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07.16.08, 06:05 AM General Topics
62 replies
crisis advice needed - English family moving to NY in September for dh's career. We can have private school fees paid but from reading these boards I have no idea where to begin getting our 10, 8 and 6 yr old dcs into a school of any kind at all. Am I going to have to homeschool? [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 07.16.08, 06:05 AM Flag
 

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I would retain the services of a schools consultant ASAP. One name that I see floated here a lot is Robin Aronow. If you search her last name on UB, maybe you can get her contact info. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 06:07 AM Flag
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thank you helpful person. I will look her up. Do those consultants provide a kind of contacts service or is it just advisory? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 06:09 AM Flag
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I don't really know. All I know is that Robin Aronow is extremely knowledgeable about the NYC public system, and I assume about the private scene as well. I know that she has contacts within the DOE (the Dept of Education), and people at the DOE seem to give her information that they don't make available to the outside world. You should email her and ask her your questions. I'm certain there are other schools consultants also, but I don't know any names. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 06:12 AM Flag
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hmmm, you seem to know a lot about Robin Aronow...might you be her or just a "friend"? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 06:34 AM Flag
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My English friend moved over recently and got her 3 kids into the British School without difficulty. As far as I know it was the first school they approached. Her eldest is 8 and I don't know what age the school goes up to. GL [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 06:18 AM Flag
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great - will try. Thank you [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 06:32 AM Flag
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The curriculum will be what your kids are used to and I've heard it's a great building etc. I'm from UK too but dcs only at preschool age. GL for your move. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 06:36 AM Flag
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np; You probably could. BIS is not much in demand. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 07:18 AM Flag
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If you want an international school w/a Bac program there is also UNIS & Lesai Francais (wrong spelling but in a rush) & I think there is an Italian school as well [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 08:58 AM Flag
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Lycee [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:00 AM Flag
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I think British International School holds a number of spots for UK children whose parents are moving here on a temp basis [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 05:46 PM Flag
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call and join the parents league they will have a list of schools which have potential openings. They do have people in the summer who will assist in school searches even though they are closed. Also consider moving into a good public zone such as ps 87, 234 or 6 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 06:32 AM Flag
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We were you 4 years ago. This is what I found if you are interested in private: 1) call all the schools immediately and ask them if they have any openings or even if they can meet your dcs (they will probably tell you that dcs need to be tested via the ERB); 2) at the same time, you can call Parents' League as they act as a clearing house for private school openings/info; and 3) you can work with a consultant (which I found in the end to be counter-productive which is another story). We had 3 to 4 choices in the end. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 06:40 AM Flag
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^^The timing might work for you because a large part of tuition was due recently. This means the schools have a very good idea of real places, as some families at this point may give up a spot, even after signing the contract, but before the balloon payment is due. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 06:53 AM Flag
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I'd look into the British International School too. It's new so people here think less of it and therefore they aren't flooded with applications (yet...and who cares what others think). I'm sure it's fine and like poster said above the curriculum will be similar to what your dcs had in the past [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 06:42 AM Flag
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I know a teacher at that school and she thinks it is good - she is English too. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 06:46 AM Flag
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your best option is definately the British International School. If you don't like it you can always apply in the fall for next year. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 07:21 AM Flag
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This is OP - I had to step away but just wanted to say thanks everyone for all your help. At least I have a few things to try rather than flapping around in a panic. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 08:44 AM Flag
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have you talked to the school that you have now? Someone a week ago was moving from London, and found out that there school had a sister school in NYC that the kids could move into without applications. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 08:49 AM Flag
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my kids are in state (public) schools in London so don't think this is an option. I'm quite interested to see how their education compares with US kids of the same age though - I expect they will have to get used to spelling colour and theatre differently [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 08:51 AM Flag
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I imagine they are advanced in some things and will be behind in others (like American History). That was my cousins' experience in moving from London to NYC [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 08:53 AM Flag
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theatre is fine, but colour they will have to change [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 08:56 AM Flag
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If your dcs are in public schools in London why not give public schools a shot in NY? There are some that are excellent. Move to a neighborhood that has a good elementary school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:04 AM Flag
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OP: we are in a slightly weird position where we get school fees paid but have to manage our own housing costs so not sure we could afford an area with a great school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:08 AM Flag
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not all expensive areas have great schools and vice/versa. What area are you considering moving to, we might be able to help [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:11 AM Flag
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I have friends in Washington Heights so we were goign to start looking there. But all ideas very welcome! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:13 AM Flag
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Washington Heights is good, but high up in Manhattan. It is not expensive, and I do know there are some good public schools there (my cousin teaches at one). What is your budget? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:14 AM Flag
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not sure on budget yet - depends on whether we rent or sell the London place. Should also say location needs to be easy access to Lincoln Center - I also have a 12 year old who will transfer from the Royal Ballet School to SAB - the A train is our friend which is why I thoguht of Wash Heights! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:17 AM Flag
