Dallas private school admissions (Plano, Richardson: fit in, mortgage, neighborhood)

[NorthDallasMommy]

I would definitely choose Hockaday over Greenhill. Congrats to your daughter!

We have narrowed our choices down to two. Does anyone have any insight on Lamplighter v Parish for a pre-k boy?

[SMS_Parent]

Lamplighter if you aspire to St. Mark's or Cistercian. Parish if you never want to have to apply to schools again.

[NorthDallasMommy]

Right now all I want for him is the best pre-K experience he can get, without any aspirations toward other schools or dread about repeating this process.

[HockDad]

Originally Posted by thoughtfuldallas

Do you think most Hockaday Alums (who have given modestly to the school) have their girls accepted to Hockaday if they apply? Given the number of decades the school has been in Dallas, you would think that there would be very little room for non-connected girls to get into the school unless (1) cost has priced many Dallas-based Hockaday alums out of applying their children, (2) many Hockaday alums do not necessarily want to see their children go there, and/or (3) most Hockaday alums' children do not get in when applied.

I may be overstating the number of connected girls at Hockaday - but siblings and alums must be a large group of the pool of applicants each year (10%, 25%+)? It seems that Hockaday must turn away the Majority of connected applicants or there would not be new blood and many of the highest scores and new families entering each year?

The Hockaday alums and connected people have the best shot of getting in Pre-K. At pre-k, I would say 25-30% of the girls have some connection to the school (alumni, sibling). That number goes down as they expand the classes.

Also, I have a slew of stories of rich people (and alumni) that did not get their kids into Hockaday. It might help, but if your kid is not ready, they won't put them in. What is the point of admitting super rich kid if she is going to struggle? The school has special counselors for young kids that need help, but they don't want to utilize them. Moreover, these kids get weeded out anyway. No one is happy if they are struggling and at the bottom of the class in 5th grade.

[HockDad]

Originally Posted by NorthDallasMommy

Right now all I want for him is the best pre-K experience he can get, without any aspirations toward other schools or dread about repeating this process.

If you going to LL you are going to be surrounded by parents who are pushing their sons for admission to St. Marks. Same with Meadowbook and a lesser extent, St. Alcuin. It will be a discussion point, but most sane parents don't dwell on it too much.

[fndmom]

Originally Posted by sgd08

Yes! We got accepted for Pre-K at Hockaday, K for Greenhill and Parish! I'm so excited! Decisions, decisions. Greenhill for K or Hockaday for Pre-K?? My 2 top favorite schools! My daughter is a july birthday.

Congratulations, that will be a tough decision. They are both good schools, yet different. Co-ed vs. all girls. Starting in pre K vs. K. With a summer birthday there is a possibility of going to primmer, but not a definite conclusion. Only about half of those eligible for primer go, the rest move on to 1st. The schools know what they are looking for when determining the placements. Did your daughter have a better feeling at one school over the other? Did you get a better feel from the other parents you met at the schools? There is a lot of support for Hockaday on this board, but don't let that deter you if you prefer Greenhill for your daughter.

[HockDad]

Originally Posted by fndmom

Congratulations, that will be a tough decision. They are both good schools, yet different. Co-ed vs. all girls. Starting in pre K vs. K. With a summer birthday there is a possibility of going to primmer, but not a definite conclusion. Only about half of those eligible for primer go, the rest move on to 1st. The schools know what they are looking for when determining the placements. Did your daughter have a better feeling at one school over the other? Did you get a better feel from the other parents you met at the schools? There is a lot of support for Hockaday on this board, but don't let that deter you if you prefer Greenhill for your daughter.

They are both great schools, and I agree, don't let this board influence you too much. Listen to friends and use your gut feeling on which school is best your family. I would consider the following factors (in particular order):

1) location- important for play dates, numerous trips to the school, etc.
2) single sex education- is that important to you?
3) uniforms. Yes at Hockaday, and no at Greenhill
4) academic success. Both schools have great success, perhaps a tad more at Hockaday (but can't go wrong with either one)
5) Diversity. Hockaday is diverse, but I would say that Greenhill is very diverse. My cousin had one other white Christian boy in his home room class. I am Asian and my wife is not, so we like diversity and our proponents of the emphasis by both schools.
6) Parents- pay attention to the other parents you meet. You will be spending 13-14 years with them.

Overall, you can't go wrong with either school and I wish you the best of luck.

[vikasa01]

Our daughter got waitlisted for 7th grade at Hockaday. Any advice on what we could do to increase her chances of getting a spot now or in future?

[sgd08]

Originally Posted by HockDad

They are both great schools, and I agree, don't let this board influence you too much. Listen to friends and use your gut feeling on which school is best your family. I would consider the following factors (in particular order):

1) location- important for play dates, numerous trips to the school, etc.
2) single sex education- is that important to you?
3) uniforms. Yes at Hockaday, and no at Greenhill
4) academic success. Both schools have great success, perhaps a tad more at Hockaday (but can't go wrong with either one)
5) Diversity. Hockaday is diverse, but I would say that Greenhill is very diverse. My cousin had one other white Christian boy in his home room class. I am Asian and my wife is not, so we like diversity and our proponents of the emphasis by both schools.
6) Parents- pay attention to the other parents you meet. You will be spending 13-14 years with them.

Overall, you can't go wrong with either school and I wish you the best of luck.

Thank you. Could I PM you and get your thoughts about some things?

[TXMom10]

how do you decide private school is worth the cost? Is it really that much better than public school in all cases? Hockaday is incredibly expensive. My daughter was accepted and we are torn. We don't make a million a year to be able to comfortably pay for tuition, yet, we make just enough to where I fear we won't qualify for financial aid.

Also, do parents at Hockaday tend to be elitist? That's our other concern.