Admissions to St. Albans School: Expert Guidance for Asian American Families
Navigating a Cathedral Close All-Boys School With a Weekly Asian American/Pacific Islander Affinity Group
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As Seen On
About the School
Navigating St. Albans: An Asian American Perspective
Founded in 1909 on the grounds of Washington National Cathedral, St. Albans is an all-boys, Episcopal, day and boarding school serving Grades 4–12. The school maintains a standing Asian American/Pacific Islander affinity group, one of six identity-based groups (alongside Black/African Heritage, Latine, Middle Eastern, Jewish, and Multiracial) that meet weekly on Mondays, host assemblies, and bring in outside speakers. The school also runs a Cultural Awareness Organization, bringing together students of varying backgrounds to acknowledge and appreciate a range of cultural traditions.
Fast Facts
Location
Mount St. Alban, Washington, DC 20016 (Washington National Cathedral grounds)
Type
Private, All-Boys, Day and Boarding, Episcopal, College Preparatory, Grades 4–12
Enrollment
592 students
Affinity Group
Asian American/Pacific Islander group, meets weekly on Mondays
Related Programming
Cultural Awareness Organization
Community & Admissions Snapshot
Asian American/Pacific Islander Affinity Group
Meets weekly Mondays; hosts events, assemblies, speakers
Other Affinity Groups
Black/African Heritage, Latine, Middle Eastern, Jewish, Multiracial
Cultural Awareness Organization
School-wide group celebrating varied cultural traditions
Coordinate Program
Coeducational academics, arts, and athletics with National Cathedral School
Testing Required
SSAT or ISEE (Grades 6–11); on-campus test (Grade 4)
Because St. Albans doesn’t publish a specific Asian American demographic figure, families weighing fit should ask directly about current affinity group activity during a visit.
Want a Full Picture?
For full admissions requirements and student life details that apply to every applicant, explore How to Get Into St. Albans School: Best Admissions Guide for Parents.
What Families Should Know About Community Life
Because St. Albans’s affinity groups are student-led and meet weekly, their specific activities and level of engagement can shift year to year depending on current student leadership. Families should ask directly during a visit how the Asian American/Pacific Islander group and the broader Cultural Awareness Organization operate day to day and how the Coordinate Program with National Cathedral School factors into their son’s overall experience beyond admissions alone.
Key Admissions Dates & Events
Admissions Window Open
September 1, 2026
Campus Tour
September 8, 2026 (8:15–9:45 am)
Application Form & Fee Due
January 5, 2027
Admissions Window Closes
January 13, 2027
Admissions Decision
February 26, 2027
What the St. Albans Application Requires
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01Personal Statement & Applicant Questionnaire
The student essay provides the admissions committee with a direct sense of your child’s personal voice, critical thinking, and intellectual curiosity. Grades 6–8 applicants complete the Personal Statement (responding to two specific prompts in Ravenna), while Grades 9–11 applicants complete the Applicant Questionnaire (answering seven prompts).
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02Transcripts
Applicants must request official academic transcripts covering the prior school year and the current academic year (first and second quarters) through the Ravenna portal.
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03Recommendations
Recommendations are managed and submitted electronically via Ravenna. Grade 6 applicants require forms from two homeroom teachers (current and prior year). Grades 7–11 applicants require recommendations from their current math teacher and current English teacher.
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04Standardized Testing
Grades 6–8 applicants submit SSAT or ISEE scores. Grade 9 applicants may submit scores from the SSAT, ISEE, or HSPT. Standardized testing is optional for Grades 10–11 applicants.
Note: TOEFL is strongly encouraged for non-native English speakers.
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05Student Interview
Every applicant completes an individual 1-on-1 student interview integrated directly into their mandatory campus visit. For Grades 6–8, the interview takes place during the Family Tour; for Grade 9, it occurs during the full-day Shadow Visit.
Expert Admissions Support for Asian American Families Applying to St. Albans
Cardinal Education has worked with Asian American families across the DC area navigating St. Albans’s grade-specific testing process and helping them ask informed questions about affinity group life and community fit during a visit. Our consultants also help families build a complete, compelling application.
For the general St. Albans admissions timeline and requirements that apply to every applicant, read St. Albans School Expert Admissions Consulting.
“St. Albans gave our son a rigorous education and a genuine community, from chapel to the playing fields. Cardinal Education helped us navigate the grade-specific testing requirements so nothing caught us by surprise.”— Parent of a 9th Grader
Frequently Asked Questions
Does St. Albans have an Asian American affinity group?
How big is the Asian American population at St. Albans?
Does St. Albans require standardized testing?
Is St. Albans a religious school?
What is the Coordinate Program?
Considering St. Albans for Your Family?
Our consultants help Asian American families navigate the St. Albans admissions process with clarity and confidence.