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[-]Same question with a different spin. We have just moved from another state onto the boarder of PS 166 and PS 9 and my children are going into 2nd and 5th grades (NOT Kindergarten) and can not test for G&T. Which school has a better gen ed program and in your experience which school is going to better help my 5th grader get into a decent middle school? I have met with the parent coordinators for both schools and there is a possibility that I might have a choice of the 2 schools.
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Also, fyi, since you are moving from another state it is EXACTLY your kids who can test for G + T and have pretty good odds if they qualify. Getting them both into the same school might not be so easy, though. Unless you are absolutely certain that they would never in a million years qualify for G + T or if you are philosophically against it, why not test?
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you are either in the 166 or 9 zone you cannot be on the border. 9 does not have a G&T program anymore. I believe there is G&T testing available during the summer so call the DOE and find out. The testing is by district (dist 3 is 166). Since 9 lost it's G&T 166 is the most desirable G&T in D3, you can also put a citywide school down. Anderson is close by.
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[-]Putting together a preschool list. I would like some feedback on Park Avenue Christian and Brick Church.
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[-]Question for Little Dalton moms: do you know (or remember) what the first week schedule for K was like? Just wondering how much childcare I need that first week--we haven't gotten any info yet, but I recall reading somewhere that on the first day they go in briefly to meet their teacher. Is that true? Are they on a full schedule by the end of the week? Thanks for any info.
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[-]So where are the test scores? Nothing on ARIS and I have not seen anything elsewhere either. Anyone had better luck?
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[-]I'll try this again: TT teacher here. (Middle grades) Any questions?
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all the time!! by parents who feel that the grade their kid has EARNED (key word here) doesn't fit in either with 1) what they expect their kid to deliver or 2) what they feel will make the "perfect" future for the kid. both infuriating.
[ Reply | More ]How do you deal with this? I know a teacher (private school, not NYC) who was pressured by administration to inflate students' grades because the parents are big donors. I am not saying you do this or are expected to do this but I wonder how you deal with parents who think they should have the last word in their children's education.
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Depends on the kid from the non-wealthy (as are mine, both in tt) and the kids w/money. it's not easy for lower income kids to remember that they don't need to be defined by country houses, vacations, clothes, etc., but it's a reality that kids define each other through these things first. I've found that once the kids see who's an a-hole and who's cool (accepting, open, smart - in tt schools, "cool" is usually synonymous with academically successful) they rethink likability through wealth, but they always know that wealth brings status, even if the kid is an a-hole.
[ Reply | More ]I'll also add that frequently, the wealthier kids are those who are least academically successful. Not always, but that's a trend. The most prominent class of kids in my school and other tt schools are those whose parents work really hard to send them to the school, earn too much for financial aid, don't earn enough for lavish additions outside of school, and whose kids work pretty hard.
[ Reply | More ]OP - Yes, that's our situation. Having to put two through TT with $475k and mtg means few vacations, no second home, car with >125k miles, etc. So we are somewhat concerned about kids' ability to make real friendships with kids from wealthy families. But good to learn that similarly-situated kids are present in good numbers, not just kids from income extremes at both ends. Also nice to know that smart = cool.
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[-]PS 199 PS 87 or PS 9 any experience with any of these schools, which one is considered the best on the UWS?
13 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreTraditionally 199 but with a very large wait list and the back up school is failing. Then 9
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np: No actually the scores are better at PS9, PS87 has rep for weaker academics or, as parents there say, far less test prep than 9 or 199, and you can see it in the scores. Supposedly the younger grades are stronger but it remains to be seem how the scores will change. The new ones are coming out in the next couple of weeks so feel free to check for yourself.
[ Reply | More ]9's scores have always been combined with the G&T, so its hard to delineate if you are trying to compare gen eds - and they were combined with Anderson when it shared their space too.
[ Reply | More ]They have not been combined with Anderson since Anderson became PS334 which is at least 5 or 6 years ago, so any scores you look at now are just PS9. Yes it is combined but even so almost all dcs perform at least at grade level (compare the 1s and 2s at 9 vs. the ones at 87 and you will see).
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I think PS9 is an amazing school, with a great sense of community, strong teachers and it doesn't have the nightmarish overcrowding issues that 97 and 199 have.
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[-]Is anyone, ANYONE, actually going to apply to the Grace high school? Really?
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There will only be around 80 spots to fill. There will be applicants. Neighborhood kids I know who attended Grace and are now in high school don't like their commutes to other neighborhoods. Kids are getting a lot less sleep.
[ Reply | More ]Oh please, commuting and lack of sleep will not be a draw for the grace high school. I have a kid in the 7th grade -- will NOT apply, thanks.
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And uptown kids too. Tons of kids commute for HS, and downtown is closer than Riverdale or Brooklyn, where uptown kids from K-8s routinely do. I don't get the hate, kids certainly need more private high school spots, it is getting harder and harder to place everyone as more and more families balk at boarding school.
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Not sure where the attitude is coming from. They will have more than enough quality applicants. Key admin announcements seem pretty solid.
[ Reply | More ]Then why is there so much resistance among the current 7th and 8th grade parents to apply?
