Hi all- anyone else applying to k this year ?would love thoughts on the t&e assessment, do you really need to hire tutors and a consultant, what are the chances of getting into a TT school (unconnected) etc.
We’re applying, but as a sibling. We didn’t hire a tutor or consultant for our oldest, were unconnected and ended up at a “TT” (I hate this term). No idea what the T&E is going to be like, but then again I didn’t know what they were doing behind closed doors when the my oldest applied. Applications are going to be down, so there is a better chance now than in prior years.
@Anonymous OP here. Good to know it's possible. We were in a panic Friday. Today I told my husb if it takes 3 months of tutoring and 700/hr for a consultant it isn't the right place for us. Ha. Fingers crossed.
I’ll say this. Your kid is 4/5. Where they end up in kindergarten doesn’t mean much, and many of the independent elementary schools are working through similar curriculum. There are lots of lovely schools and many families transfer schools as they learn about their child as a learner/person. Just because you end up at a “TT,” doesn’t mean they’ll graduate from one. But who cares? As long as they are happy and supported and challenged, that’s the goal. Don’t be “TT or bust.”
I suggest joining Parents League. In addition to information like the above (see link), they provide unlimited counseling/consultations, and you have access to their programs (including a recent Zoom conversation about the new assessment - I assume they have it saved or will repeat it).
Also, there is so much more in play than your child’s scores. How many siblings and legacies are there, and what are their genders, personalities, and birthdays? Is this a capital year (meaning they need an influx of rich parents)? What is the racial and ethnic make-up of the siblings and legacies, and what is the desired make-up of the class? How many siblings and legacies from your preschool are applying to each school, and how many students does the school want to take from each school to ensure “diversity of background”? These are just a few of the considerations - there are so many more!
So much of the process is beyond your control. Apply broadly, and focus on the strengths of each school and program rather than a comparison of each to a perceived “best” or “top tier”. Even those deemed “TT” (one of which my child now attends) have aspects that aren’t so great, if you really look. It’s all about the balance!
This is some of the best advice I’ve read. So much is out of your control!
Anonymous
Sep 22, 2020
Yes but in my experience, the Parents League is very invested in the schools' perspective, not the parents. When we had a bad experience the director was very unpleasant to us (the customer?) about it - not just blunt with opinion - based on v limited information - but discouraging and it felt like undermining...ie, I wouldn't want to share too much info after that encounter.
@Anonymous op here. Thank you yes we've joined and have attended their virtual sessions related to k admissions ... Just looking for some advise I guess or commiseration . Really tough to feel passionately about the schools when we can't even tour them. Collegiates virtual tour is underwhelming for example (like 6 panoramic pictures of the spaces).. I guess we'll see what happens..
We went through the process last year, and among my friend group (DC's pre-K class, other friends in NYC with same-age kids) we know only two kids who got into TT kindergartens unconnected. So, it happens, but it's rare.
I hope everyone got their apps into St. Ann's if you were thinking about applying... They stopped accepting them on the 22nd, 3 days before their deadline, because they already had too many. It might not be such an easy year for K.
I agree. I think apps could potentially be up at schools that came back in person. I know several families that scrambled to find private spots late this summer because publics are such as mess. Parents are REALLY stressed about having to work and having kids still at home doing remote school and some are at the point were they are willing to "throw money" at the problem even if they have to really stretch to make it work.
I think the T&E and the kid zoom interviews were painful for me, but my kid didn’t mind at all. I think a half hour on zoom every couple of days may be easier than dragging her around to play dates throughout the city.
We’re applying, but as a sibling. We didn’t hire a tutor or consultant for our oldest, were unconnected and ended up at a “TT” (I hate this term). No idea what the T&E is going to be like, but then again I didn’t know what they were doing behind closed doors when the my oldest applied. Applications are going to be down, so there is a better chance now than in prior years.
@Anonymous OP here. Good to know it's possible. We were in a panic Friday. Today I told my husb if it takes 3 months of tutoring and 700/hr for a consultant it isn't the right place for us. Ha. Fingers crossed.
I’ll say this. Your kid is 4/5. Where they end up in kindergarten doesn’t mean much, and many of the independent elementary schools are working through similar curriculum. There are lots of lovely schools and many families transfer schools as they learn about their child as a learner/person. Just because you end up at a “TT,” doesn’t mean they’ll graduate from one. But who cares? As long as they are happy and supported and challenged, that’s the goal. Don’t be “TT or bust.”
And I agree with you about it being the right place. Don’t let this make you crazy!
What’s T and E?
New virtual kindergarten assessment because of Covid. Thinking & Engagement.
@Anonymous Ugh. Engagement over a coumputer for a 4 year old...
Yep. It’s going to be a weird admissions cycle.
https://www.parentsleague.org/blog/te-assessment-nyc-kindergarten-admissions
I suggest joining Parents League. In addition to information like the above (see link), they provide unlimited counseling/consultations, and you have access to their programs (including a recent Zoom conversation about the new assessment - I assume they have it saved or will repeat it).
Also, there is so much more in play than your child’s scores. How many siblings and legacies are there, and what are their genders, personalities, and birthdays? Is this a capital year (meaning they need an influx of rich parents)? What is the racial and ethnic make-up of the siblings and legacies, and what is the desired make-up of the class? How many siblings and legacies from your preschool are applying to each school, and how many students does the school want to take from each school to ensure “diversity of background”? These are just a few of the considerations - there are so many more!
So much of the process is beyond your control. Apply broadly, and focus on the strengths of each school and program rather than a comparison of each to a perceived “best” or “top tier”. Even those deemed “TT” (one of which my child now attends) have aspects that aren’t so great, if you really look. It’s all about the balance!
This is some of the best advice I’ve read. So much is out of your control!
Yes but in my experience, the Parents League is very invested in the schools' perspective, not the parents. When we had a bad experience the director was very unpleasant to us (the customer?) about it - not just blunt with opinion - based on v limited information - but discouraging and it felt like undermining...ie, I wouldn't want to share too much info after that encounter.
@Anonymous op here. Thank you yes we've joined and have attended their virtual sessions related to k admissions ... Just looking for some advise I guess or commiseration . Really tough to feel passionately about the schools when we can't even tour them. Collegiates virtual tour is underwhelming for example (like 6 panoramic pictures of the spaces).. I guess we'll see what happens..
T&E is brand new, so you're not going to get an informed opinion here.
We went through the process last year, and among my friend group (DC's pre-K class, other friends in NYC with same-age kids) we know only two kids who got into TT kindergartens unconnected. So, it happens, but it's rare.
I hope everyone got their apps into St. Ann's if you were thinking about applying... They stopped accepting them on the 22nd, 3 days before their deadline, because they already had too many. It might not be such an easy year for K.
I agree. I think apps could potentially be up at schools that came back in person. I know several families that scrambled to find private spots late this summer because publics are such as mess. Parents are REALLY stressed about having to work and having kids still at home doing remote school and some are at the point were they are willing to "throw money" at the problem even if they have to really stretch to make it work.
Sitting behind DC during the T&E assessment was murder, and of course I walked away thinking DC bombed. DC seemed unfazed by the whole ordeal, though.
I had a similar experience. I’m never going to complain about not knowing what goes on behind closed doors in k interviews again. 😂 That was brutal.
I think the T&E and the kid zoom interviews were painful for me, but my kid didn’t mind at all. I think a half hour on zoom every couple of days may be easier than dragging her around to play dates throughout the city.
Think it will all be remote again this year?
At least a handful of the TTs have indicated that it will be. Godspeed.