I agree that Norwood is a super place. My kids have been very happy.and engaged there and we love the community. Come visit!

I wouldn't send my child to Norwood for other reasons, but the lack of discipline and unruly behavior in the Norwood kids I've seen (friends' children) is atrocious.



Shouldnt your friends’ kids atrocious behavior say something about the parents? Why would bad behavior not be blamed on parents?
I don’t have kids at Norwood but to blame a school for kids acting up outside of school is nonsense.

Anonymous wrote:SAES parent of two ... moved to DC area several years ago. My kids can't imagine being anywhere else and the (positive) change from their previous schools was immediately noticeable. Incredibly inclusive community, great teachers, etc. - all mentioned above but a +1 from me.

Continued investment in CTTL and new buildings creates feel of a school "on the rise" as well.

+1

SAES parent of two ... moved to DC area several years ago. My kids can't imagine being anywhere else and the (positive) change from their previous schools was immediately noticeable. Incredibly inclusive community, great teachers, etc. - all mentioned above but a +1 from me.

Continued investment in CTTL and new buildings creates feel of a school "on the rise" as well.

All three of my children went to Norwood and we just loved it. I found the teachers to be caring and the community was wonderful. It really is a lovely place. I hope you go back and visit and see for yourself. I don’t know anything about St. Andrews but have heard all good stuff there too. I know a handful of Norwood grads go there every year. Good luck with your decision. You can’t gonwring either way.

We attended the SAES welcome reception today - wow, they have their act together on all levels - truly impressive...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems like the elephant in the room is that the President's youngest attends SAES. It might be a pain dealing with security. It might not be. At his old school in NYC, some parents found it annoying when the mother and her security detail took up an entire elevator, which forced others to have to wait. Of course, there are worse things in life. But the bottom line is you might want to think about inconveniences due to that.

I found it strange no one mentioned that.

To others, I know, it's a draw to have that happening at a school.

But it's good to know about before you pick, so you can decide if you care one way or the other.

I went to school with Chelsea. Maybe things have changed since then, but there were zero inconveniences from secret service issues.

We're not talking about SFS, though.

My younger child is a senior at St. Andrew's. I also have one child who is a recent SFS grad. At both schools the Secret Service presence was completely below the radar. More generally, unless your kid is besties with a president's child(ren), there's really no impact on your kid's experience.

To OP and other parents considering St. Andrew's -- our daughter's experience in the upper school has been terrific. The school offers an innovative curriculum, excellent teachers, and a friendly, supportive community. Our daughter will leave for college confident, well-prepared . . . and with many happy memories of her years at St. Andrew's.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems like the elephant in the room is that the President's youngest attends SAES. It might be a pain dealing with security. It might not be. At his old school in NYC, some parents found it annoying when the mother and her security detail took up an entire elevator, which forced others to have to wait. Of course, there are worse things in life. But the bottom line is you might want to think about inconveniences due to that.

I found it strange no one mentioned that.

To others, I know, it's a draw to have that happening at a school.

But it's good to know about before you pick, so you can decide if you care one way or the other.

I went to school with Chelsea. Maybe things have changed since then, but there were zero inconveniences from secret service issues.

We're not talking about SFS, though.

I have a child at St. Andrews upper school who has been there since before and after the president’s son began attending. Zero difference in commuting time, drop offs, and no issues or interactions with any Secret Service.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems like the elephant in the room is that the President's youngest attends SAES. It might be a pain dealing with security. It might not be. At his old school in NYC, some parents found it annoying when the mother and her security detail took up an entire elevator, which forced others to have to wait. Of course, there are worse things in life. But the bottom line is you might want to think about inconveniences due to that.

I found it strange no one mentioned that.

To others, I know, it's a draw to have that happening at a school.

But it's good to know about before you pick, so you can decide if you care one way or the other.

I went to school with Chelsea. Maybe things have changed since then, but there were zero inconveniences from secret service issues.

We're not talking about SFS, though.

I think the poster was commenting from personal experience on whether it's possible for the Secret Service to be unobtrusive. The answer is yes, and seems to be the shared experience of both SFS and SAES, so it's relevant, right?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems like the elephant in the room is that the President's youngest attends SAES. It might be a pain dealing with security. It might not be. At his old school in NYC, some parents found it annoying when the mother and her security detail took up an entire elevator, which forced others to have to wait. Of course, there are worse things in life. But the bottom line is you might want to think about inconveniences due to that.

I found it strange no one mentioned that.

To others, I know, it's a draw to have that happening at a school.

But it's good to know about before you pick, so you can decide if you care one way or the other.

I went to school with Chelsea. Maybe things have changed since then, but there were zero inconveniences from secret service issues.

We're not talking about SFS, though.

Just read through this thread. I am struck by and impressed with the positivity. I’m not a St. Andrew’s parent but reading though this kind of makes me want to be one. The constructive tone, even where there is disagreement, has to be a reflection on the school and it’s community. Impressive...