Private school kindergarten readiness

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a summer birthday kid who can read level 3 books (turning 4 in August). We're thinking about applying to private kindergarten in the fall, even though she'll be young for her grade. Is it unusual for a kid to be reading or do all TT schools expect that? Will that give her an advantage despite her being on the younger side?

I don't believe you'll even be allowed to apply. NYC private schools have strict September cut-offs.

You clearly are not as good at math and reading comprehension as this persons child. If the child is turning 4 this August then they will be eligible to start private K next September as they will be 5. But they will just be at the young end of the class. Which is the question.

As you were. I agree with others and say go public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of really smart kids in this city. Early reading doesn’t distinguish you much. Focus on her social skills and maturity— a young August birthday would be a major outlier at our TT, so much so that I’m not even sure it you’d get an interview (we didn’t first go around with an end of July birthday).

What ended up happening with your July birthday child? Did you do an additional year of preK?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of really smart kids in this city. Early reading doesn’t distinguish you much. Focus on her social skills and maturity— a young August birthday would be a major outlier at our TT, so much so that I’m not even sure it you’d get an interview (we didn’t first go around with an end of July birthday).

What ended up happening with your July birthday child? Did you do an additional year of preK?

Fives year in preschool, then started k just after turning 6 at our first choice TT. Now in middle school, no regrets. Academically and socially thriving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of really smart kids in this city. Early reading doesn’t distinguish you much. Focus on her social skills and maturity— a young August birthday would be a major outlier at our TT, so much so that I’m not even sure it you’d get an interview (we didn’t first go around with an end of July birthday).

Agree. Just because a kid picks up reading early on does not mean much. TT wants smart kids but remember they want to create class. Also, if your child is exceptionally smart, then TT may not be a fit. TT elementary levels are slow academically in comparison to good public.

[Anonymous]

Early reading is not that unusual especially in areas with educated parents who push reading and have time to read to their children. My child was reading well at 4 and we thought she was extra special till we went to public kindergarten and I would say half the class was reading. She was put in a reading group with other good readers and all was well. Kindergarten was actually rough not for academic reasons but the social adjustment. I would send her on time and encourage the love of reading, you will likely find she has peers that are at her level or above.

I was myself an early reader at age 3 according to my parents and while I was in gifted classes I am only a middle management bureaucrat as an adult. Still like to read however.