My oldest will be applying to middle school this fall for entry in 2021. I hadn't given much thought to applying to private in the past, but am thinking more seriously about it, as the DOE feels like a question mark in terms of where they're headed, budget cuts etc. What are your thoughts? I just asked this on youbemom and people seem very confused by my question. I miss UB! This is NOT a question about entry for this fall, it's a question about public/private generally if it's within reach for us.
Within reach meaning within your budget? Only you can answer that question. If you're asking about spots, I can offer anecdata from people who applied to private MS in the past...the answer is yes, there are spots, as long as you apply broadly.
Do it. Public schools can’t pivot to meet the new demand. Unions will stall negotiations.
Last month I saw the writing on the wall and have had my son apply to several private schools for 8th grade.
What writing did you see/are you concerned about? Deteriorating quality? Lottery for HS? Also - technical Q, but are schools requiring ISEE for applications this year? I can't tell what's going on in terms of testing requierments, and we've just started studying - I want to make sure she's actually supposed to take the test still.
I am involved with my older son's SHS and it is very clear they will not be able to teach to the level they have been, for many reasons but mainly size of student body and teacher union restrictions. Then add all 7th graders receiving a "MT" (meets standards) grade, there can be no sorting by academic ability for HS admission for fall 2021. Even high performing middles schools will not be able to teach to the levels they have been and I feel my rising 8th grader would be behind peers who are in private schools. The ISEE is waived for applying for the 2020-2021 school year, but not (at this point) for the 2021-2022 school year.
You’d be better off hiring a private teacher either alone or with a couple friends than paying for a private school right now
I don't want to pay for a private school *right now* - this would be for entry in fall 2021 when I assume we'll be back in person.
The ISSEE was waived for 2020-21 year at privates? I thought the student had to take the test by December of 2019 for the 2020 year.Wouldn't they have already taken the test before the pandemic?
With everything going on, I decided to have my son to apply for private MS for this fall rather than waiting to apply for HS in 2021-22. I am happy with his high performing MS but I do not have confidence in NYC public schools this fall and certainly not for public HS admissions likely going to lottery with no screening possible for fall 2021. In June, I had my son apply to private schools for 8th grade for this fall and all said there was no need to take the ISEE, the requirement was waived. He was accepted to three schools, including his top choice.
Which ones had spots?
You should definitely apply to private. NYC publics are not going to be able to rebound from this pandemic quickly (e.g., budget cuts, admissions, quality of education, etc).
I COMPLETELY agree!
ITA and am jealous. Wish we could afford private!
Me too! My youngest is in 8th grade and we will be looking at public high schools in the fall. I'm depressed just thinking about it.