[ Reply | More ]Parents, really? At our K-8 kids have as much of a say in where to go next as the parents. But in any event, if it is anything like our K-8 (which is perpetually discussing the HS though has not made the decision yet) there is a percentage of families/kids that do want to change, whether to go to boarding school or another day school. But I would bet at the end of the day close to half if not half of the kids will stay for HS. And the school will have no problem at all getting new kids from other schools, either.
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[-]TTT Nursery Schools = All Souls, Beginnings, Brick, Episcopal, First Presb, Hollingworth, 92Y
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My dc went to Beginnings, and I guess it is the equivalent of tt downtown in that it is the best known and has the best exmissions, but it is so *not* like the tt schools in any other way. For better or worse, there's no Episcopal or 92Y equivalent downtown.
[ Reply | More ]I have dcs much older (I'm sure) than yours and I've been in this preschool game for long while (still in it) and I can tell you this so called TT downtown that you mentioned wasn't highly regarded let's say 8 yrs ago. I'm happy if it's doing better to help it's reputation but you're wrong when you said it's no 92Y. It's the closest school downtown that has the reputation of attracting the same type of parents that want the 92Y and that's not something to be proud of
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^ Beginnings' exmissions are not all that, unless you are a sib/leg/diverse. Too many kids to place. 2. The parent body is not at all the same as the 92nd St Y, much more low key, arty and diverse though there are plenty of finance types, they are not the Gordon Gekko types you find uptown. 3. The only truly TT preschool downtown is First Pres in terms of exmissions.
[ Reply | More ]glad to hear that Beginnings is getting more artsy types. When we applied for preschools back in 2002, Beginnings was way to snooty for us. Wasn't impressed by them. I knew teachers there that wouldn't send their kids there because of the "attitude" of the parent body and staff. ITA with First Pres. Been strong for many yrs
[ Reply | More ]I don't know where you are getting your information from, but it isn't accurate. Least snooty parent body around. Always been artsy. You definitely sound like you have an ax to grind.
[ Reply | More ]Please.....all Beginnings parents say this. Escalades out front, mothers dripping in diamonds, the whole flywheel clique. The $$$ culture is gross.
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downtown parent who sends DC to the 92Y with lots of friends at beginnings and ITDA. Beginnings parent body is not really that much different than 92Y parent body. if those parents lived uptown, they'd have applied to the Y.
[ Reply | More ]I'm the OR and I have plenty of idea of what beginnings parents are like. I know A LOT of them. My DC also got in to Beginnings. I am not a beginnings hater. In fact, we quite liked the school. but trying to say you are different and low key and artsy is a joke. at least the Y moms know it about themselves.
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Love the way people dismiss a school's exmissions record as not so great because of sibs. did the parents send their oldest kid to a different preschool and then decide "great, I've got a good ongoing so now all the rest can go to Beginnings?"
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lol. These schools are full of tt ongoing connected families AND wannabes. And the wannabes generally end up at less than tt ongoings (for obvious reasons). Glad my kid went to a "lesser" preschool.
[ Reply | More ]np: post is funny and all but please don't make a blanket statement like you just did. My dcs went to one of these schools and we aren't connected nor wannabes. We picked a school we liked and was a good fit for our family. I've met very nice ppl there too. I'd never say to you...well you're jealous because your dc didn't get into one of these schools because if I would say something like that, I would be an ignorant ass
[ Reply | More ]Not everyone lives close to these schools and applies to them-you do not make a 4yo commute 30 blocks each way. IMO those who claim that dc goes to a tt per-school are FOS and those obsessed with pre schools can end up like Jack Grubman. Do these schools track their alumni to 13 years and keep college acceptance stats?
[ Reply | More ]How did you do in the ongoing process? That's what matters (not where kid learns to fingerpaint and wipe his bottom).
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um, Hollingworth is a feeder to the top ongoing gifted programs, Speyer and Hunter. Sorry, but wannabes won't qualify.
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Speyer is certainly not for everyone. It can't be. Their program is designed specifically for a particular population. Believe what you want but many others would agree that it is indeed a top school for what it does. In fact it is the only private prep school in NYC that does what it does. As already mentioned, it's not for everyone. In fact, it isn't for the vast majority. But for the right child, there is absolutely no close substitute (in NYC at least).
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We're not at Hollingworth but just got dc's ERBs (99x3, sss = 145+). I know we've got more hurdles to jump to qualify for Speyer and PSD told us there's no guarantee. Truly feel it will be the best fit for dc. Wish us luck.
[ Reply | More ]That's a rare score. You have a shot but your PSD is right it's not a shoo-in score. Speyer was our first choice but dc (also 99x3) never made it off their waitlist. He's happy and doing fine at his so-called tt school. Good luck.
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how is this possible? the only people i know sending kids to speyer were SO out of every other ongoing school and took it as a last choice.
[ Reply | More ]Thanks. I know full well it's not a shoo-in. We are applying to one other school (our back up where dc is is double generation legacy and godmother is a trustee). It's pretty much a done deal there but we want to pursue what we feel is ideal for dc.
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True but sometimes (not always) the connected kids don't get into the TT ongoings especially if some of the unconnected happen to be very strong applicants. Thats just what happened when ds #1 applied out 2 sibs and 1 leg got rejeted from hm allowing 2 unconnected kids to get in.
