Best private schools in NYC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve known families that are happy at Columbia Grammar. I would choose Avenues over Columbia! Avenues academics are more rigorous and the parent community at Avenues is lovely.

Best friend’s family had two kids in avenues (anecdotal, sorry). They loathed it. Pulled their kids after their two favorite teachers left, who mentioned the education seemed to be profit first, experience second. One starts at st. B’’s next year, the other is going to lycee francais. I talked to her last week, and she said how thankful they are to manage to find spots elsewhere.

So take that for what it’s worth.

It completely depends on the individual class experience and the child. Some Avenues families that have switched to schools that are not top tier found the academics to be lacking at some schools that are considered 2nd tier like Fieldston, St. Luke’s, Poly Prep, Nightingale, VCS. I think Avenues is solidly a very good 2nd tier school.

Would choose Avenues over Fieldston if you can't get in any TT schools and looking for more rigor.

Fieldston >>>>>>>> Avenues. Just entirely different leagues in terms of matriculation.

https://www.ecfs.org/college-destinations/

https://www.avenues.org/about/college-counseling/matriculation

Also, Fieldston’s always had a great rep and ridiculous alumni network. Wonderful education, too. Friends who went are now sending their kids there happily.

says you. lol

Both are second tier schools. Fieldston has much larger number of students due to their class size. Avenues, until recently, has 50-60 students per year.

But really they are comparable, with Avenues more impressive than Fieldston.

Both are quite miserable compared with Dalton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I think we can't look at HYP individuals only, but really have to look at the percentage of students that succeed.

At TT schools like Dalton, 50% of graduates go to Ivies, 60% go to Ivies + Top 10 + T5 Lacs.
At Columbia Grammar, you may find a few individuals that go to HYP, but the matriculation results at large is not super impressive as TT schools.

Depends on perspective. Many of the TT schools seems to take highly motived and resourceful families, counsel out the children that don't produce, and recruit children that were already on track to get into a top university. A nurturing school that takes a B student and turns them into an A- student could be considered more impressive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Depends on perspective. Many of the TT schools seems to take highly motived and resourceful families, counsel out the children that don't produce, and recruit children that were already on track to get into a top university. A nurturing school that takes a B student and turns them into an A- student could be considered more impressive.

Which school does this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering why Columbia Prep and Grammar is not thought of as highly - they had exmissions to HYP this year, have a chess team that wins nationally, has an awesome advanced science research program, and seems like less of a pressure cooker compared to other schools. I read that they also have one of Princeton's college admissions deans joining as head of college counseling, so curious if their Princeton admissions rate will go up.

I think we can't look at HYP individuals only, but really have to look at the percentage of students that succeed.

At TT schools like Dalton, 50% of graduates go to Ivies, 60% go to Ivies + Top 10 + T5 Lacs.
At Columbia Grammar, you may find a few individuals that go to HYP, but the matriculation results at large is not super impressive as TT schools.

Horace Mann just sent parents a college admissions report with data from the last three years. The admission rates and matriculation list are really eye-opening. I don't think CGPS compares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've heard that you should aim to get into the "right" preschool in order to boost your chance of admission at a private kindergarten. Which preschools are the best ones to target? Is 92nd St Y still the elusive prize that it used to be?

100% yes. The preschool directors at top preschools have relationships with the admissions directors at top ongoing schools and help place children at the top tier schools. The UES preschools still dominate when it comes to these relationships but there are schools downtown and in Brooklyn that are TT as well. Some examples:

92 St Y, Episcopal, Temple Emanu-El, Resurrection Episcopal Day School, Brick Church, Christ Church, Garden House, All Souls, STMPG, Park Children's Day School, Beginnings, City and Country, Grace Church (Brooklyn).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering why Columbia Prep and Grammar is not thought of as highly - they had exmissions to HYP this year, have a chess team that wins nationally, has an awesome advanced science research program, and seems like less of a pressure cooker compared to other schools. I read that they also have one of Princeton's college admissions deans joining as head of college counseling, so curious if their Princeton admissions rate will go up.

