St Andrew's Episcopal School

Posted: April 12, 2024

I have some concerns about my child's school. Although the school has a good academic record, I have noticed that it has become more focused on promoting LGBT issues. As a result, I feel that the school is not taking into account the feelings of other families, especially those with younger children.

I am not sure why the school is discussing LGBT issues with elementary school students. For instance, during October, my child was asked to write about acceptance and listen to a story about having two dads or two moms. In April, they were required to wear purple and again listen to a story about LGBT issues. Furthermore, parents are not informed about such activities taking place at school.

I believe that it is not appropriate to talk about sexuality with elementary school children. When I was in elementary school, I did not even know what sexuality was. We do not have a problem with what people do in their homes, and we want our kids to be kids. I believe that this is too much, and the school should focus on more age-appropriate topics.

Posted: April 12, 2024

Posted: April 12, 2024

Posted: April 12, 2024

Posted: April 12, 2024

Posted: April 12, 2024

Posted: April 12, 2024

Posted: April 12, 2024

Posted: August 15, 2022

Our daughter has attended the school for four years and will begin her fifth year in 2022/2023. She has excelled under the school's engaging teachers, drive for academic achievement and supportive learning culture. She also enjoys the sports programs, playing for the soccer and basketball teams and running track. Overall, she is lifted by the spirit and substance of St. Andrews and wants to continue until high school graduation.

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: March 7, 2021

The school culture breeds bullying behaviors, and the administrators are dealing it by punishing the students harshly instead of educating them.

Posted: March 7, 2021

Posted: March 7, 2021

Posted: March 7, 2021

Posted: March 7, 2021

Posted: March 7, 2021

Posted: March 7, 2021

Posted: March 7, 2021

Posted: September 29, 2017

OK experience. Very traditional school, and nothing more than having a good grade is encouraged. I spend six months studying there, and I am really glad I have left. Extremely expansive for the level of education provided. ALSO, I do not understand how they stress so much their diversity- 99% (I'm not exaggerating) are white Americans.

Posted: September 29, 2017

Posted: September 29, 2017

Posted: September 29, 2017

Posted: September 29, 2017

Posted: September 29, 2017

Posted: September 29, 2017

Posted: May 13, 2016

We have 2nd and 4th graders at St. Andrew's and we feel very fortunate to have found this school and the community. Our children are being given a first-rate education here, both academically and socially. We are very impressed by the faculty and staff. Our son and daughter are being challenged and engaged in their classes, and they are being taught to care about their classmates and to be compassionate people. The community is warm and nurturing to both the students and parents. My children are really happy at school. I love the fact that the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning works closely with Harvard to understand the neuroscience of learning. The chapel services are based on the Episcopal liturgy and the community is inclusive and welcoming of all religions. My friends come from different faith traditions and they have expressed that they feel like they are respected and honored as an important part of the community. We love St. Andrew's and our children are thriving here.

Posted: May 12, 2016

A hidden gem in Potomac. A small down to earth community that is inclusive, warm and caring. I would recommend St. ANDREW'S Episcopal School to any family looking for an amazing school. This is the one!

Posted: May 12, 2016

Posted: May 12, 2016

Posted: May 12, 2016

Posted: May 12, 2016

Posted: May 12, 2016

Posted: May 12, 2016

Posted: May 12, 2016

We have 2 children at St. Andrews and couldn’t be happier. We are completing our 4th year at the school and have had the opportunity to have experienced the preschool, elementary school and intermediate school so far. We have found each division to have a warm and nurturing environment. I am constantly amazed at the curriculum and what my children are learning. The teachers and staff are very committed to the school and the students, making learning a fun experience. The entire school is also very inclusive of all religions, incorporating the teaching of various holidays from many religions in the weekly chapels. Bottom line - Our children are happy and excited to go to school every day. Thank you SAES!

Posted: May 12, 2016

My family has been at St. Andrew's for five years. My children have come through the Intermediate, Middle and Upper Schools. Because the education at St. Andrews is individualized, the teachers in all divisions have been able to meet the needs of my three children, all of whom learn differently -- from a child with learning differences, to an honors student who is a natural learner, and one in between. The administration at St. Andrew's is very responsive, the teachers are supportive, and the Head of School sets a positive and inclusive tone for the entire school community.

Posted: May 12, 2016

We have three children at St. Andrew's and we could not be happier! The teachers are phenomenal and the school community is friendly and welcoming. Most importantly, our kids love to go to school. Happy kids make better learners!

Posted: May 12, 2016

This is an amazing school!!! We are a Jewish family with two children in attendance (6th and 9th grade). This school has an all inclusive community and supports all religions. My eldest attended the Holocaust Museum with his classmates, represented our faith during the Diversity Conference and has felt 100% supported at St. Andrew's. This school can be a life-changing experience for most children, as it is enables students to become strong advocates for themselves and discover what type of learner they are. We have been at the school for 4 years, and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this school. We love SAES!!!

Posted: February 11, 2016

Posted: February 11, 2016

Posted: February 11, 2016

Social development is part of the curriculum. The students are also encouraged to team build using the responsive classroom model.

Posted: January 14, 2016

Our son graduated from St. Andrew's Episcopal School a couple of years ago and now he attends Georgetown University, a student in the McDonough School of Business. Not only did he have an excellent experience as a student in all regards, he was extremely well prepared for college. He was able to take on the rigors of college without so much as a hiccup and notably, he was ready for the intensive writing and team project requirements. Additionally, he jumped right in and got involved in the life of the university. Moreover, he had the inner confidence to take educated risks and try new things. We are extremely grateful for the exceptional education he received at St. Andrew's.

