What is the most elite NYC preschool?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WSMS big connections to Trinity

Park children's big connections to Spence , brearley, collegiate

Montclare big connections to dalton

But you will be competing with many siblings and legacies. The above poster is correct. It really depends on the class makeup. You are competing with the classmates.

Might be better to be the only kid from a less known school applying to TT, as long as the preschool director is decent. For example, morningside Montessori sent kids to brearley, Spence, dalton in the last few years. You get all of the director’s attention and they can go hard for you, versus a place like PCDS. Park children’s had 29 children applying private this past year. WSMS is huge, they probably have even more applying private.

Thank you so much for the comprehensive analysis. I heard from a Korean WSMS parent that 7 out of 7 get Brearly this year, including her daughter. Is this data normal or highly based on legacy/sibling? In addition, is it true that kid compete against each other in the same class when they apply for the same school, say, trinity? Is that mean trinity gives a fixed spots to WSMS each year so that more kids with legacy/siblings, less opportunity for kids without connections? Thank you so much for your time and analysis. I am curious its your estimate or fact since I heard the process is like a black box.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It’s for next year. We live in UWS so I’m curious about their reputation, TT offer rate, etc. Thanks!

No matter how much research I did, at the end of the day it was my child who decided based on which preschool they liked the most during assessment.

My kid was 18 months at her assessment for preschool (applying for 2s). It seems silly to base a decision on the opinion of a child that age. YMMV.

To the poster asking about UWS schools, you really can’t go wrong with any of the three you listed. I would pick the one that is closest to your apartment, unless you feel strongly about a certain educational philosophy as they are all different.

I second you. Btw, I heard the Head of school and admission officer who worked in WSMS for decades will retire this month. I wonder if it would affect the TT conversion rate in the future. It's really hard to say the school legacy lasts or people connection weigh more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WSMS big connections to Trinity

Park children's big connections to Spence , brearley, collegiate

Montclare big connections to dalton

But you will be competing with many siblings and legacies. The above poster is correct. It really depends on the class makeup. You are competing with the classmates.

Might be better to be the only kid from a less known school applying to TT, as long as the preschool director is decent. For example, morningside Montessori sent kids to brearley, Spence, dalton in the last few years. You get all of the director’s attention and they can go hard for you, versus a place like PCDS. Park children’s had 29 children applying private this past year. WSMS is huge, they probably have even more applying private.

Thank you so much for the comprehensive analysis. I heard from a Korean WSMS parent that 7 out of 7 get Brearly this year, including her daughter. Is this data normal or highly based on legacy/sibling? In addition, is it true that kid compete against each other in the same class when they apply for the same school, say, trinity? Is that mean trinity gives a fixed spots to WSMS each year so that more kids with legacy/siblings, less opportunity for kids without connections? Thank you so much for your time and analysis. I am curious its your estimate or fact since I heard the process is like a black box.

Yes, you are competing against your classmates. Sometimes places like Brearley are already pre filled with siblings, there might be only 10-12 new spots out of 50 (I think that was the case 1-2 years ago).

So of course Trinity is the hardest school to get into. From what I have heard, places like WSMS are chock full of faculty kids, siblings and legacies, and probably 1 or 2 unconnected families get in. And remember, you have to probably be a very active parent on the PTA to stand out and see if the school will want to vouch for you. Do you have that time to commit?

That’s impressive about 7 to Brearley from WSMS, but I would definitely take a good look at connections. For example (many years ago), Tina Fey’s kids went to WSMS and then Brearley. Some of those accepted may know someone on the board. You can’t control for those variables.

You want your kid to go to Brearley and you have no connections: go to a smaller school where you are the only kid applying; it gives you a better shot of standing out. Kids get into Brearley from International Preschools, Garden House, Merricat’s, and so on. 92Y had 39 girls apply to Brearley the other year… I mean, that’s just not going to work out for most people.

I just know of too many families who went to TT preschool without connections and were disappointed in results (still ended up well, but just not the tippy top like a Trinity or Brearley).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It’s for next year. We live in UWS so I’m curious about their reputation, TT offer rate, etc. Thanks!

No matter how much research I did, at the end of the day it was my child who decided based on which preschool they liked the most during assessment.

