Prestigious Grade/Elementary schools in NYC

soundjade · Jul 8th, 2008, 06:05 PM

Calling all moms/dads in manhattan...
I was wondering if anybody knew what the most prestigious public or private (zoned or not) elementary/grade schools were, specifically in Manhattan.

I've only known one magnet school and it was the one my sibs went to when they were younger but that was in Astoria.

If you know which schools they are, it would be helpful if you could let me know the zones they are in as well and which residential areas would be zoned for those schools.

Any help would be great. Thanks!

IntlSet · Jul 9th, 2008, 04:28 PM

I find it so interesting that you used the term "prestigious" versus, for example, "most likely to give my child a truly stellar education." They are often one and the same, that's true, but the motivation for sending one's child to a particular school may have nothing to do with education and everything to do with perception. It seems safe to assume you're in the latter group. I don't know about elementary schools, but surely if you're making the "right" playdates with the "right" Mommies, you will quickly find out what's prestigous enough for your child. And then hopefully your child will get into Chapin or Spence or if he/she is actually and truly gifted, Stuyvesant. Best of luck.

omgsweet · Jul 9th, 2008, 09:33 PM

Why don't you do a google search? Or check out http://www.privateschoolreview.com/

Sorry, I'm not familiar with elementary schools in NY.

luckygirl83 · Jul 11th, 2008, 01:05 AM

I am a tutor for the ERB (for families who are fairly or very well off) and most parents want their kids in Collegiate, Spence, Chapin, Dalton, Brearley, St. Bernard, Dwight, Trinity, and a few others I can't recall off the top of my head. Obviously, some of these schools are same-sex only.

Progressive schools which are also top notch are Allen Stevenson, Geneva, and Calhoun.

A few others that come to mind are Claremont, Columbia Grammar, and Rodeph Sholom.

It amazes me what they pay in tuition each year.

Hunter is the public school most recognized by parents who are looking mostly at private schools. You need to take an IQ test administered by the DOE to get in.

Hope that helps!

Btw, you can check urbanbaby.com for more info on private schools. Sort of like a TPF for parents.

luckygirl83 · Jul 11th, 2008, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntlSet

I find it so interesting that you used the term "prestigious" versus, for example, "most likely to give my child a truly stellar education." They are often one and the same, that's true, but the motivation for sending one's child to a particular school may have nothing to do with education and everything to do with perception. It seems safe to assume you're in the latter group. I don't know about elementary schools, but surely if you're making the "right" playdates with the "right" Mommies, you will quickly find out what's prestigous enough for your child. And then hopefully your child will get into Chapin or Spence or if he/she is actually and truly gifted, Stuyvesant. Best of luck.

So true. I used to babysit for kids (2 years) who went to Collegiate and have been on a few dozen or so playdates. I've never seen so many Birkins and Pradas at a school before. I have so many stories about these "prestigious" school families.

One parent wouldn't let his kid (and nanny) take the subway or bus for a playdate at my charges' apartment. Does public transportation give you cooties? Or does it downgrade you to the rest of society?

Another mom "forgot" her kid while the kid was with me for a playdate. The nanny (who was with the mom and her other child) came 1 hour late after the mom "realized" she was missing a child and sent the nanny (with her other kid) to retrieve her missing child.

One Park Avenue stay at home mummy had an Escalade (sp?) waiting for us outside with a driver and two nannies. They lived on an entire floor in their building. Their kitchen was the size of my studio. The housekeeper kept cleaning after the children (apparently she is live-in during the week - the family has a housekeeper in the Hamptons). She's like that little robot on Wall-E. Their console table had shopping bags from a good sampling of Fifth Avenue Stores: LV, Prada, Gucci, Tiffany, etc. It wasn't even X'mas. The nanny at dad's house came to pick up the kids from the nannies at mom's house (mommy wasn't home even though her boys clearly had attachment issues stemming from the divorce).

I must say there are a few (note, a few) families who are down to earth. While they don't exhibit their wealth as much, they are high income earners (ex/ bankers, corporate lawyers, etc) and well-to-do people.

I've also babysat for a family with a child at Hunter. The playdates are more like playdates and the families aren't as wealthy (at least percentage wise) though they aren't poor. It is a public school, after all.

