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MommyAgain
lovemygermies
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by MrsFlatbread
Different strokes for different folks...but parts of this thread make me This coming from a former gifted and talented student who's parents could not afford one stitch of formal educational teachings before kindergarten. Let a kid be a kid for goodness sake. Life will be competitive enough when it needs to be. No need to force it a age 3.
same here, i also attended a private country day school, and while i LOVED it, and i wish i COULD afford to send both of my children..i cant..my ds is ten, and his IQ is higher then most college graduates..he is in a gifted program through a public school in a district im not too happy with, but i figured hes smart enough on his own right now, and i just couldnt afford private elementary..next year, when he starts middle school, he will go to private school..through out high school..
If i lived in a "great" district, id still be making the same decision..
i just want to add, that you would NEVER know if your child was TRULY gifted at age 3..LOTS of babies are advanced..and some that arent, are VERYYYYY smart by first grade..i think theres no way of telling so early..
BUT, i WILL say..that schools that teach "gifted" children, are a service to the parents that need them, JUST LIKE schools that have special education programs...and as a parent of a gifted child, it saddens me that not enough money is dispersed to the programs that help THESE children, who DO need a different kind of classroom to engage them...and while i think special education is important for other children, it doesnt help my child.
My son is bored half the day, and actually grades, and helps the other students in his class..i find this to be a waste of my time and his..
this wouldnt go on in private school.
ok, sorry i went off on a tangent..
there are many good private schools on li, you could check them out online.
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Posted 4/22/09 9:31 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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CookiePuss
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Since the public school system is so different on LI then in the 5 boroughs, I don't think the same type of demand is there. Instead of paying thousands of dollars in tuition at a private school in NYC, we pay thousands of dollars in property tax to live in a better school district.
That being said, my dd is attending nursery school and although it isn't "elite" she is learning SO much. I'm amazed at at 31 months, she can spell her name and speak Spanish (not fluently). Maybe my expectations aren't high but when she started making smiley faces several months back, I was thrilled. Now, she paints and colors much further along then her years and she is having a ball.
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| Posted 4/22/09 9:39 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
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Momx100
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by randella
i think the whole experience is just different in the burbs-- it's about supply and demand. most nursery schools in the city and just outside cost $$$$$. my friend spends like $12K/year for 3 days a week in brooklyn-- and i don't recall her having a rigorous acceptance process-- it was more about just getting in somewhere that was a place you *want* to send your kid. this is just part of the reason we plan to move soon.
I think you are correct that the pre-K schooling experience is just different in Manhattan and the suburbs. I never heard of anyone being associated with scandals and million dollar donations to get their toddler into the right nursery school in Long Island. I was just curious if such a thing existed in LI since another poster asked about public/private schools.
Plus I don't think you need to go to the right nursery school to get into the right private secondary school anyways. It's not like you get a transcript from nursery school.
Message edited 4/22/2009 10:43:19 AM.
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| Posted 4/22/09 10:40 AM |
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lullabella
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 2246 total posts
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
I spend $6k a year Sept- June, for 2 days a week... 10:30 to 2pm. I think it is way too expensive but the school is nice and he gets a bus which I needed.
I think some PreK's are better than others but in the end I dont think it is that big of a deal... it's only PreK. I know plenty of people who send their kids to PeK at local churches and they are doing great.
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| Posted 4/22/09 11:51 AM |
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wannabemom
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by tran92
throw another school out there... long island schol for the gifted (LISG) has a preschool program for 4 year olds. but you need an IQ test to even get a look see there. they also go through 9th grade in the school, and when the child is done with 9th grade there they are technically done with a regents level diploma. they can go back to their own district for all AP and elective classes until they graduate high school. just to jump the gun a few years.
that one is right near my mom's house.... but the tuition is  (over 12k!) and from the website, it seems like they are a high pressure school (they stress their students are functioning at least 2 grade levels abover average, they have an SAT prep class , and they brag about which universities their HS grads attend).... don't think that school is for us....
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| Posted 4/22/09 12:04 PM |
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2girlsforme
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XXXXXXXXX
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by shamrock124
Since the public school system is so different on LI then in the 5 boroughs, I don't think the same type of demand is there. Instead of paying thousands of dollars in tuition at a private school in NYC, we pay thousands of dollars in property tax to live in a better school district.
