-
Q
How big is the Upper School?
-
A
For the 2012-2013 school year, approximately 250 students make-up the Upper School (Grades 9 - 12), with an average of 65 students per grade.
-
Q
What should I expect during my tour and interview at St. Andrew’s? What should applicants wear?
-
A
Your tour, which begins in the Admission Office, will be led by a St. Andrew’s student, staff member, or parent, and will last about 40 minutes. There may be one or two other families taking the tour with you. You will see the entire campus, view classes in action, and have an opportunity to ask questions about all facets of life at St. Andrew’s. Your tour guide will bring you back to the Admission Office, where your interviewer will spend 20 minutes or so in private conversation first with the student and then another 20 minutes or so privately with the parents. In getting to know more about the applicant, your interviewer will ask about academic interests, athletic activities, and outside hobbies. This is a great time for students and parents alike to bring up any questions or concerns you may have.
Visitors are welcome to wear whatever they wish, and often wear the uniform of their current school. Our St. Andrew’s students dress in comfortable, casual clothes (not uniforms), but they are not allowed to wear blue jeans or T-shirts except on specially designated days.
-
Q
What should I do if there is bad weather on the day of my tour, interview, or student visit?
-
A
Please call the school at 301-983-4730 or check this website for information on weather-related closings or delayed openings.
On 2-hr delayed openings, all shadow visits, tours, and interviews scheduled before noon are cancelled.
-
Q
Can students spend a shadow day at St. Andrew’s?
-
A
Applicants to Upper School are invited to spend a morning visit at St. Andrew's on specifically designated days to shadow the grade to which they have applied. These optional visits, which begin in November, may be scheduled once the application and fee are submitted. Visits to Upper School typically run 8:15 AM - 12:50 PM and include lunch, which St. Andrew's provides.
We make every effort to match applicants with hosts who share some of their academic or extracurricular interests, but please be aware that athletics and extracurricular activities do not take place during the morning visits. If you would like to talk or meet with a particular coach or activity sponsor, please let the Admission Office know and we will be happy to set that up for you.
Shadow day visitors should come to the Admission Office to meet their hosts.
Visitors are welcome to wear their own school uniform or clothes similar to those worn for the admission interview.
-
Q
Do you require a student essay or writing sample?
-
A
No. Both the SSAT and the ISEE include an essay section, which we evaluate instead of requiring a writing sample. Students are welcome to submit additional work if they wish, but it is strictly optional.
-
Q
What are the school day hours for Upper School students?
-
A
The Upper School day runs from 8:25 am to 3:05 pm. For Upper School students, sports and after-school activities generally occur from 3:30 to 5:30 pm.
-
Q
Is there shuttle bus service to the Postoak Campus?
-
A
Yes. St. Andrew’s is pleased to provide shuttle bus service to and from points in Northwest Washington, DC; Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Kensington, Silver Spring, Wheaton, and Rockville, MD; and Northern Virginia. Fees for the 2012-2013 shuttle service are $1,990 for round trip, with the choice of using the regular or late afternoon bus, and $1,550 for one-way. For the bus schedule including times and stops, please click here. Please note that the schedule and fees could be adjusted for the 2012-2013 school year.
-
Q
Can students drive to school at St. Andrew's?
-
A
Only seniors are allowed to drive to school and park on-campus at St. Andrew's. Additional parking (students, faculty, parents) is not permitted in the neighborhood surrounding the school.
-
Q
Is there a school uniform or dress code for the Middle and Upper School?
-
A
Yes, there is a dress code for both Middle and Upper School. A student’s appearance is important to the atmosphere of the school. Students are expected to be neat, clean and groomed. For more information, read the Upper School Dress Code Policy.
-
Q
What is your median class size?
-
A
Lower School (Preschool - Grade 3) = 10
Intermediate School (Grades 4-6) = 11
Middle and Upper School (Grades 7-12) = 13
-
Q
By what date are admission decisions made? By what date are financial aid decisions made?
-
A
Decision letters will be mailed this year on Friday, March 1, 2013. Financial Aid decisions are also mailed on Friday, March 1, 2013.
-
Q
What is St. Andrew's looking for in an applicant?
-
A
St. Andrew's seeks students who have demonstrated academic ability, intellectual curiosity, motivation and the desire to contribute to the community. The Admission Committee carefully considers a student's school record (if applicable), teacher recommendation(s), interview, and performance on required testing. Admission decisions are made on the basis of a candidate's individual strengths and talents and on his or her potential to be successful and fulfilled at St. Andrew's.