An informative and interesting thread. I am married to a former St. Agnes pre-merger student who rejected the idea of sending her own children there. Instead she chose other private schools for both K-8 and secondary school (the former in Alexandria and the latter in DC). They enjoyed where they went, proceeded to good to excellent colleges, and did well there, too. So SASS may not be the end-of-the-rainbow for all comers.

Our experience with all of this occurred quite a while ago, but may be relevant to you still. After all, these schools do not change over time in very dramatic ways. My suggestion: look at as many as you can and choose what seems to best fit your educational/social expectations for your children and their latent talents and abilities -- assuming, of course, that they can get in. (Not getting in to this or that school is not the end of the world There is no one size fits all here.) Isn't that that we all do anyway when searching for what's best for our kids?

^^^

Most "bashing" posts come from people outside the school. Even those claiming to be from "insiders" are most likely hyperbole or outright lies. It's no coincidence that these posts peak with the seasons of sports that people in this area really care about.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There seem to be a couple of people who like to slam SSSAS - for what reason, I don't know. I do know that we have found SSSAS to be welcoming to a diverse family (no details on this forum!) and not at all snobby. Those few families who have their noses a bit high in the air are the ones who have to keep to themselves b/c other families aren't interested. It is a loving, fantastic environment and we are so happy our kids are there.

The reason SSSAS gets slammed is obvious. Look in the sports page on the day they list "standings" for various sports. Schools that are consistently at or near the top will get slammed regularly by those who feel a need to de-legitimize the accomplishments of high school students to make themselves feel better.

Yes, that must be it. Couldn't be that different people have had experiences different from yours. Must be that parents actually know or care how the school does in various sports and somehow cannot control themselves and post lies upon lies. Are you kidding me?

PP -- Upper School classes start at 8:10. Out at roughly 3:15 (includes a period for mtg with teachers most days). Another very happy new US family here. Very welcoming place -- and no we are not wealthy.

Seems to me that SSSAS is not the best place for people who lack confidence and have chips on their shoulders - for whatever reason.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:lower to middle class white families get treated better than 7 figure minorities at this school.

Really?

I think the truth is that good, decent people get treated better than wealthy, angry assholes

So only white people can be good and decent, but minorities with money are assholes or are you saying that anyone with money is an asshole? the point is that the white wasps at this school are racist so even if you have all that they do, they still will not treat you with respect.

I think PP was trying to say, beit not so well, that regardless of color or wealth, you are treated well when you are decent and not when you are rude/horrible/accusatory/inflammatory. That is (or at least should be) life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:lower to middle class white families get treated better than 7 figure minorities at this school.

Really?

I think the truth is that good, decent people get treated better than wealthy, angry assholes

So only white people can be good and decent, but minorities with money are assholes or are you saying that anyone with money is an asshole? the point is that the white wasps at this school are racist so even if you have all that they do, they still will not treat you with respect.

Anonymous wrote:There seem to be a couple of people who like to slam SSSAS - for what reason, I don't know. I do know that we have found SSSAS to be welcoming to a diverse family (no details on this forum!) and not at all snobby. Those few families who have their noses a bit high in the air are the ones who have to keep to themselves b/c other families aren't interested. It is a loving, fantastic environment and we are so happy our kids are there.

The reason SSSAS gets slammed is obvious. Look in the sports page on the day they list "standings" for various sports. Schools that are consistently at or near the top will get slammed regularly by those who feel a need to de-legitimize the accomplishments of high school students to make themselves feel better.

Anonymous wrote:lower to middle class white families get treated better than 7 figure minorities at this school.

Really?

I think the truth is that good, decent people get treated better than wealthy, angry assholes

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:lower to middle class white families get treated better than 7 figure minorities at this school.

Would you feel better if it was the other at around? Sooo much wrong with you post. Pi just can't even...

Seriously. PP must think it is okay to mistreat lower SES people ... as long as they are white. Money does not buy you status and appreciation, I don't care what color you are.

Anonymous wrote:lower to middle class white families get treated better than 7 figure minorities at this school.

Would you feel better if it was the other at around? Sooo much wrong with you post. Pi just can't even...

College admits are the same at all the strong independents, and Gonzaga and St. John's - top athletes are heavily recruited to top schools.

We are new to SSSA US this year, not an athlete and DS settling in. Big transition, won't lie but academics are incredibly strong, teachers are available and put an immense amount of work into their teaching.

Kids and parents no more snotty than any other DMV school and their seems to be a niche for everyone. I suggest you go and look for yourself, rather than listen to the bashers here. You have many choices, and luckily many positive people willing to give you their advice. Ignore the haters.

lower to middle class white families get treated better than 7 figure minorities at this school.

Can anyone tell me the bell schedule for the upper school? We're considering this school for ds, and trying to gauge the commuting time.

There seem to be a couple of people who like to slam SSSAS - for what reason, I don't know. I do know that we have found SSSAS to be welcoming to a diverse family (no details on this forum!) and not at all snobby. Those few families who have their noses a bit high in the air are the ones who have to keep to themselves b/c other families aren't interested. It is a loving, fantastic environment and we are so happy our kids are there.