Anonymous
Post 03/29/2022 10:21     Subject: What do you love/not love about SSSAS?
Anonymous wrote:


The infinity groups are the worst. Not at SSSAS, but a different Alexandria private. Pre-Covid, our school required kids to join an affinity group and meet during the school day. There were quite a few to chose from: women, LQBTQ, Black, asian, atheist, Jewish. My white, straight, Christian son had no group to identify with. They created a group for all the white, Christian straight boys - “supporting diversity” affinity group. First meeting they had to write down all their privileges in a list. It was a great way to make my then 12 year old feel like sh*t about himself.


Wow - what school is this!?


Burgundy Farm
Anonymous
Post 03/29/2022 10:04     Subject: What do you love/not love about SSSAS?


The infinity groups are the worst. Not at SSSAS, but a different Alexandria private. Pre-Covid, our school required kids to join an affinity group and meet during the school day. There were quite a few to chose from: women, LQBTQ, Black, asian, atheist, Jewish. My white, straight, Christian son had no group to identify with. They created a group for all the white, Christian straight boys - “supporting diversity” affinity group. First meeting they had to write down all their privileges in a list. It was a great way to make my then 12 year old feel like sh*t about himself.


Wow - what school is this!?
Anonymous
Post 03/27/2022 16:09     Subject: Re:What do you love/not love about SSSAS?
Anonymous wrote:I am actually Episcopalian, but my spouse is Catholic. I have no doubt a Jewish or other non-Christian would feel more comfortable at an Episcopal or Quaker school than a Catholic school. PP did not say this, they equated Catholicism to Fundamentalism. My point is that Catholicism is a far cry from Fundamentalism and it is ignorant to lump them together. Anti-Catholic sentiment and prejudice is alive and well in our country.


I didn’t take it as equating the two in terms of beliefs or anything. Just that both may be similarly pervasive or strong or whatever in terms of the religious environment and how comfortable (or not) that might be for someone of a different faith. The religion is a much greater part of the experience.

Also, as far as Episcopal and Catholic being similar, Episcopal is a spectrum. Low or broad Episcopal services are very unlike Catholic services. High Episcopal and Anglican services are much more similar. In my experience, the Episcopal schools tend to align more with the broad Episcopal tradition.
Anonymous
Post 03/27/2022 15:55     Subject: Re:What do you love/not love about SSSAS?
Anonymous wrote:Fundamentalists would be just as offended to be equated with Catholics as you as I Catholic (I’m assuming) are to be equated with Fundamentalists. Regardless, it’s simply fact that the religious requirements and general atmosphere are much stronger and stricter at most Catholic schools (and presumably at a fundamentalist school, although I’m not familiar with any) than at most Episcopal schools. Just compare the high school religion course requirements for O’Connell vs SSSAS or NCS, for example. The percentages of non-Catholic students at Catholic schools is far lower than the percentage of non-Episcopal students at Episcopal schools. You don’t have to be Catholic to go to O’Connell, but you’re going to take a Catholic religion class every semester for four years (ex: The Sacraments; Jesus, the Redeemer; Living as a Disciple of Christ in Society). At SSSAS, you take a semester course on the New Testament, two 1-quarter Ethics classes, and a quarter class of choice that doesn’t even have to focus on Christianity (ex: American Religions, Religions of the World, Religion and Music).


I am actually Episcopalian, but my spouse is Catholic. I have no doubt a Jewish or other non-Christian would feel more comfortable at an Episcopal or Quaker school than a Catholic school. PP did not say this, they equated Catholicism to Fundamentalism. My point is that Catholicism is a far cry from Fundamentalism and it is ignorant to lump them together. Anti-Catholic sentiment and prejudice is alive and well in our country.
Anonymous
Post 03/27/2022 15:11     Subject: Re:What do you love/not love about SSSAS?
Fundamentalists would be just as offended to be equated with Catholics as you as I Catholic (I’m assuming) are to be equated with Fundamentalists. Regardless, it’s simply fact that the religious requirements and general atmosphere are much stronger and stricter at most Catholic schools (and presumably at a fundamentalist school, although I’m not familiar with any) than at most Episcopal schools. Just compare the high school religion course requirements for O’Connell vs SSSAS or NCS, for example. The percentages of non-Catholic students at Catholic schools is far lower than the percentage of non-Episcopal students at Episcopal schools. You don’t have to be Catholic to go to O’Connell, but you’re going to take a Catholic religion class every semester for four years (ex: The Sacraments; Jesus, the Redeemer; Living as a Disciple of Christ in Society). At SSSAS, you take a semester course on the New Testament, two 1-quarter Ethics classes, and a quarter class of choice that doesn’t even have to focus on Christianity (ex: American Religions, Religions of the World, Religion and Music).
Anonymous
Post 03/27/2022 13:11     Subject: What do you love/not love about SSSAS?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Per the school website there are about 50 girls on JV and varsity lax. The US is about 400 and gender balanced that makes about 25% playing lax for girls. Similar for boys.


25% of the school plays lax. Wtf?


It is a popular sport there so higher participation than some other peer schools but not out of hand. Nearly all of the lacrosse players also play at least one other sport and participate in other school activities. This is neither strange nor damning. The obsession with Saints and Lax culture is way out of have on DCUM. As a parent of a current student who doesn't play, the programs provide some entertainment for my kid who sometimes attends games to support friends but it in no way interferes with the academic or social experience. The lacrosse kids work hard and achieve while devoting a lot of time and energy to their sport. So do the basketball players, track athletes and the kids who perform in drama and music. Independent schools are all about a well rounded experience which is something that Saints does very well.

