K-8 All Boys Schools

[Anonymous]

If you are open to boarding schools, or a non TT local school, I think the boys K-8s are spectacular. If your only goal is to get into Trinity or Collegiate, may not be the best "bet" to make in K, agreed, although the K-8s certainly place many many kids at those schools. Applications are definitely up at boys K-8.

We didn't even seriously look at K-12 for my son after visiting the boys' K-8 we ended up at. It is the most wonderful place, and because it doesn't have a high school, the boys feel very supported in all years. The standards are still extremely high, but there is, as far as I can tell, literally no pressure cooker feel, which is what I wanted for my son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When considering these schools, it may be helpful to understand that it is probably much harder to get into NYC schools from them than to get into boarding schools. There are only so many spots at the local schools for all the boys from these schools in 9th, and the parental preference has mostly shifted towards local schools. That said, they probably all have very strong records and relationships with the top boarding schools.

Thank you. Shouldn't that make getting into these K-8s much easier than the TTs that go K-12? The guaranteed TT HS placement at K should be very attractive. If you get into Collegiate, why go to St. Bs when the odds are against you being admitted later on?

It's a known phenomenon that the top kids in K-12 high schools disproportionately enter at 9th grade. Not that Collegiate has a bad K-8 program (not at all). It's just a lot harder to predict which four-year olds will do well in high school vs. 8th graders. Collegiate lifers who end up average in high school may well have been better being in the top 10% at some other school. I guess you can switch schools, but it's not always so simple. I think the best bet is to worry about what's best for your son NOW in K-8, and that will best position him for success in high school.

[Anonymous]

Is there ever spots in 1st or 2nd grade at these schools? We sadly got waitlisted from the four K-8 all boys schools that we applied to (coming from a K-8 coed).

[Anonymous]

Which K-8 is the hardest to get into? Do you recommend K-8 or K-12? Trying to get ready for next year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep. I’ve heard up 30% across the board.

For middle and high school too? I wonder why? I’m surprised that in this current environment people aren’t thinking twice about shelling out 70k a year for elementary school.

I’ve only heard from k admissions/families. No idea about other entry points. There was a covid birth uptick- those kids apply to k this year and next year.

Actually birth rates have consistently declined since 2013. The covid baby boom is another hysteria inducing myth

I didn’t say boom, I said uptick.

Believe what you’d like, but I’ve been working admissions events at our school for years. This year— I’ve never seen so many people at every event. I asked admissions and they said applications are up 30%.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/covid-caused-a-baby-bump-when-experts-expected-a-drop-heres-why/

Same at our school in the DC area. There is a huge increase with Kindergarten applicants this year.

[Anonymous]

We are currently waitlisted at St. B and Buckley. Will it move at all? I heard it was incredibly competitive this year...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are currently waitlisted at St. B and Buckley. Will it move at all? I heard it was incredibly competitive this year...

Our PSD got feedback that Buckley WL will not move this year.

[Anonymous]

Oh no....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When considering these schools, it may be helpful to understand that it is probably much harder to get into NYC schools from them than to get into boarding schools. There are only so many spots at the local schools for all the boys from these schools in 9th, and the parental preference has mostly shifted towards local schools. That said, they probably all have very strong records and relationships with the top boarding schools.

Thank you. Shouldn't that make getting into these K-8s much easier than the TTs that go K-12? The guaranteed TT HS placement at K should be very attractive. If you get into Collegiate, why go to St. Bs when the odds are against you being admitted later on?

It's a known phenomenon that the top kids in K-12 high schools disproportionately enter at 9th grade. Not that Collegiate has a bad K-8 program (not at all). It's just a lot harder to predict which four-year olds will do well in high school vs. 8th graders. Collegiate lifers who end up average in high school may well have been better being in the top 10% at some other school. I guess you can switch schools, but it's not always so simple. I think the best bet is to worry about what's best for your son NOW in K-8, and that will best position him for success in high school.

This is very true. Though I would argue that the academics at a K-8 (or even a good public school) are better during those years than at a K-12, because those other programs are preparing you to test out (or perform well on statewide tests). They will teach you the grammar rules, writing techniques, and test-taking skills that are missed at K-12 schools. So many of the kids at my child's K-12 school are being enriched (to flll in gaps, or add a heightened level of academics that are not offered) or tutored (to maintain base-level skills), on top of the hefty tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which K-8 is the hardest to get into? Do you recommend K-8 or K-12? Trying to get ready for next year

St. B is the hardest without a doubt. It’s the most academically rigorous K-8 and it is one of the most socially prestigious schools which makes it even harder to get into

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The K-8 boys also differentiate, which almost nowhere does, but is actually the best model for smart children. Social peers with a teacher who provides challenge. The K-12 red shirt so many kids it means the one who can do the work young are socially battered and miserable and expected to act older younger, which is the exact opposite way gifted education works well. The pressure to mature at the girls schools starts in like 3rd grade and dictates the culture of the entire place. It’s actually not good academically to red shirt because the kid is always comparing themselves to peers who are actually younger so they hit a wall starting in middle. Probably won’t do single sex boys for high but everyone i know at my son’s school is happy, and everyone i know at my daughter’s K-12 feels lucky to be there but is unhappy.

Is this specifically a TT school -- or is this common to all girls' schools?