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06.25.08, 17:45 PM NY Schools
56 replies
I was planning on waiting for dc's ERB scores before I started my list of school. Didn't do Spring tours and intentionally tried to block it all out. But I just realized we won't get the scores until late August and it would be smart to begin requesting applications now. Breaking it down to ones I'm sure about and those I'm not. Could you help me with my list? Dalton, Trinity, Collegiate, Riverdale, ECFS, Friends, CGPS, Friends. Ones I'm not sure about: St. Ann's (the brooklyn thing), Trevor, Rudolf Steiner, Town (K-8???), Cathedral (also K-8 concerns). What else should I be considering? Thanks! [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
NY Schools 06.25.08, 05:45 PM Flag
 

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Here are the facts: ERB scores mean JACK. I know 2 great kids with 99's who will be headed to public school this Sept. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 05:49 PM Flag
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You're right there. My DD got a 99 and no TT acceptances. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 05:52 PM Flag
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Ditto here too [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 06:30 PM Flag
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OP: I understand that high ERBs mean don't mean you'll get in, but wouldn't you agree that low scores mean you'll get dinged before you even start. I don't feel like applying to Dalton or Trinity if we're dead in the water with low numbers. I figured ds has to get at least 95 to follow through on this list. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 06:35 PM Flag
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NP: Not necessarily. Depends on your kid. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 06:37 PM Flag
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Really? My kid is a total x-factor -- he can be perfect, well behaved, responsive, etc. or act shy or even a little silly depending on the other kids in the playdate and his rapport with the teachers. Meaning I have no idea if they would take him because of him. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 06:40 PM Flag
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You are probably on the right page about needing a 95 or better for Dalton. Not sure about Trinity. At Trinity it really is mainly about connections not ERBs. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 07:36 PM Flag
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There are kids who scored in the 90s at Dalton. I'm sure there are those who scored in the 80s at Dalton (but not many). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 07:38 PM Flag
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NOT in recent years. Nope. Sibs were turned away with 93. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 01:09 PM Flag
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they were probably terrors. and the parents were worse. why extend the time you have to deal with a family like that! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 05:25 PM Flag
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ITA [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 09:37 AM Flag
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Same for us [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:54 AM Flag
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OP: Funny, I actually think I like 2nd tier more than tt. Not sure about ss, think Trinity isn't a fit, but feel very good about ECFS, Riverdale, CGPS. So I don't care about that. Just want a decent enough score to be competitive and be considered. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 08:17 AM Flag
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OR: Riverdale was one of our top choices - great campus, liked what we saw in the classes, although it was a bit traditional, we still really liked it. I hear it is very rigorous in the upper grades. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 08:20 AM Flag
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OP: Ditto. I did think the mix of progressive and traditional in the lower grades was a good idea -- able to explore but still with structure. And it might help guide my slightly wacky ds. We'll just have to wait and see how academic he is by the time he hits highschool. Who knows?!?!?!? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 08:22 AM Flag
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Riverdale OH was a bit overwhelming as hundreds of families there for what you know is not a lot of spots. Also - was one of the few one-on-one interviews DC had. Riverdale interviewer claimed ERBs not end-all and be-all for their school - that they were looking at match up between kid's interview, written portion of ERB report and school report. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 08:27 AM Flag
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np; Trinity really looks for connected kids, I think. Wasn't a good fit anyway, but dd really aced their playdate (perfect drawings of all the shapes they asked for, reading books, writing, sharing, whatever) and parent interview (everyone knows doesn't really count) was okay, and 99 erb, diversity.. was w/l'ed. Asked for FA but I could tell they were not interested. We were not connected at all. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 01:18 PM Flag
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Personally, I'd say skip st. anns (so few K acceptances this past year), and keep Trevor and Town on the yes list. I did not love Trevor and wished I had toured before applying but had a few friends who loved it. Also - if you are okay with the riverdale commute consider Fieldston Lower over EC (less Manhattan applicants and the campus is great). If you have a DS you might want to submit your CGPS application right after it is available as last year they ran out of boy interview slots. Same deal with Trinity application - hand deliver it day after available or you won't get an interview spot. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 06:16 PM Flag