That being said, my dd is attending nursery school and although it isn't "elite" she is learning SO much. I'm amazed at at 31 months, she can spell her name and speak Spanish (not fluently). Maybe my expectations aren't high but when she started making smiley faces several months back, I was thrilled. Now, she paints and colors much further along then her years and she is having a ball.
ITA!!! I live where I live (and pay hideous taxes) solely for the school system.
With regard to more expensive pre schools, my oldest attended Ivy League in Smithtown for both school and camp, as did many of my neighbor's children. It was ok, but I wasn't all that impressed.
My youngest attended a local, partial Montessori program, that blew Ivy League away. At least in the burbs, its my opinion, that you don't necessarily get what you pay for.
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| Posted 4/22/09 12:15 PM |
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Erica
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by lehcar
Posted by Erica
I never understood the "better" faculty part. Highly qualified teachers want to be in public schools where the pay and benefits are better.
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That is one of the most disgustingly rude comments I have EVER read on here. Do you know ANYTHING about private schools and their teachers? We tend to teach at those schools because they actually value the children that walk through the door and we believe in what we do. And how do you know what my paycheck looks like? I am HIGHLY qualified to be teaching and no amount of money could ever put me in a public school. I'm so incredibly disgusted right now.
I went back and reread my post...you are right, I should have never said something like this. I think it was a defense mechanism to protect the name/reputation of my fellow public school teachers. I should have known better, since public school teachers get thrown under the bus so often. It was knee jerk and completely inappropriate. I was totally wrong.
Honestly, the comment came from limited knowledge and experience from the Green Vale School in Old Brookville - I should not have generalized and sincerely apologize.
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| Posted 4/22/09 12:31 PM |
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MrsRivera
2 under 2...whew!!
Member since 2/07 9876 total posts
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Beth
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by lehcar
Why do I care? Because it's a nasty comment about me and my colleagues. I found the comment to be disgustingly rude. Why do you care how I feel? We could go round and round on that, couldn't we? What would the responses be like if I said that all NYC cops work in the city because they're not qualified to work on LI? I think people would be up in arms. And while we're at it, why are YOU taking what I said personally? I never said you don't care about the kids you teach, did I?
It made me angry, and I don't need to justify why.
I don't do my job to "get a piece of the pie" as you put it. Maybe many people do, but many, many independent school teachers do their job because they whole-heartedly agree with the mission of their school and what they do there for children. And it annoys me when people discuss things like they "know" all about it when they really don't.
Wow. Um. Ok. Not touching this one with a 10-foot pole.
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| Posted 4/22/09 12:54 PM |
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Karen
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Karen
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by lehcar
Posted by Erica
I never understood the "better" faculty part. Highly qualified teachers want to be in public schools where the pay and benefits are better.
.
That is one of the most disgustingly rude comments I have EVER read on here. Do you know ANYTHING about private schools and their teachers? We tend to teach at those schools because they actually value the children that walk through the door and we believe in what we do. And how do you know what my paycheck looks like? I am HIGHLY qualified to be teaching and no amount of money could ever put me in a public school. I'm so incredibly disgusted right now.
Wait, so public school teachers don't "value the children that walk through the door" and "believe in what we do".
For someone who got so upset, you seemed to have no problem giving it right back with your sweeping generalizations.
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| Posted 4/22/09 12:59 PM |
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Speaking more as a teacher than a mom right now............here's the thing, "elite" or not it's preschool. Realize that at that age they are not going to be getting anything more than what a normal preschooler would get and why???...........because as much as you would like to push a kid harder and earlier there is a developmental component you cannot ignore. You might want your kid to read at age 3 but chances are, they will not be developmentally ready no matter how hard you push them or how great of a preschool you send them to. Also, the harder you push them at such a young age the more stress you place upon them and the more likely they are to burn out fast and furious before they even make it out of elementary school. I've seen it first hand as a teacher and there is nothing worse than an 8 year old kid who has had enough and is already disenchanted with school and learning. I find it sad.
