Private Schools in Westchester/Fairfield Counties

[Anonymous]

We are considering sending our oldest child to Rye Country Day or GA for Pre-K. I would prefer RCD even though we are in Greenwich, just because it seems a little more progressive/relaxed. Can anyone share their experiences with either school? Also, what is the admissions process like? Is it as competitive as DC or close to as competitive as NYC? We don't have any connections up here, but crazily my husband's mom went to RCD for a few years in middle school (she briefly lived in the area). Unfortunately, I don't think that makes us a legacy. We both went to Ivies undergrad and have good jobs, but nothing special for the area.

If we sent our girls to GA, we'd send our son to Brunswick. Open to splitting up kids between Rye Country Day/GA/Brunswick, but would prefer not to as it will be a pick-up/drop-off nightmare among other things.

Also, we have a HHI of $450K. Do you think it's worth applying for financial aid? Either this upcoming year with only one kid in school or later on when we would have three in school?

[Anonymous]

Just curious why you are thinking about private? I doubt you would get aid and the public schools in Greenwich are great. Most people go public regardless of money there. You couldn't pay me $40K to send my kids to private if I lived in Fairfield county. So much nicer to have all your kids friends in the same town vs all spread out like at the private schools.

[Anonymous]

I went to Eastern and then Greenwich High School. My experience of Rye County Day were the kids who were kicked out for booze and drugs and came to our HS. Big drug problems at those privates.

And the publics are some of the best in the nation. So I don't know what you're thinking, honestly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to Eastern and then Greenwich High School. My experience of Rye County Day were the kids who were kicked out for booze and drugs and came to our HS. Big drug problems at those privates.

And the publics are some of the best in the nation. So I don't know what you're thinking, honestly.

I had a similar experience with GFA in Westport. Filled with rich kids who couldn't hack the public schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to Eastern and then Greenwich High School. My experience of Rye County Day were the kids who were kicked out for booze and drugs and came to our HS. Big drug problems at those privates.

And the publics are some of the best in the nation. So I don't know what you're thinking, honestly.

I had a similar experience with GFA in Westport. Filled with rich kids who couldn't hack the public schools.

The public schools are very well funded, respected and civilized. I don't know why the private school kids couldn't hack them. Unless you mean academics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to Eastern and then Greenwich High School. My experience of Rye County Day were the kids who were kicked out for booze and drugs and came to our HS. Big drug problems at those privates.

And the publics are some of the best in the nation. So I don't know what you're thinking, honestly.

I had a similar experience with GFA in Westport. Filled with rich kids who couldn't hack the public schools.

The public schools are very well funded, respected and civilized. I don't know why the private school kids couldn't hack them. Unless you mean academics?

Yeah the privates were filled with rich kids who didn't have a strong enough work ethic for the public schools.

[Anonymous]

I went to GA in the 2000s. Great education and teachers. Mostly rich kids but a few of us scholarship kids. Not very laid back. Apply and see if your daughter gets in. From what I recall, Financial aid came with conditions like no fancy cars or vacation homes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to GA in the 2000s. Great education and teachers. Mostly rich kids but a few of us scholarship kids. Not very laid back. Apply and see if your daughter gets in. From what I recall, Financial aid came with conditions like no fancy cars or vacation homes.

Correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to Eastern and then Greenwich High School. My experience of Rye County Day were the kids who were kicked out for booze and drugs and came to our HS. Big drug problems at those privates.

And the publics are some of the best in the nation. So I don't know what you're thinking, honestly.

I had a similar experience with GFA in Westport. Filled with rich kids who couldn't hack the public schools.

I went to Greens Farms Academy and the honors and AP classes were challenging and the teachers were great. That said I think OP should also look at King Low Heywood Thomas since it’s in Stamford. GFA is practically in Fairfield.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to Eastern and then Greenwich High School. My experience of Rye County Day were the kids who were kicked out for booze and drugs and came to our HS. Big drug problems at those privates.

And the publics are some of the best in the nation. So I don't know what you're thinking, honestly.

I had a similar experience with GFA in Westport. Filled with rich kids who couldn't hack the public schools.

I went to Greens Farms Academy and the honors and AP classes were challenging and the teachers were great. That said I think OP should also look at King Low Heywood Thomas since it’s in Stamford. GFA is practically in Fairfield.

Westport is a schlep from Greenwich and so is Stamford (less so). Why would they want to look beyond Greenwich? Serious question.

[Anonymous]

Have you considered Rippowam Cisqua in Bedford?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to Eastern and then Greenwich High School. My experience of Rye County Day were the kids who were kicked out for booze and drugs and came to our HS. Big drug problems at those privates.

And the publics are some of the best in the nation. So I don't know what you're thinking, honestly.

I had a similar experience with GFA in Westport. Filled with rich kids who couldn't hack the public schools.

I went to Greens Farms Academy and the honors and AP classes were challenging and the teachers were great. That said I think OP should also look at King Low Heywood Thomas since it’s in Stamford. GFA is practically in Fairfield.

Westport is a schlep from Greenwich and so is Stamford (less so). Why would they want to look beyond Greenwich? Serious question.

?? Stamford and Greenwich are next to each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to Eastern and then Greenwich High School. My experience of Rye County Day were the kids who were kicked out for booze and drugs and came to our HS. Big drug problems at those privates.

And the publics are some of the best in the nation. So I don't know what you're thinking, honestly.

I had a similar experience with GFA in Westport. Filled with rich kids who couldn't hack the public schools.

I went to Greens Farms Academy and the honors and AP classes were challenging and the teachers were great. That said I think OP should also look at King Low Heywood Thomas since it’s in Stamford. GFA is practically in Fairfield.

Westport is a schlep from Greenwich and so is Stamford (less so). Why would they want to look beyond Greenwich? Serious question.

?? Stamford and Greenwich are next to each other.

Westport is not. Depending on route, its 15-20 miles away. That's some double daily commute.

[Anonymous]

You don’t need private the publics are excellent there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don’t need private the publics are excellent there.

Some families just do not consider public. That is why the privates exist even in Fairfield Co.