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[ - ] What happened to the ability to sort on UB? I haven't been on UB in a few years and I'm trying to look at a particular school - how do I see the most recent posts? Thanks 5 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.14.13, 02:48 AM Flag
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The sorting function on this site is nonexistent. It's terrible. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 03:04 AM Flag
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GL!!! The search function is a mess!!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 03:00 AM Flag
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there was a work around....maybe better to use google, but type in urbanbaby at the same time? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 03:04 AM Flag
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Ub sucks for that [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 03:10 AM Flag
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UB is only good if you are looking for factual and accurate information. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 01:19 PM Flag
[ - ] Can you just go to the DOE and request to speak to someone in the assessment office? Will they turn me away. I'm so sick of getting the run around via phone/email? Has anyone ever just taken the trip over there? Thanks! 16 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.13.13, 10:15 PM Flag
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Do you want an observation of your child? For what needs? It usually take six months or more to get it all done and dusted. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 10:22 PM Flag
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LOL no I just want CLEAR straight answers on my child's g&t exam. It seems so much easier to talk to someone in person. I hate these ticket #'s, and dead end responses. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 10:38 PM Flag
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give it up. the whole thing is a crapshoot. stop yelling "no fair!" and get on with your life. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 10:59 PM Flag
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+1000000 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:01 PM Flag
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Eventually... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:27 PM Flag
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This is like marching into the state lottery board because your # was smudged, and you worry you have the winning tic. The chances make it really worth the metaphorical rending of garments [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:31 PM Flag
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^^obviously meant NOT worth it [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:42 PM Flag
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Well, I would just like to see my kid's breakdown because apparently nobody over there is capable of interpreting the data. All the errors that were uncovered were thanks to the good ol' parents. Some parent's were able to see their child's breakdown, so why am I not entitled to such information? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 01:21 AM Flag
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np: I requested a score breakdown today. Haven't heard anything back yet. It is totally ridiculous. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 01:27 AM Flag
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I requested one too... strange that they haven't gotten back to me either...Did you get a ticket # for your inquiry? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 01:44 AM Flag
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When I called, the guy over the phone said he could not help me but that I should send an email with my question and he would make sure the email was forwarded to the right person. I was not given a ticket # when I called nor when I sent my email. But it was yesterday (Monday) in the afternoon, around 3:30pm. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 09:49 AM Flag
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I understand, but I'm just trying to help you get past it. It's just painful, I know [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 01:33 AM Flag
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Doe sucks [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 07:10 PM Flag
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That's for sure! I requested one too! Nothing however some have gotten them! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 10:19 PM Flag
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I just got off the phone with a very polite, competent DOE employee who walked me through how my child's G&T test was scored. They made it very transparent. It took a few days, but eventually they came through. I hope you got answers too. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 02:25 PM Flag
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^^^ They did not send me a breakdown, but walked it through over the phone using a screen sharing software. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 02:25 PM Flag
[ - ] Experience at Friends Seminary and Hunter. Any questions? 39 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.13.13, 09:10 PM Flag
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I've never heard those two schools used in the same sentence. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:10 PM Flag
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We applied to both, didn't end up at either. -np [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:20 PM Flag
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Would like to hear more about Friends, do tell... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:19 PM Flag
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+1 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:41 PM Flag
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Whatta you know Friends? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:41 PM Flag
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NP: What I know about friends from having a ton of friends choose it for their dc is that it is a school with a wide mix in every possible way. It has some crazy smart dc, some pretty dim dc; some really great teachers, some really lame teachers, and so on. People choose it for the relaxed vibe and the location, not for the academics or the peer group. It's a nice neighborhood school with all that this implies. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:04 PM Flag
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nnp. i hear similar things from gf at friends. nice vibe. uneven teachers. strangely drill and kill for a downtown school. people like it because it is k-12, the quaker values and it is in the hood. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:10 PM Flag
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The uneven teachers and drill and kill types are, I believe, because there is a teachers' union there. They can't get rid of the ones they don't like. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 05:47 PM Flag
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See, that would never happen in public schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 05:46 PM Flag
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LOL. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 06:47 PM Flag
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Friends please [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:51 PM Flag
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Brightest and strive to succeed = Hunter. Wealthiest without brains= Friends [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 10:22 PM Flag
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Ugh... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 10:29 PM Flag
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"strive" as in crazily competitive and nutso pretty much describes the parent body at hunter. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:08 PM Flag
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Hunter families are about the most down to earth and normal people I have ever met amongst the mostly crazy NYC school parent community. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:19 PM Flag
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Hunter moms are surprisingly relaxed. I'm not a Hunter mom, but they are less competitive than a lot of the other moms. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:46 PM Flag
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Hunter moms are surprisingly relaxed. I'm not a Hunter mom, but they are less competitive than a lot of the other moms. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:46 PM Flag
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Hunter parents (we are two) are just like regular parents, mostly. We're very happy to have gotten lucky and so we're pretty docile, actually. Maybe 7-10% are crazies. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 12:24 AM Flag
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whats goin on at friends [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:20 PM Flag
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alien kidnappings [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 01:14 PM Flag
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Friends [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 01:16 PM Flag
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Why does the peer group at Friends have such a mixed reputation? Does anyone know? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 01:18 PM Flag
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Because that is the case at 90% of the schools!!!!!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 03:36 PM Flag
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90% of the kids at all schools are known for not being very nice? Sorry, I don't buy that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 03:53 PM Flag
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PP Can you point out where the words "kids at all schools are known for not being very nice" appear in my post - or any of the prior posts? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 03:53 PM Flag
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Friends peer group is far more mixed then other schools we have been at. Why? We have no idea. The group is very "quirky" is the word typically used. Those kids also stay at the school longest. The more "regular" kids tend to leave. Or at least the very bright ones. The group that the HS brings in seems stronger then those that come in at K. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 03:59 PM Flag
