Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to Sidwell, as I have one child in STA and another in another DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell, so I can speak to that perspective. The schools really are night and day... anyone telling you that they are similar and probably only speaking in huge generalities. We are so happy with STA but I think it fits my child well. Kids that do well there are already self-motivated, like to compete, have another skill (chorus, sports, etc). But with all that competition they also really do nurture the boys and have so many amazing traditions. It's a true prep school. Other schools with their commitment to inclusivity and higher staff turnover don't seem to have a true culture to them. My kid likes the school but it's just not the same. It's the way I felt about my public HS. Enjoyable but the school was not a big part of my childhood. Just a place to go and learn and play sports but not a school spirit within me. It's just a place to get an education. STA is more "all-in" if you will...

A commitment to inclusivity means a school has no “culture”? Of course, expensive privates are elitist but what do you mean that STA culture isn’t inclusive?

I meant that it holds everyone to high standards. The thinking isn't necessarily to meet everyone where they're at... it's more so to set the bar high and expect those to reach it. Rules are rules and expectations are set high. I do think that they will give extra support when needed to help get your child where they need to be but my point is not that you are allowed to just be laissez se faire about grades and be considered successful there.

That’s not how most people define inclusive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to Sidwell, as I have one child in STA and another in another DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell, so I can speak to that perspective. The schools really are night and day... anyone telling you that they are similar and probably only speaking in huge generalities. We are so happy with STA but I think it fits my child well. Kids that do well there are already self-motivated, like to compete, have another skill (chorus, sports, etc). But with all that competition they also really do nurture the boys and have so many amazing traditions. It's a true prep school. Other schools with their commitment to inclusivity and higher staff turnover don't seem to have a true culture to them. My kid likes the school but it's just not the same. It's the way I felt about my public HS. Enjoyable but the school was not a big part of my childhood. Just a place to go and learn and play sports but not a school spirit within me. It's just a place to get an education. STA is more "all-in" if you will...

A commitment to inclusivity means a school has no “culture”? Of course, expensive privates are elitist but what do you mean that STA culture isn’t inclusive?

I meant that it holds everyone to high standards. The thinking isn't necessarily to meet everyone where they're at... it's more so to set the bar high and expect those to reach it. Rules are rules and expectations are set high. I do think that they will give extra support when needed to help get your child where they need to be but my point is not that you are allowed to just be laissez se faire about grades and be considered successful there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to Sidwell, as I have one child in STA and another in another DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell, so I can speak to that perspective. The schools really are night and day... anyone telling you that they are similar and probably only speaking in huge generalities. We are so happy with STA but I think it fits my child well. Kids that do well there are already self-motivated, like to compete, have another skill (chorus, sports, etc). But with all that competition they also really do nurture the boys and have so many amazing traditions. It's a true prep school. Other schools with their commitment to inclusivity and higher staff turnover don't seem to have a true culture to them. My kid likes the school but it's just not the same. It's the way I felt about my public HS. Enjoyable but the school was not a big part of my childhood. Just a place to go and learn and play sports but not a school spirit within me. It's just a place to get an education. STA is more "all-in" if you will...

There is no DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell.

STA is, and, academically, so is NCS.

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to Sidwell, as I have one child in STA and another in another DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell, so I can speak to that perspective. The schools really are night and day... anyone telling you that they are similar and probably only speaking in huge generalities. We are so happy with STA but I think it fits my child well. Kids that do well there are already self-motivated, like to compete, have another skill (chorus, sports, etc). But with all that competition they also really do nurture the boys and have so many amazing traditions. It's a true prep school. Other schools with their commitment to inclusivity and higher staff turnover don't seem to have a true culture to them. My kid likes the school but it's just not the same. It's the way I felt about my public HS. Enjoyable but the school was not a big part of my childhood. Just a place to go and learn and play sports but not a school spirit within me. It's just a place to get an education. STA is more "all-in" if you will...

A commitment to inclusivity means a school has no “culture”? Of course, expensive privates are elitist but what do you mean that STA culture isn’t inclusive?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to Sidwell, as I have one child in STA and another in another DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell, so I can speak to that perspective. The schools really are night and day... anyone telling you that they are similar and probably only speaking in huge generalities. We are so happy with STA but I think it fits my child well. Kids that do well there are already self-motivated, like to compete, have another skill (chorus, sports, etc). But with all that competition they also really do nurture the boys and have so many amazing traditions. It's a true prep school. Other schools with their commitment to inclusivity and higher staff turnover don't seem to have a true culture to them. My kid likes the school but it's just not the same. It's the way I felt about my public HS. Enjoyable but the school was not a big part of my childhood. Just a place to go and learn and play sports but not a school spirit within me. It's just a place to get an education. STA is more "all-in" if you will...