[ Reply | More ]these weirdly bitter posts are so puzzling to me--our dc went to All Souls, and we have no connections. i guess that made us wannabes, especially since we traveled by bus to the school, because it was hands down the best early childhood program we saw--and, frankly, when you're paying $20k for preschool, why not pick a great one? i know many, many families at different preschools and not one had as as great an experience as we did. and somehow our older child got into a tt ongoing, but according to OR that's impossible as well.
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Does TT nursery increase your dc's chance getting into a TT kindergarden or is there more competition at a TT nursery School for the few spots available to any one nursery school. If I am unconnected and I have a choice to send my obviously outstanding dc to a TT nursery or a very good non-TT nursery...what would you do?
[ Reply | More ]There's no one correct path. That's the kicker. If you send dc to a "tt" nursery school you will get more guidance from the PSD, probably more feedback throughout the process so you can communicate your FC to the schools even without writing a FC letter. The downside is that everyone's interested in the same schools and there will be a large # of siblings and legacies.
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Are you trying to put together an admission list? If so, here are my two cents: we applied to a few of those above, going into one and decided to go with a lower key school instead. This is because we realized that our DD would have had a better chance to get into a good ongoing school this way. In most so-called tt preschools (though the definition is ridiculous) the only kids who go on to top ongoings are the very connected ones and the legacy kids. That is where the focus of the PSD is gonig to be. As far as everything else is concerned, we saw very many preschools, and the differences amongst them were minimal.
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No idea. On the UES, there is a TTT, which, in my opinion, is only Episcopal and 92Y. Then in the next grouping is Brick, All Souls, CCDS, PAC, STMPG and Emanuel. And if exmissions have to be considered, then GHS deserves to be there too (and Episcopal, frankly, should be taken out).
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Any admissions people from TT kindergartens out there? If so, without identifying exactly who you are but just saying from TT kindergarden admissions so we know to take what you say seriously, what do you think about this whole post.
[ Reply | More ]My close friend in admissions at a single sex TT says that GHS is the best at fighting for its kids.
[ Reply | More ]I also have a friend in admissions at a TT SS and she told me that the sibs and legs take up alot of places that the school can give to certain preschools like episcopal and brick. So if episcopal has 7 sibs applying to spence your unconnected 99x3 dd has almost 0% chance of getting in.
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[-]How would you rank these international schools? Do they do well with college admissions: UNIS, LFNY (Lycee), Lyceum, FAS?
41 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreFAS probably has the best college admissions results. I received their application materials and was very impressed. Don't know about LFNY, UNIS, or Lyceum as they do not post them
[ Reply | More ]FAS in Larchmont? Their placements for 2010 and 2009 aren't all that impressive IMO if you're just looking at US colleges. UNIS does have a list of where most of their kids have gone to college in the last 5 years - a better list of American schools.
[ Reply | More ]LFNY admission results: http://www.lfny.org/en/index.php/academics_activities/college_counseling/matriculation/
[ Reply | More ]It's just one yr. for LFNY and even that's not updated. FAS has better stats for the 2 yrs. they have available
[ Reply | More ]I counted the very good US schools, U of Chicago and up vs all US schools and LFNY is substantially better. But I wouldn't worry about it too much. Both have decent admissions if you look at US only. I think a lot of the non-US French speaking students go to French schools and certain Canadian schools, like McGill, for free, so that skews things. LFNY has a very nice new school building.
[ Reply | More ]The Canadian accepts don't mean anything academically and don't skew the results because Canadians attend for free only by virtue of being citizens, NOT because they qualified for a scholarship of some kind. Sorry but LFNY is not better. LFNY is also MUCH bigger though this yr.'s FAS class is the largest yet. Given that LFNY in the past was 3x as big as FAS and yet had equal number of accepts to ivys etc., I'd have to conclude FAS is probably a bit stronger
[ Reply | More ]I disagree. FAS is more Americanized... This means that the kids are stronger in different areas, i.e. they do more extracurricular activities and things like that. If you look at the program itself, they are identical. If you really want to know who is performing better, look at the Bac results (the kids are sitting the same exam)...
[ Reply | More ]FAS is not any more "Americanized" than the LFNY. Their bac results are on a par with LFNY and in fact their grads in the past used to attend LFNY for bac and improved the overall test scores for the school. Please do not post misinformation. That said, LFNY is also a good school but LFNY families and administration want to have a monopoly on French education in NYC ... hence some of these skewed comments
[ Reply | More ]I am an alum who attended a couple lycées in the States and currently lives in France. I have no reason to post mis-information. But as someone who came from an English speaking background, I can attest to the challenges of learning a minority language. When you have a target language that no one in your country or home environment speaks, you are facing an uphill battle. Period. If you want to learn the minority language and achieve true fluency, you are better off being surrounded by the largest number of French speakers. When I moved to NYC and attended the lycée, I noticed that most of the FAS kids were from more diverse/anglo backgrounds. This is no big deal, it's just not what I find to be ideal.