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Many kids from our pre-school go to Friends, and I would say the kids are very mixed. One family is media celebrity and kid is nice but not exceptional in any way, one is rowdy and not a higher tester but parent has Quaker background, third kid is bright, high-strung child of academics, fourth kid kid (unconnected) is super-mature and compliant. I bet this is a clear reflection of the school. All are white, and all are full-pay, btw, except academics' kid, and the university pays 70% of tuition. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 05:16 PM Flag
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Ditto from our preschool, but add a LOT of kids (range of abilities) whose parents have crazy $$$. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 05:30 PM Flag
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In a nutshell this is what has happened to Friends. It is just not the same school it was ten years ago. Many of us would say for the worse. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 07:31 PM Flag
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We have been at six different schools (many children and all in middle school and above). I would say Friends students have a far greater spectrum then any other school we were at including public. Maybe because it is so small and they really take a bit of EVERYTHING. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 07:35 PM Flag
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Beginnings? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 11:25 PM Flag
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No. -np [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 01:34 AM Flag
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No, Friends actually has a weird mix of kids. It has been mentioned on ub several times. schools usually look for a Certain type of personality, Friends doesn't. The only thing these kid have in common is dad has a huge bank account. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 11:24 PM Flag
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actually both the kids we know have really loaded grandparents, but I guess this is common at all the privates. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 03:50 AM Flag
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NP: Know one DC at Friends & the grandparents pay tuition, but I agree, this is quite common at all NYC privates. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 01:52 PM Flag
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More common at Friends. HM is not afraid to throw out big donor families when the dc is not cutting it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 07:42 PM Flag
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NP Yes, keeping your college statistics has always been more important than helping a child who needs it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 07:47 PM Flag
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Friends DOES NOT help a child in need. They keep them there if they are full boat. Many of these children need support and never get it. Terrible. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 08:02 PM Flag
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Seems to us Friends has no problem kicking out children who are on financial aid. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 08:12 PM Flag
[ - ] Experience at Friends Seminary and Hunter. Any questions? 1 Reply [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.13.13, 09:10 PM Flag
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what is your experience? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:28 PM Flag
[ - ] Xpost: Btdt high school moms: went to a high school fair with my dc. Three days After the fair we received a post card from one of the schools saying how great it was to meet my dd, stating things from their conversation and giving dd her direct line for any questions. My dd was excited and thinks that she made a good impression with this boarding school. We didn't receive cards or a follow up email from anyone else....do you think the follow up card was just them being cordial or did 13 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.13.13, 08:48 PM Flag
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I think they're just being cordial. You're at the beginning of the process. She's not accepted YET. However, I think it's a nice touch that things from the conversation were mentioned, that personalizes it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 08:51 PM Flag
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Thanks..,that's what I thought. I told her to not get ahead of herself. She was so excited and nervous about meeting so many admissions ppl [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 08:46 PM Flag
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it could be. But USE IT! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 08:45 PM Flag
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For now they're just being cordial. Some of the boarding schools have to reach out a little more to get interest in being part of their application base. Boarding school's not like college, though. I went to a small boarding school known for being experimental, on full FA, as an academic prospect. The school sent a lot of girls to 7 sisters, has strong drama and music, and many girls from wealthy NYC families who for whatever reason didn't go TT. Anyway, it was not really an "academic" school. As a result, at college admissions time, I got in everywhere I applied and chose Yale. There were only three students in my class who even applied to Yale. Andover has well over 100 students a year apply to Yale. Don't discount the smaller boarding schools that may market themselves to you. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:02 PM Flag
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Andover has roughly 300 students per graduating class and more than a third go ivy. Doesn't effect chances very much, if anything betters them IMO. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:21 PM Flag
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But roughly 200 other students who would be equally qualified to do well at Ivy, don't go Ivy. Every single student at Andover could go Ivy and do well. They've been pre-screened. However, 2/3 of the class gets edged out of the chance. Take any one of those students and stick them at Andover High or even North Andover High and they'd be in. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:45 PM Flag
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np: I went to Exeter, so similar school and this is simply not true. Most kids at these schools are smart, but some really don't rise to the occasion. Not all would get into Ivy if they hadn't gone to TT boarding school. That said, certainly SOME of them would have. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:51 PM Flag
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Which school was this? Sounds like my dc would like something like this [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:58 PM Flag
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Which boarding school was it? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:12 PM Flag
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Wish I could say, but I could be pretty easily outed that route. I just wanted to give a boost to the schools at these fairs that take the time to reach out. I had a great boarding school experience and truly, fully credit this school with my college admission because if Harvard or Stanford or Georgetown etc. (pretty much anywhere I wanted to go) was going to take one student from my graduating class, it was going to be me. It's an ongoing issue with TT as well. But whatever, it's the perennial argument here on UB. You're just not going to change my mind on the subject, and no way, I did not send any of my kids TT and one's going Ivy in the fall now (not the one I attended) because I made him the biggest fish I could in a smaller pond. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:46 PM Flag
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OP: I really don't want to say justo in case I out myself with them. It's not one of the crazy TT ones but a well known and respected school out east [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:50 PM Flag
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Sorry OP I somehow wasn't looking and thought someone was asking me! I apologize [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:55 PM Flag
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That's ok :) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 10:03 PM Flag
[ - ] so no robo call for us--anyone get one? what diff did it make? 3 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.13.13, 07:51 PM Flag
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What's a robo call? Is the NRA targeting white urban moms with their propaganda? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 08:03 PM Flag
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lol, close - g&t. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 08:04 PM Flag
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op: lol [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 08:34 PM Flag
[ - ] Do many kids from Dalton, HM, Trinity, and other coeds in NYC go to boarding school for high school or is it much more popular among SS? 7 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.13.13, 07:49 PM Flag
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Some do but much more popular amongst ss. Mostly because they end at 8th or 9th grade. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 08:01 PM Flag
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At which SS schools do boarding schools seem to be the most popular? Which do they usually go to? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 08:10 PM Flag
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the tradition used to be the boys schools. that is why the girls ss go thru HS [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 08:07 PM Flag
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It seems to be very popular among the girls' SS as well though. Maybe even more so than the boys'. I'd say the that the most stay at Brearley, most leave at Spence. I have a DD at Spence and the most popular boarding schools seem to be Deerfield, Andover, Exeter, and Groton. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 08:16 PM Flag
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np--About how many left Spence for boarding last year? I have a feeling you are talking about fewer than ten kids. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:38 PM Flag
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Closer to 15 last year actually. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 01:10 AM Flag
