Academics
Lower School
STArtSmart

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 3 frequently asked questions.

  • What does the STArtSmart program do?

    There are three components of the STArtSmart program: an after-school study hall, individualized advising, and in-class instruction on organizational skills.

    The after-school study hall is run from 3:30 to 5:15, Monday through Thursday in the Parrott Library for Forms I and II and in TL-306 for Forms C, B, and A. Boys from all forms are welcome. When boys come to STArtSmart, they are expected to sign in, take out their assignment book for inspection, and begin doing their work quietly. Mr. Houston or other teachers will inspect their assignment books and talk with them about their upcoming work. Other teachers are also on hand to answer any homework questions. STArtSmart is designed to be a quiet, structured environment so that boys can get a good amount of their homework done before they head home.

    If a boy needs individualized advising in any particular academic subject or area of study skills, the boy’s homeroom teacher/advisor or his parents can arrange for the boy to meet with Mr. Houston during STArtSmart’s after-school hours for help. Boys are also encouraged to be proactive and seek help on their own. The program supports students with their study skills, and also offers one-on-one planning for short and long-term assignments, test preparation, and studying for midterms and finals.

    STArtSmart’s in-class component involves working with individual classes or advisory groups, at the request of the homeroom teachers/advisors, on different organization issues: note-taking, how to study for a particular test, critical reading, time-management (including use of an assignment book), goal-setting, organizing locker space, etc.
  • If I want to my son to attend STArtSmart in the afternoon, what is the procedure?

    There is no need to sign up in advance for STArtSmart. Any boy can show up and take advantage of the program. It is open to all boys in Forms C through II. Boys do not need to stay for the entire time, they are free to come and go as they please; however, they are encouraged to stay for as long as it takes to finish their homework.

    While boys do not need any recommendation to attend, homeroom teachers and advisors will often refer boys to work specifically with Mr. Houston on individual subjects. Parents may also contact Mr. Houston (erl_houston@stalbansschool.org) to arrange for help for their son in a particular subject matter or study skill.
  • What does the monthly focus for STArtSmart entail?

    Each month, STArtSmart has a monthly focus which is designed to raise awareness on certain important study skills, such as exam prep, taking multiple-choice tests, and time management.
Located in Washington D.C.,  St. Albans School is a private, all boys day and boarding school. For more than a century, St. Albans has offered a distinctive educational experience for young men in grades 4 through 12. While our students reach exceptional academic goals and exhibit first-rate athletic and artistic achievements, as an Episcopal school we place equal emphasis upon moral and spiritual education.