Do a lot of downtown families send their children to uptown privates?

[Anonymous]

We absolutely love our neighborhood and apartment downtown and have no plans to leave. Our kids do a ton of activities down here and have lots of friends and I find it an extremely kid-friendly place. The only thing we don't like... all of the good privates are uptown.

Do a lot of people send their downtown kids uptown for school? The public transportation to any of these schools are abysmal but I'd be interested in looking into a car service or I guess Uber/taxi. There are some fine schools downtown (Grace Church, City and Country, Friends Seminary, LREI) but I think we're more interested in the philosophy and curriculum of the uptown schools.

Would you move? Or just be submit yourself/your kid to a 20-30 minute car ride?

[Anonymous]

I think you may need to move. I don't know a lot who would do this for grade school, though I expect there's always some outliers. Mostly people send their kids to school within their neighborhood or next one along. But for HS maybe - when the commute is less onerous and the kid can travel alone.

[Anonymous]

If it’s really only 20 minutes, then why not.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't move. Try the downtown schools - I've heard great things about Friends Seminary.

[Anonymous]

People do, but it may become a slog. I would worry less about the school philosophy and more about the community and neighborhood I love and the commute (which will affect your child's ability to do local activities.) You also need to consider that you will need to manage playdates uptown as well.

[Anonymous]

There are plenty of great schools downtown. I would absolutely look into those before moving.

[Anonymous]

It's a slog, most people stay close to home for elementary.

[Anonymous]

People definitely do. I am surprised that at our UES private there are many families from downtown. It’s not the majority, but in our grade there are 4 families I know of who live between Chelsea and Tribeca.

The main issue is really with getting together outside of school. You will really need to be the one to make an effort to come up to where most kids live for play dates, birthday parties, etc.