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at B this year, there are 12 girls leaving out of 60 or so. At least 5-6 are going to co-ed in the city ( not boarding) Trinity, Riverdale and Stuyvesant. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 03:06 AM Flag
[ - ] Does anyone know Rockland Country Day school? One of my friend is asking this. Any input will be highly appreciated! 6 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.13.13, 06:14 PM Flag
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nobody knows this school. Mu concern is it is too small. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:24 PM Flag
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I grew up in rockland and am not familiar with it. Public school is most common in Rockland. Is it a preK by any chance? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 07:43 PM Flag
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from prek-12th grade. My friend is interested in 10th grade [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 08:08 PM Flag
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big concern is only has 130 students in total,any thoughts about this? they have open house on this friday. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 08:07 PM Flag
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what town does she live in? Everyone I knew did public [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 10:23 PM Flag
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Friend's dd attended until 3rd grade, the academics was not up to par and they moved her to public. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 10:28 PM Flag
[ - ] Anyone know how public middle school letters will be distributed this year? Directly via mail to parents. First to elementary school. If to elementary do they give them to the kids or send home via mail? 20 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.13.13, 04:47 PM Flag
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our assistant principal says the letters go to him and he hands them out to the parents after drop off in the morning. they aren't backpacked home at our school [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 04:53 PM Flag
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What if parents don't drop the kids? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 05:08 PM Flag
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I have a question: I know district assignments are handed out in school - but what about citywides like nest and anderson? Do they mail them to your house or do it thru school? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 05:37 PM Flag
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I assume it is one letter, but what do I know? Is your school mailing the letters home or are you going in to pick them up? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 05:37 PM Flag
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our school puts them in backpack mail. but that is for district - I have no idea how Anderson/Nest handle. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 05:45 PM Flag
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That sounds horrible. Do kids rip them open and start comparing outcomes before they are home? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 05:42 PM Flag
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Why is that horrible - yes, some children open them but it really doesn't matter - the children are wonderful and not hyper competitive. They all find out who is going where anyway. Why makes this something hush hush negative emotion wrought? It's not. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 05:55 PM Flag
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and they get them at the end of the school day. half of them probably don't even know the envelope is in their folder. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 05:55 PM Flag
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only the dumb dcs who didn't get in anywhere good. (kidding, but ALL the kids know what the envelope is all about.) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:45 PM Flag
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my ds never checks his folder [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:58 PM Flag
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kids (not teacher) actually put this sort of stuff in dcs' mailboxes. so everyone knows the ms envelopes have been distributed. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 11:44 PM Flag
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The teacher puts things in Dcs folder not other students at our school [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 01:40 AM Flag
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Anderson will email on the 20th. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 05:59 PM Flag
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WOW. Thank you so much! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:06 PM Flag
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You're welcome! Information is on the Anderson site. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:05 PM Flag
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Really? I checked yesterday and it didn't say that. Thanks again! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:17 PM Flag
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or at least I didn't see it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:17 PM Flag
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I think they just posted it today. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:18 PM Flag
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aha! UB rocks! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:18 PM Flag
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don't know about anderson, but at nest they ask for a stamped self-addressed envelope when you go take the test, and they send the news home in that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:20 PM Flag
[ - ] TT moms - what percentage of kids going to Ivies/Stanford/MIT from your school are legacies, children of celebrities, or mega-wealthy? At my TT, it seems to be close to 75%. 42 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.13.13, 03:47 PM Flag
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What! You mean children of celebrities/super rich/ legacies get all the breaks? This is shocking. I have never heard of such a thing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 03:51 PM Flag
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My world just stopped spinning for a moment. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 03:57 PM Flag
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Someone come hold me, I am so confused. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 03:53 PM Flag
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LOL [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 03:59 PM Flag
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My point is that when you judge a school based on where its kids go to college, you're giving the school way too much credit. For non-legacies, non-rich, non-famous kids, even if they are very bright and get As, their chances at a TT are LOWER than if they went to a public school - they're competing against bright kids who have birthright advantages. Middle class parents who are not legacies are disadvantaging their children when they send their kids to TT schools. The kids may get a good education, but they are at a disadvantage compared to their peers at Bard or Beacon or any ordinary public high school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 03:58 PM Flag
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No shit, Sherlock! That's the way the game's played. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 04:05 PM Flag
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Did you just move here? Duh. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 04:10 PM Flag
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valid point [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 04:21 PM Flag
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This is why I laugh when entitled white folk whine about Affirmative Action. Our entire country is AA for rich white folk. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 04:54 PM Flag
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np--There are ivy legacy students at many schools, public and private, including Bard and Beacon. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:08 PM Flag
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Not too many, folks. Signed Bard mom. The school is really diverse, each kid self-motivated in their own way, from wildly diff backgrounds. I don't know all that many parents, but I doubt more than two or three are ivy grads, of the kids I know, and they're artist/journalist types. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:31 PM Flag
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That could make Brown harder to get into. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 10:35 PM Flag
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Absolutely true and well explained. This is what someone was saying the other day about Andover and Exeter. I would rather not have my child in direct competition with the grandchildren of presidents and scions of Asian billionaires, thanks. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:37 PM Flag
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there you go again, assuming that your kid is going to HYP in any case. Going to Andover and then to, say, Amherst or Stanford or Dartmouth, is pretty darned great [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:30 PM Flag
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Ah, MIT, that playground of celebrities and the idle rich. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 04:12 PM Flag
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ha [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 04:21 PM Flag
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If you are a top student at a nyc private school, it is far easier to get into MIT than to H/Y/P. If you are a top student AND a girl, it is actually pretty easy. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 10:59 PM Flag
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That makes some sense - playing against type I guess. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 12:01 AM Flag
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Yeah, but I really doubt many of those girls who do are celebs/mega wealthy. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 12:02 AM Flag
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OP - MIT is different, I should not have included it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:40 PM Flag