There is no DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell.

Huh? Sidwell probably has the easiest high school admissions of the top 5 schools. It may have the Obama name but they go to their 9th grade waitlist every year. It's generally catch-all option for kids who don't get into STA or Maret or GDS. (NCS is probably a step behind) I know because I recently went through 9th grade admissions for 2 different kids. Sidwell was second choice for my kids and a ton of their friends. It's a great school but seems sort of a generic pressure cooker to many people.

“Easiest high school admissions of the top 5” based on what evidence? Your silly anecdote? Let’s deal in facts, not your limited experience or baseless opinion.
I know Sidwell alumni who couldn’t get their children into the school. Neither one of us knows the exact admissions rates for these schools, so pipe down.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to Sidwell, as I have one child in STA and another in another DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell, so I can speak to that perspective. The schools really are night and day... anyone telling you that they are similar and probably only speaking in huge generalities. We are so happy with STA but I think it fits my child well. Kids that do well there are already self-motivated, like to compete, have another skill (chorus, sports, etc). But with all that competition they also really do nurture the boys and have so many amazing traditions. It's a true prep school. Other schools with their commitment to inclusivity and higher staff turnover don't seem to have a true culture to them. My kid likes the school but it's just not the same. It's the way I felt about my public HS. Enjoyable but the school was not a big part of my childhood. Just a place to go and learn and play sports but not a school spirit within me. It's just a place to get an education. STA is more "all-in" if you will...

There is no DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell.

I meant same size, coed, strong reputation, etc. I have no horse in the race about where the OP sends their kid and know lots of people who absolutely adore Sidwell. My point is to say that STA and Sidwell are basically the same school is not true and here’s my anecdote to why…

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to Sidwell, as I have one child in STA and another in another DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell, so I can speak to that perspective. The schools really are night and day... anyone telling you that they are similar and probably only speaking in huge generalities. We are so happy with STA but I think it fits my child well. Kids that do well there are already self-motivated, like to compete, have another skill (chorus, sports, etc). But with all that competition they also really do nurture the boys and have so many amazing traditions. It's a true prep school. Other schools with their commitment to inclusivity and higher staff turnover don't seem to have a true culture to them. My kid likes the school but it's just not the same. It's the way I felt about my public HS. Enjoyable but the school was not a big part of my childhood. Just a place to go and learn and play sports but not a school spirit within me. It's just a place to get an education. STA is more "all-in" if you will...

There is no DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell.

Huh? Sidwell probably has the easiest high school admissions of the top 5 schools. It may have the Obama name but they go to their 9th grade waitlist every year. It's generally catch-all option for kids who don't get into STA or Maret or GDS. (NCS is probably a step behind) I know because I recently went through 9th grade admissions for 2 different kids. Sidwell was second choice for my kids and a ton of their friends. It's a great school but seems sort of a generic pressure cooker to many people.

to clarify--when I say NCS is "a step behind" I mean in popularity. It probably has the most rigorous academics of anywhere as well as being single gender (which is why it's even more of a narrow pick).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to Sidwell, as I have one child in STA and another in another DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell, so I can speak to that perspective. The schools really are night and day... anyone telling you that they are similar and probably only speaking in huge generalities. We are so happy with STA but I think it fits my child well. Kids that do well there are already self-motivated, like to compete, have another skill (chorus, sports, etc). But with all that competition they also really do nurture the boys and have so many amazing traditions. It's a true prep school. Other schools with their commitment to inclusivity and higher staff turnover don't seem to have a true culture to them. My kid likes the school but it's just not the same. It's the way I felt about my public HS. Enjoyable but the school was not a big part of my childhood. Just a place to go and learn and play sports but not a school spirit within me. It's just a place to get an education. STA is more "all-in" if you will...

There is no DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell.

Huh? Sidwell probably has the easiest high school admissions of the top 5 schools. It may have the Obama name but they go to their 9th grade waitlist every year. It's generally catch-all option for kids who don't get into STA or Maret or GDS. (NCS is probably a step behind) I know because I recently went through 9th grade admissions for 2 different kids. Sidwell was second choice for my kids and a ton of their friends. It's a great school but seems sort of a generic pressure cooker to many people.

