On the hunt for a SFH in Westchester Cty (Rye: private schools, living in)

[jojoboulette]

Originally Posted by bg7

Yea, FE Bellows is also 10 out of 10. You said "The elementaries are much higher ranked in Larchmont".....

Perhaps to clarify to the OP then, Mamaroneck has two school districts, one shared with Larchmont.

Thanks for the clarification. To your point, I have a question: are there any sites that clearly explain the various school districts in Westchester County, in particular their enrollment policies? My child was born late in the year, I need to figure out when she would actually be eligible to attend pre-school and kindergarten.

Also, other than greatschools.com, are there any sites anyone knows of to evaluate schools/school systems that have reliable info? How do people do their research to decide on schools in this area, other than this forum and word of mouth?

[bg7]

There was a great link posted on here in 2011 whch had all the NY state stats., very in depth. Darned if I can find it though.

As for admission ages - it seems to vary by district. You might want to create an excel file!

[jjinla]

Mamaroneck is either 12/1 or 12/31. I don't recall which, exactly. Preschools all vary. Some are 9/1, others follow the school date (i.e. if they sign up for the 2's class they must be 2 by 12/1 or 12/31 so they can be 1 technically when school starts).

[josmyth]

Originally Posted by jojoboulette

Also, other than greatschools.com, are there any sites anyone knows of to evaluate schools/school systems that have reliable info? How do people do their research to decide on schools in this area, other than this forum and word of mouth?

Try schooldigger.com
Here are the top 10 elementary in Westchester for 2011
Rye Milton
Pelham Siwanoy
Scarsdale Fox Meadow
Scarsdale GreenAcres
Eastchester Greenvale
Grafflin Chapaqua
Rye Midland
Scarsdale Edgewood
Pelham Colonial
Rye Osborne

[DIVAMOMMY]

I like to use the NYS school report cards. Using standardized test has limitations, but i think it's a good place to start.

https://reportcards.nysed.gov/view.p...y=66&year=2010

[streetsmart]

Those school ranking systems and report cards tell you more about the demographics of the students in the school than the school itself and the kind of education YOUR child will get there.

I was just comparing Murray and Central in the Mamaroneck District. Murray is so very highly regarded () while Central is considered "middle of the road" and not quite as good. Take a look at the number of kids that qualified for free or reduced-price lunch at both schools: 60 at Central, 1 lonely kid at Murray. Then look at the ELLs and the special ed kids taking the tests, and there is the sole basis for the judgement that "Central isn't as good as Murray".

And yes, I know that if you have a more uniformly wealthy, english-speaking student population you don't have to spend money on things like ELL teachers and may not spend as much time on discipline and whatnot, but I still think it's all baloney to a certain extent. And my kid might be better off knowing some other kids who don't speak english or summer in the Hamptons or get picked up in mommy's X5...

[bg7]

"and may not spend as much time on discipline"


Having come from an innner city hood to Westchester, our experience is that this is significant. You can have the same cirriculum, similarly qualified teachers and the same amount spent per pupil. But class disruptions, self-defeating and disrespectful behavioral patterns and student attitudes to school have a significant impact on what your child in such a school will get from each class. Not that its an actual problem at elementary level. By the time you get to HS, it is.
Now as for trying to find out what the kids are like at each school - thats tricky.

[streetsmart]

Oh, I taught at one of those "failing" inner-city schools for many years, so I know how much times is spent on discipline, believe me. Ugh. However, comparing an inner city school to one in a town like Mamaroneck is ridiculous. At my former school, 100% of the kids received free lunch. You aren't going to get close to that around here unless you go to Mount Vernon, Yonkers, maybe Port Chester but that's stretching.

Also, we are making assumptions that kids who receive free lunch will misbehave and those that are "wealthy" won't. When 100% of your students come from homes where parents never graduated from high school, are illiterate, don't speak english, are in jail, or the kids live in foster homes, then yes you will have behaviour problems. I don't think that is the case around here in a school with a small minority of kids who qualify for free lunch or are learning english.

[jojoboulette]

Originally Posted by bg7

Now as for trying to find out what the kids are like at each school - thats tricky.

This is exactly what I was wondering. Are parents allowed to observe classes at the elementary, middle and high school levels? I mean the online sites are going to give some info, but there's nothing like seeing a teacher in action.

I guess one way to do it would be to volunteer as a classroom assistant, if they do that here...?

[jjinla]

I would have to agree that there is a 180 degree difference between inner city kids whose parents are in jail and kids whose parents are poor immigrants. To be honest, it's often the latter that are a whole lot more respectful and decent than the kids of rich parents.

There are a ton of volunteering opportunities in school. Not sure if they will let you observe classes that your kids aren't in, though. If they let everyone do that it would be too disruptive. We have assistants, but they are on staff.