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Of the top tier colleges, MIT is by far the best at attracting low income applicants. All of them offer massive financial aid, but MIT makes a huge point of advertising it, and does not discriminate in favor of the rich or the white. (Despite all of this, the students going there are still not nearly representative). HYP, all heavily favor the rich and the non-asian. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 12:47 PM Flag
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These days the students who get accepted to those colleges (and I don't mean ALL Ivies, but HYP) have to be superb, or yes, either be the dcs of very rich donors (not just legacies) or famous people and still reasonably smart. However, what parents don't get is that the kind of dc who stands out from the crowd because of something unusual will be that kid no matter what high school he/she attends. No TT will get your "smart kid but nothing special" student into Harvard. However, they may play the game to get your "connected" not as smart student in. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 04:13 PM Flag
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^^^and, btw, that connected dc may take the spot that might have gone to your much smarter but unconnected kid that the tt private doesn't put forward to that college. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 04:20 PM Flag
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Did you study to much philosophy? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 10:56 PM Flag
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So 75% of Harvard and MIT students are dumb? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 05:36 PM Flag
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dumb? No but they're probably not A students. A celeb kid can get into an ivy with a B+ average and no extras. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 08:04 PM Flag
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No celeb kid (whatever the hell that means) is getting into Harvard or a top 25 university with a B+ and no extras and average SAT scores. And if one did, then 99 others did not. But hey, if this makes you feel better, then by all means - whatever floats your boat. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:53 PM Flag
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ummmm Yes they do. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 10:23 PM Flag
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ummm because you know right? ummm ok, we believe you. ummmmm, yes, you know. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:21 PM Flag
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No homework tonight sweetheart? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 12:02 AM Flag
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Just hanging out with the smart, I mean cool, crowd. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 01:17 PM Flag
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I know several who got into Harvard (I'm not the previous poster). All of them believed there was effectively a multi-million dollar transaction that got them there. I also know one, (the brother of a B+ student who bought his way in) with a B- high school record, that Harvard would not let in no matter what. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 12:49 PM Flag
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There is a huge difference between B+ and B-. A B+ is very good and with some extra studying and maybe a tutor that student could get an A. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 11:40 PM Flag
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Hell yes! I know one from a TT years ago. The mom showed me the scores and my dc saw some graded work. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 10:32 PM Flag
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ONE! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:20 PM Flag
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np--75% of Harvard and MIT students were not B+ students in high school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 10:31 PM Flag
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you have reading comp issues. -np [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:01 PM Flag
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non-connected ,smart, hard working, straight A students from TTs go to Ivys too. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:49 PM Flag
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NEVER - only dumb, rich and connected kids go to top schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 03:37 PM Flag
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OP - my point is that your unconnected bright achieving student is competing against kids who are just like him but are legacies. So your child has an extra hurdle to overcome. If your child was applying from Bard, a public school, he would not have the extra competition and would have a better chance. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 09:59 PM Flag
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OP - my point is that your unconnected bright achieving student is competing against kids who are just like him but are legacies. So your child has an extra hurdle to overcome. If your child was applying from Bard, a public school, he would not have the extra competition and would have a better chance. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 09:59 PM Flag
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Of course! But it seems like you and most others here want to take reality completely out of context. I am not sure why really. Perhaps because you are bitter, or frustrated, or misinformed or simply to create controversy. Regardless, all things equal or close to equal - a legacy applicant or an applicant whose family can bring visibility to the school or whose family can make significant donations is always going to be a more attractive candidate to a school than a candidate who does not bring those qualities to the table. It happens with pre-schools, it happens with elementary schools and it happens with high schools and colleges. Nothing new nor nothing that will not continue to happen. My son and daughter both graduated from Horace Mann and both went onto Ivy league schools - they were neither legacies at these schools nor did we ever donate a single $. It was their hard work that got them there. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 10:18 PM Flag
[ - ] Middle School letters will be distributed on May 20th! 1 Reply [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.13.13, 03:04 PM Flag
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Earlier than I expected. Thanks! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 04:33 PM Flag
[ - ] How do you obtain a ticket# when calling with concerns for g&t? I did this once through my district #. Is there any other way? Thanks 1 Reply [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.13.13, 01:22 PM Flag
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I called the main number, explained the issue, was given a number, and someone called me back. Done. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 03:23 PM Flag
[ - ] Harvard researcher Matthew Chingos, who studied class sizes, found there was no direct correlation between how many Florida middle school students were in a class and their educational achievement. 40 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.13.13, 12:41 PM Flag
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That's because all Florida middle schools suck, regardless of class size. I'm a proud product of the Florida public school system, it's a miracle I can even type this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:49 PM Flag
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Lol [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:51 PM Flag
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+1 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:55 PM Flag
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+2 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 01:34 PM Flag
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LOL [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 07:48 PM Flag
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indeed. it does matter a lot for extremely progressive approaches. but the more traditional it is, the less it matters. that's why parochials and charters like success academy care less about class sizes and still have higher levels of achievements. if your dc goes to a very progressive, you still need to look out for small class sizes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:46 PM Flag
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In a school with discipline, the kids who do not understand will sit at the back and doodle. In the school without, they will annoy other kids. That to me is both the big difference and sad. I think in Florida, schools can still use corporal punishment. That is also wrong, imho. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:50 PM Flag
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"with discipline, the kids who do not understand will sit at the back and doodle" not true, as somebody who likes to sit on the back, you are not called any less at a good school nor left unengaged. the difference is that when teachers are allowed to impose discipline and behavioral issues are dealt with right away (this is the case both with parochials and success academy), the teachers can focus time and energy on instruction. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 01:01 PM Flag
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It is a simple matter of supply demand. If a teacher has to grade 20 tests/papers vs. 35, s/he will have more free time to work individually with students and for a struggling student that extra attention can make all the difference. Sorry, you don't have to be a genius to understand that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:52 PM Flag
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But what about those students who aren't struggling. It's the problem with measuring performance by the avg instead of focusing on improvement at the individual level. Maybe what those struggling students need is immediate access to tutoring, which is much cheaper for taxpayers than smaller class sizes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:50 PM Flag
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np: I'm not a genius but explain this to me, are teachers drading during instruction time? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:57 PM Flag
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I dont think so, BUT they will assigne homework based on what they estimate they can grade in reasonable time. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:53 PM Flag
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But that is a completely different point that the one to which I replied. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 01:08 PM Flag
