St Andrew's School, Delaware

Prep School Admissions
481

<p>We’re a better country and certainly a better boarding school when people are exposed to differences in politics, race, color, gender, sexual preference, religion etc. I miss the days when we had three national news programs and liberals and conservatives had to rely on single news sources. You couldn’t acquire information without hearing both sides of a story. </p>

<p>Achieving success today means moving easily and effectively among many kinds of people. What could be more important to a boarding school’s mission, whether SAS or Thacher, Groton or Hotchkiss, than preparing kids to thrive in an environment where everybody is a minority, even rich, white, mainstream, Episcopalians. If you’re going to pay the big tuition bucks, you want your kid to be well prepared to succeed in the world as it’s becoming, not as it was.</p>

482

<p>My son graduated last year from SAS. He is a fairly typical teenage boy - not given to outward emotion or displays of quirkiness. He made many friends who, I believe, will remain friends for life. He loved it there. He didn’t always love being exposed to new ideas or being required to attend “enriching” performances or lectures. I, however, was grateful that he was at a school that had so much good academically, socially and athletically that he tolerated the new experiences. It changed and broadened his view of the world and I believe he will be a better man for it.</p>

483

<p>Wesray, my son is attending SAS this year and I’d be grateful if you were available to connect offline.
You can reach me at <a href="mailto:ascend2220@yahoo.com">ascend2220@yahoo.com</a></p>

484

<p>sorry, that is <a href="mailto:ascend2220@yahoo.com">ascend2220@yahoo.com</a></p>

485

<p>optimistboy,
I tried to send you an email but it was sent back saying it was not a valid address.</p>

486

<p>sorry wesray, it is ascend2220 at yahoo dot com, I think I’ve satisfied any concerns sated but I appreciate the contact</p>

487

<p>Some discussion on another thread about the location of St. Andrew’s bears reaffirming that Middletown, DE, is not really “remote” when traveling by air or rail. A relatively “newer” option is given below.</p>

<p>SAS runs shuttles to Wilmington for Amtrak and to Philly International for air connections, both an hour or less away. However, there is another airport for those flying from points west and south such as Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Florida, Denver, etc. This is the regional New Castle, Delaware, airport about twenty-five minutes from Middletown and serviced by low-fare Frontier Airlines. A link for further information is here:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.flywilmilg.com%5B/url%5D”>http://www.flywilmilg.com</a></p>

488

<p>One of the descriptors I use when describing where my older daughter goes to high school is “Have you seen ‘Dead Poets’ Society’? That was shot at St. Andrew’s.”</p>

<p>With the recent passing of Robin Williams, SAS alum and CNN host Erin Burnett did a piece on his time at the school featuring associate academic dean Eric Kemer and head of school Tad Roach:</p>

<p><a href=“http://outfront.blogs.cnn.com/2014/08/12/erin-burnett-remembers-robin-williams-unforgettable-role-in-dead-poets-society/”>http://outfront.blogs.cnn.com/2014/08/12/erin-burnett-remembers-robin-williams-unforgettable-role-in-dead-poets-society/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

489

<p>Charger78 tipped me to the updated “Facts and Figures” page of the SAS website. Here are some selected stats:</p>

<p>Accept Rate: 26%
Yield: 60%
SSAT Median: 83%</p>

<p>I don’t know that I’ve ever seen them publicize the acceptance and yield rates before. While not quite in the league of Thacher, I was pleasantly surprised with the yield number.</p>

<p>Also important, IMO, are the stats on SAS’s FA program: </p>

<p>47% of student body receives financial aid
$5,646,000 total grants
$40,046 average grant</p>

<p>Worth noting that the % of students receiving FA is equal to Andover’s % (as per Andover site) and SAS’s average grant is higher (using Andover’s figure for its boarding students).</p>

490

<p>BTW, if you are a new-to-SAS parent from the CC forum and want to introduce yourself in person…I think my wife and I are coming to the regular move-in day in addition to the Senior move-in day. PM me for a clue on how to pick me out of the crowd.</p>

491

<p>Attended a new Opening Day “tradition” at SAS this year that went off very well. Following Tad Roach’s welcoming to families (ostensibly the new ones) in Engelhard Auditorium, there was a picnic for parents at Rodney Point, overlooking the pond. This turned out to be a great mixer for the older as well as the new families, with many faculty attending tool. It supported the notion expressed in a lovely post on this board that to join one’s boarding community is to open the door to a permanent and rich attachment found less frequently today than in the past. </p>

<p>Tad did it again in his remarks. He referenced the writing of NY Times Op-Ed columnist Nicholas Kristof, who has lately opined on racism and the humanities in America. Tad’s comments were videotaped and you may be able to listen to/watch them for yourself on the school’s livestream, or another source, in coming days. I won’t attempt to summarize, as the headmaster speaks fairly consistently and is highly published (e.g., look for collections of his essays in bound format in the Admissions foyer, and the most recent linked on the website, as “Reflections”). Tad did not cite the Wall Street Journal, nor the National Review. I think he is, most definitely, conservative in many ways, but here is a rationale for labeling him a “liberal”, and he just might agree with that label if allowed to define it on his own terms. </p>