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Seems like FAS is a great place. However, it is more English heavy (more kids speak French as a second language). Also, when I graduated from LFNY, a bunch of the FASNY (FAS) kids had transferred to LFNY. There isn't a longer matriculation list because FAS only created its Senior High School within the last couple of years...
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"International" or otherwise, neither UNIS nor LFNY are famous for their academics. Not familiar with the other two.
[ Reply | More ]UB has a bias against international schools like LFNY and UNIS. Probably because most of the posters don't understand non-US curriculum.
[ Reply | More ]That's not it. LFNY has terrible post-secondary acceptances, whether in France or in the US. It has nothing to do with bias. Facts are facts. This is mostly because the student body is weak and admissions are not merit-based like in France itself
[ Reply | More ]Look a little more closely. Their admissions are not terrible. They are better than a lot of NY private schools. Not as good as the TT, but LFNY is a different thing.
[ Reply | More ]LFNY's results are not even as good as those of 3rd-tiered schools. You're the one who needs to read the writing on the wall. The LFNY is a society school, for rich expats of all varieties. If it actually purported to teach half as well as the French do in France, they wouldn't be posting such mediocre results.
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Many kids go to McGill for college because French Citizens have a great tuition deal in Quebec. French higher education is a real crapshoot, where you go to Classes Preparatoires in order to get into top schools. It's so risky, that most students who can would rather avoid the system and go to McGill...
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A WORLD SCHOOL led by all white men and women. What a WORLD! only racists families need apply.
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no, only if you run a WORLD school and only have all white people in senior leadership. Oh, yes, they'll have some "diversity" with their admin staff, cafeteria workers, and security guards. If that is what WORLD school is, and what they teach as the WORLD, they can keep their AVENUES brand out of NYC. Sickening school.
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Graduated from LFNY and went to Yale. By the time I graduated, I think there were about 5 of us on campus. In my class, 1 kid went to Princeton, a couple went to Penn, 2 or 3 went to Cornell, 1 went to Harvard and at least 1 or 2 went to Columbia. That was in 2005, so this could all be dated...
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Well I went to Johns Hopkins, and no..Lots of people say it wrong and leave off the S. (who names their kid Johns anyway?)
[ Reply | More ]No, it's a daycare called The House of Little People. But I've thought about World Class Learning as a new school with a dumb name. Who would want to say that? They should just pick an actual name.
[ Reply | More ]Yes. It's a public school with the name of a famous African American. Makes us sound all liberal and cool.
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I live near Holy Name of Jesus - that always makes me laugh. Sounds more like a curse then a school.
[ Reply | More ]A friend told me that they were sending their DC to the World Class Learning Academy... I thought they were being ironic! seriously... there really IS a brand new school called "World! Class! Learning! Academy!"
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Dalton and yes and no. I like that it's short and doesn't man anything. It's just a name (as compared to, say, Avenues). On the other hand, I can't quite figure out how to pronounce the "t". I've never given a thought to pronouncing anything but this one kills me (ps DD is going into K which is why I'm stumped). Wow, have I over-analyzed a stupid topic. You asked!
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[-]Grace Church School. Are there many families from uptown and is it worth a serious look from an uptowner.
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[-]OK, I get that Avenues would be attractive to downtown families since there are so few spots downtown. I think it's great that they make learning Mandarin/Chinese a priority. I think it would be great to go to a school where you could do stints at their schools overseas. But why is everyone so gaga over the team they've assembled? I went to Yale under Benno and, honestly, I never got the sense that he was plugged into what was going on. (Admittedly, Bart Giamatti is a tough act to follow.) And I went to Exeter before Ty Tingley's time, and sure, he sounds like a nice guy from the alumni magazine, and it's great that Exeter offered free tuition to families with under $75k of income. Not sure I'd follow him to an unproven school, though...
40 replies [ Reply | Watch | Moreit's an innovative idea, supported by a lot of successful administrators from some top schools (who could have chosen to work elsewhere). what's there not to get. any new school is going to be unproven - that's the whole point of assembling an experienced and successful team from other top schools. a lot of private schools in nyc are offering the same education they offered 100 years ago - and they do it well - but there are families who are seeking something new, for the next 100 years. my kids are already in school, but i don't see why there's anything wrong with being excited over something new, backed by a lot of great people.
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or: i don't see why you think this is spam. i just don't see why people have to be so closed-minded. i think that a headmaster of a top school, who steered the school through the largest fundraising campaign in history - for some really amazing purposes - is considered a success. i'm not saying he reinvented education. simply that the ex-headmaster from Exeter generally has his pick of jobs - he's choosing to do something like this, most likely because he believes in it and he has a vested interest in making it a success. what do YOU think it takes to make a school successful?
[ Reply | More ]What is clearly true here is that Avenues has a person who goes over these boards daily and composes a brochure for Urban Baby encompassing the absolutely wonderful things that Avenues is. In truth, what it is is a hugely financed business venture that will need to start making money pretty soon and that seems to be at odds with the fact that 95% of all schools are not for profit for a reason. Is Collegiate, Brearley, Trinity, Dalton, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Sidwell Friends, Exeter or any top school you can mention a 'for profit' institution? Profit and effective comprehensive education have never mixed and there is no good reason to believe they will do so at Avenues. I want my children in a diverse (in all respects) educat...