I think we can't look at HYP individuals only, but really have to look at the percentage of students that succeed.

At TT schools like Dalton, 50% of graduates go to Ivies, 60% go to Ivies + Top 10 + T5 Lacs.
At Columbia Grammar, you may find a few individuals that go to HYP, but the matriculation results at large is not super impressive as TT schools.

Columbia admissions is not competitive. They accept most anyone that applies and can pay tuition. Avenues is the same.

Not sure about Columbia Grammar. Avenues certainly the upper division is not easy to get into. Several families we know of applied at 9th grade didn't get in. They have about 45 spots at 9th grade. Anyone didn't get into TT or boarding schools apply to Avenues, the acceptance rate is sub-10%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering why Columbia Prep and Grammar is not thought of as highly - they had exmissions to HYP this year, have a chess team that wins nationally, has an awesome advanced science research program, and seems like less of a pressure cooker compared to other schools. I read that they also have one of Princeton's college admissions deans joining as head of college counseling, so curious if their Princeton admissions rate will go up.

I think we can't look at HYP individuals only, but really have to look at the percentage of students that succeed.

At TT schools like Dalton, 50% of graduates go to Ivies, 60% go to Ivies + Top 10 + T5 Lacs.
At Columbia Grammar, you may find a few individuals that go to HYP, but the matriculation results at large is not super impressive as TT schools.

Columbia admissions is not competitive. They accept most anyone that applies and can pay tuition. Avenues is the same.

Not sure about Columbia Grammar. Avenues certainly the upper division is not easy to get into. Several families we know of applied at 9th grade didn't get in. They have about 45 spots at 9th grade. Anyone didn't get into TT or boarding schools apply to Avenues, the acceptance rate is sub-10%.

I have never met one family that has not gotten into Avenues that has applied. Most of the very motivated stand-out students take advantage of the unique immersion offerings in the lower school then move on to top tier schools at middle school. They lose about 20 kids after lower school so 6th grade is an excellent time to apply to Avenues. While the curriculum, facilites and teachers are very good, the student body isn’t very scholarly. Nicer by a mile than Columbia Grammar, however.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering why Columbia Prep and Grammar is not thought of as highly - they had exmissions to HYP this year, have a chess team that wins nationally, has an awesome advanced science research program, and seems like less of a pressure cooker compared to other schools. I read that they also have one of Princeton's college admissions deans joining as head of college counseling, so curious if their Princeton admissions rate will go up.

I think we can't look at HYP individuals only, but really have to look at the percentage of students that succeed.

At TT schools like Dalton, 50% of graduates go to Ivies, 60% go to Ivies + Top 10 + T5 Lacs.
At Columbia Grammar, you may find a few individuals that go to HYP, but the matriculation results at large is not super impressive as TT schools.

Columbia admissions is not competitive. They accept most anyone that applies and can pay tuition. Avenues is the same.

Not sure about Columbia Grammar. Avenues certainly the upper division is not easy to get into. Several families we know of applied at 9th grade didn't get in. They have about 45 spots at 9th grade. Anyone didn't get into TT or boarding schools apply to Avenues, the acceptance rate is sub-10%.

I have never met one family that has not gotten into Avenues that has applied. Most of the very motivated stand-out students take advantage of the unique immersion offerings in the lower school then move on to top tier schools at middle school. They lose about 20 kids after lower school so 6th grade is an excellent time to apply to Avenues. While the curriculum, facilites and teachers are very good, the student body isn’t very scholarly. Nicer by a mile than Columbia Grammar, however.

Simple logic: never met one that has not gotten into Avenues = 100% acceptance rate.

20 spots filled + 100% acceptance rate = only 20 applicants in total applied.