<p>The bottom line, though, is that as a “counter-cultural” educator, his school promotes the vigorous discussion of all ideas and points of view. St. Andrew’s eschews the model in which students take notes on the teacher’s “true knowledge” and then uncritically re-state it. “Headmaster Forums” in the common room are designed, as are courses, to encourage an open discussion that gives all students a voice, and a stake thereby in their own school. This is the Harkness approach, after all, which is not all that common in the nation’s 26,000 public high schools, nor even, perhaps, in the 1400 NAIS schools. St. Andrew’s celebrates its athletes and its artists, but it values most the student who has learned to think for herself and to express herself publicly (whether in a tutorial, an exhibition, etc.). Tad said today that this is an education preparing one for life, though I wish he had said it is preparation “for college AND for life”. But he said what he meant, because he also believes that colleges commonly use the rote memorization model, so that SAS routinely surpasses collegiate instruction. This was a bold claim today, which had me wondering if he doesn’t set up straw men to knock down in his counter-cultural arguments. Then, I think about how many boarding alumni have stated that their high school learning really did have more of an effect than their collegiate, and Tad’s comments ring truer. Good boarding schools, with professional staff, admit and graduate both conservative and liberal leaning students; they do not ever stifle the one in favor of the other. </p>

<p>(Even though some exams contain document-based questions demanding interpretation through understanding of multiple points of view, the Advanced Placement courses essentially test according to the “cover all the facts” model. That’s why, in history, we have students endlessly answer old multiple-choice and essay questions. SAS sees it as a counter-cultural choice to drop the AP curriculum and let its teachers devise “Advanced Study” alternatives. Lots of independent schools have done likewise.)</p>

492

<p>Despite having moved in 7D1 earlier in the week for senior and pre-season activities, we also attended Opening Day at SAS yesterday — our fourth time.</p>

<p>I noticed a few other parents of seniors/upperclassmen in attendance at Tad Roach’s remarks. I have made a point to attend (the session is really meant for parents of new students) these past 4 years because I really appreciate and am inspired by hearing his continued commitment to the school’s mission, the faculty, and the students. As I noted to Mr. Roach on our way of out of the Rodney Point event (new for this year), I love that year after year his message is new and different — yet always ties back to the school’s core values and ethos.</p>

<p>Welcome to all new SAS families who may contribute/lurk here! Feel free to write if you have any questions or concerns.</p>

493

<p>Perhaps the most brilliantly conceived of the SAS traditions is the opening night back-to-school Square Dance. It’s hard for the newbies to feel self-conscious, or homesick, on this most difficult of days amidst the general delirium and pandemonium that the upperclassmen suck them into. Not your average school dance.
<a href=“https://www.■■■■■■■■■■/photos/sasdelaware/[/url]”>https://www.■■■■■■■■■■/photos/sasdelaware/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

494

<p>I know I’ve sung the praises of SAS Head Tad Roach here before, but here’s a great video that just got posted.</p>

<p>It gives you some insight into the friendly/family/fun vibe of the school. Video was shot in Engelhard auditorium… the main performance/meeting hall. The person that Tad mentions at the end is Will Speers, associate headmaster.</p>

<p><a href=“Tad Roach Ice Bucket Challenge - YouTube”>Tad Roach Ice Bucket Challenge - YouTube; </p>

495

<p>To comment on the Square Dance…I love it as a school tradition because it strikes me as a great leveler…it’s quite rare for any teenager to be practiced at square dancing, so you’re all basically in the same, slightly awkward boat.</p>

<p>I also love that year after year, the pix and videos show kids having fun doing something that ordinarily teens might consider “dorky” or “uncool” (apologies to all line and square dance fans out there!). I don’t think they let you be a wallflower that night, unless you have some injury that impairs your ability to get around.</p>

<p>And finally, and this is going to really underscore the fact that I am the parent of two girls…I like that square dancing is a fairly wholesome activity. Especially in contrast to some of the “grindfests” that I’ve read about happening at other schools. This is what I think of when I think of the “counterculturalism” at SAS (recently maligned by a few posters)…contrast a square dance to basically every other teen-centric dance. </p>

<p>And yet, the kids manage to have fun.</p>

496

<p>Tour/interview next weekend for DD. DD has danced since age 3. Although on pointe, not a “bun head.” Dances all disciplines including tap, lyrical, modern/contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and ballet. The website and literature was not as informative about the dance program as we hoped. Then again, most schools are not. Any insight about dance program and Avi Gold would be appreciated. Looking forward to visiting this magnificent school.</p>

