Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid was not one of the “cool kids” or invited to all the parties, but he had a core group of friends and was happy. I can think of a couple of unpleasant incidents in 7th and 8th grade years, but did not hear about any bullying or ugly behavior in Upper School. The boys generally seemed to like and respect one another even if they didn’t all socialize together.

+100

I would agree with this and my son in in the upper school. He is not cool or invited to all the parties (there are about 10-15 of these boys) but he's respected and treated well. Plus, honestly you don't want to be in the popular crowd because of the drinking. There is a correlation between popularity and drinking (like there is in almost every school in the US).

OP here: Did your son start in ls? I’m more than fine if my kid isn’t the most popular, but the comments about bullying worry me. TIA!

My kid started in 7th. He would not be considered popular by this board’s definition and is completely happy. He tried lots of different activities in middle school and is a well adjusted kid. I think your son will be fine. I truly believe it is a school the boys are lucky to attend.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid was not one of the “cool kids” or invited to all the parties, but he had a core group of friends and was happy. I can think of a couple of unpleasant incidents in 7th and 8th grade years, but did not hear about any bullying or ugly behavior in Upper School. The boys generally seemed to like and respect one another even if they didn’t all socialize together.

+100

I would agree with this and my son in in the upper school. He is not cool or invited to all the parties (there are about 10-15 of these boys) but he's respected and treated well. Plus, honestly you don't want to be in the popular crowd because of the drinking. There is a correlation between popularity and drinking (like there is in almost every school in the US).

OP here: Did your son start in ls? I’m more than fine if my kid isn’t the most popular, but the comments about bullying worry me. TIA!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid was not one of the “cool kids” or invited to all the parties, but he had a core group of friends and was happy. I can think of a couple of unpleasant incidents in 7th and 8th grade years, but did not hear about any bullying or ugly behavior in Upper School. The boys generally seemed to like and respect one another even if they didn’t all socialize together.

+100

I would agree with this and my son in in the upper school. He is not cool or invited to all the parties (there are about 10-15 of these boys) but he's respected and treated well. Plus, honestly you don't want to be in the popular crowd because of the drinking. There is a correlation between popularity and drinking (like there is in almost every school in the US).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:STA could be a fine fit. But the boy you describe does better in my experience entering in high school. The Lower and Middle School experience can be rough. Lots of alluded to bullying especially for boys who aren't that athletic or popular. In high school, things have settled down, in part b/c the worst of the bullies have been counseled out.

In your experience are those two things—athletic or popular—the same thing?

No, I don't agree that these are the same thing.

Not at all

They aren’t the same in the abstract, but are they functionally the same at sta? I think that’s what the pp was getting at (and you may be responding to that meaning of the question, but I am curious about the answer, so I figured I’d inject my own clarifying question)

Athletic is athletic. It speaks for itself and is proven on the track, field or court. Popular often means athletic. But a non-athletic kid who is super rich, super good looking (and hence popular with the girls), or just funny, witty and a barrel of laughs can also be popular. Also in the high school years the drug dealers or those with drug dealer connections can also be very popular.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:STA could be a fine fit. But the boy you describe does better in my experience entering in high school. The Lower and Middle School experience can be rough. Lots of alluded to bullying especially for boys who aren't that athletic or popular. In high school, things have settled down, in part b/c the worst of the bullies have been counseled out.

In your experience are those two things—athletic or popular—the same thing?

No, I don't agree that these are the same thing.

Not at all

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:STA could be a fine fit. But the boy you describe does better in my experience entering in high school. The Lower and Middle School experience can be rough. Lots of alluded to bullying especially for boys who aren't that athletic or popular. In high school, things have settled down, in part b/c the worst of the bullies have been counseled out.

In your experience are those two things—athletic or popular—the same thing?

No, I don't agree that these are the same thing.