+ getting more interested, I would doubt that the IAC will stay the preeminent local league for much lonhr.

You have no idea what you are talking about. Are other schools getting more serious about lax? Yes. Could a school like Gonzaga become the premier team in the area? Yes - they have had a great run over the past 3 years and the future is bright. But you implied that Landon is no longer a dominant program. Not true. SSSAS, Gonzaga and Bullis have closed the gap, for sure.

As for the WCAC, they clearly have a huge advantage over the IAC in all sports in terms of numbers and tuition price. But overtaking the IAC in lax? No.

I'm not sure why this upsets you so much. To be "dominant" I would argue that you have to be undefeated, or whip everyone in your league by huge margins, or similar metrics. Landon has five losses already this year. For the past decade, it has battled it out with Prep for the IAC title. Now teams like Bullis and SSSAS are challenging both of them, and Gonzaga may be the best team in the area this year. Landon has a very strong program, and that won't stop. But the days of being ranked nationwide, having years-long winning streaks, winning XX league championships in a row, are gone and not likely to come back given the democratization of youth lacrosse and the spread of club lacrosse (among other factors). No insult to Landon -- they had a great run and I'm sure will still win their share of banners.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that Landon is no longer dominant in lacrosse (still very good of course) may turn out in the long run to be a good development for Landon as an institution.

I have nothing to do with Landon, but the statement above is crazy. Landon has had a very up/down year, but they are still one of the best schools anywhere for lacrosse. Witness their victory this year over Haverford, the #1 program in the country last year.

Not to hijack the thread with lacrosse . . . But parity has arrived in this area. No one team, whether Landon or Prep, is "dominant" this year (or, I suspect, in the future). Landon has 5 or so losses already this year, including to Bullis, Gilman, and Calverton. Gonzaga has some big wins, as does Prep and St. Stephens St. Agnes. Since you thought describing Landon as "very good" was crazy, I'll even say Landon is still "very, very good" -- but not dominant. And with Gonzaga, with 800 boys, now going in for lacrosse, and DeMatha with its 1000+ getting more interested, I would doubt that the IAC will stay the preeminent local league for much lonhr.

You have no idea what you are talking about. Are other schools getting more serious about lax? Yes. Could a school like Gonzaga become the premier team in the area? Yes - they have had a great run over the past 3 years and the future is bright. But you implied that Landon is no longer a dominant program. Not true. SSSAS, Gonzaga and Bullis have closed the gap, for sure.

As for the WCAC, they clearly have a huge advantage over the IAC in all sports in terms of numbers and tuition price. But overtaking the IAC in lax? No.

Agree.

Schools are really not "interchangeable" as someone has said upthread. Once you look closely at them, as if your child were going to be in the school, you see that each is unique.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that Landon is no longer dominant in lacrosse (still very good of course) may turn out in the long run to be a good development for Landon as an institution.

I have nothing to do with Landon, but the statement above is crazy. Landon has had a very up/down year, but they are still one of the best schools anywhere for lacrosse. Witness their victory this year over Haverford, the #1 program in the country last year.

Not to hijack the thread with lacrosse . . . But parity has arrived in this area. No one team, whether Landon or Prep, is "dominant" this year (or, I suspect, in the future). Landon has 5 or so losses already this year, including to Bullis, Gilman, and Calverton. Gonzaga has some big wins, as does Prep and St. Stephens St. Agnes. Since you thought describing Landon as "very good" was crazy, I'll even say Landon is still "very, very good" -- but not dominant. And with Gonzaga, with 800 boys, now going in for lacrosse, and DeMatha with its 1000+ getting more interested, I would doubt that the IAC will stay the preeminent local league for much longer.

Anonymous wrote:The fact that Landon is no longer dominant in lacrosse (still very good of course) may turn out in the long run to be a good development for Landon as an institution.

I have nothing to do with Landon, but the statement above is crazy. Landon has had a very up/down year, but they are still one of the best schools anywhere for lacrosse. Witness their victory this year over Haverford, the #1 program in the country last year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is sharp, athletic, social, and rises to meet high expectations. St. Albans feels like a great fit all the way around. But, of course, he might not get in. The other schools we looked at this year -- Sidwell, GDS & Maret -- don't feel as right (to him or to us). We're trying to figure out which schools we should be sure to see in the fall as we work through where else he should apply. Many thanks in advance for any thoughts from those who have been here before.

Landon, Georgetown Prep, and Potomac are all essentially interchangeable with St Albans. Check out whichever of those is closest to your house. You could also consider St Anselm's and Gonzaga, but they have a slightly different feel than St Albans, so although not so completely interchangeable as the others in terms of academics and attitude, they may be options for you. Good luck.

Well, I wouldn't say Potomac is "interchangeable," exactly -- the single sex vs. co-ed difference is of course a big one; but there are probably some similarities in approach.

FWIW, my son's top two choices for HS were St. Albans and Potomac. I don't know if that means that they are alike, but he liked them both.

Anonymous wrote:DS is sharp, athletic, social, and rises to meet high expectations. St. Albans feels like a great fit all the way around. But, of course, he might not get in. The other schools we looked at this year -- Sidwell, GDS & Maret -- don't feel as right (to him or to us). We're trying to figure out which schools we should be sure to see in the fall as we work through where else he should apply. Many thanks in advance for any thoughts from those who have been here before.

Landon, Georgetown Prep, and Potomac are all essentially interchangeable with St Albans. Check out whichever of those is closest to your house. You could also consider St Anselm's and Gonzaga, but they have a slightly different feel than St Albans, so although not so completely interchangeable as the others in terms of academics and attitude, they may be options for you. Good luck.

I think the suggestions of Potomac and Landon (and Georgetown Prep, if you are willing to consider a Catholic education) all make sense. I'm basing this very unscientifically on talking to kids who either applied to St. Albans or attended St. Albans and the other schools they were interested in. (Plenty of kids choose Sidwell over STA, but I'm leaving that off since your son didn't feel like it would be a great fit.)

Potomac for the reasons stated above 08:49.

If your son likes the all boys atmosphere, Prep seems to have a close knit body of students and sports play a big role (although they have enough kids that there are plenty of unathletic smart types around too; I just wouldn't pick it as a school of kids who don't like to either play or watch or talk about or cheer for sports teams).

Landon has been evolving, I think, and they really are doing some interesting things with their curriculum (the junior year humanities course that someone else mentioned is very impressive). They also have a very strong music program. The fact that Landon is no longer dominant in lacrosse (still very good of course) may turn out in the long run to be a good development for Landon as an institution.

Good luck with the process when it starts -- your son sounds like he'll adapt well and be happy wherever he ends up.

My son is at Potomac and the only other school I would consider for him is St. Alban's. It's not single sex, but great academics in high school and decent athletics (depending on the sport and the year). My son can't even imagine switching schools, but I'm going to make him look at St. Alban's for 9th grade just so he knows what else is out there.