Everyone learns how to read and count and add and subtract and IMO there is NO reason to push children at such a young age. You get to be a kid once, they should enjoy being a child while they can. Whether a child starts to read at age 4 or age 6 in the grand scheme of their life it makes NO difference. It's a shame to see kids being pushed so hard younger and younger. I taught Kindergarten last year and it was SO, SO sad to me that these kids were not given arts and crafts, music, dedicated play time every day and why??...........because for some reason we've decided that learning to read and write in 1st grade is not soon enough so these poor kids who should be playing and exploring and learning through social interaction are forced to engage in activities they are not developmentally ready for and you know what.......I had a class of frustrated and bored kids because they simply could not do what we were asking of them. It really broke my heart to watch them struggle all year.
Edit - spelling
Message edited 4/22/2009 1:07:55 PM.
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| Posted 4/22/09 1:05 PM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
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Me
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Can I just step in for a quick bit and point out that the daycare that I pay for is actually more than some of the annual fees that some people were shocked at? For someone lie me, who pays for daycare, it does not seem that much of a stretch to send my child to a $15K a year program, as I am already paying more than that for 3 days at daycare a year. Not to mention that some children enjoy a school setting. My son is a sponge, as I am sure most kids are, and when he is not learning he is hyper and unruly.
JMO. I think each parent needs to make their decision, just like most decisions we make as parents. 
As for elite, there are good schools, but I do not think that the schools here are as competitive at the Pre-K levels as in Manhattan.
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| Posted 4/22/09 1:31 PM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
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Baby Momma
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by MsMBV
As for elite, there are good schools, but I do not think that the schools here are as competitive at the Pre-K levels as in Manhattan.
Honestly, do we here what we are all saying?? Not as competitive as pre-K's in Manhattan...is flucking preschool people!!! Get it...preschool!!! Not college!!!
No offense...MrsMBV to copy your response
Message edited 4/22/2009 2:16:18 PM.
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| Posted 4/22/09 2:15 PM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
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Me
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by MrsFlatbread
Posted by MsMBV
As for elite, there are good schools, but I do not think that the schools here are as competitive at the Pre-K levels as in Manhattan.
Honestly, do we here what we are all saying?? Not as competitive as pre-K's in Manahattan...is flucking preschool people!!! Get it!!
No offense...MrsMBV to copy your response
None taken.
I was just trying to use the same language as the OP. When I first had G I looked for a British Curriculum school. There are none on LI, but there is one in Manhattan. So I took a look as I am a HUGE fan of the BC. It was $32K a year for Kindergarten, plus uniform fees, field trip fees, and lab fees. AND the application process is not only competitive, but downright catty. Some of the things that people do to get their child accepted into this school trump what I have seen people attempt to get into Ivy League colleges. It blew my mind.
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| Posted 4/22/09 2:19 PM |
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colesmom
Brady's mom too!
Member since 5/05 1989 total posts
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Lea
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Wow, this thread could get really out of hand. Its just not fair to generalize the public vs. private debate. You have to go and check out all the schools and see if they match your parenting philosophy and determine whether or not the teachers/curriculum/environment is appropriate for your child. Here's the hardest thing about being a parent -- figuring out what is best for your family as well as your indivdual child. I went to private and my brother went to public - thats what worked best for us.
To answer the original question - How are you determining "elite"? Tuition rate? Acceptance rate? Reputation?
In my area it varies -
Laurel Hill has a high tuition rate and is also a private elementary day school. Teachers with Masters degrees at the Pre K level
Harbor Country in St James (my personal favorite - Cole was there last year) has an interview process, high tuition, also is an elementary day school, also Masters level teachers in the PreK
North Shore Montessori and PlayGroups in Setauket are more expensive than area preschools (but not nearly as expensive as Laurel Hill and Harbor Country) but have good reputations and fill their enrollment by Feb. As far as I know, the directors have masters degrees, but do not require individual teachers to have Masters
Cole now goes to Briarwood Montessori in Stony Brook - probably considered less "prestigious" than North Shore, about the same tuition rate, -- based on a lot of my individual criteria knowing my son, this just seemed like the best fit for him this past year. Director and head teacher have masters, other teachers do not.
I could go on and on -- and certainly dont mean to leave out any schools nor imply that any other are schools are not elite or reputable -- these are just the schools that friends in my area frequent.
