St. Patrick’s vs NPS

[Anonymous]

Accepted at both for PreK. I know the schools are quite similar, but what factors would you consider when making this decision?

[Anonymous]

Is one a better fit for a more independent, exuberant (but not necessarily extroverted) child?

[Anonymous]

Both are great. I would choose based on which is geographically most convenient and whether you want to apply out in 8th or 6th. I personally prefer 6th (NPS) so kid can have years of middle school to get sea legs under them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is one a better fit for a more independent, exuberant (but not necessarily extroverted) child?

Probably St. Pats. NPS is lovely but the children who do best there are absolutely the ones that fit in a fairly structured socio-normative concept. I think St. Pats might offer more space for not like-minded kids.

[Anonymous]

Been at St. Pats since PreK and loved it. Wonderful school and community. Impressed with the new Head of School, too. If you have the opportunity, go and re-visit or do a shadow day to help make up your mind.

[Anonymous]

NPS! I prefer K-6. The community at NPS very warm and welcoming. We had this choice 3 years ago and couldn't be happier. Both have great outplacement.

[Anonymous]

Both great options so congrats! I'd check out the open houses and pick the one that seems the right fit for now for your family. I chose NPS for the smaller class size and shorter commute.

[Anonymous]

NPS bc 6th is a better time to apply out, the upper grades at st Patrick’s are weak, and do you really want to be stuck w/ some of those st pats parents for 10 years? There are some awful families that dominate the social scene

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NPS bc 6th is a better time to apply out, the upper grades at st Patrick’s are weak, and do you really want to be stuck w/ some of those st pats parents for 10 years? There are some awful families that dominate the social scene

LOL the NPS parents and STP parents are the same people! Everything written about STP is also at NPS. Talk to any current family that you know.

[Anonymous]

We had the similar decision years ago. We chose NPS mainly because of our commute which can mean a lot. We were very happy there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NPS bc 6th is a better time to apply out, the upper grades at st Patrick’s are weak, and do you really want to be stuck w/ some of those st pats parents for 10 years? There are some awful families that dominate the social scene

Please remember this is an anon board and this poster is not necessarily affiliated with either school. Other posters had good thoughts about commute and exit year (6th v 8th).

Both are lovely schools, which I am guessing OP knows, as they chose to apply. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I can’t comment on St. Pats but have experience at NPS. We did not have a good experience. When you have classes of 12-14 kids, you are stuck with the social dynamics which might be good or might be bad. It is luck of the draw. Your kid has maybe 5 options for friends of the same gender in the classroom. If you get placed in a class with a troublemaker or bully, they dictate friendships. Last year, we learned 8 kids left one of the middle grades. I know so many families that have pulled kids out of there over the years due to bullying or just not feeling like it was worth the price. We came in with such high hopes and were so disappointed by the reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NPS bc 6th is a better time to apply out, the upper grades at st Patrick’s are weak, and do you really want to be stuck w/ some of those st pats parents for 10 years? There are some awful families that dominate the social scene

LOL the NPS parents and STP parents are the same people! Everything written about STP is also at NPS. Talk to any current family that you know.

Not true from what I hear. Some similarities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t comment on St. Pats but have experience at NPS. We did not have a good experience. When you have classes of 12-14 kids, you are stuck with the social dynamics which might be good or might be bad. It is luck of the draw. Your kid has maybe 5 options for friends of the same gender in the classroom. If you get placed in a class with a troublemaker or bully, they dictate friendships. Last year, we learned 8 kids left one of the middle grades. I know so many families that have pulled kids out of there over the years due to bullying or just not feeling like it was worth the price. We came in with such high hopes and were so disappointed by the reality.

Current NPS parent. Yes the sizes are 12-14 but 3 classes that do recess amongst other things together. Never had an issue with bullying and what grade had 8 kids leave? I have kids in 3 grades and this doesn't seem real. However, to each is own. We have had a great experience and also great success this year with applying out for 7th grade.

Goodluck. Both schools are good options!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t comment on St. Pats but have experience at NPS. We did not have a good experience. When you have classes of 12-14 kids, you are stuck with the social dynamics which might be good or might be bad. It is luck of the draw. Your kid has maybe 5 options for friends of the same gender in the classroom. If you get placed in a class with a troublemaker or bully, they dictate friendships. Last year, we learned 8 kids left one of the middle grades. I know so many families that have pulled kids out of there over the years due to bullying or just not feeling like it was worth the price. We came in with such high hopes and were so disappointed by the reality.

Current NPS parent. Yes the sizes are 12-14 but 3 classes that do recess amongst other things together. Never had an issue with bullying and what grade had 8 kids leave? I have kids in 3 grades and this doesn't seem real. However, to each is own. We have had a great experience and also great success this year with applying out for 7th grade.

Goodluck. Both schools are good options!

8 kids left 3rd grade last year. It’s hit or miss. I know families that have had a great group of classmates and other years where there are lots of problems. You don’t always know what you are going to get. Hope you get lucky.