Tell me you never applied to Manhattan private hs without telling me…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering why Columbia Prep and Grammar is not thought of as highly - they had exmissions to HYP this year, have a chess team that wins nationally, has an awesome advanced science research program, and seems like less of a pressure cooker compared to other schools. I read that they also have one of Princeton's college admissions deans joining as head of college counseling, so curious if their Princeton admissions rate will go up.

I think we can't look at HYP individuals only, but really have to look at the percentage of students that succeed.

At TT schools like Dalton, 50% of graduates go to Ivies, 60% go to Ivies + Top 10 + T5 Lacs.
At Columbia Grammar, you may find a few individuals that go to HYP, but the matriculation results at large is not super impressive as TT schools.

Columbia admissions is not competitive. They accept most anyone that applies and can pay tuition. Avenues is the same.

Not sure about Columbia Grammar. Avenues certainly the upper division is not easy to get into. Several families we know of applied at 9th grade didn't get in. They have about 45 spots at 9th grade. Anyone didn't get into TT or boarding schools apply to Avenues, the acceptance rate is sub-10%.

I have never met one family that has not gotten into Avenues that has applied. Most of the very motivated stand-out students take advantage of the unique immersion offerings in the lower school then move on to top tier schools at middle school. They lose about 20 kids after lower school so 6th grade is an excellent time to apply to Avenues. While the curriculum, facilites and teachers are very good, the student body isn’t very scholarly. Nicer by a mile than Columbia Grammar, however.

Simple logic: never met one that has not gotten into Avenues = 100% acceptance rate.

20 spots filled + 100% acceptance rate = only 20 applicants in total applied.

Tell me you never applied to Manhattan private hs without telling me…

Actually, several of my kids attend Avenues, love the school! It’s definitely super easy to gain acceptance. Honestly, wish the process was more difficult. They accept closer to 30 kids at 9th not 20!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering why Columbia Prep and Grammar is not thought of as highly - they had exmissions to HYP this year, have a chess team that wins nationally, has an awesome advanced science research program, and seems like less of a pressure cooker compared to other schools. I read that they also have one of Princeton's college admissions deans joining as head of college counseling, so curious if their Princeton admissions rate will go up.

I think we can't look at HYP individuals only, but really have to look at the percentage of students that succeed.

At TT schools like Dalton, 50% of graduates go to Ivies, 60% go to Ivies + Top 10 + T5 Lacs.
At Columbia Grammar, you may find a few individuals that go to HYP, but the matriculation results at large is not super impressive as TT schools.

Columbia admissions is not competitive. They accept most anyone that applies and can pay tuition. Avenues is the same.

Not sure about Columbia Grammar. Avenues certainly the upper division is not easy to get into. Several families we know of applied at 9th grade didn't get in. They have about 45 spots at 9th grade. Anyone didn't get into TT or boarding schools apply to Avenues, the acceptance rate is sub-10%.

I have never met one family that has not gotten into Avenues that has applied. Most of the very motivated stand-out students take advantage of the unique immersion offerings in the lower school then move on to top tier schools at middle school. They lose about 20 kids after lower school so 6th grade is an excellent time to apply to Avenues. While the curriculum, facilites and teachers are very good, the student body isn’t very scholarly. Nicer by a mile than Columbia Grammar, however.

Simple logic: never met one that has not gotten into Avenues = 100% acceptance rate.

20 spots filled + 100% acceptance rate = only 20 applicants in total applied.

Tell me you never applied to Manhattan private hs without telling me…

Actually, several of my kids attend Avenues, love the school! It’s definitely super easy to gain acceptance. Honestly, wish the process was more difficult. They accept closer to 30 kids at 9th not 20!

I can collaborate. DC didn’t end up at Avenues, but they basically begged us to attend. Received countless messages and emails before (even after!) we made the decision. DC chose Browning.

