Anonymous
Post 06/26/2024 20:25     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Fieldston doesn’t require the ISEE so it’s much easier to get into than Horace Mann or Riverdale! The ISEE is a notoriously difficult test that requires months of preparation. Fieldston is still a wonderful school!
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2024 14:23     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We toured several schools in NYC and are leaning toward a Hill School - Horace Mann, Fieldston or Riverdale. We have an active kid and the facilities seem amazing. Any thoughts between the three?


Fieldston is the least competitive, Horace Mann and Riverdale you’ll need an average of 8 on the ISEE to be considered. I’d say HR is the most academic followed by Riverdale. Those two are top tier while Fieldston is very good but considered second tier, I believe.



Depending on the grade of entry the schools deliver different things. At the HS level the general consensus among other NYC private school students is HM= Pressure cooker Academic, Riverdale= Balanced/Sports, Fieldston=Balanced/Liberal Arts. Also at the HS level - all three schools are very competitive to get into, HM and Riverdale have approx 40-45 spots for new applicants and Fieldston has approx 30-35 spots. Resulting in admission rates below 10% for all three schools. I have heard of kids who have got into HM and not into RD or Fieldston and other combinations. So I would apply wide and see where your kid actually fits.
Anonymous
Post 06/25/2024 07:19     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
5th grade for Brearley and 6th grade for Spence and Chapin are considered entry points. 9th grade as well.
Anonymous
Post 06/24/2024 21:06     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Horace Mann is maybe a TOUCH more academic than Riverdale but they are comparable. Due to Riverdale’s recent reputation for being a bit less of a pressure cooker it has become easier to get into Horace Mann than Riverdale. Riverdale student body is also much more cliquey and less diverse than Horace Mann student body.


There is a fairly big gap in ISEE scores needed:
https://iseepracticetest.com/web-app/admissions/horace-mann-new-york.html
https://iseepracticetest.com/web-app/admissions/riverdale-country-school-new-york.html

Anonymous wrote:
Additionally, Horace Mann kids are a little nerdier which in my opinion is a plus!


Tends to happen when someone spend an extremely long amount of time studying in a room rather than being outdoors.

Ah yes, Test Innovators, I do know Riverdale was more competitive than Horace Mann this year at the 6th grade entry point. Could be due to more limited seats. Horace Mann accepts 50 at 6th grade while Riverdale accepts 25.

The girls schools are even more competitive, Chapin and Spence accepted 7 girls each!



Horace Mann’s main entry point is 6th grade. For girls’ schools, there is no entry point at that grade.
Anonymous
Post 06/24/2024 20:35     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Horace Mann is maybe a TOUCH more academic than Riverdale but they are comparable. Due to Riverdale’s recent reputation for being a bit less of a pressure cooker it has become easier to get into Horace Mann than Riverdale. Riverdale student body is also much more cliquey and less diverse than Horace Mann student body.


There is a fairly big gap in ISEE scores needed:
https://iseepracticetest.com/web-app/admissions/horace-mann-new-york.html
https://iseepracticetest.com/web-app/admissions/riverdale-country-school-new-york.html

Anonymous wrote:
Additionally, Horace Mann kids are a little nerdier which in my opinion is a plus!


Tends to happen when someone spend an extremely long amount of time studying in a room rather than being outdoors.



Come now, Riverdale kids are spending the same amount of time outdoors as Horace Mann kids. If a Horace Mann or a Riverdale student has any free time they are more than likely on their iPhone or iPad not outdoors.
Anonymous
Post 06/24/2024 19:44     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Horace Mann is maybe a TOUCH more academic than Riverdale but they are comparable. Due to Riverdale’s recent reputation for being a bit less of a pressure cooker it has become easier to get into Horace Mann than Riverdale. Riverdale student body is also much more cliquey and less diverse than Horace Mann student body.


There is a fairly big gap in ISEE scores needed:
https://iseepracticetest.com/web-app/admissions/horace-mann-new-york.html
https://iseepracticetest.com/web-app/admissions/riverdale-country-school-new-york.html

Anonymous wrote:
Additionally, Horace Mann kids are a little nerdier which in my opinion is a plus!


Tends to happen when someone spend an extremely long amount of time studying in a room rather than being outdoors.

Ah yes, Test Innovators, I do know Riverdale was more competitive than Horace Mann this year at the 6th grade entry point. Could be due to more limited seats. Horace Mann accepts 50 at 6th grade while Riverdale accepts 25.

The girls schools are even more competitive, Chapin and Spence accepted 7 girls each!
Anonymous
Post 06/24/2024 18:09     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Horace Mann is maybe a TOUCH more academic than Riverdale but they are comparable. Due to Riverdale’s recent reputation for being a bit less of a pressure cooker it has become easier to get into Horace Mann than Riverdale. Riverdale student body is also much more cliquey and less diverse than Horace Mann student body.


