NCS - Pros and Cons

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the difficulty is that, in HS, NCS is something of an environment of extremes. It’s a huge pressure cooker. Girls work their absolute hardest and may scrape by with a B+ in English simply because the teacher doesn’t like to give out A’s. It’s a grind. And some girls thrive under pressure and competition and are happy and confident, and others are worn down and doubt themselves. Plenty of anxiety and depression and therapy.

If it’s a good fit for your daughter then it’s a great school and an amazing education. If it’s a bad fit it could be truly harmful.

The LS and MS are not the level of pressure that the US is, so if your daughter is younger and it seems like a good fit, try it out but be open to changing for HS if needed. If you’re already looking at HS, just really think about how well your child does under pressure cooker demands.

You write this exact same thing on every NCS post verbatim.

NP, but if people keep asking the same questions, they are going to get the same answers. I generally agree with the post above. I would say that beyond grades, at the HS level there is just a general focus on achievement that increases competition. I have had kids at other schools, and the girls seem to put more focus on winning accolades: becoming President of a Club, becoming Captain of a team, winning this award or that one, etc. I am not saying that’s bad, but like the poster above, I would say that some girls thrive and others get worn down. Our DD liked her experience there and it was good for her, but it was not easy.

The mayor complaint from recent grads and current seniors is that many of their policies seem to hurt the girls in the college process. I hate to say this because we love the school but it is the truth. They refuse to even consider making any changes - some are simple easy changes that could really have positive effects.

This is a very hot topic right now in the senior, junior, and even sophomore grades.

This is true. Teachers are excellent. Administration and College Counseling need some work.

It's not college counseling's fault that the girls can't get into competitive colleges!!
It's the school. if you are giving an average GPA of 3.5 that isn't going to fly in 2024.

I agree. I did not write that! I like the admin and CC. I agree they need to change the GPA system. Other schools have changed theirs in recent years so it CAN be done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the difficulty is that, in HS, NCS is something of an environment of extremes. It’s a huge pressure cooker. Girls work their absolute hardest and may scrape by with a B+ in English simply because the teacher doesn’t like to give out A’s. It’s a grind. And some girls thrive under pressure and competition and are happy and confident, and others are worn down and doubt themselves. Plenty of anxiety and depression and therapy.

If it’s a good fit for your daughter then it’s a great school and an amazing education. If it’s a bad fit it could be truly harmful.

The LS and MS are not the level of pressure that the US is, so if your daughter is younger and it seems like a good fit, try it out but be open to changing for HS if needed. If you’re already looking at HS, just really think about how well your child does under pressure cooker demands.

You write this exact same thing on every NCS post verbatim.

NP, but if people keep asking the same questions, they are going to get the same answers. I generally agree with the post above. I would say that beyond grades, at the HS level there is just a general focus on achievement that increases competition. I have had kids at other schools, and the girls seem to put more focus on winning accolades: becoming President of a Club, becoming Captain of a team, winning this award or that one, etc. I am not saying that’s bad, but like the poster above, I would say that some girls thrive and others get worn down. Our DD liked her experience there and it was good for her, but it was not easy.

The mayor complaint from recent grads and current seniors is that many of their policies seem to hurt the girls in the college process. I hate to say this because we love the school but it is the truth. They refuse to even consider making any changes - some are simple easy changes that could really have positive effects.

This is a very hot topic right now in the senior, junior, and even sophomore grades.

This is true. Teachers are excellent. Administration and College Counseling need some work.

It's not college counseling's fault that the girls can't get into competitive colleges!!
It's the school. if you are giving an average GPA of 3.5 that isn't going to fly in 2024.

I agree. I did not write that! I like the admin and CC. I agree they need to change the GPA system. Other schools have changed theirs in recent years so it CAN be done.

Look at the Field school thread - 10 percent of their kids went to Ivies last year and had 4.3-4.0 GPA's. Difficult to compete with that.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. We have been very happy with college counseling. They can't perform miracles. There are going to be a lot of girls attending colleges ranked above 50 this year but that isn't college counseling's fault. the college environment has changed markedly in the past 5 years and NCS has not adapted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. We have been very happy with college counseling. They can't perform miracles. There are going to be a lot of girls attending colleges ranked above 50 this year but that isn't college counseling's fault. the college environment has changed markedly in the past 5 years and NCS has not adapted.

Agree but one would think college counseling would be advocating for the change though instead of doubling down and defending it since they are at the forefront of what is happening and what they are seeing?

