Anonymous wrote:My son attends primary day and has thrived in the environment. This thread started out on the topic of a play based vs. academic based environment. That is a philosophical decision every parent needs to make. There are benefits to both. PDS balances both in my opinion.
I'm not quite sure I understand how the thread devolved into a bashing session on the school and the new head. Our decision to send our son there was made much easier after the change from the former head to Mr. Lawrence. He is wonderful with the kids, connects with parents, and is supportive of the teachers and staff at the school. Some of the negativity above is very likely coming from parents with kids who the school has not been the right fit for various reasons. That happens - it does not give you the right to take out your frustrations anonymously and denigrate someone who has given so much of himself over the past year since he took over as head.

No one is taking out frustration. People are sharing their opinion which they have the right to do. Their opinion is based on experience and interactions and observations. People are applying out because they are unhappy. That is not devolving the conversation. It is true. It is also true that many people are happy. Everyone already knows that there are particular parent cliques and teacher/staff cliques that are negative at pds. it makes parents very uncomfortable to hear teachers and staff complain about the head of school or other teachers or staff. I have volunteered and chaperoned at pds many times over the past few years and am disappointed by how often I hear the same groups of people speaking negatively. I just ignore and refuse to participate but it is still frustrating. I've never seen children look anything but happy at pds but I certainly have seen happier parents than the ones in my sons class this year. Tuition hikes, changes to events without any explanation and I have certainly seen the teachers look happier. From what I've heard he plays favorites. And I heard that from someone who proclaims to be a "favorite." These comments are just opinions not fact or taking out frustrations. For the record, DS is very happy and I am too despite the parent gossip

My son attends primary day and has thrived in the environment. This thread started out on the topic of a play based vs. academic based environment. That is a philosophical decision every parent needs to make. There are benefits to both. PDS balances both in my opinion.
I'm not quite sure I understand how the thread devolved into a bashing session on the school and the new head. Our decision to send our son there was made much easier after the change from the former head to Mr. Lawrence. He is wonderful with the kids, connects with parents, and is supportive of the teachers and staff at the school. Some of the negativity above is very likely coming from parents with kids who the school has not been the right fit for various reasons. That happens - it does not give you the right to take out your frustrations anonymously and denigrate someone who has given so much of himself over the past year since he took over as head.

The new head doesn't connect with kids and isn't good with parents. He's so sure that he's right that he doesn't listen. We brought our son to primary day because we loved the school and how warm the last head was. This one doesn't even talk to parents that he thinks aren't worth it or if he has issues with their kids. Even during Beakos (+1 on complaint on length and frequency) he's so busy checking to see if the kids are behaving he doesn't even look at the flag for the pledge or the kids on stage. We only have one more year left after this year ends and we are sad that primary day has changed so much. I don't think it's the right fit for next year now. It's too controlling. We question if our son will be okay next year and be appreciated for who he is. The school feels different. It's just not the the same as when we started.

What changes have been brought about? Totally vague

Anonymous wrote:It is a great school and my child has been happy for the past two years.

The teachers are fantastic and though the kids work hard, they also play hard and are very happy.

The new headmaster is very approachable and is open to parent feedback/suggestions.

+1

So is the structure they have overwhelming or not? Are the kids unhappy or not?

I'm another parent at the school who is very pleased. My child is extremely happy to go into school every day. We have found the pre-K program to be a perfect balance. His teachers are approachable, knowledgeable, confident and fun. The new head is amazing. He's warm and involved. The changes brought to PDS by Mr. Lawrence are purposeful. It makes me sad to read the naysayer comments on this thread. The school is thriving. I have yet to hear expressions of unhappiness from members of the PDS community.

Anonymous wrote:17:33 and 10:14 posts seem like they are from someone with an agenda to bad mouth the school.

Seriously. Sentences that start with "Sounds like" and "I keep hearing" are red flags that you don't have any first-hand knowledge, and therefore lack credibility. Most parents in this thread who actually have or had kids at the school seem to be positive.

Reminds me of folks in politics who play the "people are saying" card. Totally spineless tactic. Own your views!

17:33 and 10:14 posts seem like they are from someone with an agenda to bad mouth the school. My kids have been there for the last 3.5 years and we've been extremely happy. We really like the new head. The fact that they cut back on the book fair and eliminated the "fair" aspect (bounce house etc) and focused on the books seemed appropriate to me. And I personally don't really care about the gala. I do care that they keep up with the Beakos because my kids gain a lot from the chance to get up in front of an audience not to mention the musical aspects. All in all a lovely school.

The program is excellent. I know many of the families and they are all very happy. I also know and have talked to a lot of the teachers and they are happy. My kids are happy too! It's a wonderful school.

I keep hearing how terrible it is because of overworked kids. Why are the working so hard at age seven? Lost

It is a great school and my child has been happy for the past two years.

The teachers are fantastic and though the kids work hard, they also play hard and are very happy.

The new headmaster is very approachable and is open to parent feedback/suggestions.

What is happening at this school? Sounds like something is terribly wrong there so why do people go there? Why are kids pent up and unhappy?

Where did you end up though and why

We went to the open house, loved the school, and applied and toured the school. We liked our tour guide and loved the school. Children looked happy and teachers looked happy. Happy to have applied!