My kid was 18 months at her assessment for preschool (applying for 2s). It seems silly to base a decision on the opinion of a child that age. YMMV.

To the poster asking about UWS schools, you really can’t go wrong with any of the three you listed. I would pick the one that is closest to your apartment, unless you feel strongly about a certain educational philosophy as they are all different.

I second you. Btw, I heard the Head of school and admission officer who worked in WSMS for decades will retire this month. I wonder if it would affect the TT conversion rate in the future. It's really hard to say the school legacy lasts or people connection weigh more.

Same with PCDS. Their head of school (big Brearley connections) is retiring.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for the comprehensive analysis. I heard from a Korean WSMS parent that 7 out of 7 get Brearly this year, including her daughter. Is this data normal or highly based on legacy/sibling? In addition, is it true that kid compete against each other in the same class when they apply for the same school, say, trinity? Is that mean trinity gives a fixed spots to WSMS each year so that more kids with legacy/siblings, less opportunity for kids without connections? Thank you so much for your time and analysis. I am curious its your estimate or fact since I heard the process is like a black box.


WSMS has big connection to Brearley. Always had a number of girls going to Brearley. Seven is a little higher than before. At least two out of seven are siblings. Also, don’t forget this was HOS’ last year so results were great all around. The last hurrah.

With Trinity, the connection seems based on legacy, faculty and staff of Trinity, and siblings. There are a decent number going this year as well partially due to Hos retiring.

With the new HOS, I am not sure if the connection will change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Thank you so much for the comprehensive analysis. I heard from a Korean WSMS parent that 7 out of 7 get Brearly this year, including her daughter. Is this data normal or highly based on legacy/sibling? In addition, is it true that kid compete against each other in the same class when they apply for the same school, say, trinity? Is that mean trinity gives a fixed spots to WSMS each year so that more kids with legacy/siblings, less opportunity for kids without connections? Thank you so much for your time and analysis. I am curious its your estimate or fact since I heard the process is like a black box.


WSMS has big connection to Brearley. Always had a number of girls going to Brearley. Seven is a little higher than before. At least two out of seven are siblings. Also, don’t forget this was HOS’ last year so results were great all around. The last hurrah.

With Trinity, the connection seems based on legacy, faculty and staff of Trinity, and siblings. There are a decent number going this year as well partially due to Hos retiring.

With the new HOS, I am not sure if the connection will change.


Do you know how many kids from WSMS apply private in one year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Thank you so much for the comprehensive analysis. I heard from a Korean WSMS parent that 7 out of 7 get Brearly this year, including her daughter. Is this data normal or highly based on legacy/sibling? In addition, is it true that kid compete against each other in the same class when they apply for the same school, say, trinity? Is that mean trinity gives a fixed spots to WSMS each year so that more kids with legacy/siblings, less opportunity for kids without connections? Thank you so much for your time and analysis. I am curious its your estimate or fact since I heard the process is like a black box.


WSMS has big connection to Brearley. Always had a number of girls going to Brearley. Seven is a little higher than before. At least two out of seven are siblings. Also, don’t forget this was HOS’ last year so results were great all around. The last hurrah.

With Trinity, the connection seems based on legacy, faculty and staff of Trinity, and siblings. There are a decent number going this year as well partially due to Hos retiring.

With the new HOS, I am not sure if the connection will change.


Thanks for the valuable insight. We are concerned about it bc we have signed the contract and will attend WSMS this coming Fall, but we have no legacy/siblings privilege. (We do have Alma mater school connections with some of TT’s AO and will ask for coffee chats before applying K, but it def not stronger than legacy.) Anyway, fingers crossed. Our target is Trinity, Brearly, Dalton, Chapin, Spence, Sacred Heart, Marymount, CGPS, the School of Columbia.(My wife will do part time PhD at Columbia)Any thoughts on those schools and the likelihood of admission for each one? Appreciate it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Thank you so much for the comprehensive analysis. I heard from a Korean WSMS parent that 7 out of 7 get Brearly this year, including her daughter. Is this data normal or highly based on legacy/sibling? In addition, is it true that kid compete against each other in the same class when they apply for the same school, say, trinity? Is that mean trinity gives a fixed spots to WSMS each year so that more kids with legacy/siblings, less opportunity for kids without connections? Thank you so much for your time and analysis. I am curious its your estimate or fact since I heard the process is like a black box.

