Anonymous
Post 03/06/2025 10:10     Subject: Packer and Ethical Culture (HS)
Anonymous wrote:We know many great families at Fieldston. But when looking at schools last year we found that there was a lot of performative wokeness there (I am a strongly anti-Trump Democrat but relatively moderate). We felt like they spent most of their time talking about DEI and the like rather than core academics and critical thinking.

I think it is primarily by the administration and not fully embraced by the students and parents, but it is definitely at least part of the DNA.

We did not consider Packer (we are happy where we are but part of me wishes we had explored Packer more) but I know one family there that ruled out Fieldston and several other schools for similar reasons. They are very happy at Packer.

My child needs a very traditional education and Fieldston was not this, so that was the primary reason we did not apply, more so than politics, but the politics are important to consider.

That said, the campus at Fieldston is great, exmissions are very good, and, as I mentioned, I like a lot of parents and kids there.


This is very consistent with what I have heard from few other parents. I do think Fieldston is very popular, definitely more than Packer. But I couldn't differentiate so far on the academics.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2025 19:59     Subject: Packer and Ethical Culture (HS)
We know many great families at Fieldston. But when looking at schools last year we found that there was a lot of performative wokeness there (I am a strongly anti-Trump Democrat but relatively moderate). We felt like they spent most of their time talking about DEI and the like rather than core academics and critical thinking.

I think it is primarily by the administration and not fully embraced by the students and parents, but it is definitely at least part of the DNA.

We did not consider Packer (we are happy where we are but part of me wishes we had explored Packer more) but I know one family there that ruled out Fieldston and several other schools for similar reasons. They are very happy at Packer.

My child needs a very traditional education and Fieldston was not this, so that was the primary reason we did not apply, more so than politics, but the politics are important to consider.

That said, the campus at Fieldston is great, exmissions are very good, and, as I mentioned, I like a lot of parents and kids there.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2025 15:13     Subject: Re:Packer and Ethical Culture (HS)
If you are on the UWS, you will probably be tempted to pay for the private bus to Fieldston, which has a bunch of stops along the UWS and is really quick (and apparently fun for the kids).
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2025 14:50     Subject: Packer and Ethical Culture (HS)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Which does he prefer? My DS really liked Packer but was not so into Fieldston. He was waitlisted at both and ended up at a different field school where's he pretty happy. He likes the campus setting.


He likes both, may be Fieldston a bit more than Packer. He is into Math and Technology, and we hear Fieldston is more into Humanities.


Just to be clear---he's accepted at both and making a decision? Or you're thinking ahead for next year?


Accepted to Packer and WL on Fieldston.


Ah---so this may be a hypothetical choice. The waitlists do move, so when he does his Packer revisit he should ask a lot of questions about the STEM curriculum so he can make an informed choice if need be.


It is. Seems there are STEM options in Packer. Most discussions on Fieldston on the forum talk highly of the school, but we didn't see a comparison with Packer. College acceptances also appear to be very similar for the two schools.


They're both great schools. You may not see that many comparisons because of their relative locations, with downtown and Brooklyn families possibly ruling out the field schools. We're on the UWS, so looking at both made sense. The subway commute was about the same.


Thanks. We are on the UWS as well, so commute is similar (Packer is likely quicker).
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2025 13:34     Subject: Packer and Ethical Culture (HS)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Which does he prefer? My DS really liked Packer but was not so into Fieldston. He was waitlisted at both and ended up at a different field school where's he pretty happy. He likes the campus setting.


He likes both, may be Fieldston a bit more than Packer. He is into Math and Technology, and we hear Fieldston is more into Humanities.


Just to be clear---he's accepted at both and making a decision? Or you're thinking ahead for next year?


Accepted to Packer and WL on Fieldston.


Ah---so this may be a hypothetical choice. The waitlists do move, so when he does his Packer revisit he should ask a lot of questions about the STEM curriculum so he can make an informed choice if need be.


It is. Seems there are STEM options in Packer. Most discussions on Fieldston on the forum talk highly of the school, but we didn't see a comparison with Packer. College acceptances also appear to be very similar for the two schools.


