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06.12.20, 09:57 AM NY Schools
25 replies
We are relocating from London to NYC for work reasons. We won't all be moving until January 2021. My children (boys) will be aged 10 and 7 when we move and I am trying to work out where to live, and what schools to consider. They are in a very academic London prep right now - the youngest thrives, but the eldest finds it a challenge. That said the curriculum is known to be "ahead" of the public school system. Our main requirements are a walkable commute to mid-town and to be near green spaces. I wondered if anyone has any insight into schools on the Upper West side? I think this is likely to be a good location for us. Alternatively, we would consider Battery Park City (and subway to work) but don't know a lot about schools in that area, only the UN international school, British school and the Blue School. Anyone have any insight? Thank you! [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
NY Schools 06.12.20, 09:57 AM Flag
 

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The crux of this is will you be moving back to the UK and will kids go to university in the US or UK. Where in midtown will you be? East or west side? It’s ok to have kids be in different schools l; my kids have never gone to the same school except one year in Nursery. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 10:40 AM Flag
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Yes, the UK curriculum is one year ahead of the US one, we moved from US to a British school overseas. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 10:41 AM Flag
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Mid-town east side (fifth ave) office. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 11:13 AM Flag
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Contact the Parent’s League [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 11:46 AM Flag
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You will need to go public for the spring but can apply for private for the 2021-22 year this fall. The best school zones in the upper west side are PS87, PS199 and PS 9 you can find more information at inside schools https://insideschools.org/school/03M087. For private, the most demanding are Collegiate (all boys on the UWS), Trinity(UWS), Dalton (UES) and Horrace Mann (Riverdale, kids will need to bus but has big fields and amazing campus) -- these schools tend to have few openings if it's not an entry year. Other private on the UWS are Columbia Grammar and Prep, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Dwight and Calhoun. Hope this helps! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 11:47 AM Flag
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Do you want your boys in co-Ed or an all boys school? Do you want a K-8 or K-12? St Bernard’s (K-8/ all boys) is modeled after a British school. It is very rigorous - and they may have spots open. You should contact the admissions office. It is right across the street from the park. If you lived in that area you could walk your boys to school be near Central Park. It is not walkable to mid town. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 12:46 PM Flag
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You should look into all the boys schools. Most located on the upper east side. Browning is located on 62nd between Park and Madison and is the closest all boys school to midtown. It is also K-12. You would be close to the park, walk kids to school and walk to work. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 12:50 PM Flag
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If you want to live on the upper west side. I would try for trinity (k-12/ co-Ed). You could also consider Collegiate, which is the only boys school in that area. It just moved to a new building - the location is very far west in the 50s. It would not be that convenient. But it is one of the top schools in the city. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 12:55 PM Flag
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It’s actually on 61st but far west around newish buildings [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 02:35 PM Flag
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As for downtown. I would look into Grace Church (K-12/ co- Ed) or St Luke’s (K-8/ co-Ed). You could live in battery city and drop you boys to school on the way uptown. These schools are located in Greenwich village. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 12:58 PM Flag
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Coming from an academically rigorous school in London, I think you might be disappointed by UNIS and the British school. Go for top private schools, which are all uptown. They are Trinity and Collegiate, followed by Dalton and Horace Mann, which is all the way in Bronx. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 12:47 PM Flag
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Agree with this. I would live uptown. Near Central Park. On either the upper east side or upper west side. If your boys are in an all boys school now...you may want to consider all the boys schools - at Bernard’s, Buckley, st David’s, allen Stevenson and browning (all East side ) or collegiate (west side). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 01:03 PM Flag
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I agree with this, but would add Fieldston and Riverdale to the list. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 01:07 PM Flag
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Dwight has the IB and lots of Brits. UWS. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 02:04 PM Flag
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Not academically rigorous, especially compared to top London schools [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 02:53 PM Flag
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they have different tiers, I think it's fine, really nice community too. If you must stay with Brits try the British International School. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 02:56 PM Flag
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Definitely join Parents League (https://www.parentsleague.org/ ) - for under $300 you get unlimited advising appointments. There are lots of schools to choose from - you can get a list of independent schools from the Parents League website (https://www.parentsleague.org/schools/members). Also, for a mid-year transfer, perhaps Wetherby-Pembridge, on the UWS, would be less of a transition from the current school? (https://www.wetherby-pembridge.org/) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 02:54 PM Flag
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never heard of that place, sounds like a waste of $$$$$$ [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 02:58 PM Flag
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It is the NYC branch of the London school Prince William and Prince Harry attended for nursery and primary school. But, then again, what fun would it be to quickly Google it when you could write a snarky comment in blissful ignorance and hide behind the anonymity of this board?! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 03:26 PM Flag
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Dont think they can take kids that old. It's new and small. Also rec. the Parents League [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 04:39 PM Flag
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How long do you plan on staying in NYC? If it’s short term, I would look into city schools — Collegiate, St Bernards, Dalton, Trinity but also apply to Horace Mann, Riverdale, Fieldston. UWS has two great parks —Central Park and Riverside Park. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 03:09 PM Flag
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We are at a k-8 boys school and most families who have come from London are quite happy but I do remember one family that was not at all content and felt like the culture shock was too much. This is just to say that all these schools have experience welcoming people from various types of London schools so they will be able to guide you as well. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 04:10 PM Flag
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We are at a k-8 boys school and most families who have come from London are quite happy but I do remember one family that was not at all content and felt like the culture shock was too much. This is just to say that all these schools have experience welcoming people from various types of London schools so they will be able to guide you as well. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 04:10 PM Flag
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Also- you do not want to live in Battery Park City and send kids to UNIS or British school- crosstown drop offs are annoying. Think of keeping your commuting corridor on an uptown/downtown axis. The exception to this would be living across Central Park from your school- walking through the park everyday would be lovely. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 04:21 PM Flag
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My SIL and her family moved to London from NYC. Her DS was at St B and had an easy transiton to a prep school that is considered rigorous. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.14.20, 05:56 PM Flag
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