@Anonymous The two issues I gleaned - though this is third-hand of course - is that the school isn't well-rounded, and that while the teachers are enthusiastic, some of them don't know what they're doing.
Speyer parent here. We transferred our daughter out of public G&T 3 years ago and my son started in kindergarten. I adore Speyer. Is it perfect, no- but no school is. Are they receptive, absolutely. In terms of well- rounded ness, I will say, it’s a school where it’s cool to be smart, or in some cases nerdy. My daughter is a member of the debate team, plays an instrument and is on a competitive athletic team outside of school. My son was waitlisted at a TT, accepted into a popular k-12, but we chose Speyer because we felt Speyer would prepare him for TT high school. We have nothing but great things to say about their teachers so far.
We applied and really liked it. If we hadn't made our top choice school, we would have sent DD there over most schools. I had faith that Speyer would have been able to handle not only her academic pace, but help her with the social-emotional stuff than can come from being a gifted kid.
To be totally frank, we wanted a TT if it were possible. Not to mention the benefits of a K-12 instead of a K-8, so we wouldn't have to 100% apply out for HS. I also worried a teensy bit that she would be a bit siloed in a school that was so specialized towards academics, but that wouldn't have been a deterrent to attend.
It's an odd school, really. There is a certain type that goes there, and it can work great for those kids. (Think chess types.) Does it match up to a TT, no? Is it a better option for very smart kids than a less academic school, possibly, and definitely if the parents want an accelerated curriculum. Obvious negatives are K-8 and in recent years much of the class went to Hunter HS, so it really hollowed out in grades 7/8. Oh, and no gender balance there-very heavily weighted to boys.
I know several current parents who seem happy. Though, DC also has a couple of friends who previously attended the school and say they didn't like it.
oh interesting -- why not?
@Anonymous The two issues I gleaned - though this is third-hand of course - is that the school isn't well-rounded, and that while the teachers are enthusiastic, some of them don't know what they're doing.
Speyer parent here. We transferred our daughter out of public G&T 3 years ago and my son started in kindergarten. I adore Speyer. Is it perfect, no- but no school is. Are they receptive, absolutely. In terms of well- rounded ness, I will say, it’s a school where it’s cool to be smart, or in some cases nerdy. My daughter is a member of the debate team, plays an instrument and is on a competitive athletic team outside of school. My son was waitlisted at a TT, accepted into a popular k-12, but we chose Speyer because we felt Speyer would prepare him for TT high school. We have nothing but great things to say about their teachers so far.
We applied and really liked it. If we hadn't made our top choice school, we would have sent DD there over most schools. I had faith that Speyer would have been able to handle not only her academic pace, but help her with the social-emotional stuff than can come from being a gifted kid.
Interesting! Thx for the perspective. Why did you like it second to your top choice school?
To be totally frank, we wanted a TT if it were possible. Not to mention the benefits of a K-12 instead of a K-8, so we wouldn't have to 100% apply out for HS. I also worried a teensy bit that she would be a bit siloed in a school that was so specialized towards academics, but that wouldn't have been a deterrent to attend.
@Anonymous I think you're not alone in that -- that seems to be what many people think about it. thx for sharing.
It's an odd school, really. There is a certain type that goes there, and it can work great for those kids. (Think chess types.) Does it match up to a TT, no? Is it a better option for very smart kids than a less academic school, possibly, and definitely if the parents want an accelerated curriculum. Obvious negatives are K-8 and in recent years much of the class went to Hunter HS, so it really hollowed out in grades 7/8. Oh, and no gender balance there-very heavily weighted to boys.