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they are lazy fucktards. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 01:20 PM Flag
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It's not just grading, but teachers walking around when students are working independently, or teachers trying to get reluctant learners or kids with learning differences to participate. With fewer students, teachers can spend more time with all students. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 01:25 PM Flag
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well, yes, we'd all like to work less for the same money. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 01:35 PM Flag
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It's no working less, it is spending more time with fewer students [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 04:43 PM Flag
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pp: Again... this has nothing to do with the reply I addressed. The first reply said that teachers will have more time for individual work with struggling students in smaller classes because they won't be grading tests/papers. My reply was pushing back on the suggestion that teachers are using class time to grade. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:45 PM Flag
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I'm not a PP but having taught undergrads, I can assure you that when you have 30 (or 60) students versus 20, you can do very different kinds of work with them, less testing and more critical thinking work, you can definitely address the students who are on either end of the spectrum of learning and understanding. With a smaller class size your ability to do a nuanced assessment (ongoing) and tailor the work to the needs of the specific students you have is greater. That said my child is currently in private (16 kids and two teachers) and I think the class size is actually too small- he'd like a bigger peer group and frankly as a strong, but non-outlier student with no behavior issues, I'm not sure he "needs" or even receives much in the way of extra attention. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 01:06 PM Flag
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For smart kids, for driven kids, for kids with caring and involved parents...class size does not matter. Having two teachers and 18 kids or two teachers and 28 kids will not matter. Large classes of smart and involved children bring more competition, more diversity and more opinions. It can actually be a plus. For kids who do need more attention because they may need a bit more hand-holding to learn or are need more encouragement to focus or don't get a lot of support at home, then a smaller class does help. Smaller classes will allow them to feel more comfortable and participate and engage more. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:58 PM Flag
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"Large classes of smart and involved children bring more competition, more diversity and more opinions" So true! I've been a beneficiary of a very large class 35-38 w/ only 1 teacher (not uncommon abroad). went to 2 ivies, I've got into them right away, literally (hours after submitting the application). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 01:49 PM Flag
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I hope that UMass grad student who found a number of errors in Reinhart&Rogoff austerity study has time to look into this one as well. I'm sure he'll debunk that one in 5 min. Having said that, the big three specialized high schools have large class sizes, yet they are very successful. The classes are comprised of high achieving students, so maybe it's not the best example. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:11 PM Flag
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Parents really drink the kool-aid when it comes to the benefits of small class size and the private schools, particularly those that charge $40K, leverage that "fear" or "insecurity". Parents also often incorrectly assume that the student-teacher ratio reflects the number of kids per class. At my son's TT school, the ratio is something line 8-1 but in reality most of his classes have closer to 20 children. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:59 PM Flag
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So much depends on the kids and the teacher. DD has 20 DC in her 4th grade class. Used to be 21, and that one kid took all the attention. Once he was counseled out, all is well. You could add 10 more well-behaved kids. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:33 PM Flag
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Agree. There were many times this happened when my three kids were toddlers and they took classes with no more than 10 kids at places like Diller Quaile or Kidville. It seemed like more often than not there would be one child in the class who disrupted the class more so than adding another 10 kids would. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 03:03 PM Flag
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All of the class size studies, including this one, show that clas size doesn't matter AT ALL between 16 kids and 30 kids. Maybe it matters if you have a troubled class of kids and keep the limit to, say 13 with two teachers constantly involved. And even then, it is only in the early grades. But teacher quality is always what matters (see studies by New Teacher Project). And when you have a tracked class or a hand picked one, ie at tt private, class size REALLY doesn't matter. It feels nicer, which is why private school parents (like moi!) like it, but it really isn't substantiated. The other private school parents hate it when I make this point IRL, but I think it's incumbent upon us to be honest with ourselves [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 03:41 PM Flag
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http://heartland.org/sites/all/modules/custom/heartland_migration/files/pdfs/27786.pdf [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:37 PM Flag
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^^^ link to Chingos paper [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:46 PM Flag
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I have to read the 53 page paper to see exactly what Matthew Chingos is saying, but I know I would rather have my child in a class of 13 kids learning a foreign language than in a class of 30 kids. My high school junior just turned in an eleven page English paper. How many students in large classrooms get this kind of assignment? Frank McCourt used to tell the story of dumping a batch of Stuyvesant student essays instead of facing the daunting task of grading them: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/students-elite-public-new-york-city-high-schools-write-research-essays-year-survey-article-1.1139321 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:45 PM Flag
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you must've gone to pretty shtty high school. I went to Bronxville and we had to write 20 page papers,had fantastic teachers, and there were 25 of us in the class. And our exmissions were/are awesome. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:28 PM Flag
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The overall student load of the teacher is a factor as well. The link above says NYC public high school teachers can have 170 students. That's really a lot, and makes it harder for teachers to assign very long papers. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 12:31 AM Flag
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NP: That is crux for us. We're sticking with public for MS, hoping DC will get into one of the selective D2 schools. These all have huge classes, so it will be interesting to see if DC gets more thoughtful assignments and insightful, critical feedback on her work. This has not been the case for most of our years at a good, not too crowded gen'l ed. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 01:18 AM Flag
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25 is a great size for older kids! That isn't a "big" class size for high school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 01:02 PM Flag
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I am not a big fan of small classes - less than 10 kids - or large classes - more than 30 kids. I think between 15 to 25 kids with one head teacher and one assistant is the optimal environment for most students. The rest is just nonsense. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 07:02 PM Flag
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Agree [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 07:02 PM Flag
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Are you talking about elementary school? OP's post is about middle school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 08:44 PM Flag
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Either really. Even in college, kids can handle classes with as few as 3 or 4, or with as many as 100 kids and one teacher, but 15-25 kids seems to hold true across all levels. The only difference is that in pre-school and elementary you have two teachers. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 09:50 PM Flag
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My child has been in a class with 25 kids and 1 teacher and a class with 17 kids and 2 full time teachers. I can tell you at least in my experience class size made a HUGE difference. When he was the class with 25 kids the teacher spent a big chunk of her time focused on getting behavior problems under control. In the smaller class if a kid had behavior issues one teacher could manage while the other one could continue teaching. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 07:51 PM Flag
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"Behavior problems under control". That does not mean learning/teaching issues. And as has been posted above and elsewhere, it is clearly better to have two teachers in the lower grades. After that however, it makes no difference - nor are there any classes I know of with two teachers in middle or high school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 10:12 PM Flag
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You see a lot of this at many private school. My sister had issues like this with her son at Buckley. They accepted a handful of siblings into my nephew's class who were very disruptive. There was very little that could be done. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 10:13 PM Flag
[ - ] For those who may have wondered about Leman prep and how it is surviving:http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/13/nyregion/with-an-eye-on-college-chinese-students-enroll-in-new-york-private-schools.html?hpw 13 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.13.13, 02:28 AM Flag
