Obviously this is different for each family but reading through the Co-Ed vs. SS thread got me thinking - If St. Bs and St. Ds and Buckley and AS and Collegiate are too conservative and bad for boys but Dalton is too progressive but Trinity doesn't take anyone unconnected but Riverdale and HM are too far... where do you go?
I'd love to hear what school you send your boy(s) to and if you/they like it. We're starting the process this year and I'd like to learn more about people's experiences. Thanks!
I know two families with boys at Browning and they are very happy. Lovely, thoughtful boys!
So many boys leave that school by the MS years though
@anonymous One of the boys I am referring to is in the high school. So works for some!
Is Dalton any different than it’s always been?
We are at Collegiate and I wouldn’t describe it as overly conservative. DS’s class is half non Caucasian with quite a few international families. DS is very happy, loves going to school, made friends with boys in his grade as well as in other grades and the school really promotes the ethos of community connecting boys who have similar interests.
@Anonymous This is kind of a ridiculous question, all things considered, but do you know why they hold off on a second language until 5th grade? I’ve heard such wonderful things about the school but I’ve wondered why they decided on this curricular decision, seeing as how most other privates start a foreign language a bit earlier.
@Anonymous I thought St B was the school that waited to start foreign language?
@anonymous The answer we got at St. B's was that their research / experience was that starting languages before 5th grade didn't really lead to robust learning - just memorizing words for shapes, colors, numbers, etc. They felt that when the boys had a better grasp of English and grammar, as well as better study habits and ability to do independent work, they could more deeply engage with a new language and have deeper learning.
good question! This is why people post these questions because there is no easy answer for boys.
I wouldn't rule out HM and Riverdale. It can be great for boys to have the extra space to run around outdoors during lunch/recess, and this is a major upside of the hill schools for me.
Ditto to this and Fieldston Lower. My kids are there and LOVE it.
yes, especially as they get older the Hill School can be amazing for kids. Not too far, most kids in Manhattan it's a 30 minute commute in the morning
@Anonymous it is definitely great by middle school
We just went through the process this year, and chose one of the UES K-8 boys schools for our son to start K in the fall. And what was a bit surprising is that the school we chose was NOT the school we thought we would prefer going into the process. But we absolutely fell in love with this school, and felt like our DS would be happy, engaged, excited to be there, and that the school shared our values and priorities. We know other families going there, and it is a mix of very progressive / liberal folks, and some more conservative people (mostly the dads).
I would say, don't make up your mind before you visit the schools, talk to the families and teachers, and decide what is right for your DS and your family.