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| Posted 4/22/09 2:30 PM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
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Me
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by Goldi0218
My graduating class boasted multiple graduates going Ivy, but what I can distinctly remember was a conversation I had with a future Cornell attendee about their high rates of suicide. It makes you wonder if the competition is really worth it.
As an aside, Cornell does not have a high suicide rate; it is below the national average. In the 60s and 70s some suicides were widely publicized because students jumped into the gorges, but it is a widely spread rumor that suicide rates there are any higher than other schools. Stony Brook has had a higher rate than Cornell in at least the past 10 years.
Ivy league schools also do not offer academic or athletic scholarships, though private grant money is available as it is for all colleges.
IMO stress is self-imposed. If you are a student who pushes yourself academically, you will feel that pressure whether at a state university or an ivy league school. Is it more at an ivy? Maybe, but that's just because it's more difficult to be the best, and when you are the type to put that pressure on yourself, that can be difficult.
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| Posted 4/22/09 2:47 PM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
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Baby Momma
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by nov04libride
.
.
IMO stress is self-imposed.
so you think having a 3 year old take a test to get into an elite preschool is self imposed? I feel bad for those kids who don't do well on the exam...ohhh the horror
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| Posted 4/22/09 3:17 PM |
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tran92
LIF Adolescent
Member since 2/08 732 total posts
Name:
Amy
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by wannabemom
Posted by tran92
throw another school out there... long island schol for the gifted (LISG) has a preschool program for 4 year olds. but you need an IQ test to even get a look see there. they also go through 9th grade in the school, and when the child is done with 9th grade there they are technically done with a regents level diploma. they can go back to their own district for all AP and elective classes until they graduate high school. just to jump the gun a few years.
that one is right near my mom's house.... but the tuition is (over 12k!) and from the website, it seems like they are a high pressure school (they stress their students are functioning at least 2 grade levels abover average, they have an SAT prep class , and they brag about which universities their HS grads attend).... don't think that school is for us....
its pressure, but not as high as it sounds. at least not in K right now. my son started in public K. we took him for a full day trial run at the school, and at the end of the day we asked which school he wanted to go to, and it was hands down LISG. he complained when he had to go back to his old school for a week until we could get the paperwork done. LOL. i think alot of it depends on the kid... mine wanted to learn and wants the information coming at him quickly. he gets that where he is now. its not for everybody. but yes its big bucks!. and not all kids are 2 grade levels up, they typically go from 1-3 above age depending on where the child is, and they don't force them to get higher than where they are. if that makes any sense.
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| Posted 4/22/09 3:25 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by lehcar
Posted by lipglossjunky73
Not to mention that private schools can and do hire uncertified teachers....
If anyone remembers the experience with my teacher, who I wound up emailing last year, that was at my elite school.
Yet another disgusting comment. Lovely. I love to see people's true colors when they make sweeping generalizations about things they know nothing about.
I dont think Liza made any kind of sweeping generalization. She stated her experience.
I think you are making a sweeping generalization about her "true colors".
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| Posted 4/22/09 3:38 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by MrsFlatbread
Different strokes for different folks...but parts of this thread make me
ITA!!!!
There are some brilliant children who's parents simply cannot afford "elite" private schools and still manage to do exceptionally well and get into excellent colleges and get excellent jobs going through the public school system.
We all want to make sure our children have every opportunity available to them to succeed in life.
Some might argue it is better to be the "top dog" in a public school than an "average joe" in a school for the talented and gifted.
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| Posted 4/22/09 3:47 PM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
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Me
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by MrsFlatbread
Posted by nov04libride
IMO stress is self-imposed.
so you think having a 3 year old take a test to get into an elite preschool is self imposed? I feel bad for those kids who don't do well on the exam...ohhh the horror
Some of it comes from parents, but there will be the 3-year olds who take it seriously, and those that do not. I think you could present the test in such a way that a child would not think that his entire future is contingent on his score...Make it fun, kind of. I didn't go to one of these nursery schools, so I am not defending them in any way, but I'm just saying that taking the test will doom them.
Message edited 4/22/2009 3:49:50 PM.
