Anonymous wrote:We live in Alexandria, but our children go to school in DC, so I have an parent/neighbor perspective on SSSAS. Athletes, both boys are girls, seem to get put on a higher social pedestal at SSSAS than they would be at schools like GDS or SFS. But, how different is that really than 99% of American high schools? We know tons of great kids in the neighborhood that go there and get a fine education.

I interviewed a senior at SSSAS this year for my alma mater that was the exact opposite of the athlete stereotype. She was a socially popular leader in student government and drama and an all-around super-impressive artsy 17 year old. So there is room for lots of different kinds of girls at SSSAS and non-athletes can really shine there too.

Of course. SSSAS is in suburban VA. Of course the jocks rule the roost.

We live in Alexandria, but our children go to school in DC, so I have an parent/neighbor perspective on SSSAS. Athletes, both boys are girls, seem to get put on a higher social pedestal at SSSAS than they would be at schools like GDS or SFS. But, how different is that really than 99% of American high schools? We know tons of great kids in the neighborhood that go there and get a fine education.

I interviewed a senior at SSSAS this year for my alma mater that was the exact opposite of the athlete stereotype. She was a socially popular leader in student government and drama and an all-around super-impressive artsy 17 year old. So there is room for lots of different kinds of girls at SSSAS and non-athletes can really shine there too.

Dear PP's - this is not a forum about who's the best lax team, it's about how someone who is not a lax fanatic would fit it to SSSA. Let it go.

OP - LAX has been and is very strong, but partially because the headmaster's kids were lax kids. There will be a new Headmaster this year who is a strong STEM advocate- looking forward to a new emphasis! There are plenty of other activities for your DD to join and shine in. If we're not the top XC team, maybe she'll be the runner to change that Goo luck in your search - just find the best fit.

"Joan Holden is very well respected in the independent school world."

There are many, many craven, narcissistic cults of personality in the independent school world whose entire raison d'etre is propping up the 1%. The absence of critical thought in your statement is astounding.

I'm curious about the nature of the critiques, as objectively the school does seem to be doing well (enrollment, external reputation, college placements, quality of teaching, etc.).

Is there a bit of a double standard going on with respect to the reputation/focus on girls' lacrosse over the years? I've seen numerous posters state that Bullis' new emphasis on sports is a smart move, and others have criticized Georgetown Prep or even Sidwell Friends for not having strong enough sports programs.

I first heard of "St. Agnes School" pre-merger, when two alums were on my college lacrosse team. They were great lacrosse players, great students, and terrific people. Over the years SSSAS has sent a lot of young women on to play lacrosse at the Division I level and they've represented the school very well and gone on to terrific careers in the workforce (or as moms!).

Schools do sometimes need a marketing "angle" -- is it such a bad thing for SSSAS that they are known as a powerhouse for girls' lacrosse, given the generally good effect that has had on college exmissions, for example?

I get that being a Head of School at any major independent in this area for sure (and probably elsewhere) is not a job for someone who wants to win a popularity contest -- there will always be those who disagree with decisions large and small. But to the extent it matters, it is true that Joan Holden is highly respected in this area and beyond for a school leader. Her successor will no doubt bring new ideas and new focus and that's as it should be in schools, but I'm sure that individual himself (after having a female head of a co-ed school they will surely feel they "have" to hire a man this time around) would be pleased to have a tenure as successful as Mrs. Holden's.

Ah, the lovely fairness of independent school parents, always ready to step forward (anonymously of course) to smear the reputations of school administrators. Happy Sunday morning!

Just hope they don't replace her with another 'Joan Holden' who uses the school for his/her own children's advancement.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your daughter has standardizes test scores above the 90th percentile at least in every area or you are extremely wealthy and willing to give some major dollars, SSSAS may be the school for her. Hard to tell. On a positive note, Joan Holden, the architect of building a private school's reputation by girls lacrosse, it retiring.

What a nasty post. I'm not a SSSAS parent or alum, but am familiar with the school. Joan Holden is very well respected in the independent school world. She oversaw an originally contentious merger between the all-boys St. Stephens and the all-girls St. Agnes, and the school is thriving today. Plenty of happy kids and families think highly of the school. Debble Disgruntled, give it a rest.

Interesting to know she's leaving. My husband (alum) dislikes her and would be more likely to apply for our DC knowing that. Guess there's more than 1 nasty Debbie Disgruntled out there and some are alums.

Anonymous wrote:If your daughter has standardizes test scores above the 90th percentile at least in every area or you are extremely wealthy and willing to give some major dollars, SSSAS may be the school for her. Hard to tell. On a positive note, Joan Holden, the architect of building a private school's reputation by girls lacrosse, it retiring.

What a nasty post. I'm not a SSSAS parent or alum, but am familiar with the school. Joan Holden is very well respected in the independent school world. She oversaw an originally contentious merger between the all-boys St. Stephens and the all-girls St. Agnes, and the school is thriving today. Plenty of happy kids and families think highly of the school. Debble Disgruntled, give it a rest.

If your daughter has standardizes test scores above the 90th percentile at least in every area or you are extremely wealthy and willing to give some major dollars, SSSAS may be the school for her. Hard to tell. On a positive note, Joan Holden, the architect of building a private school's reputation by girls lacrosse, it retiring.

Saint Stephen's Saint Agnes. It's in Alexandria. Have sons, not daughters, but my impression is that the lacrosse team does not get as much attention from inside the school as it does from outside. Arts programs are also strong, as other sports. But, what really stands out in my mind is the focus on writing. My DCs are not natural writers, but with the focus on it in almost all subjects, they can turn out very strong papers now.

Sorry, but could someone explain what SSSAS is? Thanks!

19:46 you are really underestimating how the good public schools in NOVA are -- we know your main point is anti-SSSAS, but a major premise of your post is off-base.

OK I will spell it out. The overwhelming majority in the bottom 50% of SSSAS students would be in the top 20% of the class at most competitive NOVA public schools. They would have better teachers, more class time, and be treated more fairly than those in the bottom half of any SSSAS class. This is a fact beyond dispute. Specifically ask SSSAS admin for a list of schools where all the kids (excepting athletic recruits) not on the dean's or head's list matriculate. If your child is at SSSAS upper school and somehow never gets an A no matter how hard they study and always manages to get a C+ in some class (which magically changes every quarter) then I will guarantee you unless they can score in the very upper 600s/ low 700s on their SATs they will be denied admission where kids who went to public school and worked equally as hard will be admitted. Kind of depressing to pay $28K to deny your kids a better education at public school I think. And don't forget the wonderful chapel convocation service every quarter where your hard working child can either fight back tears or develop other coping skills when half or more of the class stands up and is applauded for being on the deans or heads list. SSSAS is beyond toxic for 40-50% of its students. Deny this school the opportunity to make your child the sucker for other's advancement. Please I cannot stand thinking of other kids being hurt as much as mine were.

19:54 - do you have direct experience with this? Did this happen to your child?