[Anonymous]

They (along with STA) recently changed the school year schedule to start a week earlier so they can have exams before winter break, not immediately after. So change is possible. What exactly would an overhaul of the grading be? Calculation of GPAs or what?

[Anonymous]

The debates about the harsh grading at NCS have been raging for years, but what I can tell you with certainty is that your daughter will thrive in college. Most NCS girls will say that high school was harder academically than college (at least in the first year), so your daughter will really have a smooth academic adjustment to college. Many college kids are stressed from the academic work, but that is one area where your daughter with thrive. The management of her time, and her academics (at least in the first year) will be second nature. This is worth a lot in my opinion. Regardless of all other factors, the education at NCS is second to none. It is outstanding. Sometimes you/your daughter won't recognize that until your daughter has other people to compare herself to. Then she will really appreciate the education she has been given. That is a gift for life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. We have been very happy with college counseling. They can't perform miracles. There are going to be a lot of girls attending colleges ranked above 50 this year but that isn't college counseling's fault. the college environment has changed markedly in the past 5 years and NCS has not adapted.

Agree but one would think college counseling would be advocating for the change though instead of doubling down and defending it since they are at the forefront of what is happening and what they are seeing?

College counseling has no power. They are simply there to do a job.
The people who could change things are the HOS but she has doubled down in recent talks about NCS' identity as a rigorous school. The head of the upper school is worthless. Less than worthless really. She is disliked by everyone no one can actually figure out what she does since she is rarely seen in public by the girls or parents.

The whole "3.5 is the average GPA" thing worked 5 years ago and girls could get into colleges ranked 30 or so with that GPA. Not anymore. It's really rough out there.
Plus private school college counselors no longer have any ability to call colleges on behalf of kids. They did 5 years ago. Without this ability they are hoping that colleges will just pick NCS girls based on the schools' reputation.

Things are not going to change until NCS has a really, really bad college admissions year and people start withdrawing their kids or not accepting spots. Then maybe the HOS will listen and change course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. We have been very happy with college counseling. They can't perform miracles. There are going to be a lot of girls attending colleges ranked above 50 this year but that isn't college counseling's fault. the college environment has changed markedly in the past 5 years and NCS has not adapted.

Agree but one would think college counseling would be advocating for the change though instead of doubling down and defending it since they are at the forefront of what is happening and what they are seeing?

College counseling has no power. They are simply there to do a job.
The people who could change things are the HOS but she has doubled down in recent talks about NCS' identity as a rigorous school. The head of the upper school is worthless. Less than worthless really. She is disliked by everyone no one can actually figure out what she does since she is rarely seen in public by the girls or parents.

The whole "3.5 is the average GPA" thing worked 5 years ago and girls could get into colleges ranked 30 or so with that GPA. Not anymore. It's really rough out there.
Plus private school college counselors no longer have any ability to call colleges on behalf of kids. They did 5 years ago. Without this ability they are hoping that colleges will just pick NCS girls based on the schools' reputation.

Things are not going to change until NCS has a really, really bad college admissions year and people start withdrawing their kids or not accepting spots. Then maybe the HOS will listen and change course.

That is not true, the HOS is highly regarded by most parents and she is at ALL the events. I literally see her all the time. The college results for this year so far are outstanding so I think there is a lot of mis-representation here. I am very familiar with that class and the girls have excelled in their college placements so far. I think the post above is a little hysterical for no reason as far as I can tell.
For any parents looking to send their daughter to NCS, try to find a broad range of parents from the school. Some will be happy and some will not, the same as for any other school. NCS has a rigorous academic program, they do not shy away from that. It is well advertised and well known. It is probably the schools main characteristic. As others have said, go into the school with your eyes open. No one is trying to pretend otherwise. Don't send your daughter there if you think the academics will be a challenge, but do send them there if you think they are capable of rising to the challenge. My daughters came out a lot smarter than when they went in!! It was a great experience and continues to be, for our family at least, but as others have noted, it is all about the fit for your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. We have been very happy with college counseling. They can't perform miracles. There are going to be a lot of girls attending colleges ranked above 50 this year but that isn't college counseling's fault. the college environment has changed markedly in the past 5 years and NCS has not adapted.

Agree but one would think college counseling would be advocating for the change though instead of doubling down and defending it since they are at the forefront of what is happening and what they are seeing?