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| Posted 4/22/09 3:48 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by jellybean1420
Posted by MrsFlatbread
Different strokes for different folks...but parts of this thread make me
ITA!!!!
There are some brilliant children who's parents simply cannot afford "elite" private schools and still manage to do exceptionally well and get into excellent colleges and get excellent jobs going through the public school system.
We all want to make sure our children have every opportunity available to them to succeed in life.
Some might argue it is better to be the "top dog" in a public school than an "average joe" in a school for the talented and gifted.
ITA with this.
I know ppl who got shafted from attending schools with a high concentration of bright students (Exeter, Andover, Hopkins, Stuyvescent, etc.). I also know valedictorians from average public schools that got rejected across from the board from ivy league colleges.
I think children can thrive in all environments with the right attention from their parents and teachers, whether it is public or private. I'm still trying to decide which will be best for my child. I'm leaning towards private school. I feel the faculty/student ratios are often better and I can choose a school where I like the curriculum best.
Message edited 4/22/2009 4:04:34 PM.
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| Posted 4/22/09 4:00 PM |
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4monkeys
boys will be boys =)
Member since 9/05 7205 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by shellybean
Posted by Bridex100
Posted by SweetTooth
What happens in an "elite" pre-school that doesn't happen in a "regular" one?
In Manhattan, the elite nursery schools are competitive to get accepted into. They will interview the parents and observe children to see how they interact with other children and their perceived intelligence at a very young age.
If you don't go to the right nursery school, then it is difficult to get into the right private primary school, etc. The schools have supposedly higher quality faculty and better curriculum.
The tuition also costs an arm and a leg.
Hahah I worked at an ELITE nursery school and they accepted everyone...LOL
Its a big show they put on, its ran like a bussiness and their number one ineterest is $$$ not your child...I
ETA tuition was 15,000 per year
hahah, I TOTALLY agree, I know a few things about an "elite" school (preschool part of it to be more specific) that would completely shock people if they knew.
just the word "elite" makes me cringe- no offense to anyone.
I feel that children should be allowed to learn and explore as they develop and have curiosities and show interest on their own.
getting into a rat race of "my kid is this smart at this school" is just crazy.
I also know of someone who sent their child to a VERY expensive school for MANY years (north shore nassau), and she now has the child in the public schools, and she has catching up to do because she was so far off track. (this is a very specific case, with tons of true facts, this isnt just an opinion).
one of these schools, I actually spoke with the head of the school many times, worked there briefly (was SO turned off by a few things) and just couldnt stomach it any more.
Let's just say it's all about the $$ and their classrooms or walls arent made of any superpowered materials that will create little Einsteins.
why cant we let a kid be a kid anymore?
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| Posted 4/22/09 8:57 PM |
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Candy Girl
Candy girl- you are so sweet!
Member since 11/07 6349 total posts
Name:
erin
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Sometimes I wonder if the parents want their kids to attend "elite" schools for the perceived educational benefits or the bragging rights.
I agree with MrsFlatbread. Some of these posts are making me .
I attended Brooklyn public school from K-12 and then attended NYU. Biggest waste of money ever. Now I have a really expensive name brand piece of paper to hang on my wall (which by the way, it is not....it is gathering dust underneath my couch...) I should have gone to Brooklyn College as i did for my MA. Not as "fancy" but a hundred times more rigorous and LESS .
I hope that my DD turns out to be a brilliant woman, but I am not pushing her to compete with other babies. The thought of it makes me
 .
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| Posted 4/22/09 9:59 PM |
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Palebride
I am an amazing bakist
Member since 5/05 13673 total posts
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Lori
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Posted by Snickers
I hope that my DD turns out to be a brilliant woman, but I am not pushing her to compete with other babies. The thought of it makes me .
I agree completely!!
I think it's so sad when parents compete using their kids.
I am a middle school teacher, and a parent once said about her daughter, "I'd rather she get into Heaven than Harvard" and that's what I'm looking for for my Lily.
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| Posted 4/22/09 10:08 PM |
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KartveliT
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Member since 1/08 8363 total posts
Name:
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Re: Does LI have elite private nursery schools like in Manhattan?
Are we still talking about NURSERY SCHOOLS I am so confused after reading this whole thread 
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| Posted 4/22/09 10:15 PM |
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