WSMS has big connection to Brearley. Always had a number of girls going to Brearley. Seven is a little higher than before. At least two out of seven are siblings. Also, don’t forget this was HOS’ last year so results were great all around. The last hurrah.

With Trinity, the connection seems based on legacy, faculty and staff of Trinity, and siblings. There are a decent number going this year as well partially due to Hos retiring.

With the new HOS, I am not sure if the connection will change.


Thanks for the valuable insight. We are concerned about it bc we have signed the contract and will attend WSMS this coming Fall, but we have no legacy/siblings privilege. (We do have Alma mater school connections with some of TT’s AO and will ask for coffee chats before applying K, but it def not stronger than legacy.) Anyway, fingers crossed. Our target is Trinity, Brearly, Dalton, Chapin, Spence, Sacred Heart, Marymount, CGPS, the School of Columbia.(My wife will do part time PhD at Columbia)Any thoughts on those schools and the likelihood of admission for each one? Appreciate it!

Are you entering in the 2s or for the older age group? Did you look at other preschools?
What does alma mater school connections with TT's AO mean?
Don't worry, you should be fine for most of these schools, especially if you are full pay - Dalton is very large at 90 kids, so easier to get in, and SH, MM, CPGS and School of Columbia will take your kid unless some glaring defect. Trinity will be tough and will depend on luck of the draw for your year. B/S/C One of them will pull through, esp C/S if WSMS is sending siblings to Brearley and there's less competition for Chapin and Spence.
Will also depend on your kid and how they stack up with the other children. If your child doesn't thrive in Montessori and doesn't get good reviews, then not sure they would advocate as hard for your kid. They have to be honest in the ISAAGNY report.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Thank you so much for the comprehensive analysis. I heard from a Korean WSMS parent that 7 out of 7 get Brearly this year, including her daughter. Is this data normal or highly based on legacy/sibling? In addition, is it true that kid compete against each other in the same class when they apply for the same school, say, trinity? Is that mean trinity gives a fixed spots to WSMS each year so that more kids with legacy/siblings, less opportunity for kids without connections? Thank you so much for your time and analysis. I am curious its your estimate or fact since I heard the process is like a black box.

WSMS has big connection to Brearley. Always had a number of girls going to Brearley. Seven is a little higher than before. At least two out of seven are siblings. Also, don’t forget this was HOS’ last year so results were great all around. The last hurrah.

With Trinity, the connection seems based on legacy, faculty and staff of Trinity, and siblings. There are a decent number going this year as well partially due to Hos retiring.

With the new HOS, I am not sure if the connection will change.

Thanks for the valuable insight. We are concerned about it bc we have signed the contract and will attend WSMS this coming Fall, but we have no legacy/siblings privilege. (We do have Alma mater school connections with some of TT’s AO and will ask for coffee chats before applying K, but it def not stronger than legacy.) Anyway, fingers crossed. Our target is Trinity, Brearly, Dalton, Chapin, Spence, Sacred Heart, Marymount, CGPS, the School of Columbia.(My wife will do part time PhD at Columbia)Any thoughts on those schools and the likelihood of admission for each one? Appreciate it!

Are you entering in the 2s or for the older age group? Did you look at other preschools?
What does alma mater school connections with TT's AO mean?
Don't worry, you should be fine for most of these schools, especially if you are full pay - Dalton is very large at 90 kids, so easier to get in, and SH, MM, CPGS and School of Columbia will take your kid unless some glaring defect. Trinity will be tough and will depend on luck of the draw for your year. B/S/C One of them will pull through, esp C/S if WSMS is sending siblings to Brearley and there's less competition for Chapin and Spence.
Will also depend on your kid and how they stack up with the other children. If your child doesn't thrive in Montessori and doesn't get good reviews, then not sure they would advocate as hard for your kid. They have to be honest in the ISAAGNY report.