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Seriously? They take Chinese students just to take their 68K. What a rip off school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:31 AM Flag
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what awful schools! taking that amount of money for spoiled, entitled children from abroad [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:39 AM Flag
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you noticed it said schools with underwhelming enrollment sought out these students... duh. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:41 AM Flag
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I wouldn't send my DC there, but hey, they are serving a market. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:35 AM Flag
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they better deliver academically - the chinese will see thru that in a ny minute. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:37 AM Flag
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desperate schools call for desperate measures [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:45 AM Flag
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Well put. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:19 PM Flag
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All boarding schools have Chinese students. A boarding school in NYC, even an unproven one, might be especially attractive. I think it was a smart move for Léman. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:47 AM Flag
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lol [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:49 AM Flag
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+1 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:55 AM Flag
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It may not be the best school but if they go back to china/apply for college in the us then go back they have 1) unique background 2) stand out among billion Chinese who all went to school in china. The only thing appalling about the school is that they demand less, seems unfair [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 03:13 AM Flag
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DD is in public specialized, so I have no horse in this race, but that article and the Times Magazine piece about Avenues make me wonder who would pick a for-profit school for their DC, and why the school would want articles like this in the newspapers. Unless, of course, the school thinks there's no such thing as bad publicity. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:27 PM Flag
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people who have no other options. like chinese students who can't speak english, for example. or shutouts. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:57 PM Flag
[ - ] Riverdale Country School: 2nd Tier Why or why not? 45 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.13.13, 12:24 AM Flag
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yes [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:25 AM Flag
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+1 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:53 AM Flag
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dcs go there. If based on college admissions, it's second tier. Don't bother applying, we have enough strivers. -Ivy grad [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:33 AM Flag
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RCS parent also. Agree that people looking for "the best" should look elsewhere. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:52 AM Flag
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That's been known for close to 100 years! Thanks for the heads-up! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:57 AM Flag
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Solid second tier absolutely. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:48 AM Flag
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Yes, second tier. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:51 AM Flag
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It is a very hot school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:59 AM Flag
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There is the tell. Hot is what we're looking for in our dcs education. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 01:14 AM Flag
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You people with your "tiers" are ridiculous. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 01:07 AM Flag
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It's nauseating and this is exactly what collapse is good for. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 01:13 AM Flag
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Yes. But so what. There are only 7 TT schools in NYC. Most kids (and this includes most of the future banks, lawyers, CEOs, startup wunderkinds, etc.) go to second, or, god forbid, third tier schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 01:55 AM Flag
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+1 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 11:52 PM Flag
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Also, for a boy there are only 4. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 03:07 PM Flag
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And some have the choice and don't choose TT. It is all about what works for you and your dc and the very competitive environment. Riverdale is a great school by the way. You'll be lucky to get in. My dcs go to a TTT nursery school and lots of people there want to go to Riverdale. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:09 AM Flag
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And the fact that it's TTT is determined by .... ? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 11:47 AM Flag
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TTT determined by UB of course. Who else has that power. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 02:08 PM Flag
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Duh. Silly me. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 02:09 PM Flag
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+1000 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 11:56 PM Flag
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It's too hot to be TT [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 05:41 PM Flag
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OP, my DD is in public specialized so I have no position on the school, but, as a parent, it would seem more profitable to consider whether or not your DC would be happy there, rather than on a rather foolish "tier" designation on an anonymous website. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:20 PM Flag
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Absolutely second tier. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 03:55 PM Flag
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Top 2T [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 10:36 PM Flag
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2T [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 01:38 AM Flag
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Very much second tier. Ten schools off the top of my head that are better. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 01:39 AM Flag
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Yes, Riverdale is a second tier school. The facts support that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 01:33 AM Flag
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What are the facts? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 02:21 AM Flag
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NP Yes, but the fact that it's a solid second-tier school isn't necessarily a bad thing. There has to be a place for kids who, for whatever reason, can't or won't go to public, and who don't have the grades for the better privates. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 02:10 PM Flag
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Riverdale used to be a pretty awful school but seems to have gotten better over the past few years. I would agree it is a good second tier school. I think you have better options out there though, so don't settle for Riverdale. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 12:34 PM Flag
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Riverdale does not have a good reputation [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 12:36 PM Flag
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NP and this wasn't necessarily such a bad thing in the days when people were leaving the city and public schools were not a viable choice, but nowadays the question is whether a place like Riverdale is worth over $40K. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 01:58 PM Flag
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Riverdale is actually one of, if not the most expensive school in NYC! Total costs are well over $45,000. Just about every school charges around $40,000 so even if Riverdale is a second tier school, it is charging "market rates". [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 02:06 PM Flag
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That is not true. Riverdale is a desirable school nowadays. But whatever. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 02:09 PM Flag
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All the schools in NYC are desirable at one point to some person. That's why all of them are full. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 02:16 PM Flag
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And, as long as people remain afraid of public, they will remain full. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.16.13, 12:55 PM Flag
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It is much much easier to get into the a less selective private school like Riverdale than to get into a G&T public program. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.16.13, 01:27 PM Flag
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True. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.16.13, 01:30 PM Flag
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Is it this year or few years ago? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.17.13, 01:33 AM Flag
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Much prefer Horace Mann or Fieldston, as do most people. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 12:41 PM Flag
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yes [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 01:12 PM Flag
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Very much so. Mostly nouveau riche families with average kids but lots of money. Very similar to Avenues. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 02:13 PM Flag