College counseling has no power. They are simply there to do a job.
The people who could change things are the HOS but she has doubled down in recent talks about NCS' identity as a rigorous school. The head of the upper school is worthless. Less than worthless really. She is disliked by everyone no one can actually figure out what she does since she is rarely seen in public by the girls or parents.

The whole "3.5 is the average GPA" thing worked 5 years ago and girls could get into colleges ranked 30 or so with that GPA. Not anymore. It's really rough out there.
Plus private school college counselors no longer have any ability to call colleges on behalf of kids. They did 5 years ago. Without this ability they are hoping that colleges will just pick NCS girls based on the schools' reputation.

Things are not going to change until NCS has a really, really bad college admissions year and people start withdrawing their kids or not accepting spots. Then maybe the HOS will listen and change course.

That is not true, the HOS is highly regarded by most parents and she is at ALL the events. I literally see her all the time. The college results for this year so far are outstanding so I think there is a lot of mis-representation here. I am very familiar with that class and the girls have excelled in their college placements so far. I think the post above is a little hysterical for no reason as far as I can tell.
For any parents looking to send their daughter to NCS, try to find a broad range of parents from the school. Some will be happy and some will not, the same as for any other school. NCS has a rigorous academic program, they do not shy away from that. It is well advertised and well known. It is probably the schools main characteristic. As others have said, go into the school with your eyes open. No one is trying to pretend otherwise. Don't send your daughter there if you think the academics will be a challenge, but do send them there if you think they are capable of rising to the challenge. My daughters came out a lot smarter than when they went in!! It was a great experience and continues to be, for our family at least, but as others have noted, it is all about the fit for your child.

You misread. It's the Head of the Upper School who is MIA. (re-read the post you are responding to)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The debates about the harsh grading at NCS have been raging for years, but what I can tell you with certainty is that your daughter will thrive in college. Most NCS girls will say that high school was harder academically than college (at least in the first year), so your daughter will really have a smooth academic adjustment to college. Many college kids are stressed from the academic work, but that is one area where your daughter with thrive. The management of her time, and her academics (at least in the first year) will be second nature. This is worth a lot in my opinion. Regardless of all other factors, the education at NCS is second to none. It is outstanding. Sometimes you/your daughter won't recognize that until your daughter has other people to compare herself to. Then she will really appreciate the education she has been given. That is a gift for life.

well that is great. But are you really okay with your daughter going to a university ranked 75 or 100?
NCS is sending kids en masse to places like Syracuse and Drexel. These are SMART girls who worked really, really hard in high school.
They are great schools but you're telling me you're not going to be a tiny bit underwhelmed by this outcome?

+1 at a minimum NCS can adopt what STA does for GPA. They still have a reputation for rigor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. We have been very happy with college counseling. They can't perform miracles. There are going to be a lot of girls attending colleges ranked above 50 this year but that isn't college counseling's fault. the college environment has changed markedly in the past 5 years and NCS has not adapted.

Agree but one would think college counseling would be advocating for the change though instead of doubling down and defending it since they are at the forefront of what is happening and what they are seeing?

College counseling has no power. They are simply there to do a job.
The people who could change things are the HOS but she has doubled down in recent talks about NCS' identity as a rigorous school. The head of the upper school is worthless. Less than worthless really. She is disliked by everyone no one can actually figure out what she does since she is rarely seen in public by the girls or parents.

The whole "3.5 is the average GPA" thing worked 5 years ago and girls could get into colleges ranked 30 or so with that GPA. Not anymore. It's really rough out there.
Plus private school college counselors no longer have any ability to call colleges on behalf of kids. They did 5 years ago. Without this ability they are hoping that colleges will just pick NCS girls based on the schools' reputation.

Things are not going to change until NCS has a really, really bad college admissions year and people start withdrawing their kids or not accepting spots. Then maybe the HOS will listen and change course.

That is not true, the HOS is highly regarded by most parents and she is at ALL the events. I literally see her all the time. The college results for this year so far are outstanding so I think there is a lot of mis-representation here. I am very familiar with that class and the girls have excelled in their college placements so far. I think the post above is a little hysterical for no reason as far as I can tell.
For any parents looking to send their daughter to NCS, try to find a broad range of parents from the school. Some will be happy and some will not, the same as for any other school. NCS has a rigorous academic program, they do not shy away from that. It is well advertised and well known. It is probably the schools main characteristic. As others have said, go into the school with your eyes open. No one is trying to pretend otherwise. Don't send your daughter there if you think the academics will be a challenge, but do send them there if you think they are capable of rising to the challenge. My daughters came out a lot smarter than when they went in!! It was a great experience and continues to be, for our family at least, but as others have noted, it is all about the fit for your child.

