Layout:
Home > $150 for kindergarten book, $400 for playgroup, 47K for kindergarten

$150 for kindergarten book, $400 for playgroup, 47K for kindergarten

December 10th, 2015 at 03:05 pm

We bought the book, since this is the only one available for this specific private schools test.

We skipped the practice playgroup, because I thought it was kind of insane, but after a disaster of a playdate at Fieldston (DS had a bad day, and he is 5) I kind of wish we did not. This was our #1 choice school, and it was his first interview/playdate. That school was amazing. Frown He would have an awesome experience and future if we could get in. We would not only need to beat the odds (given number of applicants per seat, this kindergarten is 3 times harder to get into than Harvard). But we would also need to receive financial aid, because 47K (which is not tax deductible) is out of our reach.

So all together, the odds are stacked against us, and it is a lot of time and effort to just try. It is like a job on top of a full time job. But you still try for your child, because... what if?

5 Responses to “$150 for kindergarten book, $400 for playgroup, 47K for kindergarten”

  1. Butterscotch Says:
    1449761225

    What does this kindergarten offer for 47k? I am not suggesting that you shouldn't apply, I am genuinely curious about what the program offers that others don't.

  2. Nika Says:
    1449766307

    It is a pretty amazing place. A combination of an old comfortable mansion and modern art museum. It is so homey, comfortable, beautiful, relaxing oasis. When you walk thorough you smell old wood and earth, with floor to ceiling windows making you feel you are outside in the trees (they have outdoor classrooms too) and acres of land in the city.

    Everything is state of the art (toys, biology labs, sound studios for music, actual theater, background stage shops, Olympic swimming pool that is stunning, clean and modern, facilities and sports are too long to list).

    The teachers are best of the best, everything about them, from the way they speak, present themselves, even look like, let along what they say. Class sizes are small, and they have lots of supervision. There is a person that sits at lunch with groups of 10 students and keeps abreast of all of their child issues, social calendars, who is friends with whom and what is going on... they rotate the groups for sufficient mixing of students, they gradually prepare them for more and more independence and by the time they are older they can pretty much choose their own curriculum (academically, school is very strong). there is also a dean for each grade level to oversee the academic success of each student.

    Subjects are added "on demand" based on interest. Want to study ancient Greek? As long as you have 3 students interested, they will find a teacher for you, even if you just meet during your breaks, and so on.

    Their resources are amazing. The balancing of the academics, physical activity, leadership by students in designing more activities... Plus, emphasis on ethical behavior and social responsibility (non religious school). Older kids I observed in hallways are nice. Engaged, comfortable, helpful, not your average one school child. I also know a girl from a building that went to that school, who is a teenager. Very poised, helpful, confident, thoughtful of others. My mom knows one who went there too, same traits. They do bring up leaders and pretty rounded human beings with every advantage of incredible education to boot.

    Plus, the kindergarten is an "entry point". The later you try to enter, the less and less spots there are, as those who are "in" progress from grade to grade and attrition is very low. So once you are in, you are in and that spot is gone.

  3. Livingalmostlarge Says:
    1449773083

    There are usually spots in 1st grade for families who the montessori cycle. That could also be an option. That's nice that it's small school. I've been looking at private schools but unable to find any I like that are not religiously affiliated.

  4. laura Says:
    1449781298


    You know what? We do what we do in the best interest of our children. Smile I would say that any energy you invest might just pay off and be worth it. My daughter just signed a lucrative exclusive modeling contract -- and this happened just as she was going to sign with a much smaller agency "just to get it" and then see where she ended up. And it did involve head shots, lots of trips into Chicago for open calls, lots of emailing pictures. She was just offered a stint in Milan in January, but she had decided to finish high school and then see about going in June. So, my point is: keep trying if this is going to set your kiddo in the right direction. Good luck! Smile

  5. Buendia Says:
    1449805506

    We send our daughter to an amazing private school. It isn't $47k but it is the most expensive elementary school in our entire state ($18k) with the best resources. It is well worth it! We can just barely afford it (salaries here are pretty low) and I would do anything for our daughter. She is now in 5th grade and has thrived there; she was very shy, and is now confident. She is bright, but quiet, but in such small classes, quiet children and not overlooked. The teacher ratio is 1:6, and every teacher knows every kid, and all of the families know each other (we have about 150 kids total). They concentrate not only on academics, but also social emotional learning, project based learning, etc. The skills she has now in doing projects and organizing her work will be invaluable throughout her life. I can't think of anything else I'd rather spend my money on (which is good, because our daughter's school, sports, etc. is pretty much what we spend our money on).

    I want to wish you as much luck as possible, and I am sure that whether it's this school or another, you will get a lot out of it, because your son already has the most important thing: parents who care so much about him!

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]