They're both great schools. You may not see that many comparisons because of their relative locations, with downtown and Brooklyn families possibly ruling out the field schools. We're on the UWS, so looking at both made sense. The subway commute was about the same.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2025 13:20     Subject: Packer and Ethical Culture (HS)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Which does he prefer? My DS really liked Packer but was not so into Fieldston. He was waitlisted at both and ended up at a different field school where's he pretty happy. He likes the campus setting.


He likes both, may be Fieldston a bit more than Packer. He is into Math and Technology, and we hear Fieldston is more into Humanities.


Just to be clear---he's accepted at both and making a decision? Or you're thinking ahead for next year?


Accepted to Packer and WL on Fieldston.


Ah---so this may be a hypothetical choice. The waitlists do move, so when he does his Packer revisit he should ask a lot of questions about the STEM curriculum so he can make an informed choice if need be.


It is. Seems there are STEM options in Packer. Most discussions on Fieldston on the forum talk highly of the school, but we didn't see a comparison with Packer. College acceptances also appear to be very similar for the two schools.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2025 13:19     Subject: Packer and Ethical Culture (HS)
Anonymous wrote:Sorry if I offend, but I'd be leery of any school or institution calling itself "Ethical Culture". If you have to put it in the name... same for "Collegiate". So much virtue signaling.


If you are ignorant about a topic, it’s ok to pass it on by without making that clear
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2025 13:17     Subject: Packer and Ethical Culture (HS)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Which does he prefer? My DS really liked Packer but was not so into Fieldston. He was waitlisted at both and ended up at a different field school where's he pretty happy. He likes the campus setting.


He likes both, may be Fieldston a bit more than Packer. He is into Math and Technology, and we hear Fieldston is more into Humanities.


Just to be clear---he's accepted at both and making a decision? Or you're thinking ahead for next year?


Accepted to Packer and WL on Fieldston.


Ah---so this may be a hypothetical choice. The waitlists do move, so when he does his Packer revisit he should ask a lot of questions about the STEM curriculum so he can make an informed choice if need be.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2025 13:07     Subject: Packer and Ethical Culture (HS)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Which does he prefer? My DS really liked Packer but was not so into Fieldston. He was waitlisted at both and ended up at a different field school where's he pretty happy. He likes the campus setting.


He likes both, may be Fieldston a bit more than Packer. He is into Math and Technology, and we hear Fieldston is more into Humanities.


Just to be clear---he's accepted at both and making a decision? Or you're thinking ahead for next year?


Accepted to Packer and WL on Fieldston.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2025 13:02     Subject: Packer and Ethical Culture (HS)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Which does he prefer? My DS really liked Packer but was not so into Fieldston. He was waitlisted at both and ended up at a different field school where's he pretty happy. He likes the campus setting.


He likes both, may be Fieldston a bit more than Packer. He is into Math and Technology, and we hear Fieldston is more into Humanities.


Just to be clear---he's accepted at both and making a decision? Or you're thinking ahead for next year?
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2025 12:37     Subject: Packer and Ethical Culture (HS)
Sorry if I offend, but I'd be leery of any school or institution calling itself "Ethical Culture". If you have to put it in the name... same for "Collegiate". So much virtue signaling.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2025 12:24     Subject: Packer and Ethical Culture (HS)
Have you considered Riverdale? Maybe a bit harder to get into but Fieldston, but they have a pretty cool STEM program and the space to do crazy things with it (they were building an actual roller coaster - for humans! - in their parking lot last fall)
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2025 12:05     Subject: Packer and Ethical Culture (HS)
Anonymous wrote:Which does he prefer? My DS really liked Packer but was not so into Fieldston. He was waitlisted at both and ended up at a different field school where's he pretty happy. He likes the campus setting.


He likes both, may be Fieldston a bit more than Packer. He is into Math and Technology, and we hear Fieldston is more into Humanities.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2025 11:08     Subject: Packer and Ethical Culture (HS)
Which does he prefer? My DS really liked Packer but was not so into Fieldston. He was waitlisted at both and ended up at a different field school where's he pretty happy. He likes the campus setting.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2025 05:13     Subject: Packer and Ethical Culture (HS)
We are currently evaluating Packer Collegiate and Ethical Culture Fieldston for high school for our son. He has a strong passion for science, math, and writing.