All my kids went through NPS and we have been really happy.

The big difference to me is that NPS ends in 6th. If you are only considering catholic high schools, this is tricky (though there are generally several kids each year that go on to a middle school and navigate the process successfully to end up at the high school they wanted).

For us, I am so happy that my kids transitioned to their next school in 7th, not 9th. Both kids are in advanced math and doing well academically at their current schools so I think the quality of education at NPS is good. The teachers are wonderful and certainly connect with the kids.

Keeping them at a small place (NPS) seemed to keep them little for as long as is possible in a big city, which was a priority for our family. And then for middle school, they were both ready for the bigger experience (particularly sports) that a larger school provides.

Good luck with your decision!

NPS parents do this all the time. When we went there my ds got more invites during the week than weekend parties. Also, the entire class would take Friday off and go to NYC for tea and a Broadway show. The kids were always so excited and talked about it and the kids who didn't have the money or had working parents always felt so left out.

Wow. NPS parent of 3 here and I am laughing at this... we've been invited bowling during the day, when the school had a half day, but that didn't get me too excited, so I just had my kid carpool with a friend. I wish my kids friends had these kind of parties instead! I work full time, but I'd take vacation for this.

We've never had a midweek party thus far at St. Pat's and we've been invited to every birthday party in the class.

I've noticed that many of the moms that others might refer to as ice queens or snobby, are just shy. They happen to be very attractive and rich, but they are shy, so they can come across as rude. I am a friendly, outgoing extrovert and I've noticed that over time, many of the more standoffish ones are friendly now, but they take time to warm up. I am black, not rich or connected, so if they were truly as nasty as some say, I'm not seeing it and I go to everything and have met so many nice families.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Pat's is incredibly wealthy to the point where even though most don't try to flaunt their wealth, it's just unavoidable. But, for the most part, people are fairly low-key.

As far as social climbing, I honestly have no idea what people are talking about. Lots of families there are already fairly established. I admit there are a few, but the rest seem fairly secure.

Aside from the usual parents on the infamous Dexter St and that surrounding neighborhood, the rest of the parents are friendly enough. I am of color and UMC parent, I never had too many problems. The worse was that I was mistaken as a cook, but that family is known to be terrible and luckily my daughter has moved on to other friends.

I have gotten that from white people that are well below my class level and I don't assume that the parents at St. Pat's are immune to it.

Who are the "infamous Dexter St." parents.

More accurately, that street, Wesley Heights and Berkeley. They intentionally tend to try to stay segregated from the other parents -especially duel incomers. They literally talk about it in the open with each other. Even parents from other schools, know their reputation. I never seen so many terrible people congregate via real estate.

It's not the country club parents that you have to watch out for, it's those that live around each other. They are the ones that will have a birthday party at 3:00pm on a weekday. They know parents that work can't attend, so it's their way to segregate themselves from the workers. I would never judge someone for what they have or don't have. What does matter, however, is your character and that place is a black hole.

It’s the Chevy Club parents and their friends normally and they all end up at the same 4 schools so if it bothers you now beware where you apply for outplacement.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I applied to both these schools sort of as safety schools. Both seemed like sweet schools. Now I’m like oh nuts!

No school has the amount of drama that you'd expect based on this site.

Please. Every school has this amount of drama. You can be a parent who gets sucked into it (and takes it home and posts on anonymous boards) or you can be a parent who is not there for the drama

Anonymous wrote:I applied to both these schools sort of as safety schools. Both seemed like sweet schools. Now I’m like oh nuts!

No school has the amount of drama that you'd expect based on this site.

Anonymous wrote:I applied to both these schools sort of as safety schools. Both seemed like sweet schools. Now I’m like oh nuts!

I'm guessing that psychologically, that you see them as safety schools makes it easy to buy into an anonymous thread with 1-2 discontented voice over your own firsthand impressions?

Anonymous wrote:This thread makes me not want to apply to either school. Obsessing over mid week birthday parties? Whether it’s convenient for the nanny? You people have too much time on your hands. Get a job, get a hobby, get some goals, anything. Pathetic.

You sound too old to apply.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i've had 3 kids at janney (two blocks from
NPS) and have never been invited to an afternoon, mid-week birthday party (in 10 years, 3 kids, probably 100 partiies). It's striking how different these worlds are.

I have two kids that go to NPS and we're pretty involved. We have never, ever had a mid-week party. These threads seem crazy.

+1. I’ve had 3 go through NPS and have never heard of this either. It’s all made up.

I applied to both these schools sort of as safety schools. Both seemed like sweet schools. Now I’m like oh nuts!

Anonymous wrote:i've had 3 kids at janney (two blocks from
NPS) and have never been invited to an afternoon, mid-week birthday party (in 10 years, 3 kids, probably 100 partiies). It's striking how different these worlds are.

I have two kids that go to NPS and we're pretty involved. We have never, ever had a mid-week party. These threads seem crazy.

Anonymous wrote:NPS kids don’t treat each other like that for birthday parties. It was a school policy that you have to invite 1) all the kids in the class or 2) all the kids of the same gender in the class or 3) all the kids in the same section of the grade. It was relaxed a little in the upper grades (5 and 6) but most people invited everyone all the time anyway. It was super inclusive and kind. The kids got a great education and excellent outplacement. They learned to be inclusive of all their peers - but more work needs to be done on diversity. I think they know that and are working on it. NPS was very kind - not the same vibe I got at St Pats but I didn’t send my child there. The st pats grads I know are terrific.

Go visit, trust your gut and love where you end up. Don’t second guess your decision.

I agree that it is a "rule" but it is not enforced. I know this bc last year a child had a party and invited all but two kids.

i've had 3 kids at janney (two blocks from
NPS) and have never been invited to an afternoon, mid-week birthday party (in 10 years, 3 kids, probably 100 partiies). It's striking how different these worlds are.

This thread makes me not want to apply to either school. Obsessing over mid week birthday parties? Whether it’s convenient for the nanny? You people have too much time on your hands. Get a job, get a hobby, get some goals, anything. Pathetic.

You should apply to Sheridan