NYC Private Schools (New York, York, Hunter: catholic schools, university, to live in)

[stvincent]

I recently read an article in the New York Times about how hard it is to get into Manhattan private schools. I could not believe the length that parents will go to get their children into schools like Dalton and Trinity. Do any of you have kids in these prestigeous private schools. Do you think it's worthit? Are NYC's public schools really so bad that every middle class to upper class parent regardless of race feels the need to send their child to a private institution for a K-12 education?

Now, before I make it seem that I am against private schools, I wanted to say that I reside in the Vinings area of Atlanta and my kids go to The Lovett School, one if the best private schools in the South. I would say that about 80% of the families in my community and in neighboring areas send their kids to private schools. I know why we do it, I just wanted to know what the frenzy was about in New York.

[Viralmd]

I went to a NYC private school, as did my sister, as did all my nieces and nephews. For the simple reason that they're better than most of the public schools.

[smalltownusa]

Originally Posted by stvincent

I recently read an article in the New York Times about how hard it is to get into Manhattan private schools. I could not believe the length that parents will go to get their children into schools like Dalton and Trinity. Do any of you have kids in these prestigeous private schools. Do you think it's worthit? Are NYC's public schools really so bad that every middle class to upper class parent regardless of race feels the need to send their child to a private institution for a K-12 education?

Now, before I make it seem that I am against private schools, I wanted to say that I reside in the Vinings area of Atlanta and my kids go to The Lovett School, one if the best private schools in the South. I would say that about 80% of the families in my community and in neighboring areas send their kids to private schools. I know why we do it, I just wanted to know what the frenzy was about in New York.

Because if you can afford to LIVE in upper Manhattan, then the obvious choice would be a private school for your privileged offspring.....

[ontheroad]

I was fortunate and was able to send my children to a public school that limited its registration by entrance exam, and appears to be on par or perhaps better than many of the private schools. However, even today, I believe NYC in all 5 boroughs have several good public schools in the lower grades (K-6 or even K-8). High schools appear to be more challenging in the public sector borough-wide.

[Rachael84]

if you live in lower Manahattan, the majority of those public schools will be easily comparable to any private school in the city, maybe even a little better.

[Viralmd]

The public high schools, except for Stuyvesant, Hunter and Bronx Science, are in NO WAY comparable to private schools. I wouldn't say that ALL the public schools in lower Manhattan are good. Those in Chinatown have been some of the worst in Manhattan for a long time.

[ontheroad]

I would love to know which schools you are referring to and how you define lower Manhattan. I lived in both the East and West Village and didn't find many of the schools acceptable, except for two or three--PS41 comes to mind in GV.

Curious!

Originally Posted by Rachael84

if you live in lower Manahattan, the majority of those public schools will be easily comparable to any private school in the city, maybe even a little better.

[eslteacher]

I am a NYC public school teacher and I would never send my children to a public school (save a few elementary on the upper east/west side gifted programs or a specialized high school). People pay for private school to have some influence over their kids education. In regular towns parents influence the school board. Here there is no school board, just the city Dept. of Ed. Parents have very little control or influence. Private school is about community and the environment. Private school is very hard to get into but people forget about the less well-known quality private schools (for example, Alexander Robertson).

[jflores]

or you can always send them to catholic schools which arent cheap but are cheaper than the alternative.

[mom2gurls]

I dont know about NYC schools..but my dh went to prep school from k---all the way to fordham prep..to fordham university..and some friends went to bronx science..his girl friends went all some all girls school I think in westchester. Says he wouldnt trade it for the world..and even on his resume..the Fordham Name stands out.

We are even sending our oldest to a reading program this summer sponsered and hosted by Fordham to give her a headstart. I would send kids to a private school in a heartbeat..but the public school in the district that we live in rivals the test scores..so it seems like a waste..but I am definately looking into it.