Anonymous
Post 04/07/2025 21:37     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would say St B and Buckley are roughly comparable, though St B is more academic and Buckley a bit more sporty. St David has the religious component, which can be a deal breaker or deal maker for many. Town is a step below all three IMO, though it is obviously co-ed if you prefer that.


We were deciding between Saint David's and Saint Bernard's are now at Saint David's. We ruled out Buckley because it was too sporty for us. Talking to other St. D and St. B families, I feel this is pretty common. When we toured Buckley, there were sports trophies everywhere and most of the art was sports art. We learned they regularly take a bus to Randall's island and back during the school day for gym class. As a STEM-leaning family, we knew this wasn't going to be a good fit for our son. We're not catholic, but half of Saint David's families aren't either. The school has a religious tradition, but it is pretty much a secular school.


Why did you pick st d over st b?


It wasn't easy. While we were impressed with St. B's exmissions, and put significant weight on that, everything else seemed better at St. D. Everyone seemed happier - both kids and faculty. Parents spoke more glowingly about their experience with the school, and also seemed more grounded. The space was nicer and brighter. There was more balance between STEM and humanities. At Saint B's, the faculty seemed traumatized by the ousting of the headmaster even years later (more than one alluded to it in a veiled way). We also suspected legacy (at Andover, Exeter, Trinity, etc.) and counseling out bottom performers were major factors in any exmissions difference. In the end, we just saw enough to get over it and do what felt right.


I think you are absolutely correct in your exmissions analysis for St B
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2025 14:24     Subject: Re:Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is Grace Church walkable from where you are? I feel like that is a more popular option than Village Community.


Unfortunately it is not although that Grace is my preference. That said, it seems a majority of kids leave Grace for high school? Do you have any negative or positive feedback about Village Community School or Saint Luke’s (also in west village).


I do not, sorry! My kids go to uptown schools (and we live uptown). My reference point is mainly colleagues and friends who live downtown and prefer to stick with downtown schools. I know of several with kids who go to Grace Church, and none who go to Village Community or St Luke's.
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2025 12:43     Subject: Re:Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:Is Grace Church walkable from where you are? I feel like that is a more popular option than Village Community.


Unfortunately it is not although that Grace is my preference. That said, it seems a majority of kids leave Grace for high school? Do you have any negative or positive feedback about Village Community School or Saint Luke’s (also in west village).
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2025 11:58     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would say St B and Buckley are roughly comparable, though St B is more academic and Buckley a bit more sporty. St David has the religious component, which can be a deal breaker or deal maker for many. Town is a step below all three IMO, though it is obviously co-ed if you prefer that.


We were deciding between Saint David's and Saint Bernard's are now at Saint David's. We ruled out Buckley because it was too sporty for us. Talking to other St. D and St. B families, I feel this is pretty common. When we toured Buckley, there were sports trophies everywhere and most of the art was sports art. We learned they regularly take a bus to Randall's island and back during the school day for gym class. As a STEM-leaning family, we knew this wasn't going to be a good fit for our son. We're not catholic, but half of Saint David's families aren't either. The school has a religious tradition, but it is pretty much a secular school.


Why did you pick st d over st b?


It wasn't easy. While we were impressed with St. B's exmissions, and put significant weight on that, everything else seemed better at St. D. Everyone seemed happier - both kids and faculty. Parents spoke more glowingly about their experience with the school, and also seemed more grounded. The space was nicer and brighter. There was more balance between STEM and humanities. At Saint B's, the faculty seemed traumatized by the ousting of the headmaster even years later (more than one alluded to it in a veiled way). We also suspected legacy (at Andover, Exeter, Trinity, etc.) and counseling out bottom performers were major factors in any exmissions difference. In the end, we just saw enough to get over it and do what felt right.
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2025 11:18     Subject: Re:Best private schools in NYC?
Is Grace Church walkable from where you are? I feel like that is a more popular option than Village Community.
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2025 10:56     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
I’d take Avenues over Village Community School or St. Luke’s. There is not a ton of rigor and I’ve known families that have experienced issues with bullying. In terms of downtown schools, Avenues or Friends Seminary are better. I don’t think village Community would prepare a child to enter more rigorous uptown high schools.

But the neighborhood is the best in the city.
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2025 09:55     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Can anyone tell me about Village Community School (K-8) downtown? I realize it isn’t TT but it’s walkable for us and we value going to a school where people live in the neighborhood or surrounding neighborhoods…
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 21:00     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would say St B and Buckley are roughly comparable, though St B is more academic and Buckley a bit more sporty. St David has the religious component, which can be a deal breaker or deal maker for many. Town is a step below all three IMO, though it is obviously co-ed if you prefer that.


We were deciding between Saint David's and Saint Bernard's are now at Saint David's. We ruled out Buckley because it was too sporty for us. Talking to other St. D and St. B families, I feel this is pretty common. When we toured Buckley, there were sports trophies everywhere and most of the art was sports art. We learned they regularly take a bus to Randall's island and back during the school day for gym class. As a STEM-leaning family, we knew this wasn't going to be a good fit for our son. We're not catholic, but half of Saint David's families aren't either. The school has a religious tradition, but it is pretty much a secular school.


Why did you pick st d over st b?
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 16:44     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Has anyone gotten in to any TT schools off the waitlist yet?
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 12:04     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:has anyone heard any wait list movement info?


Any news on if public school admissions and g&t program admissions for K are triggering waitlist movements for private schools? We’re still holding out hope for Horace Mann or Riverdale.
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2025 04:32     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:I would say St B and Buckley are roughly comparable, though St B is more academic and Buckley a bit more sporty. St David has the religious component, which can be a deal breaker or deal maker for many. Town is a step below all three IMO, though it is obviously co-ed if you prefer that.


We were deciding between Saint David's and Saint Bernard's are now at Saint David's. We ruled out Buckley because it was too sporty for us. Talking to other St. D and St. B families, I feel this is pretty common. When we toured Buckley, there were sports trophies everywhere and most of the art was sports art. We learned they regularly take a bus to Randall's island and back during the school day for gym class. As a STEM-leaning family, we knew this wasn't going to be a good fit for our son. We're not catholic, but half of Saint David's families aren't either. The school has a religious tradition, but it is pretty much a secular school.
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2025 16:25     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:People on this board seem to love St. B's, and the new head of school seemed great, but we felt it was a bit chilly and also sensed it was still recovering (financially and overall) from the scandal some years ago.


In what ways?
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2025 16:22     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:People on this board seem to love St. B's, and the new head of school seemed great, but we felt it was a bit chilly and also sensed it was still recovering (financially and overall) from the scandal some years ago.


Anything in particular that made you feel that way or just gut/intuition?

Anonymous
Post 04/02/2025 15:10     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
I would say St B and Buckley are roughly comparable, though St B is more academic and Buckley a bit more sporty. St David has the religious component, which can be a deal breaker or deal maker for many. Town is a step below all three IMO, though it is obviously co-ed if you prefer that.
Anonymous
Post 04/02/2025 13:37     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
I have a son in 2nd grade at avenues, but looking to move him uptown to join his sister who is at one of the all girls schools, would you all say Buckley, St. B and St. David are comparable? What about Town?