School Advice Needed
We were just notified by email that our two kids were offered spots in the Gifted & Talented program at P.S. 9 (The Sarah Anderson School for Music and Art) on the Upper West Side. I obtained some information from insideschools.org and colleagues who live in the Upper West Side and it seems to be…
We were just notified by email that our two kids were offered spots in the Gifted & Talented program at P.S. 9 (The Sarah Anderson School for Music and Art) on the Upper West Side.
I obtained some information from insideschools.org and colleagues who live in the Upper West Side and it seems to be very popular school. I like the fact that it’s an music/arts school too.
The issues/questions, however, are:
– We live in Brooklyn Heights, so it would be a logistical nightmare to get them to and from school, short of moving to the Upper West Side.
– The kids are currently well-settled at PS8. They love it there and we think the principal and teachers are wonderful. We are very happy with the school.
– Why are there spots available at this time? I assume our kids must have been wait-listed and spots came up as families chose other schools and/or moved out of the neighbourhood.
I know there are many parents on this blog who have a lot of experience with the public school system and can offer very solid advice. Is anyone familiar with The Sarah Anderson School? Can you offer suggestions for other questions to ask the people there to assist in our decision?
Any insight is greatly appreciated.
quote:
There could be a downside for the kids socially being in a tiny minority of Brooklyn kids while everyone else at the school is from the neighborhood / UWS school district.
ooooh that’s true too!!! ever watch Gossip Girl!?!? the kids from brooklyn were totally shunned in the first season by the upper east siders (i assume upper west siders are exactly the same just not as fashionable)
*rob*
daveinbedstuy, you dont even have kids! why are you giving advice?
*rob*
Your kids and you seem to like PS 8 very much.
You’d sell your house and move to Manhattan to attend another public school??? PS 9 only goes through 8th grade anyway, right? Who cares what the test scores are to get in. That is a red herring.
Stay where you are! Your kids are happy.
As has been pointed out, the Anderson school doesn’t just send out a letter. If you make the 99% cut, you go to an interview. Etc.. Etc.
Sounds like kids have been accepted to PS9 G&T (congrats!). Every NYC kids who gets 90% on their test now qualifies for a G&T seat (I think! They just changed the rules) and they’ll put you anywhere. Many G&Ts are not as good as general eds. Not sure how PS9 compares to PS8.
Is there a counselor at PS8 that can offer guidance? If not, there should be.
Take a tour before making any decisions. But as you asked for random advice ….
Congrats!
If you are talking about the Anderson School K-8 program that just moved out of the PS9 building, that’s a very tough call IMO. Huge PITA to get the kids there, but one of the few places in the city that might be worth the hassle for kids under 8 (or the hassle of moving to the UWS).
If you are talking about the regular G&T PS9 program, I sincerely doubt that it is any better that PS8 in BH. No way Jose.
To clarify, I’m talking about PS9 – the District 3 gen ed and G&T program, k to 5 (The Sarah Anderson School for Music and Art).
“At the K level this year, a child needed 99 percentile to get into either school.”
Very good thing they have a smart mother!
“I suppose we would consider moving back to Manhattan if we did make the switch.”
Congratulations! Fantastic news even if you don’t decide to send them there.
And NO. N-O. NO to Manhattan. I’m exercising my veto here and now. 🙂
Will let you know if I have any other thoughts about friends/family to contact ASAP.
maybe you can sell your acceptance slots. may have to sell the kids identities also but could this could pay for private school later on.
you have the Anderson School – PS 334 and the Sarah Anderson School – PS9 confused. Both are excellennt schools. PS 334 grew out of PS9 and is a city-wide k to 8 G&T program. PS9 is a District 3 gen ed and G&T program, k to 5. They were in the same building until several years ago but are now several blocks apart. At the K level this year, a child needed 99 percentile to get into either school.