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06.20.08, 16:06 PM NY Schools
24 replies
If you are considering applying to Special Music School (SMS) for K next year, don't. Even though it is a public school, the whole process is completely fixed. Most of the children accepted are enrolled as preK students in the music class run by the Director of Admissions or already taking private classes with one of the teachers. Someone should write an expose about that place. [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
NY Schools 06.20.08, 04:06 PM Flag
 

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really? I thought that is was like any other test - very talented dc could screw up and get shut out - just like with IQ tests. My dd, who has perfect pitch, didn't even make it to the second round, but she was sick that day in a bad mood and didn't like the guy who gave her the rhythm part of the test. FWIW, the one dc we know who got in took no private lessons there, as far we know, and not yet picked up an instrument. I think that they actually prefer to take talented dc who they think may not otherwise have the opportunity to develop their talents. I could be wrong though. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.20.08, 04:29 PM Flag
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NP; was that this year? I think they may have some sibling preference. They certainly are opaque about the process. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.20.08, 04:51 PM Flag
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lots of siblings at the school. lots. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 03:53 AM Flag
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But how can you explain the fully-booked preK class taught by the DOA? Maybe one or two new kids squeak in each year, but that's it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.20.08, 04:59 PM Flag
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I don't know. I was only speaking of my experience. Is it really true that they are mostly dc who took classes there? I just assumed that my kid got cut because she had a bad day and didn't want to perform. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.20.08, 05:14 PM Flag
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I know someone who got in and wasn't taking any music classes. Not connected. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.20.08, 05:03 PM Flag
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I didn't know SMS has a prek class. Are you referring to the school that is actually a private school? Lucy Moses? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.20.08, 05:30 PM Flag
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That is what she said [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.20.08, 05:31 PM Flag
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That sounds terrible. So, they only accept kids who can afford the prek tuition at Lucy Moses. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.20.08, 05:33 PM Flag
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I don't think that is true, but who knows - nothing would surprise me at this point [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.20.08, 05:35 PM Flag
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Totally not true!! Both my DC and my dear friend's DC went to Round 2 at SMS and were wait listed. Dear friend's DC was called this week and declined the spot (going private instead) then we got called and declined(going to very good district G&T instead). We had NO connections and our kids had not taken classes there before. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.20.08, 06:21 PM Flag
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But you were wl. All of the people I know with kids there had connections. We were not interested in the school but could have used connections as well. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.20.08, 08:06 PM Flag
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We knew NO ONE, NO CONNECTIONS, were w/l any way, and then got an OFFER proving the OP is completely off base with this post. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 06:29 AM Flag
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^^^^ Plus OP is telling people not to apply??? Why, DC goes on 2 play dates, big deal, it is STILL worth a shot! Again we knew NO ONE and eventually got offered a spot. We didn't take the spot but it was offered. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 06:31 AM Flag
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how do you know you're going to a district g&t instead? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 03.29.09, 01:01 PM Flag
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One year they passed out almost 1/2 the places in K. to siblings. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 03:52 AM Flag
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so? Nearly every school has sibling preference. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 06:36 AM Flag
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NP: What do you mean, so? This school is supposed to be about being musically gifted. It has only 15 spots to hand out for the whole city. Sibling preference has no place there. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.22.08, 11:18 AM Flag
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(OR) that was my point. I thought it was outrageous. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 04:21 AM Flag
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I know every class and it is not true. No class at SMS has half of the class with sibs. RIDICULOUS. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.30.08, 06:38 PM Flag
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Not true - DF's dd not connected in any way and accepted a place there. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.21.08, 06:34 AM Flag
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Reading through all these posts it seems clear that sometimes SMS takes unconnected kids (just like sometimes Brearley does) but connected kids and siblings have a much better shot. I think they are worried about drop outs, and so families that are known to them and have made some big effort to court them are attractive b/c they are lower risk. It isn't really their stated mission and that part sucks for those of us on the outside. NP [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.22.08, 11:16 AM Flag
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COMPLETE BS. we had absolutely NO CONNECTION and got in. The majority of sibs and faculty's children DO NOT get in. One or two sibs at the most every year (some years none) and they completely pass the tests based on their musicality. A huge portion of the music program is funded by private donors who believe in giving musically-gifted children the opportunity to take serious music lessons. How do you think these generous donors would feel if there was an "insider" way to get in? TOTALLY DEFEATS THE PURPOSE of this school. Go and see the kids perform, you will see that they are truly gifted and focused and love their instruments. You can call them and demand your child's score from past year, your child may have been very close to getting in, but if there is one spot left with three kids on the waitlist, obviously two families will be greatly disappointed. I am sorry you had a bitter experience, but PLEASE don't go around posting false accusations without having any proof. It is a very competitive school and not being accepted doesn't mean that your child is not musically-gifted. There are plenty of talented children who do not get in based on the final score but still grow up playing instruments as well as SMS kids. You go ahead and write an expose. There are a ton of families and well-connected folks who had to send their sibs/kids to different schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.30.08, 06:26 PM Flag
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I know people on the inside who tell a different story, especially about the relative talent of the siblings. While the school turns away plenty of insiders (only 15 spots) and admits a few prodigious unconnected kids, the bulk of the spots go to people who have been hauling their kids to Lucy Moses since they were in diapers. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 03.29.09, 11:10 AM Flag
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