Thank you so much for the thoughtful notes! My daughter got the toddler class offer from WSMS so she will attend toddler class this fall and will go to muti-age class next year. For the second question, it means that I did some research and found out some of the Admission directors at TT and my wife/I went to the same college, so we are alumni. I know it's nothing compared to legacy/siblings but maybe it could create chemistry a bit after coffee chats. Lastly, I appreciate your analysis that gives me a lot of confidence, haha. One more thing is that I know some of these schools have pre-k (Dalton, HM, SH) and some don't. If we are lucky to get pre-k offer from these schools, do you think it's necessary to apply Trinity/B next year? or just take it. Thanks agian!

[Anonymous]

Dalton does not have pre-K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Thank you so much for the comprehensive analysis. I heard from a Korean WSMS parent that 7 out of 7 get Brearly this year, including her daughter. Is this data normal or highly based on legacy/sibling? In addition, is it true that kid compete against each other in the same class when they apply for the same school, say, trinity? Is that mean trinity gives a fixed spots to WSMS each year so that more kids with legacy/siblings, less opportunity for kids without connections? Thank you so much for your time and analysis. I am curious its your estimate or fact since I heard the process is like a black box.

WSMS has big connection to Brearley. Always had a number of girls going to Brearley. Seven is a little higher than before. At least two out of seven are siblings. Also, don’t forget this was HOS’ last year so results were great all around. The last hurrah.

With Trinity, the connection seems based on legacy, faculty and staff of Trinity, and siblings. There are a decent number going this year as well partially due to Hos retiring.

With the new HOS, I am not sure if the connection will change.

Thanks for the valuable insight. We are concerned about it bc we have signed the contract and will attend WSMS this coming Fall, but we have no legacy/siblings privilege. (We do have Alma mater school connections with some of TT’s AO and will ask for coffee chats before applying K, but it def not stronger than legacy.) Anyway, fingers crossed. Our target is Trinity, Brearly, Dalton, Chapin, Spence, Sacred Heart, Marymount, CGPS, the School of Columbia.(My wife will do part time PhD at Columbia)Any thoughts on those schools and the likelihood of admission for each one? Appreciate it!

Are you entering in the 2s or for the older age group? Did you look at other preschools?
What does alma mater school connections with TT's AO mean?
Don't worry, you should be fine for most of these schools, especially if you are full pay - Dalton is very large at 90 kids, so easier to get in, and SH, MM, CPGS and School of Columbia will take your kid unless some glaring defect. Trinity will be tough and will depend on luck of the draw for your year. B/S/C One of them will pull through, esp C/S if WSMS is sending siblings to Brearley and there's less competition for Chapin and Spence.
Will also depend on your kid and how they stack up with the other children. If your child doesn't thrive in Montessori and doesn't get good reviews, then not sure they would advocate as hard for your kid. They have to be honest in the ISAAGNY report.

Thank you so much for the thoughtful notes! My daughter got the toddler class offer from WSMS so she will attend toddler class this fall and will go to muti-age class next year. For the second question, it means that I did some research and found out some of the Admission directors at TT and my wife/I went to the same college, so we are alumni. I know it's nothing compared to legacy/siblings but maybe it could create chemistry a bit after coffee chats. Lastly, I appreciate your analysis that gives me a lot of confidence, haha. One more thing is that I know some of these schools have pre-k (Dalton, HM, SH) and some don't. If we are lucky to get pre-k offer from these schools, do you think it's necessary to apply Trinity/B next year? or just take it. Thanks agian!

Yup, no preK for dalton. They had one like 30 years ago.

If you get HM 3s or HM preK, definitely take it!! Riverdale also has a preK.

CGPS also has preK.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Thank you so much for the comprehensive analysis. I heard from a Korean WSMS parent that 7 out of 7 get Brearly this year, including her daughter. Is this data normal or highly based on legacy/sibling? In addition, is it true that kid compete against each other in the same class when they apply for the same school, say, trinity? Is that mean trinity gives a fixed spots to WSMS each year so that more kids with legacy/siblings, less opportunity for kids without connections? Thank you so much for your time and analysis. I am curious its your estimate or fact since I heard the process is like a black box.

WSMS has big connection to Brearley. Always had a number of girls going to Brearley. Seven is a little higher than before. At least two out of seven are siblings. Also, don’t forget this was HOS’ last year so results were great all around. The last hurrah.