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This! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 02:13 PM Flag
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Riverdale is a sweet, middle of the road school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.15.13, 02:20 PM Flag
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High praise, that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.16.13, 01:19 PM Flag
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Gotta give credit where credit is due! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.16.13, 01:24 PM Flag
[ - ] dd in co-ed private k-5. we want to continue with private, hopefully at an ongoing ss. best to apply for entry at 4th grade or 6th? 14 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.12.13, 08:19 PM Flag
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4th grade. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:36 PM Flag
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There are more spots at 5th and 6th grade than 4th grade. But, if you areninterested in these schools, apply and tour. You'll have a better sense of curriculum and how they differ aand resemble on another. We moved one dd at 5th grade and one at 6th. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:45 PM Flag
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op - thanks! we really want ss so will probably apply for all 7. my preference is in this order: B, C, S, NBS, MM, CSH, H. i suppose it wouldn't hurt to apply out for 4th grade entry. if it doesn't work, we could try again for 6th. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:42 PM Flag
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why not look in 5th as well? It is a good year to get dd ready for the ISEEs even if she doesn't get in that year. You have to prep for them, and can only take them once per admissions season so at the very least it is good practice. You may find that not all schools are taking applications every year, but there will be more at 5th than 6th, inour experience. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 09:02 PM Flag
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you don't think the schools will find us annoying if we apply 3 years in a row (if didn't work out for 4th or 5th)? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 09:57 PM Flag
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if there are not spots, after you submit an intereest, you are not technically applying and you have shown interest. if you are out and out rejected, you cantry again, if you don't apply , you will never get in! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 10:10 PM Flag
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op - good point [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 10:40 PM Flag
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Not at our school. I don't think any of the SS girls schools get bigger in 5th & 6th so any open spots are from attrition. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:49 PM Flag
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THIS and you never know who is leaving from where. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:50 PM Flag
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OR: Chapin usually takes 2 (not from attrition) for 4th and larger group at 6th. Brearely typically takes 4-7 kids for 6th and a few more for 7th. Hewitt also takes 4-6 at 6th and possily 1-3 for 5th and 6th. Your school might not take 6th graders ( possibly CSH or MM?) but many of these school are aware that there are some great candidates coming out of public middle schools and k-5 privates and they plan for them. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:58 PM Flag
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op - that's nice to hear. i suspect it will be mostly based on whether they like dd or not. i hope it will work out! i think we might as well try for 4th with this information. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:55 PM Flag
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some will tell you immediately in september that they do not foresee any spots. 4th grade ECAA does not require prep, fyi. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 09:04 PM Flag
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op - ok grt! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:59 PM Flag
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6th [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:30 PM Flag
[ - ] We love progressive and think DS would thrive in that kind of environment. However he is very "advanced" academically & will also need a school that's rigorous. Of course we are/will tour, but also wondering what people here think would be the best fit. We live on the UWS if that matters. Thanks! 33 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.12.13, 07:57 PM Flag
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Dalton is progressive, yet rigorous. Very hard to get into though. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:01 PM Flag
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Thanks, Dalton is on the list! Several kids from our preschool got in last year. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 07:56 PM Flag
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That means that many will most likely apply again this year, making your DS chances even smaller. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:05 PM Flag
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It also means they are likely to take a few new kids again from that preschool, especially if the ones admitted this year integrate well. -np [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 01:59 PM Flag
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not that hard if your DH is a banker [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 03:02 PM Flag
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ethical culture is also [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:03 PM Flag
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Saint Ann's, but also very difficult to get into, and not convenient to UWS (though there are kids who live there attending) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:03 PM Flag
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May I ask by what means you have determined he is advanced? Everyone thinks their 4yo is "advanced". [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:04 PM Flag
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Np. Really? There was only one kid in our preschool who could really read and act mature at 4. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 09:18 PM Flag
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Wow, bc at our public pre-k there were at least 9 kids (out of 18) who could do this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:15 PM Flag
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Are you diverse/rich/connected? If not, your DS chances of getting into a rigorous progressive (ECF, Dalton, St Ann's) are very slim even with good ERB scores. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:08 PM Flag
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+1 Look into Calhoun and BWL. Both lovely, less competitive progressives. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:03 PM Flag
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Doesn't "lovely" = "not that strong"? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:29 PM Flag
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yes. I have stepson at BWL, and it's a nice, patient place (we're grateful for that), but there aren't very many academically strong kids there. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:37 AM Flag
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BWL is progressive? Never heard that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:33 PM Flag
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np--Birch Wathen Lenox School is a traditional school with extra support for kids. It's not a progressive school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 01:47 AM Flag
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Not true. We are not diverse (i.e. we are white with a traditional family), not rich, not connected and have 3 DCs at Dalton. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:21 PM Flag
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This is rare though. All that I'm saying is that it's extremely difficult to get in like this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:17 PM Flag
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It's actually not rare at all. I'd say easily half the families at Dalton fit this description (and yes, the other half are rich/diverse/connected). -NP (and another white average Dalton parent) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:22 PM Flag
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np- for every white average kid going to Dalton there are 50 who didnt get in. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:23 PM Flag
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^^signed, non-Dalton parent. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:24 PM Flag
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Well, it's a school in demand. I bet you could also say the same for rich and diverse who didn't get in. Sorry, but people with $20 million + are a dime a dozen in NYC. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:38 PM Flag
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Don't you have to be rich to have 3 DCs at Dalton? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:28 PM Flag
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ITA!! I call bullshit on that "not rich" part! We can't even afford tuition for 1 dc and we're not at all poor. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:28 AM Flag
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In private, your idea of rich gets skewed. Our hhi is 800K and I don't feel at all rich, which I know is a matter of the strange economics of private schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 12:39 AM Flag
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Um, I think people here are talking about rich in terms of "rich enough to have a real leg up in admissions". That number is in the mid 9 figures, not $800K. LOL. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 01:49 PM Flag
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^^^ Fwiw, whether you have a HHI of $300K or $3 million is of no difference to a school. Neither family is going to be making big deal donations (ie funding a renovation). Both count as "not rich" as far as the school is concerned because the revenue from these families is going to be basically the same. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 01:57 PM Flag
