Favorite 2nd Tier Privates in NYC/BK?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dwight Englewood is a local NJ school that’s trying really hard to recruit NYC kids and be more than local. But I don’t know many top NJ students (I’m in NJ) who willingly go to DE if they can feasibly get in somewhere better in NYC. If you live in NYC, I would look elsewhere unless your kid really needs a campus and it’s their best option.

We looked at it and liked it but decided it wasn't worth the trip - my kid is somewhat athletic so the campus is nice but not critical. I think they have had some leadership challenges though I'm not sure.

We know a lot of people there. One kid is extremely smart. One is very, very wealthy and connected so likely could have gone anywhere they wanted (I believe they were strongly connected to a TT school). Another is also quite wealthy and connected, though with no specific school ties. One of those kids is a good athlete so that likely had some influence. The other two I have no idea. Even for HS kids there are plenty of parent events at the school that you want to get to, and going across the bridge for all of them, even if you are on the UWS, is a royal pain. I personally think the hill schools are a pain, and this is much worse. But to each his own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dwight Englewood is a local NJ school that’s trying really hard to recruit NYC kids and be more than local. But I don’t know many top NJ students (I’m in NJ) who willingly go to DE if they can feasibly get in somewhere better in NYC. If you live in NYC, I would look elsewhere unless your kid really needs a campus and it’s their best option.

I disagree. DE has a lot of kids from Manhattan and some very good students from NJ. Some people want a campus and a bus ride to school as opposed to the PATH. It’s popular in places like Hoboken for the kids that don’t want to commute into Manhattan or Brooklyn. It wouldn’t necessarily be my first choice but it has a great campus and some interesting programs. I know a star STEM student who when there and loved it.

[Anonymous]

Not sure if these schools are considered second tier but we liked Allen-Stevenson, Town and Browning - all felt welcoming and down to earth than other schools. Trevor Day was loud and chaotic.

[Anonymous]

Poly prep

[Anonymous]

+1 for Browning

[Anonymous]

Browning has a decent sized contingent of very Bro-ish boys. Really rubbed me the wrong way. Not all of them but your kid will have to put up with them which isn't fun.

Poly Prep has new leadership and the jury is still out. I have heard some dissatisfaction. While other schools have moderated their wokeness, they seem to be leaning in. And I am hearing this from Democrats, not overly sensitive MAGA people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Browning has a decent sized contingent of very Bro-ish boys. Really rubbed me the wrong way. Not all of them but your kid will have to put up with them which isn't fun.

Poly Prep has new leadership and the jury is still out. I have heard some dissatisfaction. While other schools have moderated their wokeness, they seem to be leaning in. And I am hearing this from Democrats, not overly sensitive MAGA people.

I would be interested in more insight about Browning. We applied for 9th and really like it. The upper school boys we met there didn’t seem bro-ish and there seemed to be a good amount of diversity. My kid liked it a lot but want to make sure it’s a good social and cultural fit. It would be a big investment for us and a bit of a commute for him. Administrators and teachers we met all seemed great.

[Anonymous]

Would love to hear more about Packer if anyone has insights? Have heard great things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Browning has a decent sized contingent of very Bro-ish boys. Really rubbed me the wrong way. Not all of them but your kid will have to put up with them which isn't fun.

Poly Prep has new leadership and the jury is still out. I have heard some dissatisfaction. While other schools have moderated their wokeness, they seem to be leaning in. And I am hearing this from Democrats, not overly sensitive MAGA people.

Curious about this poly feedback. I always assumed poly was more right leaning?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would love to hear more about Packer if anyone has insights? Have heard great things.

About Packer, also BC and Trevor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Browning has a decent sized contingent of very Bro-ish boys. Really rubbed me the wrong way. Not all of them but your kid will have to put up with them which isn't fun.

Poly Prep has new leadership and the jury is still out. I have heard some dissatisfaction. While other schools have moderated their wokeness, they seem to be leaning in. And I am hearing this from Democrats, not overly sensitive MAGA people.

Curious about this poly feedback. I always assumed poly was more right leaning?

In bk heights - every poly parent I know is extremely happy. Parent community is strong and kids are encouraged to be themselves

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would love to hear more about Packer if anyone has insights? Have heard great things.

We’ve applied to Packer for 9th. I liked it. A lot of unique programs, opportunities for research, all 11th graders go abroad, etc. Got good vibes from the admissions office and the administrators/faculty we met. Our interviewer sent my kid a very nice, very detailed handwritten note after the interview. Packer was the only school that did that. Campus if gorgeous. We weren’t so impressed with our tour guides. We were visiting at the same time as the K applicants were doing their play dates. They basically for the K play dates in the admissions waiting room. It was interesting to observe. The K parents definitely seemed more stressed than the HS parents. Glad those days are over for us!

[Anonymous]

Is Trevor getting more competitive? We thought it was a solid safety but not sure anymore

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Trevor getting more competitive? We thought it was a solid safety but not sure anymore

They’re definitely rejecting a significant number of people now, if it’s your only safety I’d see if anybody else is still taking applications.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Browning has a decent sized contingent of very Bro-ish boys. Really rubbed me the wrong way. Not all of them but your kid will have to put up with them which isn't fun.

Poly Prep has new leadership and the jury is still out. I have heard some dissatisfaction. While other schools have moderated their wokeness, they seem to be leaning in. And I am hearing this from Democrats, not overly sensitive MAGA people.

Curious about this poly feedback. I always assumed poly was more right leaning?

In bk heights - every poly parent I know is extremely happy. Parent community is strong and kids are encouraged to be themselves

Poly seems great if you want to stay in Brooklyn and have a pile of money to burn. OTOH my relative who sends kids there has probably earned back at least 50% tuition on home appreciation by staying in Brooklyn vs moving to the burbs.