With Trinity, the connection seems based on legacy, faculty and staff of Trinity, and siblings. There are a decent number going this year as well partially due to Hos retiring.

With the new HOS, I am not sure if the connection will change.

Thanks for the valuable insight. We are concerned about it bc we have signed the contract and will attend WSMS this coming Fall, but we have no legacy/siblings privilege. (We do have Alma mater school connections with some of TT’s AO and will ask for coffee chats before applying K, but it def not stronger than legacy.) Anyway, fingers crossed. Our target is Trinity, Brearly, Dalton, Chapin, Spence, Sacred Heart, Marymount, CGPS, the School of Columbia.(My wife will do part time PhD at Columbia)Any thoughts on those schools and the likelihood of admission for each one? Appreciate it!

Are you entering in the 2s or for the older age group? Did you look at other preschools?
What does alma mater school connections with TT's AO mean?
Don't worry, you should be fine for most of these schools, especially if you are full pay - Dalton is very large at 90 kids, so easier to get in, and SH, MM, CPGS and School of Columbia will take your kid unless some glaring defect. Trinity will be tough and will depend on luck of the draw for your year. B/S/C One of them will pull through, esp C/S if WSMS is sending siblings to Brearley and there's less competition for Chapin and Spence.
Will also depend on your kid and how they stack up with the other children. If your child doesn't thrive in Montessori and doesn't get good reviews, then not sure they would advocate as hard for your kid. They have to be honest in the ISAAGNY report.

Thank you so much for the thoughtful notes! My daughter got the toddler class offer from WSMS so she will attend toddler class this fall and will go to muti-age class next year. For the second question, it means that I did some research and found out some of the Admission directors at TT and my wife/I went to the same college, so we are alumni. I know it's nothing compared to legacy/siblings but maybe it could create chemistry a bit after coffee chats. Lastly, I appreciate your analysis that gives me a lot of confidence, haha. One more thing is that I know some of these schools have pre-k (Dalton, HM, SH) and some don't. If we are lucky to get pre-k offer from these schools, do you think it's necessary to apply Trinity/B next year? or just take it. Thanks agian!

Yup, no preK for dalton. They had one like 30 years ago.

If you get HM 3s or HM preK, definitely take it!! Riverdale also has a preK.

CGPS also has preK.




Some schools are easier to get into than others. TTs are definitely harder. Like the poster said, if there is a prek available, take it. I heard HM 3s is hard to get in but there are more spots available than pre-K.

Also, 7 out of 7 to Brearley does not sound right considering the number of kids in WSMS and popularity of Brearley. I’m pretty sure there were more kids applying to Brearley than 7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Thank you so much for the thoughtful notes! My daughter got the toddler class offer from WSMS so she will attend toddler class this fall and will go to muti-age class next year. For the second question, it means that I did some research and found out some of the Admission directors at TT and my wife/I went to the same college, so we are alumni. I know it's nothing compared to legacy/siblings but maybe it could create chemistry a bit after coffee chats. Lastly, I appreciate your analysis that gives me a lot of confidence, haha. One more thing is that I know some of these schools have pre-k (Dalton, HM, SH) and some don't. If we are lucky to get pre-k offer from these schools, do you think it's necessary to apply Trinity/B next year? or just take it. Thanks agian!

The schools listed are very different from each other. You will want to list what your prioritizes are and what schools will be a good fit for your child. Traditional vs Progressive education, academic rigor vs sweet experience, diversity, etc...

[Anonymous]

Focus on what would be the best fit for your daughter and not only what the brand recognition score of each school is. Your preschool will help guide you with their feedback too. Some schools will be a better fit for her and possibly your family’s values as you look closely. Especially in the lower school - knowing well the ss ones are more similar than different in their academics with mainly location, size, and philosophy/values differences. A lot of the girls entering in K (of pre-K for the fewer schools who offer it) leave by high school to attend boarding schools so the composition changes a lot across these schools, so don’t get too fixated also on one school and think this is necessarily forever.

Also things have changed a bit in last year with a ton of applicants across all schools and more schools turning down applicants as its made sound in this thread.