497

<p>First, the unofficial dance team, aka, Humanities class '14.
<a href=“Students Celebrate Submitting Their Humanities Exhibition Papers - YouTube”>Students Celebrate Submitting Their Humanities Exhibition Papers - YouTube;

<p>Second, from the Arts Weekend this past spring:
<a href=“Art's Weekkend '14 - YouTube”>Art's Weekkend '14 - YouTube;
(love the tap segment, especially as more rare to see these days; and senior boys dancing with mothers!)</p>

<p>And finally, several separate clips from the same weekend that comprise the total performance of Purcell’s “Aeneas and Dido” jointly performed by the orchestra, dance, and Choral Scholars programs.
<a href=“http://new.livestream.com/accounts/158104/events/2985636[/url]”>http://new.livestream.com/accounts/158104/events/2985636&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Last year, my daughter, as a freshman, danced as an afternoon sports activity in the fall, following up on several years of prior experience, sang and danced in the Winter Musical, and devoted the most time to the rigorous Choral Scholars ensemble (which sings the Sunday chapels, performed the Evensong at the National Cathedral in D.C., and toured the Southeast during Spring Break). I felt that the size of the school was key to giving her such an immediate and broad experience on the big stage, instead of having to “wait her turn”. Also, the support of the whole community for each and every kid is essential to emboldening even the youngest to put themselves front and center. </p>

<p>She was far from the most advanced freshman dancer last year, indicating the breadth of talent coming into the program. This year, she decided to forego the singing commitment and to focus on dance, and is enrolled in the Dance 2 course. She loves Avi Gold, and we have always enjoyed talking to him for the couple years since our oldest matriculated. He brings a youthful joy to his work, a sound recognition of how kids differ from the pros, and an inspiring personal touch. He seems to do well bringing the newcomers along while also growing the experienced kids. He is coached the most able, such as Megan and Anand, as at 34:00 of the second clip, to their limits. (Keep in mind that these kids also are making magna cum laude grades, playing soccer, singing in the musical and Choral Scholars, and excelling on the cello – not many at SAS are one-trick ponies. After auditioning at a dozen colleges, Megan ultimately decided on Montclair State for its teaching overlap with the arts scene in NYC; she is an amazing contralto soprano as well as actress). With Avi Gold at the helm, SAS gets a bit of a two for one as his wife, also a professional dancer, frequently collaborates on productions. There have been more girls than boys in the program the last few years, but apparently many more boys have begun dancing this year. (The required arts class for freshman gives all of them exposure to dance in a quarter-year segment of the course, which may help recruiting into the advanced classes or extracurricular program.) I am sure there are other schools, such as Choate with terrific, and better, dance, but we do feel that Avi brings more than enough originality in production and expertise in training that all dancers are getting as much as they can handle within the context of an excellent small-school experience, on a par with EHS, Groton, Thacher and Middlesex. Avi has a young child and really gets the benefits of raising a family on a boarding campus. He and his wife have performed professionally during the long vacations. He has bought all in on this community, and is giving extremely generously of himself as a result. The vigor he brings is a big asset. </p>

<p>Hope this helps. There are many girls who I am sure would be willing to describe their experiences to your daughter when she visits, if that is desirable. It should not be hard to arrange that through Admissions, or my own daughter, any you may of course approach Avi directly. </p>

498

<p>Oops. Lots of writing mistakes in the above post, but one that is materially wrong. The reference to two seniors dancing at 34:00 of second clip does not show Megan at that point, but another senior, Zoe. The editor regrets the errors. </p>

<p>Here is a short clip of the real Megan (to Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring”) that shows the adventurousness infusing Avi’s direction of the program.
<a href=“Megan Environmental Arts Solo Outdoors - YouTube”>Megan Environmental Arts Solo Outdoors - YouTube;

<p>And I think it worth highlighting again that most St. Andreans are generalists who may perform at extraordinarily high levels in some of their activities. Specialists who want to focus on one activity and play the recruiting game with it will usually go to the larger BS with larger concentrations of like-minded students, whether athletes or performers. Some things are sacrificed at the small 250-400 kid schools, but other things are gained. It’s good to try and experience (or appreciate) these trade-offs firsthand during visits, just like we do so overtly in the college admissions process.</p>

499

<p>The cross country coach made a deal with students that if they found him in his hiding spot during certain hours on Saturday, they wouldn’t have to comply with dress code for a week. Does anyone know if he was found?!</p>

500

<p>

@Charger78‌ Thank you! Very helpful and will watch video with DD. This was the exact information I was looking for. Will probably start another thread related to your comment about small vs. large BS. Your last paragraph was an ah-ha moment. We are visiting only small BS’s (SAS, Mercersburg, EHS, Cate, and Thacher). DD wants small school that has a dance program perhaps only available at large BS. However we are trying to encourage her to look beyond dance and explore other EC’s. I’ll stop there since this is a SAS thread. </p>