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Thank you for your really helpful post. Can you tell me more about why you didn't like Trevor? I don't know anyone there. Also feel like I have to follow through with ECFS (we applied there for PK and if we change it just looks calculating). Would you agree? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 06:39 PM Flag
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np: dc got into trevor, but we did not go. got in elsewhere, as weell, and later to anderson. but i thought it was a very good school. I loved the new head, and the only thing that gave me pause was the reputation on ues that it was a lesser school in some way. guess I care what people think. I do think this reputation has to do with the school's history, and they are trying to strengthen college placements and the upper school, and are starting with taking higher scoring smarter kids. I think trevor is definitely solid for elementary and MS, and I imagine that it will develop a stronger record for HS. liked the foreign language aspect, and felt they really do work to offer a tailor made curriculum. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 07:03 PM Flag
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OR: Trevor is a solid school and I was impressed with the HS kids who spoke to the parents during the kids big group playdate. The HOS also seemed like a straight shooter. If you get your DC's ERBs before applications are due you can guide yourself as to whether you need to include it on your list. FWIW Trevor also had an interview waitlist last year but I think many got off the interview waitlist. We really liked Riverdale, Dalton, FL and Town. Hated HM - kids just seemed miserable. Trinity was nice but unattainable in our minds (and in reality). ECFS admissions seemed extremely disorganized this year - so they might not even realize your DC applied last year (although I'd guess it's a question on the application). If there is any chance you can visit FL before you need to submit your application I would say it is worth the trip. You can always explain away the change as "we couldn't imagine our 4 year old DC on a bus to riverdale, but it seems much more doable now that they'll be five." Practically speaking there was no ECFS/FL parent interview at all last year - so there would be no explaining to do...especially if PSD backs up your committment to travel to Riverdale. We found that letting Riverdale Country know we had no problem with the travel component increased our chances there (even if ever so slightly). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 07:31 PM Flag
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OP: Aaggh! You got cut off.... Seriously, great feedback. This is the most helpful, least snarky conversation I've ever had on the schools board. We are not a HM family. DH truly did not feel comfortable there. But any you would add? Think I'm missing something crucial? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 08:00 PM Flag
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OR: Take a look at at least 1 all boys schools. We didn't b/c DH claimed he couldn't imagine son at all boys school (plus we have younger DD). But I wished we had at least looked at Collegiate and Allen Stevenson so I would have basis for comparison. Re: stuff to do now - and this will totally sound dumb - but if you have time over the summer, it wouldn't hurt to work on drawing with your DC. My DS can't draw to save his life (although his letters/numbers are okay) and I cringed at every single interview where they made him draw as either part of the interview or to kill time while they were waiting for the rest of a play group. I seriously doubt we got dinged anywhere for the drawing issue but PSD explained that how a child draws a person is a developmental milestone thing (something like that)...for every sort of detail they add to a person (eyes, fingers, toes, shoes, etc)..it shows a level of development. Sorry for the poor explanation but you cannot otherwise help DC get ready for interviews. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 08:11 PM Flag
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OR: not sure why it keeps getting cut off or whether you can read the rest, but the only other sort of obvious piece of advice is to schedule what you think will be your top choices near the middle of your schedule. DC may need first few interviews to understand the drill, but by last few he'll be wasted from the process. Schools tend not to love when people reschedule appts multiple times, but I think it's not fatal to ask to move a date one time - whether because you don't want favorite first or b/c DC has another school scheduled same day/week. Its okay to say your family happens to be traveling the day they assigned you - even for the schools with the letters that say we don't really want you to reschedule. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.25.08, 08:18 PM Flag
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I'm sure you're not still on or checking this but thank you! We have Collegiate on the list. Is there another you think? AS? And ds is doing some OT work to help with his writing, cutting, etc. I will ask the therapist to work on drawing. Have him do more faces and stuff instead of scribbles, right? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 04:22 AM Flag
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OR: yes, apparently there is something developmental about the detail of a person that a child draws at this age (the more detail the better - eyes, arms, torso, fingers, toes or shoes, etc). Its certainly not a make or break deal - but for someone with a kid who just scribbled when the process started in October - and was next to little girls drawing fairies and rainbows and self-portraits, it stressed me out a bit. At one school DC was admitted to they may have actually "assessed" DC's person drawing as it became part of his file and they showed it to us at our interview. Thank god - that school was later in the process and at least DC had drawn a stick figure with eyes, nose, mouth, stick body, fingers and toes. PS must have known this drill because improvement was based on self portrait drawing kids did from Sept - December in class. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 05:43 AM Flag