There is a fairly big gap in ISEE scores needed:
https://iseepracticetest.com/web-app/admissions/horace-mann-new-york.html
https://iseepracticetest.com/web-app/admissions/riverdale-country-school-new-york.html

Anonymous wrote:
Additionally, Horace Mann kids are a little nerdier which in my opinion is a plus!


Tends to happen when someone spend an extremely long amount of time studying in a room rather than being outdoors.

Anonymous
Post 06/24/2024 15:51     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
For Horace Mann and Riverdale it’s a group interview so the most important part of the application is the ISEE test. If you don’t have an average score of 8, you won’t get in. Period.
Anonymous
Post 06/24/2024 15:06     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We toured several schools in NYC and are leaning toward a Hill School - Horace Mann, Fieldston or Riverdale. We have an active kid and the facilities seem amazing. Any thoughts between the three?


We are also looking into Hill Schools. Horace Mann and Riverdale. Riverdale seems super popular and less pressure cooker than Horace Mann. Horace Mann seems to have a reputation as cutthroat. I am wondering if this reputation has any credibility?



Horace Mann is maybe a TOUCH more academic than Riverdale but they are comparable. Due to Riverdale’s recent reputation for being a bit less of a pressure cooker it has become easier to get into Horace Mann than Riverdale. Riverdale student body is also much more cliquey and less diverse than Horace Mann student body. Additionally, Horace Mann kids are a little nerdier which in my opinion is a plus!

I know from my child’s fifth grade class of those who applied to 6th grade many students got into Horace Mann but those same students did not get into Riverdale. I also know admission to Riverdale can be gained if you know a school board member but I imagine that is the case at any school.
Anonymous
Post 06/24/2024 12:54     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:Additionally, it’s much easier to gain acceptance at a top tier school at 9th grade many kids leave for boarding school and/or the schools expand the classes for high school. Only the exceptional students have a shot at 5th or 6th grade. Avenues, Columbia Grammar, Nightingale and Allen-Stevenson are the best bet for average students seeking a NYC middle school.


Easier maybe. Still highly difficult to get in top tier at 9th grade considering the number of applicants.
Anonymous
Post 06/24/2024 01:25     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:We toured several schools in NYC and are leaning toward a Hill School - Horace Mann, Fieldston or Riverdale. We have an active kid and the facilities seem amazing. Any thoughts between the three?


We are also looking into Hill Schools. Horace Mann and Riverdale. Riverdale seems super popular and less pressure cooker than Horace Mann. Horace Mann seems to have a reputation as cutthroat. I am wondering if this reputation has any credibility?
Anonymous
Post 06/23/2024 14:24     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Additionally, it’s much easier to gain acceptance at a top tier school at 9th grade many kids leave for boarding school and/or the schools expand the classes for high school. Only the exceptional students have a shot at 5th or 6th grade. Avenues, Columbia Grammar, Nightingale and Allen-Stevenson are the best bet for average students seeking a NYC middle school.
Anonymous
Post 06/21/2024 13:30     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Does St Ann's provide a reasonably good environment for kids to learn? Like, inspiring yet rigorous but sustainable. How difficult one can get in as a 9th grade with a high test score.


St Ann’s is a fantastic school. Quite artsy. Produces a ton of actors/filmmakers/writers,etc. For whatever reason it seems to get overshadowed by the bigger, more famous names despite equal footing, but that’s actually a tick in its favor to me. Brooklyn might be a bit of a pain though.

I don’t know anything about the admissions process or selectivity. I’m sure it’s hyper competitive.


Odd Mom Out (S1E5) does a good depiction on why St Ann’s wouldn't be for everyone.
Anonymous
Post 06/21/2024 12:50     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:Does St Ann's provide a reasonably good environment for kids to learn? Like, inspiring yet rigorous but sustainable. How difficult one can get in as a 9th grade with a high test score.


St Ann’s is a fantastic school. Quite artsy. Produces a ton of actors/filmmakers/writers,etc. For whatever reason it seems to get overshadowed by the bigger, more famous names despite equal footing, but that’s actually a tick in its favor to me. Brooklyn might be a bit of a pain though.

I don’t know anything about the admissions process or selectivity. I’m sure it’s hyper competitive.
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2024 21:50     Subject: Best private schools in NYC?
Anonymous wrote:Does St Ann's provide a reasonably good environment for kids to learn? Like, inspiring yet rigorous but sustainable. How difficult one can get in as a 9th grade with a high test score.


St. Ann’s does not require the ISEE, they administer their
own tests. There tends to be more openings at 9th grade! It’s a progressive school so I’d say the applicant needs to have cultivated some strong extracurriculars…