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I'm not really sure about pros and cons versus the other privates on your list, because I don't know much about them (I work in a very good public school district in Bergen County now). They try very much to make a non-competitive atmosphere at Stevens--that's basically their whole philosophy: Education should be self-directed and self-motivated, students shouldn't be completing tasks just to earn a certain grade but rather should be completing tasks for the sake of mastering that skill.
In a classroom, the biggest difference outside the "no grades" thing is just the approach. Say, in regular art class in a regular school, the teacher will have certain units they are teaching, will tell the students "Today we are going to learn how to make a drawing with Perspective...perspective is...blah blah"...the teacher then might demonstrate perspective, then have the students attempt a drawing using perspective.
In a progressive school art class, the class might go more like...The teacher asks the students to draw a square. Then asks the students, "what are other ways we can draw this square?" and kids try different ways of drawing the box. Then the teacher might say, "What might happen if tried to make the square into a box? What would we have to add to our square?" and the kids give answers and try to work it out on their own.....with this method the teacher eventually gets the students to "discover" perspective and learn how to do it on their own.
It's just a different method. I suppose critics would say not having grades and not having competition doesn't prepare students for difficult high schools. Proponents would say it's an ideal environment for students to learn how to be intrinsically motivated to learn, rather than externally motivated by grades. Personally, I think it depends on the child-no one method works for everyone.
I'm not really sure about pros and cons versus the other privates on your list, because I don't know much about them (I work in a very good public school district in Bergen County now). They try very much to make a non-competitive atmosphere at Stevens--that's basically their whole philosophy: Education should be self-directed and self-motivated, students shouldn't be completing tasks just to earn a certain grade but rather should be completing tasks for the sake of mastering that skill.
In a classroom, the biggest difference outside the "no grades" thing is just the approach. Say, in regular art class in a regular school, the teacher will have certain units they are teaching, will tell the students "Today we are going to learn how to make a drawing with Perspective...perspective is...blah blah"...the teacher then might demonstrate perspective, then have the students attempt a drawing using perspective.
In a progressive school art class, the class might go more like...The teacher asks the students to draw a square. Then asks the students, "what are other ways we can draw this square?" and kids try different ways of drawing the box. Then the teacher might say, "What might happen if tried to make the square into a box? What would we have to add to our square?" and the kids give answers and try to work it out on their own.....with this method the teacher eventually gets the students to "discover" perspective and learn how to do it on their own.
It's just a different method. I suppose critics would say not having grades and not having competition doesn't prepare students for difficult high schools. Proponents would say it's an ideal environment for students to learn how to be intrinsically motivated to learn, rather than externally motivated by grades. Personally, I think it depends on the child-no one method works for everyone.
Sorry but you make a very big (and wrong) assumption that the other schools don't teach or have teachers that teach that way or are "progressive" your words and I can tell you ,you are dead wrong .My advice is find your location and go to a(all)the schools make an appointment look around ,talk to parents from the school.Again as for Public schools they don't get much better than Millburn,at least in the State of NJ .
I suggest you practice your critical reading skills and go back and read my first line. Nowhere did I suggest that other schools don't sometimes use progressive philosophies in teaching. You might want to do a 30 second Google search and learn about progressive education. It's very different from classical education (the type of education philosophy followed by most of the best private schools and public schools). Progressive education is a type of educational philosophy/training/school--like Montessori or Waldorf--the teachers in those schools have to be trained in the method to teach there.
As I said, I don't work in a progressive school. And my feelings on effectiveness and just generally whether or not I like it is mixed.
I suggest you practice your critical reading skills and go back and read my first line. Nowhere did I suggest that other schools don't sometimes use progressive philosophies in teaching. You might want to do a 30 second Google search and learn about progressive education. It's very different from classical education (the type of education philosophy followed by most of the best private schools and public schools). Progressive education is a type of educational philosophy/training/school--like Montessori or Waldorf--the teachers in those schools have to be trained in the method to teach there.
As I said, I don't work in a progressive school. And my feelings on effectiveness and just generally whether or not I like it is mixed.
I agree your first says that , your second paragraph makes you a hypocrite,you say most private schools don't follow "progressive teaching " and I am saying you are dead wrong .I respond because many teachers (aides) have opinions on that type of education but my wife has been teaching it for over 25 years as do my daughters do now all in Private schools" from CA to VA to MD. .All three have their Masters and one is moving on to a Doctorate in Education so go on, a tell me all about the training of a teacher .I forgot to add , so does my sister who teaches at one one the schools named from Summit NJ
Hi Analayzer 1,
We are in the same position. Have narrowed it down to Stevens and Pingry. Pingry by far the better school. Stevens much more convenient. Depends which is more important. What have you decided and why? We are leaning toward Pingry. Have to sign today.
Neward Academy in Livingston, NJ is suppose to be a great private school, Livingston is a great town with commute to NYC. I would be happy to help should you still be searching for the right school & town.
Susan, you should read the TOS. It includes this:
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