Posted: January 14, 2016

Posted: January 14, 2016

Posted: January 14, 2016

Posted: November 2, 2014

My son has been at St. Andrew's for seven years, and we couldn't be happier. The teachers are fantastic and my son is flourishing in their care. The Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning at the school is a pioneer in brain based learning. Through their partnership with Johns Hopkins and Harvard, they are leading the way in teacher training and are the go to for training teachers from other local private schools. The teachers know each child well, and the small classes afford them the individual attention they deserve. I would highly recommend St. Andrew's!

Posted: February 9, 2014

So glad to be here! St. Andrew's has been an amazing experience for my daughter. They truly develop well-rounded people - not just in academics, but creativity, athletics, and morality. The teaching staff is the strongest I have ever seen (and I'm an educator myself). But the best thing is that they truly use scientific understanding of brain science and learning to infuse the curriculum - no "no child left behind" nonsense here! Each decision is researched, reasoned and well thought out. Classes are multi-modal - great for my "hands on" daughter. Teachers and administrators know each student very well and the sense of comaraderie is tangible. Watching my daughter grow up in this atmosphere is a beautiful thing. Thank you St. Andrew's!

Posted: December 13, 2013

A hidden gem/ the best kept secret in the Washington area is how other new parents have described the school to me and I agree! After 4 months there I know this is the best possible school for my high school child. She uttered the phrase "I can't wait to go to school today. Have I ever said that before?!?" We chose the school because of it's reputation for kindness and cutting edge research and application of neurology to teaching. This school really is striving to make it's teachers and students the best they possibly can be. In addition to impressive academics, the school supports well rounded development (sports or arts) without pressuring. And there is an ever present gentle nurturing to moral character too. Just visit. I promise once you enter this school you will get it. SO happy we found this school.

Posted: June 10, 2013

I have had three children graduate from St. Andrew's. I have found the teachers beyond exceptional. They truly care about the students - all they ask is that the student put forth effort and not just skate along. All of my daughters went to college, two of whom have now moved on to graduate schools. My youngest is still in college and goes back often just to see her teachers. The academics could be a little stronger especially with the competitive nature of college admissions.

Posted: April 6, 2013

Our children are having a fabulous experience at St. Andrew s. The curriculum is thoughtful and rigorous, but delivered in a manner that is nuturing, stimulating, and frequently fun. The teachers known the kids very well, and are remarkably creative in how they inspire the students to find the internal motivation to be successful both in and outside of the classroom. By design, St. Andrew s appeals to students with a wider range of academic abilities than some private schools, and this contributes to the school s compassionate and down-to- earth quality which tends to attract a large number of really nice kids. Of course, no school is a right fit for every child, but the school sets reasonable expectations for children with different ability levels (through course selection in middle and upper schools) and the children respond frequently by exceeding expectations. The administration has been very approachable and responsive to suggestions as to how to make this wonderful school better. We loved St. Andrew s when our oldest started there years ago, but love it even more today as it continually improves itself.

Posted: February 20, 2013

The schools says all the right things in mission and philosophy but does not live up to their words. Truly want each kid to fit what they want and how they teach rather than being nurturing and attention to the uniqueness of each child. A lot better choices out their.

Posted: February 6, 2013

I used to attend this school. Now that I look back, academically, it was not very challenging, but they at least attempted to make it so. Athletically, they are far from superior. St.A's plays in the MAC for boys, and ISL for girls, but play many out of conference schools, such as Bullis or Sidwell. To be honest, if you want to go to a great sports school and be average, that may be a better choice. I play lacrosse, and in years past, our best players have left for schools such as St. Johns, St. Stephens and St. Agnes, and Landon. However, we aren't that bad. St. Andrew's lacrosse has recently acquired a former Landon assistant Coach, and I will be looking forward to their season. Lastly, ANY and ALL jokes or references that are offensive in the slightest will be reported, I really cannot stress the fact that you CANNOT make any such jokes at St. Andrew's, an example i can think of, is we used to call a classmate Sweetness due to his uncanny similarities to Walter Peyton. Please be careful regarding this. Socially, however, its a great school. I have made friends there that I wont ever forget.

Posted: February 4, 2013

average school , They do not have so great administration policies when issues arise. Lot of turnover

Posted: February 4, 2013

Nice that class sizes are small, but very one dimensional in how they teach and willingness to go outside of the one way they like to do things

Posted: January 30, 2013

Teaching and nurturing the whole child is not just an empty catch phrase at St. Andrew's. Teachers turn academic subjects from dreaded tasks to favorite classes, are available mornings, afternoons, during the school day and even occasional evenings via email, and several have become trusted advisors and friends to my child. The administration, teachers and staff know your child's name (and most parents', depending on how much you are around campus) and interact with your child in ways that make him or her feel appreciated and cared for. Homework is rational - not overwhelming or busy-work, but classes are challenging if the courseload is chosen well. There are many opportunities for extracurricular activities, and not just for the stars. Everyone can find a place no matter their previous experience or skill level, which is refreshing in a time when middle schoolers are expected to "specialize" in a sport/ instrument/activity or risk not making a team or band. Bottom line is my child gets to decide among several top choice colleges to attend in the Fall AND got to have a great all-around high school experience. Well prepared for college and not burned out.

Posted: November 10, 2012

I love my school! Truly a great place for inclusiveness and critical thinking. Great academics, sports, and arts!

Posted: October 10, 2011

Best teachers, coaches, and most inclusive community you can find at any of the DC area private schools.