Yeah easy for you to say that.....Please don't disregard parents concerns and wanting their kids to have a fair chance that they DESERVE when their peers at less rigorous schools re getting an advantage.

Yes I like the HOS and am not the pp you are talking to. I see her out and about at events. I also like the Upper School head as well. I don't have an issue with anyone particular and am NOT the previous person saying that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The debates about the harsh grading at NCS have been raging for years, but what I can tell you with certainty is that your daughter will thrive in college. Most NCS girls will say that high school was harder academically than college (at least in the first year), so your daughter will really have a smooth academic adjustment to college. Many college kids are stressed from the academic work, but that is one area where your daughter with thrive. The management of her time, and her academics (at least in the first year) will be second nature. This is worth a lot in my opinion. Regardless of all other factors, the education at NCS is second to none. It is outstanding. Sometimes you/your daughter won't recognize that until your daughter has other people to compare herself to. Then she will really appreciate the education she has been given. That is a gift for life.

well that is great. But are you really okay with your daughter going to a university ranked 75 or 100?
NCS is sending kids en masse to places like Syracuse and Drexel. These are SMART girls who worked really, really hard in high school.
They are great schools but you're telling me you're not going to be a tiny bit underwhelmed by this outcome?

+1 at a minimum NCS can adopt what STA does for GPA. They still have a reputation for rigor.

This! I worry people are going to pull the younger siblings next year if they don't make a change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The debates about the harsh grading at NCS have been raging for years, but what I can tell you with certainty is that your daughter will thrive in college. Most NCS girls will say that high school was harder academically than college (at least in the first year), so your daughter will really have a smooth academic adjustment to college. Many college kids are stressed from the academic work, but that is one area where your daughter with thrive. The management of her time, and her academics (at least in the first year) will be second nature. This is worth a lot in my opinion. Regardless of all other factors, the education at NCS is second to none. It is outstanding. Sometimes you/your daughter won't recognize that until your daughter has other people to compare herself to. Then she will really appreciate the education she has been given. That is a gift for life.

well that is great. But are you really okay with your daughter going to a university ranked 75 or 100?
NCS is sending kids en masse to places like Syracuse and Drexel. These are SMART girls who worked really, really hard in high school.
They are great schools but you're telling me you're not going to be a tiny bit underwhelmed by this outcome?

+1 at a minimum NCS can adopt what STA does for GPA. They still have a reputation for rigor.

Agree. STA's format for GPA is actually more precise. They use the exact number you received. You can't be more fair than that. It is exact and precise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. We have been very happy with college counseling. They can't perform miracles. There are going to be a lot of girls attending colleges ranked above 50 this year but that isn't college counseling's fault. the college environment has changed markedly in the past 5 years and NCS has not adapted.

Agree but one would think college counseling would be advocating for the change though instead of doubling down and defending it since they are at the forefront of what is happening and what they are seeing?

College counseling has no power. They are simply there to do a job.
The people who could change things are the HOS but she has doubled down in recent talks about NCS' identity as a rigorous school. The head of the upper school is worthless. Less than worthless really. She is disliked by everyone no one can actually figure out what she does since she is rarely seen in public by the girls or parents.

The whole "3.5 is the average GPA" thing worked 5 years ago and girls could get into colleges ranked 30 or so with that GPA. Not anymore. It's really rough out there.
Plus private school college counselors no longer have any ability to call colleges on behalf of kids. They did 5 years ago. Without this ability they are hoping that colleges will just pick NCS girls based on the schools' reputation.

Things are not going to change until NCS has a really, really bad college admissions year and people start withdrawing their kids or not accepting spots. Then maybe the HOS will listen and change course.

That is not true, the HOS is highly regarded by most parents and she is at ALL the events. I literally see her all the time. The college results for this year so far are outstanding so I think there is a lot of mis-representation here. I am very familiar with that class and the girls have excelled in their college placements so far. I think the post above is a little hysterical for no reason as far as I can tell.
For any parents looking to send their daughter to NCS, try to find a broad range of parents from the school. Some will be happy and some will not, the same as for any other school. NCS has a rigorous academic program, they do not shy away from that. It is well advertised and well known. It is probably the schools main characteristic. As others have said, go into the school with your eyes open. No one is trying to pretend otherwise. Don't send your daughter there if you think the academics will be a challenge, but do send them there if you think they are capable of rising to the challenge. My daughters came out a lot smarter than when they went in!! It was a great experience and continues to be, for our family at least, but as others have noted, it is all about the fit for your child.

