04 | 10 | 2009 Posted By Douglas Heddings

NYC Private School Standards and Expectations

Although this is under the "Fun" category of this blog, it is hardly any fun for most parents who are trying to get their kids into private schools in Manhattan.  Given all the buzz of late about schools and real estate value (via NYT's) and the fact that my wife and I (along with our 5 year old daughter of course) have just completed our second go-round of this process, I thought it was appropriate to share this insightful video courtesy of NYC Private Schools Blog.  For all of you who have wondered what the big deal is about getting into kindergarten in Manhattan, check this out:

Charming isn't it :-)

BTW...3 blog posts today because I'm gone yet again all of next week for a retreat on which I will have limited to no access to computer, cell, or email.   Be back on the 20th and Happy Holidays to all!

Written By:Karen On April 14, 2009 1:32 AM

I live in CT and the procedure for nursery school is 1.look at them all. 2.see which one is nearest your house,has your best friends kids enrolled or 3.will allow you the most time to stay at the gym on school days.Then:
Pick school
Enroll.
Pay between $3-5000. The End.This is finger painting guys!

Written By:Karen On April 14, 2009 1:43 AM

oh and by the way....no college application in the world asks or wants to know what nursery school you went to for crying out loud.

Written By:Alessia On April 17, 2009 9:08 AM

Watching this gives me immense heart palpitations. I graduated from Friends Seminary four years ago and am now graduating from Columbia in about a month and when I look at this process, I not only cringe out of horror but absolute fear that when I decide to have children (which probably won't be for another 7-10 years), they won't get into private school. It's so horrible to see what this process has become. When my mother was placing me in private school (back in the early 90s) everyone looked at her like she was a lunatic. It was expensive, she was a single mother and money was tight. She knew exactly what she was doing and it paid off but it's heart-wrenching to see how nuts this entire application process has become. I wish all these parents the best and I also hope you guys have enough money for therapy cause you and your children will definitely be needing it.