question about kinkaid and st john school (Houston, Howe: how much, to buy)

[army_knife]

I've heard a few times that it is possible to buy your way through a Kinkaid's admission but not through St John. What does it mean? Is not it illegal to do that? I know you can make legal donations but still....Also, just wondering how much of donation will need one to make in order for their child to get in? Also, do you know if the first grade is a primary point to get into these two schools considering that you do not have any affiliations or donations?

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by army_knife

I've heard a few times that it is possible to buy your way through a Kinkaid's admission but not through St John. What does it mean? Is not it illegal to do that? I know you can make legal donations but still....Also, just wondering how much of donation will need one to make in order for their child to get in? Also, do you know if the first grade is a primary point to get into these two schools considering that you do not have any affiliations or donations?

It's not the 80's anymore. You can't buy your way into anywhere.You know how many people are loaded in those areas, that want into private, and can write more than just one big endowment check? The schools are lucky these days, 20+ kids applying per each available slot. All of various academic and athletic talent to chose from to make their schools look fantastic.

That said,some schools do save half of the opening slots for Legacies.Legacy is better than a check these days. But for the non-leg spots, if your child is a standout in a category the school finds desireable that year, they will be accepted.

Pre-k and K are the best admission points. First grade is already too late. Next entry is 6th, and then 9th.

[pdouglas]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

It's not the 80's anymore. You can't buy your way into anywhere.You know how many people are loaded in those areas, that want into private, and can write more than just one big endowment check? The schools are lucky these days, 20+ kids applying per each available slot. All of various academic and athletic talent to chose from to make their schools look fantastic.

That said,some schools do save half of the opening slots for Legacies.Legacy is better than a check these days. But for the non-leg spots, if your child is a standout in a category the school finds desireable that year, they will be accepted.

Pre-k and K are the best admission points. First grade is already too late. Next entry is 6th, and then 9th.

I can confirm EasilyAmused posting. My daughter is not a legacy but was accepted into SJS in 9th grade. She applied in 6th grade and was not accepted. She is a strong academic student (1540 on SAT at age 10); plays multiple sports (basketball, volleyball, golf); musically inclined (plays saxophone and percussions) and acts (just completed a role in The Taming of the Shrew). You may think she is an exceptional student but she is not when mixed with her classmates at SJS.

[army_knife]

just wondering.....all these activities take time, practice, patience. How did she do it all? Was she super busy. I know that she must have enjoyed these activities. Otherwise, she would not survive. BUT did she have time to have plain old childhood fun? Since she spend so much time on these activities, do you think you missed on important time with her. While my mind wants me to sign up my K boy to every activity possible out there, my heart is a little (well, a LOT actually) hesitant to do this. But at the same time I would love for my kid to get into the SJ or Kinkaid program as I am worried he will be simply bored in the regular classroom. He is just entering K but already reads chapter books (in two languages) and does multiplication.
So if possible please share your trick of balancing so many activities at once! I am especially interested in learning about your music classes. In sports, you do not have to practice nearly as much. However, music practice is not nearly as fun and takes lots and lots of patience....Put on top of this regular school day from 8-3 and no time for kid to be kid...really

[LizzySWW]

He said his daughter plays multiple sports and that's fairly common with athletic kids. His child is in middle school, so she's probably playing on teams seasonally. I don't think he meant his daughter participates in all of these activities at once.

I understand you're worried about overloading your son so let him be your guide. If he wants to try out for lots of teams, clubs, and musicals, let him go for it.

Even if he's academically advanced in Kindergarten, you can't really mold him into a "super kid". These kind of kids are born prewired - born singing opera with a tiny football under their arm and Harvard has them on their "watch list" before they get their first bath.

SJS & Kinkaid are wonderful schools. Do they have openings for K now, I thought all of our better privates filled up last spring?

[EasilyAmused]

Yes, people apply the October before the grade desired.

