St. Anselm's Abbey School

Posted: July 23, 2024

SAAS as it's known is DC's best-kept secret, due it its small size and off the beaten path location. If your son is extremely bright, hard working, and serious about a community based on high standards, this school might be a great fit. There is no grade inflation going on here; they understand boys/young men and hold them accountable to honesty, hard work, and objective measures of achievement. So old fashioned that's it's quaint, it's a back-to-basics classic education that is becoming very difficult to find today. The facilities are not bright and shiny, but the teachers are exceptional. We are glad we made the switch to St. Anselm's from public schools for both our boys.

Posted: July 23, 2024

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Posted: March 17, 2023

Best kept educational secret in the DC area. Considering all the private school in the Washington DC (and surrounding areas) I was surprised I did not know about this school until a friend of my son's transferred from his old school to this school when leveling up to high school.
What do I like about this school?
1. Considering the class A education it provides, it has the lowest price tag I have seen in the DC and surrounding area (not that we would qualify for financial aid), but it also offers the greatest number of financial aid incentives - allowing it to maintain a high diversity quotient.
2. Small class sizes (approx 15-20 students a class or less).
3. Teachers are engaged - because of the small class size the teachers know your child and because they know your child they are truly interested in your child and encouraging him to meet his full potential. *Note: All the teachers are willing to provide extra help and assistance your child if he wants to put in the extra effort.
4. High School teachers often teach your child throughout the years (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior & Senior year, although they refer to these years as "Forms") - this becomes very valuable when it comes time to write teacher recommendations for college. These teachers also work as advisors for clubs so if they are your son's teacher and club advisor their college recommendation has even more meaning.
5. College Counselors: They have two. Very involved and because the Senior class is approx. 50 kids they provide individual attention starting in Junior year. They are invested and have been doing this for >20 years and it shows.
Everyone knows that in the real world, people rise and fall on his own abilities and merit.... this school teaches and test to that concept - there is community support, but your son will need to work for his education. It will not be easy. As Father Peter has been known to say: " We promise the boys a good education, we never said it would be easy." But this is where you want your child to be challenged, because if your child faulters the community is there to help him up and move forward - that is what makes this school a priceless gem among the number of private schools in the surrounding area.
Small but mighty! St. Anselm's Abbey High School in DC has been preparing boys to be men since 1942 - it's a school worth applying too!

Posted: March 17, 2023

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Posted: October 5, 2022

It was a good middle school until the pandemic. After, the teachers in high school refused to accept that there was a lag in learning and called my son lazy. Leadership changes especially in the upper school has made this school become adrift with abusive teachers supposedly being rigorous and having no oversight. If you want your son to be demoralized, this is the place for you. Any sign of mental health problems, the first words from the school counselor was to drug him. I’ve moved him to another school and those problems are quickly disappearing.

Posted: October 5, 2022

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Posted: August 11, 2022

Very good very nice
dripy like ice
rules they entice
put the phone in the rice
never wrong very precise
listen cause I will not say twice
to go to this school you must pay a price
take a lot from you not 1/8 of a slice
don't gamble your life so get rid of that dice
if you thirsty its 1 dollar here the sprite
hits so good you know wats right
the lesson leaves a mark just like a bite
to find delight in the right bright light
their light so bright you'll lose your sight

Posted: August 11, 2022

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Posted: August 4, 2022

I am an alumnus of St. A's high school. I entered because my parents moved to DC and I couldn't get in anywhere else at the start of freshman year. I graduated one of three National AP Scholars and won the faculty, Latin and biology awards. I matriculated to Georgetown University and graduated early with honors but no financial resources to continue my education due to family hardship. I completely regret having attended St. A's, as well as Georgetown, for many reasons and would discourage other students from attending St. A's. I wish I had gone to a coed public school with excellent academics, had one been in my district.

Cost - You can get a much better value from neighboring public schools (TJ, Blair, BCC, etc.) and save for a graduate degree you can actually put on your CV.
Diversity - St. A's is largely white, minorities can feel out of place. Sons of lawyers became lawyers - your parents' wealth appears to determine your educational opportunities more than your academic performance.
Teaching - No apparent pedagogical method, learning objectives or evidence-based training. Too few teachers per subject, some unqualified and drawn from the community.
Religion - I am not religious; the headmaster insisted that religion was the most important class (it's mandatory) and made me uncomfortable by pursuing me to become a monk.
Wellness - I was told by teachers and the principal such things as "to choose between getting enough sleep at night and getting good grades" or to eat lunch in under 10 minutes to accommodate an overload of homework and classes, rather than respect a healthy learning sequence. I developed mental health issues (depression, anxiety and suicidal tendencies, which research has linked to sleep deprivation in adolescence) during my time at St. A's. These health issues significantly reduced my quality of life as a young adult. The school had little interest in your health as a student and had no qualified counselor available to discuss your wellbeing.
Science - TJ has biotech labs. St. A's was more madrasa than science school.
Girls - Go to a coed school and learn social-work life balance.
Career counseling - None, no one explained how or whether to pay for college or prepare for a job. They only pressured you to apply to colleges that fit your grades to ensure they can continue to boast 100% college acceptance. I had no idea about credit scores, loans, tuition, salaries, careers, etc., when I graduated.

Posted: August 4, 2022

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Posted: October 6, 2018

Excellent - this is a caring, close-knit community with strong academics.

Posted: October 6, 2018

Teachers in grades 6-9 (Forms A to III) meet on a weekly basis to plan ahead for tests, quizzes, and heavy homework, to help manage work and reduce overload on the same day or week.

Posted: October 6, 2018

Teachers are always available for help - both after and before school, as well as during the 1 hour lunch break. Math teachers are available Mon-Thur after school - regardless of who you have, you can get extra help.