Yeah easy for you to say that.....Please don't disregard parents concerns and wanting their kids to have a fair chance that they DESERVE when their peers at less rigorous schools re getting an advantage.

Yes I like the HOS and am not the pp you are talking to. I see her out and about at events. I also like the Upper School head as well. I don't have an issue with anyone particular and am NOT the previous person saying that.

I find it interesting that you use the word "DESERVE" and not "EARNED". My observation is that the parents complaining the most have students who are not taking the highest rigor. A high GPA is achievable at NCS and exists for most of the girls taking the more rigorous classes. These girls have earned the chance to get into a higher ranked school. There are a good number of them in each class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. We have been very happy with college counseling. They can't perform miracles. There are going to be a lot of girls attending colleges ranked above 50 this year but that isn't college counseling's fault. the college environment has changed markedly in the past 5 years and NCS has not adapted.

Agree but one would think college counseling would be advocating for the change though instead of doubling down and defending it since they are at the forefront of what is happening and what they are seeing?

College counseling has no power. They are simply there to do a job.
The people who could change things are the HOS but she has doubled down in recent talks about NCS' identity as a rigorous school. The head of the upper school is worthless. Less than worthless really. She is disliked by everyone no one can actually figure out what she does since she is rarely seen in public by the girls or parents.

The whole "3.5 is the average GPA" thing worked 5 years ago and girls could get into colleges ranked 30 or so with that GPA. Not anymore. It's really rough out there.
Plus private school college counselors no longer have any ability to call colleges on behalf of kids. They did 5 years ago. Without this ability they are hoping that colleges will just pick NCS girls based on the schools' reputation.

Things are not going to change until NCS has a really, really bad college admissions year and people start withdrawing their kids or not accepting spots. Then maybe the HOS will listen and change course.

That is not true, the HOS is highly regarded by most parents and she is at ALL the events. I literally see her all the time. The college results for this year so far are outstanding so I think there is a lot of mis-representation here. I am very familiar with that class and the girls have excelled in their college placements so far. I think the post above is a little hysterical for no reason as far as I can tell.
For any parents looking to send their daughter to NCS, try to find a broad range of parents from the school. Some will be happy and some will not, the same as for any other school. NCS has a rigorous academic program, they do not shy away from that. It is well advertised and well known. It is probably the schools main characteristic. As others have said, go into the school with your eyes open. No one is trying to pretend otherwise. Don't send your daughter there if you think the academics will be a challenge, but do send them there if you think they are capable of rising to the challenge. My daughters came out a lot smarter than when they went in!! It was a great experience and continues to be, for our family at least, but as others have noted, it is all about the fit for your child.

Yeah easy for you to say that.....Please don't disregard parents concerns and wanting their kids to have a fair chance that they DESERVE when their peers at less rigorous schools re getting an advantage.

Yes I like the HOS and am not the pp you are talking to. I see her out and about at events. I also like the Upper School head as well. I don't have an issue with anyone particular and am NOT the previous person saying that.

I find it interesting that you use the word "DESERVE" and not "EARNED". My observation is that the parents complaining the most have students who are not taking the highest rigor. A high GPA is achievable at NCS and exists for most of the girls taking the more rigorous classes. These girls have earned the chance to get into a higher ranked school. There are a good number of them in each class.

Agree with PP that the word "deserve" is the problem here. Your daughter at NCS does not deserve a spot any more than any other kid that works hard at other schools (I am an NCS parent). I think you have some self-reflection to do. The NCS girls are going to incredible schools, Ivy League, and many other excellent schools. Many also chose schools for very particular programs and many also have financial concerns to consider just like other kids. Come back when you have been through the college process and if you are not there yet, you always have the option to leave rather than gripe. The school is extremely transparent, probably the most of any of the schools, there is almost no information that they will not give you in terms of the college process. You knew what you were signing up for and if you don't like it, then move to public school where although the grading is easier, you are then competing with 1,000 kids, so your daughter would need to be at the top of the grade. News flash - NCS has very high academic standards, that is very well established. Take it or leave it.