St. Albans Country Day School

St. Albans offers an excellent academic and enrichment curriculum in a safe and caring environment, with a focus on parent involvement and high values. I can take to task every point made in the May 10, 2013 posting, but will sum it up in this way instead: We have three St. Albans (now university) graduates and one current St. Albans student and all are thriving. One of the three graduates will begin the UCLA Anderson MBA program this Fall ranking in the 98 percentile. All four have made lifelong friendships at St. Albans. The reported 10% turnover is inaccurate. Max student body is 240 (ten grade levels with twenty-four students max). Approx. 4 - 7 students leave per year or 2 - 3%. For unbiased information, contact the admissions department at the local high schools such as Granite Bay, Del Oro, Jesuit and St. Francis. Meet the Head of School and read the lengthy Western Assoc. of Schools and Colleges accreditation report. Their team of evaluators left "no stone uncovered." St. Albans is not perfect. Small schools have their own set of issues; however, I feel they are minor. St. Albans has given our children a great start on life. The best part-our children agree.
—Submitted by a parent

EXCELLENT school. We have been thrilled with the education at St. Albans for several years now. Our children have been challenged, nurtured and love going to school. The teachers are excellent, communicate well with parents and genuinely care about academic and personal growth. The May 10, 2013 is incorrect. In our experience maybe 3 or 4 students leave per year and most often this is due to financial or job relocation reasons. The school does have a wait list and believe me, many people wish more students left the school so they'd get the call, but it simply doesn't happen. We believe if you research other area schools and do comparisons, you'll agree St. Albans is a top notch school!
—Submitted by a parent

Do your homework and research what top schools in Placer County are doing before choosing this school. St. Albans' reputation for superior academic quality no longer rings true (see posting from July 1 2009). The principal and board are floundering in managing the school and retaining students. There is no one running the school who has any experience to fix the aging curriculum, dormant parent fundraising and ancient computers. Many of the "older" teachers are stale and completely scared of adopting anything new because it means more work. Families are unhappy and looking for alternatives. Be sure to request a meeting with the principal and ask why the "Best Little School in the West" has more than 10% student turnover each year. Don't fret, you'll get called from that "long wait list" soon since so many leave each year. Oh, and when budgeting that tuition payment, don't forget to add in the thousands you'll shell out if your student is asked by the teacher to get extra tutoring after school. Is the problem that the students they admit can't keep up or the teachers aren't good at teaching to different students? Either way, the school is not doing its job well.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Albans is a good school, but their the expectations that they set for their children are just way too high. My student is always doing homework. It seems like he can't do anything else. Also, he afraid that if he misses a day of school due to sickness, he will fall way behind and frankly, I agree with him. What makes it even harder is that if your student is a student athlete, then it is even harder for them because then they have to juggle the stress of going to "The Best Little School in the West" with their team or sport.. Some people may like that added pressure, but with me, that is just way too much stress on my child and me to go there.

St. Albans, academically, is a great school. It pushes children outside of their comfort zone sometimes, and in many ways that is good. The homework load is a large amount, but it really prepares you for high school. However, after being there for ten years with the same students, you feel "locked in." With students, school is looked at as a popularity contest, and in my opinion, that is not a good thing. The school is very small, and teachers do not pick up on bullying very well. Bottom Line: Academics- wonderful. Social Aspect- Poor.

The art and drama programs at this school are terrific. However, I would say that the other academic subjects taught at this school trailed the surrounding public schools substantially. This school simply does not have the capacity or resources to deal with kids who are varying ranges of academic progress. As a result, classes are taught at too slow a pace for many of the students who catch on quicker. Further, I had concerns that the social development of my child is put at risk on a daily basis. The classes are filled with students who are very much used to getting their way. If the student can't get their way on their own, their parents can help as the head of the school unabashedly plays favorites with certain parents. To put it mildly, the head of school has failed miserably in her responsbility to ensure that certain bullying students, and their bullying parents, are not properly put in check for the benefit of all of the other students. The situation has been strikingly different than the experience at other surrounding schools (which is markedly more nuturing and confidence-building).
—Submitted by a parent

Although there are many good schools in the area, St. Albans' academically challenging program is far superior. From the time my children were small, the school nurtured and taught them everything they needed to know. The impressive curriculum, test scores, and high school placement make it an outstanding choice. The teachers and administration are caring and consistent. The Head of School is fair and has high standards for everyone. This is truly a family environment. I encourage everyone to check out their website!
—Submitted by a parent

I ve seen many positive changes over the 10 years that we ve been at the school and the academics have always been superior. I love that students receive not only challenging core classes but also music, art, P.E. computers and Spanish. My unique perspective, children in elementary school and high school, have given me an appreciation for what St. Albans can do for their students way beyond graduation. My high school child went into advanced classes as a Freshman and the AP classes were a breeze. The teachers, Head of School, and office staff are caring, competent and always look out for the best interests of the students. The outstanding reputation that St. Albans has earned over the years is truly deserved.
—Submitted by a parent

Roseville has really great public schools. However, St. Albans gives your child a great opportunity to excel in many different subjects. Many of our friend's children who have graduated from St. Albans are at the top of their classes in both private and public high schools. All the teachers care deeply about your child and instill upon them both knowledge and life skills preparing them to be our next steps in life.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Albans has been a wonderful school for our 3 children. We have been extremely happy with the academic and support classes such as music, band and PE. In my opinion, what really makes this school stand out is the care and attention of a wonderful staff of educators. The small class size allows the teachers to really get to know each child and understand how best to reach them. I would highly recommend St. Albans as a solid investment in your child's future!
—Submitted by a parent