[ Reply | More ]educational environment and so with a board to answer to, I find it completely impossible to believe there will be significant scholarships given to achieve such diversity. And no Ms/Mr Ringer for Avenues, I don't need your partly line answer to this because for my part, my intuition is a much more valid indicator.
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well, chris whittle bankrupted edison schools. Tingley's been around great schools, but keeps getting let go. w/ the exception of schulman, these are people who are "all hat, no cattle". run, don't walk from this place. or at the very least, wait until you see it ina ction people. your children deserve better.
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NP: Tingley was not let go from Exeter. I'm a very involved alum who sits on Alumni Council. I've had many discussions with the school about why historically a great headmaster would serve for 20, 30, 40 years and why that doesn't happen any more. and the consensus is that in particular, the demands of fundraising on a headmaster today are so huge, that there is burnout after a decade. that their role is different than it used to be. so it's unlikely you would get a headmaster who was willing and able to stay on for more than a decade.
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so, to be clear, you are still representing that you just "happen" to know all of these facts but tht you are in no way associated with or being paid by the school? give it a rest. it's painfully obvious what's going on here.
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it's not attractive to anyone except those without other options. and your new strategy of being an op w/ a seemingly negative post and then defending it isnt flying. 1) they accept anyone 2) those submitting deposits will do so as a backup plan 3) in 10 years, it may be as interesting as an ecfs or something, but the history of new schools in this city doesnt lie. it's hard to be great. it is what it is.
[ Reply | More ]compared to schools like collegiate and trinity, schools like riverdale, dalton and horace mann are new. the demand for private schools in nyc is greater than it's been in a long time and the demographic of nyc has changed as well - people are looking for different things than they once were.
[ Reply | More ]lol. mandell and claremont are new. bis is new. horace mann was founded in 1887. stop with the talking points already. you are so pathetically obvious it strains all credibility
[ Reply | More ]right, but collegiate and trinity were founded in the 1600s - so when a whole bunch of schools were being started at the turn of the 20th century, those too were "new" relatively. but then they became established schools. it's funny, that my defense of a school with which i am so not involved is viewed as spam. i just don't understand why people are so upset about new schools - i mean if they fail, they fail. but i swear, people love the idea of new public schools and hate the idea of new private schools. why is that...
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fine. but i'm not the OP, and people keep saying spam bc i'm supportive of a new school. i think that there is a need for new private schools in the city and i really do think that it upsets the status quo - in the same way that the single sex schools are still a bit defensive about coeducation and the traditional schools are still a bit defensive about progressive education.
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Not true. We are DT but well connected and have lots of options (Friends, Grace - connected with Board) but Avenues seems like the best fit for us and our DC. No doubt that the technology will be 100x better than Grace could ever hope for, and from what I understand, teachers are falling over themselves to be interviewd for the (high-paying) jobs at Avenues. Who are you to say it is for people w/o options? I think I speak for most when I say that YOU are the SPAMMER with an axe to grind - probably a Friends parent for whom it is painfully obvious that the school has lost whatever pedigree you thought you were signing on to...
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lol I think the mandarin thing is ridiculous and I'd much rather my kid learn spanish. Many of the schools teach M
[ Reply | More ]I don't understand the push for languages. Most peole after attending these schools come out knowing 2 or more languages and then all is gone after 5 years.
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But not when your not among the culture. I came out of high school knowing latin and spanish I can still speak but very little. I don't speak as well as I did 15 years ago.
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If you don't use it you will loose it. Our kids will be traveling the world more than we do, just like we travel the world more than our parents did. China is obviously going to be a big part of our kids world. Speaking the language enables you to be part of the culture, part of the group. It is great that Avenues puts such a focus on Mandarin, really great.
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I've liked Avenues but until recently didn't think seriously about applying there. My dc is going to a TTT nursery school. That is good and bad in terms of getting into a TTT kindergarden etc. Trinity, Horace Mann, Dalton and the SS schools are great, but a bit stuffy if you know what I mean. Avenues seems fresh and the international focus is forward thinking. I have faith in the team, we can transfer out if it doesn't work for us and it is downtown. It will be on our list. If we are lucky enough to get into TTT school(s) and Avenues, it will be a tough call. But, you never know where you'll end up with NY private schools.
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[-]For those who went to an Ivy (undergrad), what do you think tipped the scales for you to be accepted? Just wondering what some of the paths are that lead to Ivy admission.
60 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreI got straight A's at Emma Willard, was a double legacy, acted in school plays, played the clarinet in the orchestra, volunteered at a homeless shelter on Saturday mornings, and was captain of the softball team. All of those things combined got me into Columbia. I think going to a good boarding school definitely tipped the scales for me. The head of college admissions at Emma knew I got into Columbia before my official acceptance letter arrived.
[ Reply | More ]I was a good writer and my high school teachers liked and respected me so in addition to having the grades, I had great teacher recommendations. I had a genuine love of learning, thanks to my spectacular parents, who emphasized knowledge and creativity for their own sake and never pushed for results. But it was easier then than now.