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to Sidwell, as I have one child in STA and another in another DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell, so I can speak to that perspective. The schools really are night and day... anyone telling you that they are similar and probably only speaking in huge generalities. We are so happy with STA but I think it fits my child well. Kids that do well there are already self-motivated, like to compete, have another skill (chorus, sports, etc). But with all that competition they also really do nurture the boys and have so many amazing traditions. It's a true prep school. Other schools with their commitment to inclusivity and higher staff turnover don't seem to have a true culture to them. My kid likes the school but it's just not the same. It's the way I felt about my public HS. Enjoyable but the school was not a big part of my childhood. Just a place to go and learn and play sports but not a school spirit within me. It's just a place to get an education. STA is more "all-in" if you will...

There is no DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell.

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to Sidwell, as I have one child in STA and another in another DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell, so I can speak to that perspective. The schools really are night and day... anyone telling you that they are similar and probably only speaking in huge generalities. We are so happy with STA but I think it fits my child well. Kids that do well there are already self-motivated, like to compete, have another skill (chorus, sports, etc). But with all that competition they also really do nurture the boys and have so many amazing traditions. It's a true prep school. Other schools with their commitment to inclusivity and higher staff turnover don't seem to have a true culture to them. My kid likes the school but it's just not the same. It's the way I felt about my public HS. Enjoyable but the school was not a big part of my childhood. Just a place to go and learn and play sports but not a school spirit within me. It's just a place to get an education. STA is more "all-in" if you will...

Agree with this. My son came from public and we're not VIPs or CCC members or Republicans or WASPs or big earners and it's been a fantastic place for my high schooler. Great teachers, curriculum, emotional/social support, balance between sports (for both serious and recreational athletes) and arts, communication, administration, college counseling, traditions, etc. It's a unique and special place that runs like a well-oiled machine. Teachers come and never leave. They may have one open academic position (school-wide) every other year. Many of them stay for 20+ years. There are all sort of boys at the school and I really think that 99% of them find their place and deeply connect with the school: the athletes and the non-athletes, the alpha men and the introverted academics.
It sounds like I'm spouting off like a PR person but we truly like the school and had no real idea what to expect when we came (from public and having only been on one tour). We have another child (a girl) at different Big3 private and we don't feel half as strongly about that school. It's far more "meh" in many ways.

I can't speak to Sidwell, as I have one child in STA and another in another DC private that is considered on par with Sidwell, so I can speak to that perspective. The schools really are night and day... anyone telling you that they are similar and probably only speaking in huge generalities. We are so happy with STA but I think it fits my child well. Kids that do well there are already self-motivated, like to compete, have another skill (chorus, sports, etc). But with all that competition they also really do nurture the boys and have so many amazing traditions. It's a true prep school. Other schools with their commitment to inclusivity and higher staff turnover don't seem to have a true culture to them. My kid likes the school but it's just not the same. It's the way I felt about my public HS. Enjoyable but the school was not a big part of my childhood. Just a place to go and learn and play sports but not a school spirit within me. It's just a place to get an education. STA is more "all-in" if you will...

Anonymous wrote:Someone once told me that "STA is a boys school, and Sidwell is a girls school masquerading as coed. Sidewell dosn't really teach to boys strengths and actually pushes them down." He went on to add "you'll see families with boys at STA and girls at Sidwell, but rarely do you see families with girls at NCS and the boys at Sidwell."

I have no clue if this is even remotely true, but it was an interesting enough observation that I. made note of it. Be curious if some of the cross-school families would agree/disagree with this statement (it came from an STA parent).

I know several NCS/Sidwell families but in these cases the boys did not get into STA. I don't know what they would have chosen had they had the option.

Someone once told me that "STA is a boys school, and Sidwell is a girls school masquerading as coed. Sidewell dosn't really teach to boys strengths and actually pushes them down." He went on to add "you'll see families with boys at STA and girls at Sidwell, but rarely do you see families with girls at NCS and the boys at Sidwell."

I have no clue if this is even remotely true, but it was an interesting enough observation that I. made note of it. Be curious if some of the cross-school families would agree/disagree with this statement (it came from an STA parent).

So funny. Even the parents at these schools cannot figure out what makes them different. Spoiler: they aren’t. Except the coed or not thing. And religion. More and WASPy-er at NCS/STA. A passing whiff at Sidwell.

This is knowledge of the middle but not upper school--English and history are MUCH stronger at StA. I agree that Sidwell teachers have too much autonomy, so much so that my daughter read about 2 class books in English in 6th grade, with the rest of the time on projects. Not super impressed for 7th either--writing instruction is vague and not a lot of feedback given. Then, per my friends with kids in older grades, these smart but unskilled kids are arriving at HS unprepared to write a paper or read closely. Very disappointed so far in comparison to what I see from the StA kid in our circle but I have a girl, so what can you do?