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I asked ds this morning what he liked to draw, just to see. He said he wanted to do a cookie machine and showed stuff going in, mixing up, and then circles coming out. Do they give points for creativity? I'm kidding, but faces are not what he thinks to do! I just know they'll look at him like he should be doing better because he's a fall kid, so one of the oldest to be interviewing. May I ask where you ended up? And was this your FC? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 06:31 AM Flag
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They direct them more, they ask them to draw a person or their family. Don't worry too much about that - it doesn't have to look good - they count the body parts. This year I was worried that all the psychologists at these schools would make something out of the fact that dd never drew her dad in any of the family pictures. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 06:36 AM Flag
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Interesting on two fronts. I didn't know they directed them. Does your DH travel a lot? Mine does. He's gone two or three weeks out of the month. I wonder if ds would put DH in there. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:16 AM Flag
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DS is starting at Dalton in the fall. This was our FC mainly because we thought it was a good fit for DS's personality. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:01 AM Flag
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And how would you characterize ds? What about Dalton made it a fit? Because they didn't have PK, and I didn't apply last year or have too many friends there, I know much less about it but something about it intrigues me. Whereas my instinct tells me Trinity isn't as right. Don't know why... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:17 AM Flag
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DS very curious - must be touching things he works with, asking a billion questions, moves around a lot. Thought a traditional place like HM (if they even admitted him) would kick him out by second grade. Maybe I bought the Kool Aid Dalton was selling but they marketed their program as embracing and fostering free thinkers, stressed how kids could complete projects throughout the grades in ways they found interesting. Every kid did not have to travel the same road to get to the end spot. Sounds like a spiel but if it turns out to be true I think it could work great for DS and encourage a real love of learning. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:36 AM Flag
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OR: Trinity is a great program, but it was never really an option for us and DC had good ERBs, offered some diversity and DH had inner connections. Seemed like this would be enough to at least get a foot in the door - but it was clear they were not interested from the get-go. That was our first playdate and main project there was drawing a picture for the parents. Guess the scribbles did not cut it. But try for it - start the app now and just reprint it day after Labor Day and walk it over (do not put it in the mail) - you never know. But if you do have any remote connections there start working it now - my DH may have waited too late to shake the connection tree. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:42 AM Flag
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I wondered because my ds is a bit of an iconoclast. He gets these passions where he needs to explore everything about them. He's not HM -- he's not going to sit, take every direction, and behave perfectly. Did you like Ethical or Fieldston for that reason? What did you feel was the difference between those and Dalton (other than tier!)? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:43 AM Flag
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Have friends with DC at EC and they love, love it. Wanted to love it - but for some reason did not get the "vibe" there. Thought it was fine and maybe reaction was a function of a few unimportant factors but def worth applying to. We were blown away by FL campus and lower school kids there looked really happy, parent guide was super nice. As you prob know, you need to decide when you submit application if you'll apply to FL or EC can't apply to both. WL'd at EC so never really had to compare which was better for DC. Proximity might have given the edge to Dalton though in the end. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:55 AM Flag
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DH went on the middle and upper school tour when we interviewed and loved, loved, loved it. We picked EC because of the proximity thing (we're UWS). And because we did it for PK and got WL, I think it would be disingenuous to switch to FL, like we're only doing it because we think we have a better shot. Do you agree? I'm really eager to see Dalton. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 08:01 AM Flag
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Not sure about the EC/FL thing since you applied fro preK. Your PSD might be able to shed light on that. FWIW - I was a bit underwhelmed by Dalton's lower school (Little Dalton) as the space seems a bit tight. But, again, I tried to concentrate on the program over the asthetics of the buildings. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 08:12 AM Flag
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my dc go to dalton. your child sounds like the dalton prototype. it's a great program for self directed kids. my dc love it there. plus they have very nice friends from normal families with strong values [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:07 PM Flag