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Do you think that a TT boarding school (like an Exeter or a Groton) helps more than being from a TT day school like Horace Mann or Trinity? Is it the same, or do Ivy League schools give greater weight to the TT boarding school applicant?
[ Reply | More ]np - No, not according to matriculationstats.org. The schools with the highest % of kids going to Top Schools are Andover and St. Paul's with 61.8%. There are 5 NYC day schools with higher percentages (Brearley, Chapin, Trinity, Collegiate & Spence) and the 6th, Horace Mann, is close with 60.9%.
[ Reply | More ]Yea, but in HYPMS and in Ivys the top NY day schools beat the top boarding schools by a much bigger margin. But, but, it is all about what is the best place for you. Boarding schools are great for some kids. Years ago I tried both, and there were parts I liked about both. A big part is how well your parents are getting along. If they are fighting or if you just don't along with them then boarding school might work, though there is a big authority figure at boarding school too. On the other hand, I wouldn't want to loose my kids so young, I want them to go to day school, even if they don't get into as good a college. There are more important things than the school you go to.
[ Reply | More ]Previous poster, whoops, I read the post above mine wrong. On all measures on matriculationstats.org the top NYC days schools beat the top boarding schools, but there are an awful lot of kids at all those schools that don't go to top schools, so again, find the best fit for your kid.
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I was a B/B+ student, but a ton of great extracurriculars. Also went to a then hot boarding school & was a legacy & used all my connections to get into Columbia.
[ Reply | More ]Compared to some of the responses, I have no idea how I got in! Went to a regular suburban public high school, played 2 sports (XC and softball) but was mediocre at both, played an instrument but not outside of school orchestra, did Model UN and debate but not at a very high level, ranked high in my class but not 1st or 2nd... went to Princeton, graduated in the early 2000s. Am I the only average Ivy grad here?
[ Reply | More ]I posted below you - I was a horrible student w/ no extras. My GPA was over 4.0 - just because of honors classes - didn't waste my time w/ AP and barely went to class the last two years. Good suburban HS - competitive. I really think there's a cut-off w/ the SAT scores - over 1450/1500 (old scoring) and you had a spot. I'm not smart - just good at standardized tests. Honestly - I'm really good at doing very little work for the quickest results. Nothing to be proud of!!
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Sorry, but she's the average one. By her own admission she was a mediocre student and had mediocre extras. I got in, but was a standout. She had something else that tipped the scales. That may have been geo diversity, or maybe she was the first to go to college. They didn't just love her smile!
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SAT scores - hands down. No extras.. I worked. I think the top 10% of the class helps too.. No AP classes - none of the schools I applied to gave credits for anything less than a 5... I wouldn't suggest those stupid SAT prep courses though - my mom forced me to do that and wasted a bunch of money on it - my score dropped by over 100 points after it -made me question my responses and less confident.
[ Reply | More ]good SATs, graduated top 5 in my class, suburban public, national merit finalist, three varsity sports, but do you know what they focused on when they interviewed me? they were interested in my competitive cheerleading squad. kind of ironic if you ask me.
[ Reply | More ]my preschool! just kidding. 93 average at HCHS, and I guess I was an interesting candidate in other ways b/c believe me the guidance counselors there acted like that was just ho-hum. Extra-curriculuars, etc. I transferred in after 1 year elsewhere (which wasn't a good fit for me). And I am just so freaking smart. (FWIW I never got the impression they cared a lot about SATs as long as they aren't low. I had a 1390, which I deemed perfectly fine- I never considered actually studying or retesting to see if I could do better).
[ Reply | More ]Art Editor of Yearbook, Editor of Student Newspaper, VP of Drama Club, all AP classes Jr. year, National Honor Society, Chair of Homecoming, 1580 SATs. Also was Girl Scout for 9 years, founded an Explorers Troop, had after-school job at local library, and student volunteer at local art center. Didn't have any sports though. Never thought of it as "effort" - it was just what I did.
[ Reply | More ]me in 1987- mostly As at good (not top) boarding school, 4 "5s" on AP placement tests, 99 percent SATS, editor literary mag, volunteer work. I'm a really good writer and tester and teacher recs were great. More recently a family member got in based on legacy, mainly As at good suburban high school, theater and debate (major wins/roles), only "ok" SATS, diversity, deep commitment to public service all through high school, and most importantly stellar, stellar recs by principal and teachers about what an unusually kind person toward all walks in the school, total opposite of a mean girl.
[ Reply | More ]I went to a mediocre public school in the 'burbs, 3.67 GPA, lots of APs, 1350 SAT, played an instrument for the state symphony, involved in local politics. Nothing special or extraordinary. I will say that I was rejected from Notre Dame, UChicago, Stanford, Georgetown; accepted at Columbia, Penn & Princeton. Admissions is strange.
[ Reply | More ]I had a friend who got into Ivys because he had an article published in Esquire when he was in high school. Another went to a top public school, was president of the student body and did very well overall, father and brother went to a different Ivy for graduate school. Another was a good student at a public school out west and put together an amazing and simple public service project. All the people I know went because they were very good students and did something special.