I have two kids that have graduated from St Albans in recent years and I am very pleased with the quality education they received. They were challenged, encouraged, and supported. Both of my kids are taking Honors and AP courses in high school and feel prepared for the accelerated coursework and higher expectations.
—Submitted by a parent

I can't say enough great things about this school. We have three kids that attend and are in our third year at the school. We feel extremely fortunate to have them in the experienced and caring hands of the St. Albans faculty. I have never known teachers that go above and beyond the way the teachers at St Albans do. Our oldest will be attending a challenging high school this fall and I am certain that he is well prepared due to the strong foundation earned at St Albans.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Albans is an excellent school, and we feel extremely blessed that both our children attended St. Albans prekindergarten through 8th grade. Our oldest daughter excels in the AP and honors classes she is taking as a junior in high school, and our youngest daughter is a straight A student as a St. Albans 8th grader. I know from personal experience that St. Albans prepares its graduates for success in high school, college, and life. The organization and study skills they learn while at St. Albans equips them for life. The care that the teachers and Head of School invest in each student is unmatched by any other school to my knowledge. The students are taught to be independent thinkers and are constantly challenged to do their very best and think outside of the box. Intellect and integrity are emphasized, and a love of knowledge and life-long learning is established.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Albans has been an excellent choice for our two daughters. We became members of the St. Albans community when our daughter, who is now a high school junior, started prekindergarten. Our eighth grader also has been at St. Albans since prek. The faculty and staff challenge the children to do their very best and respect each child for their individual contributions and personalities. A weekly meeting is conducted by the Head of School with the teachers to discuss how to best serve each child. If a child is struggling, a plan is carefully orchestrated and executed to help the child succeed. Children at every level are challenged to do their very best. Organization skills and accountability are taught in the lower grades and reinforced in the upper grades. These skills are highly utilized in high school, college, careers. St. Albans provides necessary skills, nurturing, and high expectations for life-long learning.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel extremely blessed to have been able to send our 4 children to St Albans. It is relatively small (1 class/grade, pre K thru 8th) with a class limit size of 24. For us, this has been a big positive because of attention paid to the individual students. We have found it academically challenging for all of our kids and have seen first hand how the school has prepared our high school junior for higher academics. They have school visits 1/month & I highly recommend checking it out. Great school
—Submitted by a parent

St. Albans is not just a small school -- it is a big family. We are 100% confident that our children are fully prepared to excel in high school, and more importantly, have the self-confidence and poise to excel in the world outside of the classroom. They know they have a 'St. Albans Family' behind them and deep, lifelong friendships with their classmates. Never was it more obvious than at 8th grade graduation when every teacher my son ever had --including those that had long since retired, moved out-of-state, and even were battling serious illness, came to offer congratulatory hugs to the graduates. Yes, it's small. That's why we make sure our children are involved in other social and athletic endeavors where they can expand their social circle. It's a joy to send our children to St. Albans every day.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been attending St. Albans for a combined 13 years. I attended St. Albans, so when I was faced with the decision of where to send my children I didn t think twice. I knew they would attend St. Albans. I have children in the lower and upper grades. At times it can be grueling and extremely challenging, but I know based on my own St. Albans experience it prepared me for not only high school and college, but also life itself. I owe much of my success to St. Albans and I am proud they continue to have a strong emphasis on academic excellence 45 years later. I have been extremely pleased with EVERY teacher that has touched my children s lives. They go over and beyond to make the learning experience positive and enriching for each child. Not every day has been smooth sailing for my children, but the teachers worked with me to do what the school could do to be supportive not just for my child, but my family. There is parent participation that is required to keep expenses down. I embrace the parent participation because it brings the school together as a community. We work together to make this school the wonderful place that it is. I am extremely pleased with the New Head of School. She sets a very high standard and runs a tight ship which I appreciate. Her door is always open and you feel welcome to come in any time. My husband and I feel she is working everyday to make our school a better place, and it shows. St. Albans is an amazing school. It may not be the right fit for every child, but they do work very hard to make it the right fit for the children s lives they do touch. I am proud my children attend this wonderful school. It is a great investment in their future.
—Submitted by a parent

As I look at the big picture: the record of placements (high school and college), past and present, that St. Albans achieves, I see a school that earns its reputation for academic excellence. St. Albans is an investment... and a fabulous one. The school provides the sound foundation that children need to succeed in high school, college and in life. If you want your child to learn college calculus in 5th grade, no school (with a semblance of normal children as peers) is a good fit for you. St. Albans offers a well-rounded curriculum and a wonderful sense of community, welcoming to anyone who chooses to engage thoughtfully.
—Submitted by a parent

I decided that the benefits associated with this school did not exceed its costs. The new Head of School told me that the principal benefit (academic excellence mainly) that I was seeking from the school was no longer a school objective. She indicated that the school does not offer advanced academics (a direct quote). Instead, she indicated that the school still had advantages due to its wide learning opportunities (drama, music, art, etc). While these items are offered by the school, I discovered that other local schools offer the same items and, now having experienced those items, I view them as the equal of this school. The costs of the school are obviously the high tuition which is only likely to increase with an aging teaching staff that needs replacing and other financial matters. The largest other costs is a small circle of friends for your child (sad).
—Submitted by a parent

Not a good place for top learners. However, an excellent place to keep your children in a sheltered environment.
—Submitted by a parent