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OR: BTW I have heard really great things about AS. It sometimes gets a bum rap on this board because not TT and not on the Collegiate level but heard through friends that its a great place (although I think it may be k-8). Only admitted a few new families last year - so odds not great but might be worth a visit. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:48 AM Flag
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Not sure how I feel about all boys in general so I might like the idea of K - 8 boys because it gives us the option to do coed for high school... Thanks. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:51 AM Flag
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re: ecfs. not sure about this school. know more than one family that it failed in that it did not see signficant learning disabilities. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:02 PM Flag
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interview spots ALREADY FILLED UP at friends!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 09:30 AM Flag
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Huh> For 2009/2010? For real???? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 03:30 PM Flag
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OR: well, the web site is weird on this. under the faq its says that applications for the 2009/2010 year will be accepted starting August 25, 2008. Then further down, under the interview section, there is a special note that says all kindergarten interview slots are full! So, either they did not update this part of their website, or there really are no more k interview spots left. this makes me regret giving up a g&t spot..... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 06:59 PM Flag
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I have to think it's a glitch from the past year. But thanks for the heads up that applications can go in August. I would have waited until September. What G+T did you give up and why? And is Friends one of your top choices that it would make you regret that? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 10:22 AM Flag
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Would rather not say which g&t we gave up, but will say, again, that regret lingers. dc will be in a private k this year, one that accepts post august 31 birthdays. if accepted to private, will have to repeat k, which not sure would be a good thing given maturity and abilities. friends is not top choice, ss school uptown is. have been up worrying about schools and choices. not sure if it is better to either send dc to zoned school for 1st and 2nd or good catholic for the same and then try for private afterward. seems like while doe made many mistakes during g&t process it was nonetheless fairly transparent in its process. doubt that privates will have any transparency. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 11:35 AM Flag
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Try some of the other SS: St. B, Buckley, St. D, A-S [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 05:59 AM Flag
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There is really no reason to wait - no matter what the scores you need to apply broadly. That is a good list.Steiner is an interesting school and wants a very particular type of child and family, but they don't require the ERB for K. A few more that don't are Bankstreet and MCS (although both of these have only a few spots for K. Also, you may want to add SHSH, a few more SS, Calhoun [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 06:22 AM Flag
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i was told by psd that calhoun has no boys spots for K next year. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 02:11 PM Flag
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How would they know that yet? They may think that for the number of sibs who will probably be applying there will be few spots, but there is no way that in June they can that there will be none. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 03:36 PM Flag
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calhoun has preK and therefore there are only 5-7 boys spots for K to begin with. I imagine it's very possible that they can have so many sibs & legacies, that they say "no biys spots". Since we weren' that interested I didn't ask if htey would accept applications at all or not. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 05:31 PM Flag
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In addition to the good schools listed above, I would really consider Anderson and Nest if you test in. We looked at most if not all of the schools on your list and some were not as impressive or well rounded as the two top G&T programs. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 08:01 AM Flag
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OP: I suspect he'll do the OLSAT again, but I'm a little worried because it would mean he'd enter at 1st grade (fall 2003 boy). That's not a thrill but I think it's worth checking out. UWS so NEST might not work, but Anderson certainly is appealing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 08:23 AM Flag
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To all of you who replied and gave me such helpful, insightful info, I just want to say thank you. Not one snark at me for being a bit on the anxious side -- just really clued in thoughts on what is a vicious process. Very very appreciated. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 04:43 PM Flag
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You are welcome. I just came out the other end of this process alive and with a spot, for which I feel very fortunate - it was a blood bath out there this past year. GL [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 04:45 PM Flag
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OR: Same here. One spot was all we needed which was good because Hunter/Anderson did not work out in the end. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.26.08, 06:18 PM Flag
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