[ Reply | More ]I was valedictorian of my medium-sized rural high school in a western state (not Cal.), editor of the school newspaper, captain of my athletic teams, did drama and selective choir, a National Merit semi-finalist (decent, but not stellar SATs), and active in the community. But if you ask some people, they'll tell you that I only got in because I'm African-American.
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[-]So my daughter is going to be attending the new G&T program at PS 32 in Brooklyn and we got a generic letter in the mail saying she's going to be in "K4" but no mention of her teacher's name or anything. I'm just paranoid and double checking that she's been assigned the correct class since there is no mention of G&T in the letter.
8 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreJust curious, which gen ed are you zoned for since so many people in district 15 choose to stay local.
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I'm not concerned about the class number, obviously it's just a descriptor of which class she's in. My short experience with the school system has already given me the impression that they are not always very precise or attentive in these matters and I wanted to double check. We're zoned for 124, probably the only gen ed in district 15 that people don't like. I struggled with the decision because we live so close to 124 and we have to take the subway to 32 but finally decided we should at least give it a chance and see if it's worth the trouble.
[ Reply | More ]I understand your concerns, but I don't think there is anything in what you posted that should give rise to any concerns. I have gone through the G&T process, so I completely understand your paranoia. But I think you really are okay here!
[ Reply | More ]I guess part of my concern is that the letter itself was clearly not very well proofread. Although it was addressed to "kindergarten parents" it refers to Pre-k at a couple of points, including at the heading of one of the 2 supplies list. The "kindergarten" list just says spare clothes and book bag, and there is a much longer and specific list of school supplies under the "pre-k" list. Making it confusing about what we're supposed to provide for school and bringing up uncertainty regarding how attentive the office staff is. I'm sure you're right and its fine, she's my first one off to school and I guess I'm extra fidgety about it.
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Get a grip, lady. Suppose that for some bizarre reason, they put your kid in the non-G&T class by mistake (and there is absolutely no reason to even suspect this right now). Once the mistake was discovered, they could just switch your kid into the right class. If it makes you feel better, official communications from our school never label the G&T class as being G&T.
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[-]if your dc goes to private, is there someone on the fundraising team who is also a parent there? thinking of applying for a development position at a school i'd love to see dc attend, but worried about being the parent everyone hates because i have to ask them for $$...
2 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreIME, once you work at a private school in any capacity, you don't have your best pals among the non-employee parents. However, I wouldn't worry about being seen as the person asking; for regular annual giving, the "ask" comes from the school, not one of the development staff, and for large gifts, the people being approached are a) used to it and b) not likely to be your closest friends anyway. If by chance one of them IS a close friend, you have someone else handle the philanthropy.
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[-]On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your Kindergarten experience so far; and where you are.
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Now that Speyer is up and running and parents are happy, you need to lay of the SPAM accusations, Hunter mom.
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I feel that we haven't received a "curriculum" for the K groups yet. "Reading workshop" is picking a book and reading by yourself. Half of the kids there don't know how to read yet so I don't understand how it’s helping them. To be fair, I don't know if the teacher is going around and sitting with the children individually to check their reading levels. According to my dc the teacher hasn't approach dc yet. They're tracing letters however, my dc came home with the same sheet twice, same five letters. Administration is short with their answers and are quick to assume new parents aren't new at all there for should know the answers. I along with other K parents feel this way. Too much information is coming to us from all kinds of ange...
[ Reply | More ]LL parent of an older child here - I don't think you should worry so much about this - they definitely get more intense about reading, with very specific, and I believe excellent, instuction. It is really just the beginning of the year. My dc is thriving there, and I have been very satisfied on all levels with their curricular approach.
[ Reply | More ]Oh, boy. First of all, curriculum week is coming up in a week. Second of all, this is Kindergarten. Not sure if you noticed this but both K teachers are very well grounded to earth and are very good at what they are doing. The TAs they have with them are incredible as well. Thirdly, yes, there is an emphasis on reading and if your child cannot read, yet, so s/he will have fun just thumbing through the book. Those workshops are usually made up by strong and weak readers, i.e. everybody will get something out of it. Fourthly, I have no idea what you are expecting from the administration but they sure will not coddle you and your child. They are there to run the school and after a couple of years at LL I must say they sure know how to do that...
[ Reply | More ]From what you "heard", eh? Yes, wait for your lunch/recess volunteer day and make your own observation. If the kids don't need much supervision why should they not talk to each other? There are so many adults around during recess. I agree with you about the PTA and the daily blasts by Gina. It can be overwhelming. Just pick and choose. There are some important things you have to do but you can ignore most of the PTA stuff if you are not up to it.
[ Reply | More ]LL parent here, and you really sound like a PITA prima donna. Big deal, the guard is awful. Honestly.
[ Reply | More ]I appreciate the feedback and I am looking forward to curriculum week too. I can understand why some of you feel so defensive but I never said the school was horrible nor did I say that the kindergarten teachers didn’t know what they’re doing. The question was "On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your Kindergarten experience so far; and where you are." SO FAR...I rated LL a 7. I was asked why and I answered it. I was fair with my answer. Do you want me to post great qualities about the school, ok: The “Read-A-Thon program is great. The kids come home feeling rewarded and accomplished. The kindergarten teachers make time for you when you need them. The “Fall Fair” was a great way to earn money for the school, the kids have blast ...