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doesnt your 12 yo also need to go to school? You can be anywhere near the A/C or 1/2/3 trains for Lincoln center [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:18 AM Flag
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she does but I understand there are some schools who work with SAB to accommodate dancer's hours and the ballet school is going to help us with those for her. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:19 AM Flag
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I see. I'm surprised she was able to lateral into there. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:20 AM Flag
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Really? I know it's tough but I think a recommendation from her current school goes a long way [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:21 AM Flag
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I was told you need to audition no matter what. is she planning to be prof? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:23 AM Flag
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well she hopes so. She auditioned by video - her current school arranged it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:24 AM Flag
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I see - that is different. Good luck to her. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:25 AM Flag
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you may want to ask them for school ideas. professional children's school, PPAS, others maye be most likely to work with them. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:22 AM Flag
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yeah, I think PCS is the most likely, but I would never send my child there [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:23 AM Flag
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OP: that's interesting - is it because the academics are weak? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:23 AM Flag
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yes, and the children there can be awful. I actually considered sending dd (who is now 14 at SAB) there, but decided not to. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:25 AM Flag
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Op: Hi SAB Mom - I'd be really interested to hear how your daughter finds SAB, what you do for schooling? Obviously understand if you'd rather keep it vague and anonymous [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:29 AM Flag
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What division will your daughter be going into? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:35 AM Flag
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they are not sure yet - they will assess her when she arrives. I think the issue is that she may be a bit behind the SAB system on pointe as she has had less than a year of pointe at the RBS [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:38 AM Flag
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I see. When are you moving to the US? From what I know she will need to attend the audition on Sept 2 if you are here, in order to be placed. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:39 AM Flag
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We are hoping to move around the end of August so I assume we will be coming on Sept 2. To be honest dd has all the paperwork and as RBS is a boarding school I haven't looked at it in detail yet. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:42 AM Flag
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SAB mom here. If your dd is not in an Intermediate class (it sounds to me like she would be in Girls V, but I'm not an expert) then she can attend a "normal" school. My dd did until last year, now she continues to attend her school but has a modified schedule (she is now in Advanced C1) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:43 AM Flag
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OP: thank you. At least I am now getting a better idea of the questions I should be asking! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:45 AM Flag
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No problem. The classes up until the advanced division really do allow for a more-or-less normal school attendance. I believe the Intermediates meet in the afternoon, but before that all children's classes are late enough and on Sats so you don't have to worry about missing school [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:46 AM Flag
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thank you. And by the way I like your laid-back attitude about it. I cannot bear the hovering, obsessive ballet mums we have in England [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:52 AM Flag
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Welcome to NY - look forward to perhaps meeting you at the school oneday this fall. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:56 AM Flag
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You too. Thanks again for the advice. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:59 AM Flag
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You might want to go here and register: http://www.sab.org/winterterm/admission/audition_scheduling_form.php [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:47 AM Flag
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There are some good public schools in Washington Heights but you need to live in the specific catchment area - check on this when you look at apartments (df got a great deal but it turns out apt is not zoned for good school). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:44 AM Flag
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thank you - I shall check with our realtor [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:45 AM Flag
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that was me, but it is for preschool. Might be difficult for 3 kids of different ages. That being said, my aunt and uncle moved to the US from London and all their dcs ended up at St. Ann's (around the same age as your children, op) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 08:52 AM Flag
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If you move into an area with good schools, than you don't need to worry about figuring out private schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 08:52 AM Flag
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except that they may tell her the school is full & send dc to another one she doesn't like [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 08:57 AM Flag
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as of now that is only happening for K (and may still be a rumor?). for her older kids not likely to be an issue. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:26 AM Flag
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Call/join the Parents league of NY - that is their specialty, getting kids into schools after the cut off. Also George Davidson, the Head of Grace School is also the Head of ISAANY (private schools org) & he will know exactly which private schools have spaces & will give you great advice. It may be tough getting 3 into the same school, but in my ds's class a new family with 3 kids just joined. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 08:56 AM Flag
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will definitely try this - thank you again [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:10 AM Flag
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You should probably figure out the schools first, then housing - NY is a big place and you will have to be within reach of schools and Lincoln Center. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:47 AM Flag
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Try the newer schools that have higher grades, not just British International, but also Claremont and Ideal. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 09:50 AM Flag
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Try Dwight - regardless of what some may say on this board. They have the international baccalaureate program, have British families there (who like the curriculum and think it will allow them to transfer back to the UK easily - I know 2 of them), very international student body, located on the Upper West Side which would be convenient if you live in Washington Heights and are very supportive of children who have strong aptitudes outside academics - would be dancing in your case. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 12:30 PM Flag
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