Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 10:32     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
It appears that we may have the good fortune of receiving offers from Trinity and Dalton for kindergarten. Daughter is bright and loves school. Seems to have an emerging interest in STEM, but she is 4, who knows where she will go as she gets older. Logistically, both schools are convenient to us.

Would appreciate the group's opinions. The prior posts have been helpful to us - any fresh comments appreciated.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 00:32     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Off topic, but if you had a sibling accepted/rejected by a school, how did they let you know? Just through Ravenna on the decision date or is there a more informal process?


Accepted is the same as unconnected. Not accepted, apparently the school calls you and it’s a conversation so you’re not caught off guard.


Thanks for this. Would they have called by now? Or is it closer to the date?


For a sibling? My only experience is applying a sibling early decision for kinder and finding out in early December. Does your school not offer that? Or is this a different entry point?


Different entry point


No idea then. Hopefully someone else can answer your question.

Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 19:36     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Off topic, but if you had a sibling accepted/rejected by a school, how did they let you know? Just through Ravenna on the decision date or is there a more informal process?


Accepted is the same as unconnected. Not accepted, apparently the school calls you and it’s a conversation so you’re not caught off guard.


Thanks for this. Would they have called by now? Or is it closer to the date?


For a sibling? My only experience is applying a sibling early decision for kinder and finding out in early December. Does your school not offer that? Or is this a different entry point?


Different entry point
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 18:54     Subject: Re:Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think if you are missed on school visit and they want to see you


Ours is at a UPK. Everyone has been very nice to us throughout the process. We get nice responses to thank yous. Both our tour and interview went twice as long. Everyone was nice at the diversity night event. After her playdate the admissions team said nice things to us. We'll see.


The admissions team emailed you after the playdate?


They responded to our thank you note with something small and positive about her in the room.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 18:49     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Off topic, but if you had a sibling accepted/rejected by a school, how did they let you know? Just through Ravenna on the decision date or is there a more informal process?


Accepted is the same as unconnected. Not accepted, apparently the school calls you and it’s a conversation so you’re not caught off guard.


Thanks for this. Would they have called by now? Or is it closer to the date?


For a sibling? My only experience is applying a sibling early decision for kinder and finding out in early December. Does your school not offer that? Or is this a different entry point?
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 17:55     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Off topic, but if you had a sibling accepted/rejected by a school, how did they let you know? Just through Ravenna on the decision date or is there a more informal process?


Accepted is the same as unconnected. Not accepted, apparently the school calls you and it’s a conversation so you’re not caught off guard.


Thanks for this. Would they have called by now? Or is it closer to the date?
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 17:37     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Thank you! Very interesting that Fieldston has got fewer free periods for homework than some TTs.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 17:03     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Fieldston isn't even remotely top-tier but for what it's worth, the homework was similar to what other posters are saying but there were a lot fewer free periods (just 2 per week, and you sacrifice both of them if you do their engineering elective). So in some cases you could end up with more homework to actually do at home there than you would at a TT school.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 16:46     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Same for my middle schooler who is at Spence (I know, I know, not everyone considers Spence top tier, don’t come at me). They offer free periods throughout the day and she goes to study hall to meet with teachers as well. Maybe 30-45 minutes of homework every other day? Nothing crazy. High school may be different.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 16:07     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Chapin has a 34% ivy acceptance rate over for years which is also great…. That’s just scooting to ChatGPT so that is very unofficial. LOL


Matriculation or acceptance? That percentage seems really high considering their performance in the last 2-3 years


Finally someone sane. I am blown away by the recent comments - choosing K based on Ivy acceptance stats? Focus on where your child will thrive as a person, become a good human, and be happy. Academics are of course important but the majority of these schools will prepare your child academically.


To be fair, the thread is about “best private schools in NYC based on college acceptances” (according to OP on the first page).

Some parents I know tend to go for local non-TT schools for elementary and make a switch to TT for middle or high school when academics becomes more important. I am currently thinking whether I should look into changing schools for DD. There are cons (separation with friends, longer commute) so I am wondering whether the additional academic rigor and extra workload are indeed worth it.

Perhaps, I can also ask a question - how many hours a day do TT kids spend on homework in middle and high school?


It depends on the kid. My middle schooler (Trinity) is very efficient and uses the built in work time in the school day wisely. Often comes home with little/no homework minus studying for a quiz/test or working on a long-term project or paper. Do peers follow suit? Some, not all.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 15:39     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Chapin has a 34% ivy acceptance rate over for years which is also great…. That’s just scooting to ChatGPT so that is very unofficial. LOL


Matriculation or acceptance? That percentage seems really high considering their performance in the last 2-3 years


Finally someone sane. I am blown away by the recent comments - choosing K based on Ivy acceptance stats? Focus on where your child will thrive as a person, become a good human, and be happy. Academics are of course important but the majority of these schools will prepare your child academically.


To be fair, the thread is about “best private schools in NYC based on college acceptances” (according to OP on the first page).

Some parents I know tend to go for local non-TT schools for elementary and make a switch to TT for middle or high school when academics becomes more important. I am currently thinking whether I should look into changing schools for DD. There are cons (separation with friends, longer commute) so I am wondering whether the additional academic rigor and extra workload are indeed worth it.

Perhaps, I can also ask a question - how many hours a day do TT kids spend on homework in middle and high school?
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 15:22     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Chapin has a 34% ivy acceptance rate over for years which is also great…. That’s just scooting to ChatGPT so that is very unofficial. LOL


Matriculation or acceptance? That percentage seems really high considering their performance in the last 2-3 years


Finally someone sane. I am blown away by the recent comments - choosing K based on Ivy acceptance stats? Focus on where your child will thrive as a person, become a good human, and be happy. Academics are of course important but the majority of these schools will prepare your child academically.


For a k-12 it would be silly and irresponsible not to consider what the high school is like as well (and that includes college matriculation as you would when looking at any high school). Sure you might move your kid out, but you might not (especially if they like it), so why not take it into consideration. The pearl clutching is a bit much.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 15:05     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:Off topic, but if you had a sibling accepted/rejected by a school, how did they let you know? Just through Ravenna on the decision date or is there a more informal process?


Accepted is the same as unconnected. Not accepted, apparently the school calls you and it’s a conversation so you’re not caught off guard.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 14:36     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Off topic, but if you had a sibling accepted/rejected by a school, how did they let you know? Just through Ravenna on the decision date or is there a more informal process?
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 14:21     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Chapin has a 34% ivy acceptance rate over for years which is also great…. That’s just scooting to ChatGPT so that is very unofficial. LOL


Matriculation or acceptance? That percentage seems really high considering their performance in the last 2-3 years


Finally someone sane. I am blown away by the recent comments - choosing K based on Ivy acceptance stats? Focus on where your child will thrive as a person, become a good human, and be happy. Academics are of course important but the majority of these schools will prepare your child academically.



LOL. I hear you. I think what is stressful is that it is so difficult to change schools at middle or high school, yes there are slots but much less so. Kids have to have straight As and minimum 7,8 and 9s on ISEE to even be considered for very few slots so NYC parents go crazy during the K process.