[Anonymous]

My wife and I just went through the K admissions process. We're not originally from NYC and have no connection to any local private schools. Our child was at one of the "Baby Ivies" for preschool and we expected that would translate into excellent admissions choices. However, after completing the process we believe that the excellent exmissions stats of our preschool are largely due to them carefully selecting children who fit the preferred profile of the K-12 schools, and not due to much educational or reputational "value add" on their part. The preferred profile includes children of TT alumni and kids who provide visual but not socioeconomic diversity (think URM with parents in law, finance, medicine, etc.). I suspect the same is true for the high schools with excellent exmission stats. Getting kids into Ivies for college is easier if the parents are alumni and donors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My wife and I just went through the K admissions process. We're not originally from NYC and have no connection to any local private schools. Our child was at one of the "Baby Ivies" for preschool and we expected that would translate into excellent admissions choices. However, after completing the process we believe that the excellent exmissions stats of our preschool are largely due to them carefully selecting children who fit the preferred profile of the K-12 schools, and not due to much educational or reputational "value add" on their part. The preferred profile includes children of TT alumni and kids who provide visual but not socioeconomic diversity (think URM with parents in law, finance, medicine, etc.). I suspect the same is true for the high schools with excellent exmission stats. Getting kids into Ivies for college is easier if the parents are alumni and donors.

No, TT schools got highly motivated kids who are academically advanced. Those unfit can go to Avenues

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My wife and I just went through the K admissions process. We're not originally from NYC and have no connection to any local private schools. Our child was at one of the "Baby Ivies" for preschool and we expected that would translate into excellent admissions choices. However, after completing the process we believe that the excellent exmissions stats of our preschool are largely due to them carefully selecting children who fit the preferred profile of the K-12 schools, and not due to much educational or reputational "value add" on their part. The preferred profile includes children of TT alumni and kids who provide visual but not socioeconomic diversity (think URM with parents in law, finance, medicine, etc.). I suspect the same is true for the high schools with excellent exmission stats. Getting kids into Ivies for college is easier if the parents are alumni and donors.

No, TT schools got highly motivated kids who are academically advanced. Those unfit can go to Avenues

At Kindergarten it’s more about the parents than the kids. It’s difficult to really know yet what type of learner a child is. The TT schools definitely get very bright kids that have a track record of excellence and can score well on the very difficult ISEE at 6th and 9th grade. Admittance at those later entry points rely more on the student.

Avenues does not require the ISEE so there is more of a mix of serious and less serious students. I would not call avenues students “unfit”. LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My wife and I just went through the K admissions process. We're not originally from NYC and have no connection to any local private schools. Our child was at one of the "Baby Ivies" for preschool and we expected that would translate into excellent admissions choices. However, after completing the process we believe that the excellent exmissions stats of our preschool are largely due to them carefully selecting children who fit the preferred profile of the K-12 schools, and not due to much educational or reputational "value add" on their part. The preferred profile includes children of TT alumni and kids who provide visual but not socioeconomic diversity (think URM with parents in law, finance, medicine, etc.). I suspect the same is true for the high schools with excellent exmission stats. Getting kids into Ivies for college is easier if the parents are alumni and donors.

No, TT schools got highly motivated kids who are academically advanced. Those unfit can go to Avenues

At Kindergarten it’s more about the parents than the kids. It’s difficult to really know yet what type of learner a child is. The TT schools definitely get very bright kids that have a track record of excellence and can score well on the very difficult ISEE at 6th and 9th grade. Admittance at those later entry points rely more on the student.

Avenues does not require the ISEE so there is more of a mix of serious and less serious students. I would not call avenues students “unfit”. LOL.

Like TO in college admission, test score is certainly not optional for certain ORM demographics, let it be TT or Avenues. It's extremely difficult for us ORM to get in TT. The next best option is Avenues, then maybe a few other tier 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Like TO in college admission, test score is certainly not optional for certain ORM demographics, let it be TT or Avenues. It's extremely difficult for us ORM to get in TT. The next best option is Avenues, then maybe a few other tier 2.

That would apply to the majority of unconnected families. There is limited availability after consideration for sibiling, alumni, faculty, etc...

I hope my child is good enough to be recruited for sport, because being an academic superstar doesn't really seem like much fun.