UrbanBaby

06.26.08, 07:03 AM General Topics
11 replies

Can anyone explain the whole "citywide" thing to me? We have 2 DCs (finishing 1st & 3rd grades) in the G&T program at a school close to us (PS 230/Bklyn) and I don't remeber this being such a big deal...we took them to get evaluated, they got accepted, that was the end of that. They're getting a good education a block and a half from our house, and that seems like a good deal to me. Are citywides really worth all the trouble? Are they that much better than a district G&T school? Asie from Anderson & NEST, is it really that tough to get kids into G&T? To me, it mostly seems like they were looking for decent social skills and curiosity more than anything else, and I just don't understand the degree of agita some here seem to be experiencing over this process... maybe I'm just clueless, but the whole thing seemed very easy to me. [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 06.26.08, 07:03 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

I think of the reasons people are so focused on Citywides is Anderson goes through 8th (no middle school stress) and NEST goes to HS (I think, but not certain). do not know about TAG. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:15 AM Flag

OP: well, I mean, we're starting to have to think about middle school, of course, but it's, again, not the sourse of existential dread that some many here seem to feel it is. If DD gets into NEST, great! if not, McAuliffe or whatever is fine. I guess I just figure they'll test into whatever is appropriate for them... if she doesn't make NEST, the school probably wouldn't have been a good fit anyway. The saddest thing, in our dinky regional G&T, is watching some of the kids from park slope whose parents really pushed to get their DCs into G&T, and the poor kids are in over their heads academically or socially. I'm all for pushing kids to do their best, btu sometimes their best isn't going to be achieved in a super-selective accelerated program and even though it's imperfect, I think the tests help with that. For us it was never really about "making" G&T but more about making sure our DCs were in classes that were suitable to them. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:21 AM Flag

The reason we wanted NEST really badly last year was it goes to 12th. I think any good elementary teacher can educate a 5 or 6 year old. It is junior high when your peer group becomes really important. I am so glad to not have to worry about that. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:22 AM Flag

btu what if it turns out that stuy, or a non-g&t program, or private is a better fit? I have a hard time thinking "OK, my 5 y.o. is in the school she'll attend til she's 18...I can check that off the list!" Even with our DCs in G&T we talk all yer long aboout whethere they're best served by this program or not. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:34 AM Flag

Being in NEST doesn't mean he has to stay there till 12th grade. I know of several older kids going to Stuy, Bronx Sci, etc. next year. Being at NEST just means that he doesn't have to go to John Jay (or one of the three John Jay spin offs.) [ Reply | More

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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:44 AM Flag

but not being at nest doesn't mean he has to go to john jay either. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:48 AM Flag

Granted. In truth I can't remember the name of my zoned Jr High... [ Reply | More

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General Topics 06.26.08, 07:54 AM Flag

One of the reasons we ranked Nest over Anderson is that it goes to 12th. The middle school and high school are amazing and improving each year (ms test scores fantastic). This whole school process is very stressful and not needing to go through it again is great. We can focus on other things and not worry.. We may choose to leave, but the transitional bumps can be avoided for our dd if she chooses to stay at Nest. Also, how sweet would it be if she can hop downstairs when in HS to visit with her 2nd grade teacher. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 06.26.08, 08:30 AM Flag

They changed admission criteria this year, so kids in citywide programs are guaranteed to be 97% or above, which means your very bright kid guaranteed to be in class w/only other very bright kids. You are lucky you had district G&T right there. Live in Queens and there are no programs locally. Citywide is our only option. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 06.26.08, 08:34 AM Flag

Really? I thought every district had a program! [ Reply | More

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General Topics 06.26.08, 09:10 AM Flag

Citywide G&T was our only hope because our district didn't have a district G&T. Otherwise I would have stayed local. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 06.26.08, 11:54 AM Flag