I've also sat for or teach (taught) kids from St.Bernard, Calhoun, Claremont, and Dwight. And now I am teaching kids whose parents want them in those prestigious schools. Is it really, all about education? Why not go to Hunter or Stuyvesant if your kid is smart? These are the schools that churn out Intel finalists and Nobel prize winners. I've never read about a Collegiate student in the papers before! Why pay consultants and tutors? I have Upper East Side families (happens less on the West Side, not sure why) who are h*ll-bent on having their kids get into "top-tier" schools.

Okay, I am finish ranting.

soundjade · Jul 11th, 2008, 04:25 AM

Thanks for the useful links and information.

I just wanted to clarify that I am no where near ready to have a child and wasn't asking for me personally. My inquiry was purely for residential reasons. I'm looking into investing in an apartment in manhattan and there are things I need to consider such as local school district etc. (for future tenants) I was particularly interested in public "prestigious" /grade schools with generally great statistics (standardized tests, grades, great teachers, etc. etc.) you get the gist.

Sorry if I came off as someone who only cared about "prestige," I actually did only mean for schools (public or private) who can offer children a great education as I'm hoping my potential renters/buyers would think about these types of factors when looking for their new homes.

Thanks again!! :)

Demosthenes · Jul 11th, 2008, 06:04 PM

Ooo... that's kind of smart, in terms of real estate. Good question! :P

Jul 9th, 2008, 04:28 PM	#2
IntlSet Bonjour! Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 10,584	I find it so interesting that you used the term "prestigious" versus, for example, "most likely to give my child a truly stellar education." They are often one and the same, that's true, but the motivation for sending one's child to a particular school may have nothing to do with education and everything to do with perception. It seems safe to assume you're in the latter group. I don't know about elementary schools, but surely if you're making the "right" playdates with the "right" Mommies, you will quickly find out what's prestigous enough for your child. And then hopefully your child will get into Chapin or Spence or if he/she is actually and truly gifted, Stuyvesant. Best of luck. __________________ http://drinkmorechampagne.wordpress.com/

Jul 9th, 2008, 09:33 PM	#3
omgsweet omg...cute bag!! Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Scottsdale, Az Posts: 1,530	Why don't you do a google search? Or check out http://www.privateschoolreview.com/ Sorry, I'm not familiar with elementary schools in NY. __________________

Jul 11th, 2008, 06:04 PM	#7
Demosthenes Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 922	Ooo... that's kind of smart, in terms of real estate. Good question! :P __________________

Jul 8th, 2008, 06:05 PM	#1
soundjade Member Joined: Feb 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 721	Calling all moms/dads in manhattan... I was wondering if anybody knew what the most prestigious public or private (zoned or not) elementary/grade schools were, specifically in Manhattan. I've only known one magnet school and it was the one my sibs went to when they were younger but that was in Astoria. If you know which schools they are, it would be helpful if you could let me know the zones they are in as well and which residential areas would be zoned for those schools. Any help would be great. Thanks!

Jul 11th, 2008, 01:05 AM	#4
luckygirl83 Member Joined: May 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 275	I am a tutor for the ERB (for families who are fairly or very well off) and most parents want their kids in Collegiate, Spence, Chapin, Dalton, Brearley, St. Bernard, Dwight, Trinity, and a few others I can't recall off the top of my head. Obviously, some of these schools are same-sex only. Progressive schools which are also top notch are Allen Stevenson, Geneva, and Calhoun. A few others that come to mind are Claremont, Columbia Grammar, and Rodeph Sholom. It amazes me what they pay in tuition each year. Hunter is the public school most recognized by parents who are looking mostly at private schools. You need to take an IQ test administered by the DOE to get in. Hope that helps! Btw, you can check urbanbaby.com for more info on private schools. Sort of like a TPF for parents.

Jul 11th, 2008, 04:25 AM	#6
soundjade Member Joined: Feb 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 721	Thanks for the useful links and information. I just wanted to clarify that I am no where near ready to have a child and wasn't asking for me personally. My inquiry was purely for residential reasons. I'm looking into investing in an apartment in manhattan and there are things I need to consider such as local school district etc. (for future tenants) I was particularly interested in public "prestigious" /grade schools with generally great statistics (standardized tests, grades, great teachers, etc. etc.) you get the gist. Sorry if I came off as someone who only cared about "prestige," I actually did only mean for schools (public or private) who can offer children a great education as I'm hoping my potential renters/buyers would think about these types of factors when looking for their new homes. Thanks again!! :)