http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/lowest_acceptance_rates/sort/1

AT STA? You are joking?

You can make a focused and smart kid an athlete, and STA does. You can not make a good dribbler a scholar. STA looks for bright kids with a spark. Period. Code cracked. The 'bright' isn't negotiable, and is necessary but insufficient. Then they need a spark (not a 'hook'). It could be art, athletics, music. Those are the 'hooks'. Most of these boys usually have talents in ALL areas, and truly excel at 2 or 3 in HS.

And that's why the acceptance rate to STA is about 40 % (in the tougher 9th grade year)!

Anonymous wrote:Please tell me what grade her son is entering next year. There are 4 going in to 4th and 7 in to 7th and one or two in to 9th (from St Pats). If it is a rising 4th grade parent then I know of whom you speak. If it is a rising 7th grade parent, I have no idea. Doesn't sound like anyone from that very nice class. Rising 9th I wouldn't know.

What other schools have students entering 4th? Any from any other schools?

Let's also not pretend that admission decisions are made on merit alone.

Folks, really? Let's not get into a "here's a grad of School X" who struggled in later life thread -- it's unkind, and all it does is underscore that life is complicated and messy. We all have our own challenges and not even the best institution can "fix" every human being who passes through it.

Anonymous wrote:Albert Gore III is a fine example of a boy admitted to STA because he was bright - no hooks at all. None.

Jesse Jackson, Jr is another fine example.

Albert Gore III is a fine example of a boy admitted to STA because he was bright - no hooks at all. None.

Anonymous wrote:For lower school admissions, do you really think the admissions staff focuses on whether an applicant is excelling at sports (travel team, awards)?

AT STA? You are joking?

You can make a focused and smart kid an athlete, and STA does. You can not make a good dribbler a scholar. STA looks for bright kids with a spark. Period. Code cracked. The 'bright' isn't negotiable, and is necessary but insufficient. Then they need a spark (not a 'hook'). It could be art, athletics, music. Those are the 'hooks'. Most of these boys usually have talents in ALL areas, and truly excel at 2 or 3 in HS.

For lower school admissions, do you really think the admissions staff focuses on whether an applicant is excelling at sports (travel team, awards)?

Schools ramp up athletics for $. Winning at sports makes donors happy...happy enough to build that new campus?
No alum really wants to come back to see the big game if the team always loses...so St.Pat's needs to ramp it up...

Anonymous wrote:Is it true that St. Pats is pushing lacrosse as its primary/marquee sport?

Ah, hmmm. I dont think I would say that excatly. My kids both play and the head of athletics loves lacrosse but basketball has also been getting a great deal of attention. There are free clinics after school and on weekends for the students for both sports. Soccer is super popular too. I would say that there is a lot of love for lacrosse at St Pats among the coaching staff and students BUT that could also be said for basketball and soccer, even some for cross country. I would just say that overall St Pats is ramping up the quality of instruction in team sports.

Is it true that St. Pats is pushing lacrosse as its primary/marquee sport?

Anonymous wrote:22:05 you crack me up. Number 3 was the correct answer. AD at St.Pat's. give me a break.
As for Deerfield, Choate etc... That is family legacy in most cases...and it is far far more difficult to get into those schools than STA ...
As for St.Pats athletics....you aren't really going to go there are you? And no, I am not the girl attending Landon...lol

St Pats athletics have improved quite a bit under the two new coaches, currently head and assistant head of the athletic department. Sure, St Pats will never be a "Mater Dei" but its sports team are doing fairly well, especially the 5th/6th basketball and 5th/6th lacrosse teams, both girls and boys. The girls 5th/6th soccer team had a really good season too. The 7th/8th grade teams are weaker but, as more kids decided to stay instead of graduating after 6th, those older teams are likely to improve as well. There are many more clinics for students after school and on weekends that are free as part of the sports offerings. They are doing well in this regard. Why is this so hard to believe? The Wolfhound teams' results are available for anyone who wants to see how they are doing.

Anonymous wrote:One girl is going to Landon? How's that?

Your credibility is suspect.

Oh come on, that clearly meant one kid is going to Landon, it was just sloppily written. Some PPs are always nitpicking and looking to pull apart other's posts. This is not a test, just bits of info posted on a thread to share with others.

Because of some angry poster on scum..pleaaaaase.