If you are considering it do research somewhere more healthy than here. Talk to current parents and recent past parents.


Thanks. OP here. I'll talk to parents. Just seems like if I only talk to parents I'll get a glowingly positive view.

Would the school be OK for an agnostic family?


I'm Jewish and totally fine with it. It's Episcopal not Catholic or Fundamentalist. Religion is a pretty light touch.


Good grief. You are equating Catholicism to being a Fundamentalist? Do you realize how similar the Episcopal Church is to Catholicism?


Do you realize how different Episcopal schools are from Catholic ones?


Yes, I do actually. I have had kids at the Cathedral schools for many years. I also have had a child in a Catholic school. I am pretty sure the Jewish poster above has not had the same experience. Just saying that it is ridiculous to refer to fundalmentalism and Catholicism in the same breath. Educate yourself.
Anonymous
Post 03/27/2022 12:54     Subject: What do you love/not love about SSSAS?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Per the school website there are about 50 girls on JV and varsity lax. The US is about 400 and gender balanced that makes about 25% playing lax for girls. Similar for boys.


25% of the school plays lax. Wtf?


It is a popular sport there so higher participation than some other peer schools but not out of hand. Nearly all of the lacrosse players also play at least one other sport and participate in other school activities. This is neither strange nor damning. The obsession with Saints and Lax culture is way out of have on DCUM. As a parent of a current student who doesn't play, the programs provide some entertainment for my kid who sometimes attends games to support friends but it in no way interferes with the academic or social experience. The lacrosse kids work hard and achieve while devoting a lot of time and energy to their sport. So do the basketball players, track athletes and the kids who perform in drama and music. Independent schools are all about a well rounded experience which is something that Saints does very well.

If you are considering it do research somewhere more healthy than here. Talk to current parents and recent past parents.


Thanks. OP here. I'll talk to parents. Just seems like if I only talk to parents I'll get a glowingly positive view.

Would the school be OK for an agnostic family?


I'm Jewish and totally fine with it. It's Episcopal not Catholic or Fundamentalist. Religion is a pretty light touch.


Good grief. You are equating Catholicism to being a Fundamentalist? Do you realize how similar the Episcopal Church is to Catholicism?


Do you realize how different Episcopal schools are from Catholic ones?


And how different Catholics are culturally from Episcopalians?

While the religions may be similar, the people are not.
Anonymous
Post 03/27/2022 10:19     Subject: Re:What do you love/not love about SSSAS?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: All of you who are complaining about SSSAS seem like entitled white folks who are scared of being stripped of their white superiority and all that this entails.
SSSAS is open-minded, inclusive and progressive and you hate it. Go somewhere else. Please.


Finally- someone speaks the truth!

blah blah you disagree with me so you are a white supremacist blah blah blah
good luck funding the new construction and getting the shrinking endowment healthy: https://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/resource/statistics-on-u-s-generosity/ check out tables 14 and 15.
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2022 20:46     Subject: What do you love/not love about SSSAS?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Per the school website there are about 50 girls on JV and varsity lax. The US is about 400 and gender balanced that makes about 25% playing lax for girls. Similar for boys.


25% of the school plays lax. Wtf?


It is a popular sport there so higher participation than some other peer schools but not out of hand. Nearly all of the lacrosse players also play at least one other sport and participate in other school activities. This is neither strange nor damning. The obsession with Saints and Lax culture is way out of have on DCUM. As a parent of a current student who doesn't play, the programs provide some entertainment for my kid who sometimes attends games to support friends but it in no way interferes with the academic or social experience. The lacrosse kids work hard and achieve while devoting a lot of time and energy to their sport. So do the basketball players, track athletes and the kids who perform in drama and music. Independent schools are all about a well rounded experience which is something that Saints does very well.

If you are considering it do research somewhere more healthy than here. Talk to current parents and recent past parents.


Thanks. OP here. I'll talk to parents. Just seems like if I only talk to parents I'll get a glowingly positive view.

Would the school be OK for an agnostic family?


I'm Jewish and totally fine with it. It's Episcopal not Catholic or Fundamentalist. Religion is a pretty light touch.


Good grief. You are equating Catholicism to being a Fundamentalist? Do you realize how similar the Episcopal Church is to Catholicism?


Do you realize how different Episcopal schools are from Catholic ones?
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2022 20:15     Subject: Re:What do you love/not love about SSSAS?
Anonymous wrote: All of you who are complaining about SSSAS seem like entitled white folks who are scared of being stripped of their white superiority and all that this entails.
SSSAS is open-minded, inclusive and progressive and you hate it. Go somewhere else. Please.


Actually, they found like the people who pay the tuition
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2022 20:12     Subject: What do you love/not love about SSSAS?
Anonymous wrote:^^ This. And I’ll add, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.



EXACTLY my thoughts!
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2022 20:02     Subject: What do you love/not love about SSSAS?
^^ This. And I’ll add, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2022 19:52     Subject: Re:What do you love/not love about SSSAS?
+1
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2022 19:52     Subject: Re:What do you love/not love about SSSAS?
Anonymous wrote: All of you who are complaining about SSSAS seem like entitled white folks who are scared of being stripped of their white superiority and all that this entails.
SSSAS is open-minded, inclusive and progressive and you hate it. Go somewhere else. Please.


Finally- someone speaks the truth!
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2022 19:50     Subject: Re:What do you love/not love about SSSAS?
All of you who are complaining about SSSAS seem like entitled white folks who are scared of being stripped of their white superiority and all that this entails.
SSSAS is open-minded, inclusive and progressive and you hate it. Go somewhere else. Please.