NCRC pre-k

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for some feedback on the pre-k at NCRC and thoughts about going there just for the year. Also, does anyone have a sense on how hard it is to get in for the treetop/explorer classes? I assume several current students leave to do pre-k elsewhere. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

The preK program can be boring for smart 5 year olds. This could be true of other preK programs too. NCRC also appears to reserve its worst teaching staff for its preK program. This has been a consistent problem. There were a lot of unimpressive new hires last year and I think some of them are teaching the oldest students at NCRC.

[Anonymous]

How about the younger pre-Kers (Rainbow)?

[Anonymous]

All the younger classes are excellent. There are 1 or 2 lousy teachers here and there, but mostly wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Personally, I would apply to Aidan Montessori for pre-K rather than NCRC. Great school and - if your applications don't go the way you planned - your dc has an elementary school to go to.

[Anonymous]

I can't speak to this year's teaching staff (my youngest is now in K), but both my kids had a wonderful experience in the Treetop/Explorer program and had excellent teachers.

[Anonymous]

As far as admissions, I think it is probably the easiest year to get in, as a lot of kids to move on to other pre-K programs (especially those with older siblings at other independent schools.)

[Anonymous]

All parents of kids in pre-K still get asked about their first choice school for K with some very respectable results.

[Anonymous]

The preK program can be boring for smart 5 year olds. This could be true of other preK programs too. NCRC also appears to reserve its worst teaching staff for its preK program. This has been a consistent problem. There were a lot of unimpressive new hires last year and I think some of them are teaching the oldest students at NCRC.

Last year was an unusual year given that it was a major transition year (longtime head retired, constuction project, several teachers left). I don't think last year's experience is typical for the school- it certainly wasn't for our family. We weren't there last year, but given the construction project, relocation, new head, and teacher turnover I am sure it was a tough year.

We had one child stay through the PreK year at NCRC and two who left after the Rainbow year. The PreK program was not "boring" for our child- it was very similar to the PreK program our other two attended at a "Big 3." In fact, our Explorer year had one of the best groups of teachers of all our years at NCRC. I much preferred the teaching staff at the PreK level at NCRC to our other two PreK experiences elsewhere.

Also, NCRC will help you apply out at PreK (without any hard feelings) and K. Some of the other schools mentioned here do not want your child to leave unless it's the last grade offered at their school.