Anonymous wrote:How did your kid do on FLI

Got 5 wrong

I think the first choice letters do matter in any school, including HM. It does not get you in but it helps you - especially with the waitlist. I know some people do write more than one first choice letter but would not recommend it.

Anonymous wrote:How do you guys navigate first choice letter for HM given they never share feedback?

Following. Does first choice make a difference for HM? I have seen kids accepted to both Dalton and HM for K, so one of those was not first choiced (just don't know which one)

How do you guys navigate first choice letter for HM given they never share feedback?

What year? My DS is a senior at HM, but he started in HS. He has had a great experience and has made wonderful friends there, but it can really be intense academically and is not a fit for everyone.

Calhoun is a great suggestion. More "normal" while not totally sacrificing academic rigor and solid exmissions.

And I agree on the outdoors part - there are tons of great summer programs that can scratch that itch. Also, it has been a while but we had friends whose sons did boy scouts on the UWS.

IMO best to forget the outdoorsy piece and send your kid to camp or Outward Bound or something, as others have suggested. For a non-pressure cooker, Trevor day has fit the bill for several parents I know -feels as close to a "normal" private school as you can probably get in this crazy city. Also look at Calhoun.

How did your kid do on FLI

Hudson Lab School

https://www.hudsonlabschool.com/

Hackley?

There used to be Manhattan Country School on the UWS which was super quirky and exactly what you were looking for). But it is now gone.

What about St. Ann's? As a preppy, traditionalist type it is not my cup of tea, but everyone doesn't have to do things my way and it is great that there are different options out there. It might be good for you.

Yeah, HM is an academic grind and Riverdale is a status grind and while they both have sprawling campuses they're nevertheless sprawling campuses with houses across the street, they're not in the middle of the woods or anything. (HM does have their farm in Connecticut but I think most kids spend like a day or two there once a year at most)

For welcoming / happy try a lower-tier school (and NOT Fieldston, they're still status-obsessed even though the kids are substantially dumber) - the progressive ones like Calhoun and Bank Street and LREI are as I understand it still pretty chill, Trevor Day historically was though maybe it's gotten too hot now, I'm sure other people can chime in with more schools that are welcoming and happy.

For outdoorsiness, I'm not aware of any private school in NYC that really incorporates that into their curriculum in a meaningful way; you could try the suburbs, or just find an amazing sleepaway camp for your boy to spend a few weeks at every summer.

Agreed. Happy in early lower school but intense.

Neither. If you want "happy children" and truly care about your child stop chasing status and cast a wider net.

Which school is best for an outdoorsy, adventurist boy?

In your opinion or experience?

My main focus is a welcoming school environment, technology regulation and happy children.