<p>The joke (which I assume is a mere offshoot of the underlying issue) is not really the point.</p>
<p>The two men are different; they both existed. Shattuck graduated Harvard in 1831, Choate in 1846. As it stands now, the *wrong<a href=“though%20real%20and%20distinguished”>/i</a> man is linked to St. Paul’s. All the correct information (biographical data and career path) is readily available in several books, Harvard’s archives and in St. Paul’s own files. Thought I’d attempt to help rectify this.</p>
<p>Berrre,
As far as dress at SPS, preppy is back in a big way. You see a lot of stuff from Vineyard Vines and Brooks Brothers. You need to wear a collared shirt to class, and no jeans. Most kids wear khakis or shorts.<br>
Coat and tie required for seated meal twice a week and bow ties are the new thing. Fashion seems to be fun at SPS but my son says that no one is made to feel uncomfortable if they can’t afford the best stuff. Everyone fits in with whatever they have.</p>
<p>Jeans ARE allowed for class as long as they are neat and no holes. </p>
<p>SPS has an admissions page on Facebook and they often post photos so you could look there to get an idea of what students wear. Preppy clothing is common but there is a range of clothing taste so no need to be preppy if that isn’t your style.</p>
<p>I’ve been lurking on the Exeter thread (some of it about things like what you need in New Hampshire is useful, plus it’s fun to have a little peek into other schools) and I’m really surprised by all of the discussion around course selection. It seems like there’s a lot more choice/discretion in course selection there, even for freshmen, than there is at SPS. They are choosing among history courses, arts electives (the kinds of courses that require the year-long prereqs at SPS), science courses, etc. </p>
<p>I think we would really be lost as a new family making decisions about which history course etc to take. For the first couple of years the SPS curriculum seems much more prescribed -there’s Humanities, everyone takes pretty much the same science sequence, etc. How do current SPS students and parents feel about this? Do you like this system or does it feel too rigid?</p>
<p>Probably because Exeter is twice as big as St. Paul so they can afford to open so many courses. Same is Andover. It seems that Exeter/Andover is more like a small college to me than a high school.</p>
<p>Mini-college was exactly the feeling I got at Andover. I’m not trying to bash it at all because it’s a wonderful school, but it didn’t feel very age-appropriate to me for a 9th or 10th grader - at least one who is like my DD. OTOH, I heard several comments in the course of our school search about the 4-class dorms at St. Paul’s, and whether or not that was an appropriate system (SPS made a good case for it when I asked about it, in my view).</p>
<p>Friendlymom - As the parent of a current III former, I have to agree that having a generally prescribed set of courses was extremely helpful - we would have felt a bit overwhelmed otherwise, I feel! The teachers and my child’s advisor have been great giving direction for IV Form course levels/selections. Regarding the 4-class dorms, we have only heard of positive experiences through our child. I love how all 4 forms are mixed in the residential life program, thus enabling all students to know one another, be friends, etc. without making big distinctions about seniority.<br>
About clothing, our child is definitely preppy, and was just the same before starting SPS. However, as noted above, it seems everyone is able to follow their own taste in clothing, within the parameters of the dress code. But yes, the preppy look is definitely the main theme that I see whenever I’m on campus!
Checking out the SPS Admissions Facebook page was a great suggestion for those wondering about clothing choices.</p>
<p>On another note, thanks for the suggestion about looking at the SPS Admissions office page on Facebook. That’s the best collection of everday life photos I’ve found. My daughter will appreciate it.</p>
<p>Anything exciting to share about graduation/anniversary weekend? We are having a super time despite dreary weather. So much joy and celebration of gifts are abounding.</p>
<p>Okay… my son has gone through the emotional goodbyes of graduating from 8th grade after 10 years at one school. Most of his buddies from home are in travel lacrosse leagues or summer school sessions at their new high schools. School here starts early to mid-August, but he won’t head East until September 5. So… I think it’s going to be a long, and maybe lonely, 3 months before he gets to plug into his new life as a Third Former at SPS. Any thoughts on when we will hear anything about class placement, dorm arrangement, parent/student logins to the website,sports tryouts, packing lists, or anything fun/specific to his experience there? – Excited and antsy in the heartland…</p>
<p>I’ve gotten through most of this thread reading it off and on over the last few months, and between that and what we’ve been told by school this is what I can figure out - some time by the end of this month (?) we’ll get parent logins. Around August 1 I think we hear about dorms etc - it seems like they post the school directory online and you can figure out some information from that, but I think we’re also informed directly. I know nothing about sports tryouts since my daughter is not an athlete - she’s grudgingly signed up for a sport for fall. If you really read the student handbook on the website there is some useful information about life at SPS toward the end so you and your son might like that. The SPS Admissions Office facebook page is great for fun (albeit still “official” posts and photos of students. My daughter joined the admitted students facebook group and has been friended by a few other new students so that’s another place.</p>
<p>As for summer - I agree that the last few weeks of it before heading off to school are going to feel long! My daughter’s friends will all start high school around August 20.</p>
<p>IndyMom4 and friedlymom - have no fear. If your children are anything like mine, the anxiety and trepidation will quickly give way to excitement and optimism. My son is just finishing his 3rd Form. I was on campus last night to pick up a few of his things. While he is clearly excited to get home, he seems more excited about next year. He will miss SPS this summer. It’s obvious.
As far as login and info, especially roommates, that will come in the next several weeks. Facebook makes it fun and easy for the kids to connect well before arriving on campus.<br>
Athletic tryouts actually begin when the kids get to school, so no worries there.
While it’s natural to be nervous, your children were accepted for a reason. The admissions committee felt they would thrive, and I bet they will.
If you or your children want someone to talk to or want a familiar face when they get to SPS, let me know. They can connect with my son via Facebook and that may alleviate some of the “fear of the unknown”…</p>
<p>I was looking at the SPS website and came across a page about the dress code and what to bring. Under the list of things not to bring, I saw that cell phones “may not be used on the grounds”. Does this mean I should not bring my cell phone to school? I had thought that it would be the best way to stay in touch with family and friends back home so I was very dissapointed to read this. Could anyone please clarify how the cell phone policy works at SPS? Thanks, futureboarder</p>
<p>The cell service at SPS has not been very good in the past, but they are putting in a cell tower. You can have a cell phone in your room, but you are not supposed to use it outside of the dorm.</p>