Spinoff to Gifted Preschools: How competitive is education by you? (2yr olds)

Its scary how competitive it is. Its like out of a movie!!! I know the names of all the private schools, their tuitions, the applicant fees, administration costs, entry exams.

SHE’S TWO!

Even if she ends up ‘only’ going to a public school, its just as bad. Which exams will she excel in, tutoring, extra efforts (we’re talking grade school).

Texas has unfortunately picked up a Regent style teaching (the reason I left NY) and will start to soon primarily teach to those tests (loathe) in HS. So grade school, middle school well be preparatory levels of their High School careers.

Too many students in each class (seniors) in the neighboring school so our school is sought after because its just #2 in the city but much smaller and only 3yrs old. Oh you are in Johnson HS district? Nice. Um, it’s the same district as you, what’s the diff? Private school for grade school or public? Middle school is the only given for public school, then are you going private, specialty, charter or public for High School.

So much pressure!!!!!

Am the only one seeing this?

I have a unique view since I went to a very rough neighborhood (ghetto) low income HS but had wonderful teachers and still ended up GT/AP programs, top % of my class. Hubby went to Hempstead HS, was 3rd in his class. So I don’t believe Money = Better Education. Just better opportunities. Maybe because we went to poor schools we are surprised how competitive education really is.

Its frightening!


I don't want to bow to the pressure but it makes me second guess so much. I'm still pondering leaving her in the Montessori program until 3rd grade.

Re: Spinoff to Gifted Preschools: How competitive is education by you? (2yr olds)

It's pretty ridiculous in Manhattan. It almost seems like it is harder to get into preschool than college.

I think it's supply/demand. A lot of these preschools have such few spots and a lot of those spots go to siblings. I don't necessarily think there is anything special about these preschools except there are only a handful of coveted spots and a 50:1 ratio of applicants to open spots.

We are currently exploring moving to the DC area. I've been researching private/public schools in the area for the past few weeks. There definitely are the prestigious expensive preschools that are feeder schools for the prestigious private schools but I'm not that concerned. We are not yet decided if we want to send our children to private or public schools. I'd want to be in a good school district regardless because of home resale value.

Message edited 2/7/2011 6:00:15 PM.

Re: Spinoff to Gifted Preschools: How competitive is education by you? (2yr olds)

We live in Three Village, which seems to be competitive. There don't seem to be too many popular private schools in the area, but Ward Melville has as many AP classes as most private schools. I went to boarding school in CT and would rather keep DS at home then send him away to what is arguably the best school in the country.