Anonymous wrote:I’m a current Washington Market School parent (Hudson Street). We adore the school and so does our daughter. It is quite okay based (a mix of Montessori and a Emilia Romagna. The school cares about fostering a love of learning, which they believe is best accomplished through play at this age rather than rote memorization etc. This aligns with my philosophy. Our teachers have been amazing and once you are at Hudson, you can stay in the same classroom with the same teachers (most choose this), which has many benefits at such a young age (in my opinion). Also, I love the mixed age concept - the littles learn from and are inspiried by the bigs and when the littlest become the bigs, they gain confidence by teaching the littles. It’s been amazing to observe. There is definitely a community feel but you probably won’t feel that unless you live in Tribeca, parts or Fidi close to Tribeca, parts of SoHo close to Tribeca, or North Battery Park. Also, if you care about making friends, it pays to start at the 2s @Duane because then all the parents and kids are “new” and looking to connect. Everyone is also friendly at Hudson but it’s harder if you are in a classroom where most of the kids were already at Duane. As for exmissions, I haven’t been through the process yet but since we’ve been at the school kids have gotten into their top choices. But I don’t know how much of this can be attributed to the exmissions team versus the parents using connections, admissions consultants, etc. Also- the majority of kids there just seem super bright and well rounded so I imagine they are attractive candidates already. Hope this helps.

Anonymous wrote:Curious to know the difference between a kid who attended a TT NYC preschool and one who attended, say, Bright Horizons at Hudson Yards. Assuming parents of children in both situations were high-achieving and attended HYS, for example. Any insight? Is the difference really that stark?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:poster from above ^^^ thanks for all the feedback - we'll think about it! I'm glad to hear they do try to take PCDS kids out. I didn't realize how facilities oriented we were. It sounds so shallow but I keep feeling mad that the kids just are stuck in a basement for the cost of PCDS. I'm also clarifying this is for 2s program - our other thought is to just skip 2s all together and try again for 3s at a wider range of schools.

3s will be competitive, though. Lots of people did not get into highly coveted 2s this year. You will be competing with those folks trying again for 3s and the 2s kids advancing to 3s. I would just take the PCDS acceptance. They do have a new director, but it's a well oiled machine and you will be well supported for private school exmissions.

I totally agree with this. I would not bank on getting into PCDS or another feeder type preschool for 3s. It is much easier for 2s.

I also think you are over thinking the facility issue for preschool aged children. I am not saying that the PCDS facility is A+, but it is totally fine, and the gym is great. Plus they are there for 3-3.5 hours a day, it is not a life sentence.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:poster from above ^^^ thanks for all the feedback - we'll think about it! I'm glad to hear they do try to take PCDS kids out. I didn't realize how facilities oriented we were. It sounds so shallow but I keep feeling mad that the kids just are stuck in a basement for the cost of PCDS. I'm also clarifying this is for 2s program - our other thought is to just skip 2s all together and try again for 3s at a wider range of schools.

3s will be competitive, though. Lots of people did not get into highly coveted 2s this year. You will be competing with those folks trying again for 3s and the 2s kids advancing to 3s. I would just take the PCDS acceptance. They do have a new director, but it's a well oiled machine and you will be well supported for private school exmissions.

Anonymous wrote:poster from above ^^^ thanks for all the feedback - we'll think about it! I'm glad to hear they do try to take PCDS kids out. I didn't realize how facilities oriented we were. It sounds so shallow but I keep feeling mad that the kids just are stuck in a basement for the cost of PCDS. I'm also clarifying this is for 2s program - our other thought is to just skip 2s all together and try again for 3s at a wider range of schools.

Anonymous wrote:poster from above ^^^ thanks for all the feedback - we'll think about it! I'm glad to hear they do try to take PCDS kids out. I didn't realize how facilities oriented we were. It sounds so shallow but I keep feeling mad that the kids just are stuck in a basement for the cost of PCDS. I'm also clarifying this is for 2s program - our other thought is to just skip 2s all together and try again for 3s at a wider range of schools.

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Anonymous wrote:any thoughts on city&country vs PCDS vs Washington Market - its our current acceptances? PCDS is by far the closest to home, but city&country is close to work. We were kind of upset that so much of PCDS is underground with limited windows and while theoretically they go to the park, they had a lot of reasons about why they couldn't all the days we visited. Washington Market is out of the way but we were worried it had more of a pay-to-play feel (lovely but just didn't seem like a community).

If City & Country is where you want to be long-term, I’d pick that. If you want other options for kindergarten-on, it wouldn’t be my choice (they have no incentive to help you apply out when you could just stay, and it is so play based you might have a hard time applying to the more academic schools). I have friends who like Washington Market, but none are enamored. We love PCDS and our child gets a ton of outdoor time. Exmissions are great. Community is lovely. Lots of events and I was most impressed by the teachers. Yes, other schools have “better” space, but my kid is completely oblivious of that. Loves the teachers and the cozy classrooms.

Anonymous wrote:any thoughts on city&country vs PCDS vs Washington Market - its our current acceptances? PCDS is by far the closest to home, but city&country is close to work. We were kind of upset that so much of PCDS is underground with limited windows and while theoretically they go to the park, they had a lot of reasons about why they couldn't all the days we visited. Washington Market is out of the way but we were worried it had more of a pay-to-play feel (lovely but just didn't seem like a community).

Anonymous wrote:any thoughts on city&country vs PCDS vs Washington Market - its our current acceptances? PCDS is by far the closest to home, but city&country is close to work. We were kind of upset that so much of PCDS is underground with limited windows and while theoretically they go to the park, they had a lot of reasons about why they couldn't all the days we visited. Washington Market is out of the way but we were worried it had more of a pay-to-play feel (lovely but just didn't seem like a community).