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^^^^^ ATTENTION URBAN BABY READERS: The woman is sick, hand her a candy to suck on or hold her hair back when she hurls. I mentioned LL was a 7 for the first three weeks of school...I'm sorry. It's a 10, a 10 I tell ya. Please don't look at us LL parents as a 7, we're a 10 damn it. Don't judge them because of what I said, I AM SORRY. Can I join the PTA now you hag?
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K teacher here, would like to share a little about reading workshop...typing fast, so please excuse grammar and punctuation...first of all, the first 6 weeks of k are all about socialization, and i don't just mean chatting at lunch. k kids need to learn to follow directions, sit amongst peers on the rug, move about the room in a peaceful and careful way, use materials in an appropriate manner, etc. if a teacher can't manage a class, how could any real teaching happen? it's not like teaching one kid to read...you've got 20something 4.5 yr olds in front of you. the beginning of rw is so that kids can learn what is expected of them at this time of the day, and become independent at doing it. this includes sitting quietly and listening to a who...
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the K playground at 166 is almost finished. It's been redone through a grant/Ed Schlossberg's firm, and the rain in the summer postponed the completion. Some of the climbing equipment is now in. It should be open in a couple of weeks.
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10 at K (G&T) 166. Our teacher is great and our dc wants to go to school on weekends.
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NP: How is it going with Heather? Former Hollingworth parent wondering how the school will do without Connie.
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i am so, so, so happy and relived we didn't get into speyer. truly. it was a last-minute thought and then toured other schools and OMG, how sad to have gone there if almost any other private is an option, no way!!! that school is for connie-kool-aiders or shut-outs with spectrum kids.
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Oh, boy. I always felt PS41 was far too chaotic and I don't like the TERC math at all and didn't want it for my kids, but I wasn't expecting a "2"
[ Reply | More ]please. this is obviously a bitter troll trying to stir the pot. 41 is the school everyone loves to hate. oh, you always felt what? even though you have no experience with the school? right.for the record, the school is not chaotic (even though you often post here cluelessly that it is) and many schools use terc. you didn't want it and we don't want you. it all worked out.
[ Reply | More ]It is chaotic with 7 K classes. That is a lot. I do have experience with the school. It is fantastic at community building and raising money and being a great family. Academically, it isn't top tier.
[ Reply | More ]i know how many k classes there are. have you actually been inside the building during the school day this year? it couldn't be quieter or more organized imo. is pick-up chaotic? of course! as it is at most schools. as for the academics, the test scores prove you wrong. it seems you are just looking for reasons not to like the school.
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very good. my biggest complaint is that they have a very long day. dc comes home stumbling and bleary-eyed.
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St Ignatius Loyola - 10! Love the teachers, principal, families...most of all, dc is VERY happy!
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I had a great Kindergarten experience, but that was over 20 years ago. Why does it matter about my experience in Kindergarten?
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5 Friends, very large classes, little communication other than handouts,not a very personal or private school feeling.
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is 59 in the new place yet or still the old one? If so how are the new facilities? Considering moving to the zone instead of 116 because of overcrowding issues
[ Reply | More ]It's in the transitional place, which is very nice, and they have avoided being overcrowded so far. Don't move to the 59 zone in order to attend, though; there will be a lottery for seats even if you live in the zone, and they are petitioning to have one less kindergarten class next year. Great for those who get seated, not so great for those who don't. We really like 59 a lot so far, (despite the comments we see here), but recognize that if we had gone the private route what we would have purchased would have been a lot more certainty about the final "product"--a fact which was driven home to us when we first learned that our zone didn't gaurantee our child's seat.
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Don't know if it will change or not but in the present climate I can't picture them building a new school in an overcrowded district and not making it bigger than the school it replaces; the new school is about 3 years away. The project is definitely going forward. They are working with architects and picking out wallcoverings and construction materials.
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[-]Gen ed at 166 or PS9: buying new apt in West 80s. Is one gen ed definitely better than the other? WWYD...
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[-]What is the process for Hunter. I know there's an application and then a test, but is there anything else I need to know (other than it's a total long shot and some folks hate the facilities/lack of joy) for DC to apply? I know that he's the correct age, but that's it.
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that's it. go on the website, get the form, send it in. you will get names of testers. test within a time limit (30 days I think). if your kid scores in the top about 250 kids, you will be contacted for an interview in January. you will have very little to do with any of this - just bring the kid and wait, both times. it is entirely merit based. my child is in an upper grade at Hunter and I have almost no idea what went on during those procedures.
[ Reply | More ]We will be applying also. A few questions: Can you obtain everything online, or do I have to go over to Hunter to pick up the application packet? Once I pick up the application, does my child have to be tested within 4 wks of that date?
[ Reply | More ]1) it's all online 2) once you receive your identification number (which is mailed to you), then you make the testing appointment.
[ Reply | More ]Thanks. How much lag time is there between the time I pick up the application and when I receive the ID number through the mail?
[ Reply | More ]np--The Hunter elementary website says within two weeks: http://hces.hunter.cuny.edu/?m1=1&m2=1 They also say application fee can be paid by money order only--not by check.
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