< Return to Talk
06.18.08, 09:52 AM NY Schools
40 replies
I have to decide between ps 9 G&T and private K. I need to decide today or tomorrow. I'm very lucky to have 2 great options. My head tells me not to be a fool and go public, save the money. My heart feels like the private is the right school for my child. WWYD? [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
NY Schools 06.18.08, 09:52 AM Flag
 

Dear UrbanBaby community,

Thank you so much for being a valued member of the UrbanBaby community. We wanted to inform you that we are shutting down the site on July 6th. We are grateful for your participation and support that has helped make UrbanBaby such an important resource to parents for many years.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can email us at urbanbaby-support@cbsinteractive.com.

Thanks so much,

UrbanBaby Support

»
We don't know your child. Which private? Does your child have any issues you are worried about. Your dc obviously tests well, so middle school shouldn't be a worry. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 09:53 AM Flag
»
Which private? What is the commute like to each? describe your child a little. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 09:54 AM Flag
»
OK: Both are very convenient to my home (I know, we are SO lucky). My kid is very bright but shy and not too social. Also young for the grade. And I won't say which private but I will say that it is not TT but decent. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 09:56 AM Flag
»
What month birthday? Boy or girl? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 09:58 AM Flag
»
December girl. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 09:59 AM Flag
»
OK, so you are also deciding between K and prek right? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:02 AM Flag
»
you don't have to answer, but I would give her the extra year. Can't hurt. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:04 AM Flag
»
so private pre-k and public K? As a parent of two elementary school aged kids with fall b-days, i would go with private b/c I think there are huge advantages to being on the older side, especially with a shy child (although there have been lots of advantages for my outgoing child too!). [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:04 AM Flag
»
If you are trying to decide between Calhoun and PS9 - then it really is about your child and their personality and learning style. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 09:58 AM Flag
»
What kind of private? no need to name names but describe, so we can compare for you. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 09:55 AM Flag
»
Not TT but also not bad. A decent school with nice families and a range of kids from those who test off the charts to those who might be considered more "average". [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 09:58 AM Flag
»
I would normally say go with your gut, but are you partly swayed by the prestige and nice facilities of the private? Also, how big an issue is money, and how close do you live to each? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 09:55 AM Flag
»
Not swayed by prestige, more by the idea of a community of like families. I don't knwo what we'll get at the public, although I'm sure there will be nice families there, too. I live close to both schools. Money is not a huge issue but it's not like 30 G is nothing to us. In other words, we were prepared to pay for private but it would be wonderful to have that money for extras. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 09:57 AM Flag
»
You sound like you want the private. Are the schools the same in style? Traditional or Progressive, etc [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:00 AM Flag
»
You will get community in g&t too. Correct if I'm wrong, but there is only one class - so your dc will be with the exact same students for six years. Is that a plus or not to you? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:01 AM Flag
»
Then I would choose private. There are lots of families who can't pay private who would kill to take PS9 spot. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:04 AM Flag
»
np, it doesn't work like that. don't make decisions about your childs ed based on the fact that someone else would want one spot. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:06 AM Flag
»
At PS9 you would also find a community of families. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:04 AM Flag
»
Why don't you go stand outside PS9 at pickup today or dropoff tomorrow if you want to get more of a feel for it? (But it sounds like you want to go with private.) [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:05 AM Flag
»
Are there any sibs? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 09:55 AM Flag
»
[ Removed by moderator ] [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 09:56 AM Flag
»
I'd go private then. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:05 AM Flag
»
in a similar situation, but a bit more pressed on finances. We are opting for the G&T, but it helped a lot that 2 friends have children at the school who absolutely love it. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 09:58 AM Flag
»
The only thing I did not like about ANderson/PS9 G&T is that (though I liked facility enough) afterschool really pales to some private schools' offering. A little less music/art/gym, bigger class size... If it's TT, I might choose TT if money is not a problem. If money is tight, and private is not TT, I probably will choose PS9G&T... and save money for TT HS later. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:00 AM Flag
»
My kids are at Anderson and I can say that PS9 has an excellent aftershool program that keeps getting better. You can see all the offerings at their website, www.renaissanceafterschool.org. (I can't dispute that private schools might have even better afterschool, I just find it hard to picture!) [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:04 AM Flag
»
PS9 has great afterschool compared to all other publics I saw. But compared to the privates I saw (granted, I didn't see all but), it still paled by a lot. However, if money is an issue, I would choose PS9. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:06 AM Flag
»
we almost went private, and then chose ps9 G&T. Had already looked at the private afterschool, and were deciding when we made the switch. ps9 has a far better afterschool than the private we decided not to take. I cannot believe other privates are any different. most of my private school friends take their kids to outside classes, and the afterschool is weak from what I hear. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 08:14 PM Flag
»
I have 2 dcs at ps9 and have been extremely happy. If you have any particular questions about the school I am happy to answer them. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:03 AM Flag
»
Well, I guess I just wonder if you ever wish you had gone private (or could have gone private)? Do you feel like it's really the best situation for your kids? Don't mean to sound spoiled because i know it's a great school and we'd be lucky to be there. But i do have this choice and I'd like to make the best one I can. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:10 AM Flag
»
full disclosure -- we never looked at private but we have never regreted the decision to send dcs there. We probably could have gone private but it would have been a stretch for us. The school has a great sense of community -- it is made up of very dedicated and involved parents. Our dcs (and we) have made wonderful friends. The administration is strong. The teachers (in our experience) have been uniformly excellent. The class sizes can be large but there is an assistant teacher in every classroom and often a para professional as well. The art program is excellent. My younger dc just brought his portfolio home yesterday and I was blown away. They have spanish and chess as well. They go on interesting field trips. My dcs are flourishing and thriving there. Doesn't mean that your dc won't do beautifully in a private either. It is a hard decision but you probably can't go wrong either. Good luck with your decision. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:19 AM Flag
»
Go public, save the money - prek is overrated [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:16 AM Flag
»
Well if it's Calhoun I think your wasting your money. If ECFS I would go private [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:24 AM Flag
»
ITA. We chose zoned public over Calhoun and haven't regretted it for a minute. If DC had gotten into ECFS off WL, would have sent him in a heartbeat. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 12:39 PM Flag
»
Also have Fall birthday dc. Got ps116 G&T last year (felt very lucky) and went back & forth quite a bit about whether to send dc or try for private. dc going to private K this Fall. Very happy now in retrospect. There are many more extras in private and it would have made me sad to think that my dc didn't have access to those extras and smaller class size. Also, didn't want dc to be one of the youngest. dc is definitely ready for K this coming year. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:45 AM Flag
»
There were many fall birthdays at ps116 g&t this year and they are all thriving. I'm sure all the g&t's are like that, so I wouldn't worry about that. If you want small class sizes and the extras, that is a different story. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 12:26 PM Flag
»
Your public option is really good. I would choose the private school only if it was a place like Dalton, or some other TT. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 10:54 AM Flag
»
If you can afford it, you should always do what you feel in your heart is the best for your child. Signed, die hard public school mom. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 12:45 PM Flag
»
After having worked for the DOE for 10 years, I would go private 9 times out of 10. Go with your gut. GL [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 12:46 PM Flag
»
We just withdrew from decent private for Nest. Very happy with decision. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 12:56 PM Flag
»
Which private? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 06.18.08, 01:49 PM Flag
Refresh » New Post »
Select Category
close [X]

close [X]

Select a Category (only 1)

category
Stages
Regions