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Dalton, Ethical Culture/Fieldston, St. Ann's, Bank Street, Cathedral [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:32 PM Flag
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my dc went to a progressive public with mixed age classrooms and this was perfect for an advanced child. The teacher already has to teach to different abilities. I can not say enough about dc's academic experience. They also have pull outs for advanced readers and math whizzes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 09:23 PM Flag
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which one?! i want to know for next year. thank you. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 09:40 PM Flag
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it's a zoned school, so you would have to move. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 09:43 PM Flag
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i'm not op: maybe i live in your zone! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 09:55 PM Flag
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ethical culture, dalton, SA. thats kind of it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 02:12 AM Flag
[ - ] In your opinion, is Nightingale on par or close to on par with Brearley, Chapin, and Spence? Why or why not? 31 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.12.13, 03:57 PM Flag
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It's second tier based on college placement (tt is about college placement and little else). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 03:59 PM Flag
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In your opinion, are CSH and MM third tier or second tier as well? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 04:00 PM Flag
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MM is third tier. CSH is second tier (though some on UB argue it's third tier--probably because it's Catholic and there are lots of Catholic haters here). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 04:02 PM Flag
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CSH could be on the boarder line of a 2nd or 3rd tier. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 09:59 PM Flag
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The "boarder"? Who are you to talk about tiers? LOL [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:28 PM Flag
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My kids attend TT SS thank you. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 08:06 PM Flag
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your kids - I was talking about you [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 02:31 PM Flag
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Having direct experience of both, MM and CSH are absolutely at the same level (2T in my own opinion). In many ways I personally prefer MM. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:50 PM Flag
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tt: B, C, S 2nd tier: CSH, NBS 3rd tier: MM 4th tier: Hewitt [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 04:03 PM Flag
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Precisely. Why can't they see this and why ask this question or the ranking over and over again? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 03:16 AM Flag
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It is drill and kill. Different from the other three, and since most people don't think that is a particularly effective teaching style these days, I don't think they get the same caliber of students or teachers. At least that was our opinion based on what we saw and what we decided after talking to many parents there. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 04:08 PM Flag
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Fwiw, a generation ago, all these schools had the same teaching style and curriculum. B, S, and C evolved. NBS *could* change with the new HOS and might be a very different place five years from now. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 04:20 PM Flag
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No, but very respected and solid 2nd tier school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 08:50 PM Flag
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We worked with a tutoring service for admissions testing. One of the principals felt that the upper school academics at Nightingall have trailed off in recent years. OTOH, we know some lovely families with bright and engaged daughters [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 09:39 PM Flag
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Their college placement has improved in recent years. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 10:20 PM Flag
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No it is not on par with either of the other three schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 11:22 PM Flag
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NIghtingale is much on par with Marymount than with either of those three schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 11:22 PM Flag
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Never was and never will be [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 11:23 PM Flag
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Well if it is so inferior I wonder why there were 400 people at each admission event last fall. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:52 PM Flag
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People need a safety school! There are barely 100 spots at Spence, Chapin and Brearley combined. And btw, over 1,000 kids apply to Horace Mann, over 3,000 to Hunter...so 400 is really peanuts. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 05:41 PM Flag
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Lower tier ss schools are also high on the list for siblings who don't get into tt coeds (argument is "we chose coed for older dc, but really feel ss is better for the younger one). -np [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 08:11 PM Flag
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I've heard that more than a few times. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 03:56 PM Flag
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Not on par in just about any way you compare the schools, from past and current college exmissions, to past and recent national merit scholars, to historical average sat scores, to ranking in every school poll that has ever come out...No [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 11:24 PM Flag
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Where are you getting average sat scores from ? I have never seen that data - is there such information available for each school - really ? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 12:10 PM Flag
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Nightingale is solid second tier school. Brearley, Chapin and Spence all Top Tier schools along with Collegiate, Horace Mann, Dalton and Trinity (and Hunter and Stuyvesant). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 11:25 PM Flag
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You know the answer, we know the answer, everyone knows the answer - NO [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 11:26 PM Flag
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Do you people realize how idiotic you all sound? Just listen to yourselves. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:27 PM Flag
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Personally I was neutral about NBS. It seemed like a solid school, but it was not a school I was excited about. I had the same feeling about Chapin, CSH and Hewitt, and did not like Spence at all. The two schools that I loved were Brearley and MM - which are very different in many ways. But my opinion is useless to you because it is just that - an opinion. And that is what you will find on this forum: personal views, mostly written by people with a specific agenda in mind (including a very strong anti-Catholic bias) and with very little experience of any of the actual schools (and certainly nobody here has comparative experience of all the schools!). People on this forum will uniformly focus on current college placements (13 years from now who knows what they will be?) and not on values, educational philosophy, fit with the child’s personality and a number of other aspects that I think a parent should focus on. So my suggestion is to come on UB for specific factual information, not for opinions. GL. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 02:47 PM Flag
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ITA - A rational statement. You have no place on UB! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 03:35 PM Flag
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ITA+2 - who let the sane person on? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.13.13, 06:20 PM Flag
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+ 3 Are you my clone ? I had the same reactions to the schools. I loved Brearley and MM and was shocked that I did as I expected to either hate or at least feel neutral about them. We pulled applications because we are now living outside of NY for 2 years. I will have to start anew for 2nd/3rd grade and am putting those two at the top of my list. Very, very different but they were the two places we liked best. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.14.13, 12:20 PM Flag
[ - ] Moms with DDs in SS schools? When did your DD start have guy friends/a boyfriend? Where did she meet them? Did they typically go to SS schools as well? 4 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 05.12.13, 02:34 PM Flag
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Ask fm [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 02:30 PM Flag
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What? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 02:31 PM Flag
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My daughter goes to Chapin and most of the people she meets from other schools are sports events but the guys mostly from some of the mixed events they have at the sister/brother schools and also from parties with her friends. She had her first bf junior year from another young man at Collegiate but she was friends with guys from other schools for a while. They'll meet them very easily. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 03:01 PM Flag
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ITA. They also just meet a ton of boys through their friends--the kids all tend to travel in packs, and if someone knows someone from somewhere (extracurricular, camp, siblings, etc.), everyone who is remotely social seems to know them--this goes for knowing boys and also girls from other schools. The ss schools form one giant social group IME. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 05.12.13, 04:13 PM Flag
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