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Of all the variables, the hidden gem in the conversation here, IMO, is to notice the phrase "FT teacher's aide" relative to classroom registration numbers. Research shows teacher/student ratio among the most important predictors of academic success for the kids. Grill every principal about how the TA's are distributed. When a TA walks in, if they're tasked to serve the entire room, they immediately cut the child-to-adult ratio in half. They make a huge difference to discipline in the room, allowing the lead teacher (the one with the teaching degree..) to teach best.
If a public school says there *is* a teacher's aide, they might be in for 45 minutes/day, rotating among classrooms. Also, *a* teacher's aide might push in, assigned to help one Special Needs child, which is great for that child to be in the Least Restricted Environment where they can learn. But then, watch out for how the lead classroom teacher uses/abuses that Special Needs TA to assist a small work-project group of 4-6 so they'll include the SN child. A SN-TA can be *in* the room for several hours, but without real benefit to most of the classroom.
Some say the Catholic schools begin with better discipline than the publics, and it wouldn't surprise me. But speaking only from the p.s. perspective here that I know, the unsung heroes are the TA's. They earn around $10/hour, but I'd rather see 10 more of them to 1 more high-priced V.P. tasked to handle discipline referrals from overwhelmed singleton classroom teachers. Remember: it's all about ratio.
It is truly unfortunate that the DOE since the Giuliani years has been cutting/watering down full time professional TA staffing/headcount and diverting the funding to pay for "instructional consultants", "modern curriculum", "reformist" administrators and now, charter schools over and above other municipal expenses. A lot of parents get carried away when they hear about some fancy programs being offered in the PS without considering that to carry out these programs, you need real trained and experienced professionals in the classroom in addition to feeling certain that any good aspect will be funded over the foreseeable future.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrightRabbit
Those are good ratios. One good teacher can handle those solo, but the more TA added presence, the better.
It also has to do with the way Catholic schools teach and pre-select their students. The teaching method and implementation of discipline is rigid. It does not work well for students with learning disabilities or serious psychological issues at home. However, it works for the average kid.
Last edited by Forest_Hills_Daddy; 01-04-2015 at 11:19 AM..
One thing I mentioned above - quality is very similar and predictable among parochial schools. The more famous ones in Queens would be OLQM (Forest Hills), Joan of Arc (Jackson Hts, Blue Ribbon), Resurrection Ascension and OLA (Rego Park), Sacred Heart (Bayside) - mainly for their placement track record in specialized HS and Molloy/SFP/SJP/TMLA. But that does not mean that OL Mercy (Forest Hills), IC (Astoria), Avelino (Flushing) or Margaret (MV) are academically weaker.
Thanks. What about in Brooklyn? Or would Catholic schools in that boro already be charging gentrified prices?
Sorry, not familiar w/ Brooklyn. I know Queens bec. my kid went to OL Mercy for pre K. I would think that quality would be the same - don't think the Bay Ridge parochial schools or St. Joseph the Worker would be any different from OL Mercy.
Bayside, Queens would fit you requirements and budget. The LIRR from Bayside to Penn is 25 mins if you catch the express. From Penn to the Financial District would be another 10-20 mins depending on how crowded it is.
You can easily find a 3 Bedroom with 2 bathrooms and have excellent public schools. Parking would be free or cheap.
I've been commuting from Bayside to Tribeca for over a year and can be door to door in as little as 30 minutes on lucky days or around 50 minutes on bad days.
Actually Bayside would fit perfectly for those with a family. But note that the quick commute way LIRR -> Subway is $300+ per month. However being that OP's budget is high this is not an issue at all.
Something like the below would work. Monthly rent is only $2500 and $3300 respectively and the LIRR is literally half a block away.
I suggest since OP may have a car to drive out there to take a look. The area is much much different that what you'll find anywhere else in Queens. It's literally a blend of the suburbs with the density of NYC. The amount of restaurants and parks in the area is a huge plus in addition to the top notch schools.
Last edited by bumblebyz; 01-04-2015 at 08:08 PM..
It is truly unfortunate that the DOE since the Giuliani years has been cutting/watering down full time professional TA staffing/headcount and diverting the funding to pay for "instructional consultants", "modern curriculum", "reformist" administrators and now, charter schools over and above other municipal expenses. A lot of parents get carried away when they hear about some fancy programs being offered in the PS without considering that to carry out these programs, you need real trained and experienced professionals in the classroom in addition to feeling certain that any good aspect will be funded over the foreseeable future.
It also has to do with the way Catholic schools teach and pre-select their students. The teaching method and implementation of discipline is rigid. It does not work well for students with learning disabilities or serious psychological issues at home. However, it works for the average kid.
It certainly does not work well for the extremely gifted, self-disciplined child who must have his time wasted with all the preposterous "rigid discipline" that is nothing but wasting time that could be better used actually LEARNING.
Catholic education is best for those who would seek a lifetime career as a prison guard or a member of the SS.
It certainly does not work well for the extremely gifted, self-disciplined child who must have his time wasted with all the preposterous "rigid discipline" that is nothing but wasting time that could be better used actually LEARNING.
Catholic education is best for those who would seek a lifetime career as a prison guard or a member of the SS.
KK, OP did not say that their kid was "extremely gifted". OP did say their budget, which is way way below the tuition of independent private schools. Try knocking on the door of Waldorf and tell them you have an average kid but are willing to pay only $8K in tuition.
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