Columbia Grammar & Prep

[Anonymous]

Hi! Wondering if anyone can share their thoughts as it relates to their lower school academics vs other independent schools. Vs NYC public? Thanks so much for any intel!

[Anonymous]

I would do public if you have a good public option.

[Anonymous]

I know several truly nice, smart, kind families there - I have a good friend with kids there who is an incredible human being.

But I also know way too many insufferable showy people there. I try really hard not to generalize about a school based on one or two people but let's just say that Trump and his people were not totally out of place there.

[Anonymous]

I remember not liking it when we toured, but that was a long, long time ago. It felt cramped and crowded inside, and it smelled strongly of chlorine in places because they had a pool hidden in the middle of the rabbit warren of townhouses. The admissions director at the time was obnoxious, and that was probably the biggest turn-off TBF.

The parent body skews wealthy . . . the ones whose kids got shut out of the TT and 2T schools. They have put a lot of money into building expansion and improvement, but I don't get the sense that the academic reputation has improved. My DCs went to a K-8 on the UWS, and I can only think of two kids from there who chose to go CGPS for high school.

[Anonymous]

I think Trevor has leapfrogged it for UWS families who for whatever reason insist on private starting in K. Trevor draws a more down to earth crowd (still plenty of money but less in your face about it). Columbia is now closer to Dwight than Trinity, though it likes to think of itself otherwise.

[Anonymous]

I’ve heard mostly bad things - a UWS teacher friend told me that nowadays he would choose Calhoun over CGPS, and certainly Trevor over it also. Culture is unpleasant unless you happen to be like that yourself.

[Anonymous]

Thank you! Noted on all - this super helpful. But can anyone happen to speak to their academic curriculum for K-5? Like specifically are they learning different things than other independent schools? I was pretty impressed with what I saw as it pertains to the worksheets and smaller groups for reading and math. Honestly, a lot more so than in some TT schools I toured. But maybe I am missing something! I don’t care about reputation or at this point really anything past 5th grade - I just have a bright boy that loves to learn and loves to play chess so it was feeling like a good home for him. I really appreciate everyone taking the time! This is such a crazy process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you! Noted on all - this super helpful. But can anyone happen to speak to their academic curriculum for K-5? Like specifically are they learning different things than other independent schools? I was pretty impressed with what I saw as it pertains to the worksheets and smaller groups for reading and math. Honestly, a lot more so than in some TT schools I toured. But maybe I am missing something! I don’t care about reputation or at this point really anything past 5th grade - I just have a bright boy that loves to learn and loves to play chess so it was feeling like a good home for him. I really appreciate everyone taking the time! This is such a crazy process.

I think that there is not that big of a difference between schools academically at that age so I would be a lot more focused on the comments posted here about culture than at what age they learn division. Anyone who claims to be able to truly differentiate the curriculums is likely lying to you.

And your kid is going to lose interest in chess in the next few years like 98% of the other chess prodigies. I know a few who went to Columbia Grammar and they are long done with it.

Sorry - not meaning to sound like a snarky jerk (though I guess I am).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you! Noted on all - this super helpful. But can anyone happen to speak to their academic curriculum for K-5? Like specifically are they learning different things than other independent schools? I was pretty impressed with what I saw as it pertains to the worksheets and smaller groups for reading and math. Honestly, a lot more so than in some TT schools I toured. But maybe I am missing something! I don’t care about reputation or at this point really anything past 5th grade - I just have a bright boy that loves to learn and loves to play chess so it was feeling like a good home for him. I really appreciate everyone taking the time! This is such a crazy process.

What are your other choices? Are you zoned for PS9 or PS87?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you! Noted on all - this super helpful. But can anyone happen to speak to their academic curriculum for K-5? Like specifically are they learning different things than other independent schools? I was pretty impressed with what I saw as it pertains to the worksheets and smaller groups for reading and math. Honestly, a lot more so than in some TT schools I toured. But maybe I am missing something! I don’t care about reputation or at this point really anything past 5th grade - I just have a bright boy that loves to learn and loves to play chess so it was feeling like a good home for him. I really appreciate everyone taking the time! This is such a crazy process.

What are your other choices? Are you zoned for PS9 or PS87?

Agreed. I would take 9, 87 or 199 in a heartbeat over most UWS privates. Probably 166 as well. Unless you have tons of money and a super smart kid and connections and can get into Trinity.

[Anonymous]

Thank you!! This is so helpful. Riverdale was our top choice but we were waitlisted (and I was a bit hesitant anyway on the commute to the Bronx). We are actually moving BACK to the city after 2 years in the suburbs. So don’t have a home yet haha and can move into any public zone. But I have a Sept boy and the cut offs are different here so he would have to skip K if we went public. But I am digesting all this great info and really appreciate you guys taking the time ❤️

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you!! This is so helpful. Riverdale was our top choice but we were waitlisted (and I was a bit hesitant anyway on the commute to the Bronx). We are actually moving BACK to the city after 2 years in the suburbs. So don’t have a home yet haha and can move into any public zone. But I have a Sept boy and the cut offs are different here so he would have to skip K if we went public. But I am digesting all this great info and really appreciate you guys taking the time ❤️

Did you get into any schools? Where else did you apply?

[Anonymous]

We got into Trevor and CGPS. I withdrew applications from Dalton and Horace Mann because they weren’t feeling like a fit. Riverdale was our top but I know how competitive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We got into Trevor and CGPS. I withdrew applications from Dalton and Horace Mann because they weren’t feeling like a fit. Riverdale was our top but I know how competitive

Thank you for answering. Did you have a PSD who made calls and helped the process?

[Anonymous]

I did not since we were coming from the burbs and it’s not really something they do. But I met with a consultant twice for some guidance.