Posted: October 6, 2018

St. Anselm's is about educating boys in body, mind and soul. Plus, this school is about community, not competition.

Posted: October 6, 2018

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Posted: October 6, 2018

No tolerance policy; it is reiterated and acted upon, when new students are acting inappropriately.

Posted: April 8, 2015

My son has been at the Abbey for three years and he LOVES it. The academics are great and the faculty is too! It is the perfect fit for my bright boy. We could not be happier with our choice!

Posted: February 14, 2015

This is an extraordinary school in a region with many excellent private and public schools. St. Anselm's stands out because it lives its mission. My sons were motivated and challenged to work hard, pursue their many interests, try new things, be kind, and, above all, serve others. You will not find faculty more trusting of and dedicated to its students. What a school!

Posted: June 8, 2014

Our son just graduated from 'The Abbey' and we could not have asked for a better school. He is very bright, but far from a genius. We moved him there in 6th grade because he was not challenged at his last school. St. Anselm's is certainly challenging and he has received a truly 1st class education in both the classics and STEM subjects. When he struggled in a subject, the teachers were always willing to help him during lunch/after school. My son was not a sporty kid but he found a home with the fencing team and also loved tech crew and singing with the a capella choir. He was a National Merit Scholar finalist (there were 4 in his class), he got into 12 / 13 colleges he applied to and was offered several very generous scholarships. Above all, his tight-knit class was full of extraordinary young men who will be friends for life. St Anselm's is a diverse school with one of the most caring communities I have ever come across. It was a second home to my son and his friends and with Bill Crittenberger at the helm, the school is going from strength to strength. This is a special place. It is not for every boy but if your son is bright or shows academic potential, look no further.

Posted: May 3, 2014

My son went to school here during Father Peters time . It is a great school

Posted: March 12, 2014

I am currently a student in the ninth grade of St. Anselm's Abbey School. Initially when I came in 6th grade, I had been forced to come by my parents even though most of my friends had gone to other schools. I quickly learned they has made a great decision. The teachers are deeply concerned with your success and you learn quite a lot. My classmates have never bullied me and a feel very comfortable in the school, and everyone knows my name. This is truly my second home. Contrary to some stories I have heard, besides from a few students who have since left the school, there is no culture of racism and everyone is quite friendly (obviously some exceptions). Pros: Small class size, GREAT teachers, inability of being lost in the crowd If you/ your son wants/needs a great rigorous education and wants a balanced liberal arts education, this is most certainly the school for you, (regardless of religion). Cons: If you are a very good athlete, the league competition in the PVAC may be too easy. If you are a very one dimensional student this is not the school for you. If you are not able to handle large amounts of homework, this is also not the school for you.

Posted: February 9, 2014

My experience here has been absolutely horrible!!! There's no compassion from or rationalizing with the Head of the Middle School. He seems to take great pleasue in bullying the middle school students, and expects parents to accept this poor behavior.

Posted: June 9, 2013

I am a student of Saint Anselm's, and have been there since 6th grade. I have seen numerous reviews citing terrible behavior of students, however, as a rising senior, I feel I am qualified to make a statement of the behavior of the students, and the nature of the student body. The classes are extremely rough for the first few years, as the admissions process seems to practically be 6th through 8th grades, with all behavior and grades culminating in either the student continuing to attend, or leaving for a different school. Due to this, my years in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades were fairly tough on me due to other students, who have either cleaned up their act, or not been "invited to return". The result of this is that by 9th and 10th grades, a solid, tight-knit class has been formed, after careful pruning, and resulting in a great class as a whole. There are always exceptions to this, with some "bad" students barely scraping by, either behaviorally or grade-wise, but my experience has been largely positive, and extremely helpful for my development. I was one of those "excluded" for a while, but I found my niche, and have become quite happy as head of tech crew, model UN, etc.

Posted: April 11, 2013

Our son entered St. Anselm's in 6th grade - we began looking at St. Anselm's in an attempt to keep his interest in school. Our son is bright - not a brainiac by any stretch; very focussed on athletics and we were concerned that his previous school could not keep him engaged in academics. From the moment we stepped foot onto the campus at an open house, as parents, we were in awe. The dedication and intelligence of the faculty was overwhelming. Their clear dedication to the students, was evident. But most importantly, the spiritual presence was everywhere - in the sereneness of the campus, in the welcoming nature of the monks, in the religious icons that pepper the school - but mostly in the faces of the boys who were giving tours and talking about their school. The passion both for learning and for the value that the students placed on their education was impressive. And yet, every door was held for us; every handshake from a student was firm with eye contact that I rarely experienced speaking with a 12 year old. And now, after being a part of the Abbey, we see the transformation of our son happening right before our eyes. We are so blessed to be a part of this community!

Posted: December 9, 2012

The Abbey is, without a doubt, the best school in the DC metro area IF: 1) your son has intellectual curiousity and a love of learning. Although it has a reputation as a school for brainiacs, it has an excellent athletics program (baseball, soccer, lacrosse, cross-country) where all students are able to participate. The Monks, who are ever present, create an atmosphere of tranquility in keeping with the school's moto of "Pax in Sapientia" (Peace in Understanding). The culmination of my son's seven years at the Abbey was a young man who I admired for his intelligence, work ethic, empathy, selflessness, and humility. Thank you Abbey!

Posted: November 29, 2012

My son is in his 2nd year at the Abbey and we continue to be impressed. His teachers are great - he actually likes to go to school b/c it is interesting. He has made great friends and enjoys the camaraderie of an all boys school. He is growing academically and socially and we couldn't be more pleased.