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10.28.05, 13:12 PM New York City
26 replies
Which is better: St. Thomas More Playgroup or Episcopal? Tia. [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
New York City 10.28.05, 01:12 PM Flag
 

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Have you visited either? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 01:14 PM Flag
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No, but I know people who've sent DCs to both and each side raves about the school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 01:15 PM Flag
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I have not been to Episcopal yet but went to St. Thomas More and was not impressed at all. In a basement with no real classrooms (except for the 2 oldest groups) and no windows. It did not appear that the kids were doing anything so great there (I am a former preschool teacher so I have an idea of what to look for) and other than the kids being cute in their uniforms and very nice music and movement program, nothing was appealing. We chose not to put in an application after we visited. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 01:18 PM Flag
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We got into Episcopal but sent DC to STM. We liked that it was smaller, more 'neighborhood-ish'--just a differnet vibe. The negatives...it's in a church basement so the facilities will not wow you at all (m) and it can't compare to Episcopal, Brick, etc. in that regard. But my DC LOVED school and I really liked the families there. Really nice kids, too. I think what the school lacks in facilities it makes up with specials and teachers. They have a science teacher, music teacher, librarian, art teacher and movement teacher as well as top-notch "regular" teachers. The one kind of child that I don't think would do great there is a really active, physical one because it is a small space. I don't want to sound like a crazy 'I love my kids preschool' mom but I can't say enough great things about it. If you have any more specific q's feel free to ask. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 01:41 PM Flag
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Thanks for detailed reply. You don't sound crazy to me; better to love DC's school than loathe it. I know I'm early (DC's 14 mos) to think about this but want to start getting my ducks in a row w/apps. and visits. I have gotten that neighborhood impr on as well as I live closeby. The kids seem bright, happy and relatively calm, although of course that's only the impression I get from seeing them walk down/cross the street. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 01:45 PM Flag
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^^Did want to ask if there is any religious element to it. (Assume they recognize holidays, but beyond that?) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 01:47 PM Flag
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There is no religious element to the school. Kids celebrate passover and christmas -- eg. songs, art, etc. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 02:56 PM Flag
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You cannot do applications or visits yet. They will not allow it until next year. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 01:47 PM Flag
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Oh, I know. But I'm just trying to get a general overview of certain schools in my area. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 01:49 PM Flag
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When I was looking at schools, I used to like to pass by at drop off or pick up. You can tell a lot. STM's drop off is at 8:45. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 03:23 PM Flag
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Totally different. You have to see them. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 01:15 PM Flag
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Can you give me an example of what makes them so diff. from one another? Interesting, since said friends are very similar in many ways. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 01:16 PM Flag
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STM has open plan. Small outdoor playspare. E is more traditional, formal, structured. I loved E hated STM, ended up sending dc somewhere else. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 01:19 PM Flag
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OP: Have heard this about STM - small space, I mean. Funny, did search and there was a post in which everyone raves about it. Almost no bad commentary. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 01:23 PM Flag
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It's in a BASEMENT [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.13, 10:08 PM Flag
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We toured both last year. While we liked them both I felt STMPG (did not get in) was 'better' in terms of their layout. Child not on elevator throughout the day. Seemed designed with children in mind. Cheerful, and we saw a stronger curriculum than E. Both are very nice and you'd be lucky to get into either one. A nice thing about STMPG is that the afternoon program is only one year, then all kids attend in the a.m. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 03:28 PM Flag
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This is a nice comment...The children are very confident in the nurturing, warm, loving space. They also have one of the best pre-school libraries in NYC, according to Jim Trelease, reading specialist. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 04:51 PM Flag
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^^^referring to STMPG above [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 04:53 PM Flag
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Though the children aren't in an elevator, they don't see the light of day because they are in a basement. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.13, 10:09 PM Flag
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STMPG - very small school, strong community -- at the end of 2-3 years you know most of the families at the school; Episcopal is a very, very large school. My friend whose DS went there said that unless you are in the same program, you just don't have t opportunity to meet the other families. I think at the end of the day, the children who graduate and go on to TT K are remarkably similar -- confident, verbal, well-behaved, smart, etc. You should visit each school and see where you feel more comfortable. Will also note -- that *generally* speaking, STMPG parents may be slightly more low -key than their Episcopal counterparts - but there are wonderful, caring families at both school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 05:00 PM Flag
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E is more competitive in terms of admissions and exmissions. On this Board, people call it TT. STM is 2nd Tier [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 05:34 PM Flag
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But plenty of kids from both schools get into TT kindergartens. There are "1st Tier" children at both schools... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.30.05, 03:47 PM Flag
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Not so sure that I agree -- admissions is very competitive because it is a much smaller program. We got into Esp but not STMPG. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 11.01.05, 08:24 PM Flag
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It's MUCH harder to get into STMPG than E., by the way. STMPG is comfortably "1st Tier" [ Reply | More
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General Topics 11.03.05, 09:49 PM Flag
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We live 1 block from STM but chose Episcopal because we liked the program better. In spite of the "commute" and PM spot, we are happy with the decision because dc is thriving. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.28.05, 10:08 PM Flag
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Are you on crack? I would move to CT before sending a child to STMPG. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.13, 10:08 PM Flag
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