As to sports and extras, most are played during a season, not at the same time. And really for everything else, if you block texting, limit email and limit video games,cell phone use, allow TV weekend night only...there's PLENTY of time to do everything. And the type "A" kids will schedule it out themselves as they get older.


I'd say electonics rob kids of childhood more than sports and music lessons.

[astrohip]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

It's not the 80's anymore. You can't buy your way into anywhere.You know how many people are loaded in those areas, that want into private, and can write more than just one big endowment check? The schools are lucky these days, 20+ kids applying per each available slot. All of various academic and athletic talent to chose from to make their schools look fantastic.

That said,some schools do save half of the opening slots for Legacies.Legacy is better than a check these days. But for the non-leg spots, if your child is a standout in a category the school finds desireable that year, they will be accepted.

Pre-k and K are the best admission points. First grade is already too late. Next entry is 6th, and then 9th.

Well said, very true.

Originally Posted by pdouglas

I can confirm EasilyAmused posting. My daughter is not a legacy but was accepted into SJS in 9th grade. She applied in 6th grade and was not accepted. She is a strong academic student (1540 on SAT at age 10); plays multiple sports (basketball, volleyball, golf); musically inclined (plays saxophone and percussions) and acts (just completed a role in The Taming of the Shrew). You may think she is an exceptional student but she is not when mixed with her classmates at SJS.

+1.

Both our kids graduated AOS, and then applied to SJS for 9th (and made it).

The acceptance rate for SJS is 12%. Kinkaid is 20%. With applications like they are, even good desirable kids can be overlooked.

[MNCold]

Does anyone know what their admission test for Kindergarten look like? What factors (besides legacy and money) will get you in?

[pdouglas]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Yes, people apply the October before the grade desired.

As to sports and extras, most are played during a season, not at the same time. And really for everything else, if you block texting, limit email and limit video games,cell phone use, allow TV weekend night only...there's PLENTY of time to do everything. And the type "A" kids will schedule it out themselves as they get older.


I'd say electonics rob kids of childhood more than sports and music lessons.

If you only knew. My husband and I both are not athletes and really do not care for sports. My daughter wanted to do this. She was in middle school at the time and sports were seasonal, so basically she was involved really never involved in more than one sport at the time. During the summer, she did not participate in AAU but wanted to do acting. Next summer she wants to travel and do missionary work.

In high school, she focused on one sport, basketball. However, she managed the girl's softball team and has already contacted the coach about managing the varsity volleyball team in a couple of weeks when school opens. You be surprised what happens when you take the tv out of the kid's room, limit the computer and phone.

[violethawk]

Originally Posted by army_knife

I've heard a few times that it is possible to buy your way through a Kinkaid's admission but not through St John. What does it mean? Is not it illegal to do that? I know you can make legal donations but still....Also, just wondering how much of donation will need one to make in order for their child to get in? Also, do you know if the first grade is a primary point to get into these two schools considering that you do not have any affiliations or donations?

Kinder is the primary point to get in to SJS at this stage of your child. Legacies come first. Most of the non legacies get in for 1st grade and they total about 20-22 children for that spot. Either your child is legacy for the class one spot or extremely bright is the only way to be one of the 22 children. You'll be amazed at how bright these 22 kids are. They are geniuses.

My kids are busier than I am. Balance their activities without robbing them off their childhood. An occasional play date with friends keeps them happy, In SJS they need to choose to play one string instrument by 5th grade. So most kids start off early. Activities need not be too much! Poor kid! Find a particular sport he'll be good at and concentrate on that example, tennis? Do other sports on the side on a few summer camps to keep him well rounded and knowledgable about other sports like basketball, soccer, baseball. Swimming is a staple on most activities. It's more of survival rather than skill! Unless you want to let your kid drown or be left out on those numerous swim parties in Houston.

Lastly, they also consider application DATE for your child to be considered for testing. There's a loooooong waiting line so unless you submitted your application the date he/she was born.... Errr... Good luck!