<p>mhmm, I am interested in receiving info about all girls boarding schools. It’s much easier for me to attend open houses, know current families and speak to current or past teachers of the day schools here in the city…that’s why I haven’t asked for recommendations on that front. I feel like I have a good grasp on those. It’s the boarding school front that is all new to me and I know just a small handful of ppl who attended a couple of decades ago. Not a lot of downtown families with kids going to boarding schools so it’s difficult to get a parents perspective of a BS when I don’t know any…that’s why it’s great that I found this site.
I appreciate your suggestions on the day schools but I responded to your post as I would have if we were speaking in person. You brought up schools and since I’ve toured some, I gave my opinion. Apparently my tone was misunderstood. I was speaking to you as a fellow NYer with a child in a private…which many of us know a lot about city day schools by reputation or personal experience.</p>
<p>Benley, I have no idea what you’re speaking of. I do not think of myself as a maverick, I was speaking and answering to mhmm’s when she was suggesting day schools here in the city. Since she brought them up, I gave her my opinions on them since I toured some. I started this thread asking about all girls BS which I don’t know about but since someone from my home city mentioned some day schools ands had an opinion of them, I responded by telling her my opinions. Not sure why me mentioning that I stay clear of those ultra competitive IVY or BUST parents makes me a maverick? I think it makes me smart to stay away from toxicity. Not sure if you live in NYC but the admissions process starting at 2yr for preschool is insane and claws come out. I stay clear of that and in a small grade of 24 kids…it’s hard to not socialize with all of the parents but you learn that the subject of admissions is like religion or politics…you just don’t discuss it.</p>
<p>NYCMomof3: I sent you a PM.</p>
<p>NYCMom, the way you put it (“they are all over”, “I igonore those who care about…”, etc.), you sounded stressed and disgusted. Which is why I wanted to ask what kind of tramatic life it must be to live in NYC! 
To me, the beauty of diversity is that people can choose to pursue what they believe are the best for themselves without being judged or judging others who don’t share the same values. I can’t help but feel that while you might be judged by “those people”, you are juding them too. What I am saying is that you are part of the majority in that regard, so you should feel comfortable living in your own skin, confidently. On the other hand, “Those people” should be (and I believe at least some of them are) happy that not all people are joining the already super competitive race of elite college admissions, which could only make their life easier… Good luck with your search!</p>
<p>While it is not a boarding or single sex school, why not check out St.Ann’s in Brooklyn Heights? Their philosophy seems similar to what I perceive yours to be.</p>
<p>Benley 12 yrs ago the private school thing wasn’t really issue here in NYC but I’ve been around (have three kids) a few different schools and many different admission seasons and I am disgusted by how it’s become…it’s very cutthroat but I’m definitely not stressed by it. That’s why I said I don’t buy into the HYP or bust culture…those people are stressed and they stress out their kids. If I were thin skinned, I’d be swayed and constantly 2nd guessing myself throughout any admission process…which I don’t. I’m actually one of the few that never stresses about the interviews or essays in our preschool. I work as a parent volunteer during admission season with two schools and I tell ppl constantly just be yourselves. The experience is what you make it out to be. If you are stressed from day one, you will be stressed for the next 6 mo. </p>
<p>As for my judging the extreme competitive parents…I’m not judging them but I don’t buy into the toxicity nor do I want it. They could be as competitive and cutthroat as they want as long as they don’t bring that to me or expect me to play the game. </p>
<p>Thanks for clarifying your previous post</p>
<p>My dd is a Miss Porter’s grad and just beginning her senior year in college. It was a very positive experience for her. She is outspoken, confident in her classes. She believes this is from her all girls high school experience. Good luck with you looking at schools.</p>
<p>Thanks BonnieNJ</p>
<p>NYC MOM- </p>
<p>I apologize for the late reply to this- I have been converting my email address and a few messages got lost in the shuffle. I havent posted much to CC so I cannot reply to your question-</p>
<p>If you are still interested in Westover, I would be happy to be a sounding board for you.</p>
<p>As far as the academic pressure goes- I actually asked several different girls there for their opinion. The general consensus seems to be that the non-honors, non-AP track is quite manageable. The AP/honors track is very rigorous and each girl handles the stress differently.
Some are pretty stressed, although you are going to find that at every rigorous prep school. My daughter is in the AP / Honors - with WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) program and has handled the stress fairly well, although her grades are not where she (or us) would like them to be. </p>
<p>The community is Aces. My second daughter was accepted at Choate, Loomis, etc and we chose Westover because it is a really nice place to go to school. So far, so good for her this year.
You may consider subscribing to the schools facebook feed- you can see a bit of the school throughout the year that you may not see on a visit</p>
<p>My daughters are day students so we do not need transportation, but I pulled the transportation section of the handbook below:</p>
<ul>
<li>a) General Information
Students may arrange for school transportation for weekends or school breaks by completing a Trans Card in addition to the normal White Card for Overnight Permission by a specified date (See Section 6.d. Weekend Overnights/White Cards). Other transportation needs may be directed to the Transportation Coordinator (See Section 22.a. Student Life: Whom to See) during the day. Office hours will be posted at the Transportation Office.
School transportation will take students to and pick them up from:
Airports:
Tweed Airport (New Haven)
Bradley International Airport (Hartford)
New York area airports (LaGuardia, JFK, Westchester Airports)
Bus Stations:
Danbury Bus Station
Waterbury Bus Station
Hartford Bus Station
Southbury Bus Station
CT Limousine service (at Crowne Plaza)
Train Stations:
Bridgeport Train Station (Amtrak & Metro North)
Meriden Train Station (Amtrak)
New Haven Train Station (Amtrak & Metro North)
Waterbury Train Station (Metro North)
Naugatuck Train Station (Metro North)
Ferry Terminal:
Bridgeport Ferry to Long Island, NY
While school transportation can be a convenient option, students should expect delays. Whenever possible, we arrange transportation so that students travel in groups. Not only does this reduce the cost to each student, it also makes it possible for each student to travel by school transportation when a limited number of drivers are available. We make every effort to pick up students as close to the arrival time of their flight, bus or train; however, students should plan for delays up to 90 minutes.</li>
</ul>
<p>Hope this helps and good luck with your high school search. I’ve done it twice now and it is a real hair-puller!</p>
<p>As the parent of a 4 year senior boarder at Westover, I agree with MontMom. Westover is a real hidden gem, and has been great experience for my daughter. Seriously look into this school if you want a lot of bang for your buck academically, and not a lot of drama socially. Just a really well balanced way of life.</p>
<p>Thanks you SO MUCH MontMom. The info is helpful and since I started this thread, we have grown to love what we’ve read and heard about Westover. It’s definitely on our top two schools that we are looking forward to visiting. </p>
<p>Liddyb4 thanks also for adding on…especially when you said about social drama. That’s huge for us. We are visiting next month and cannot wait!!!</p>
<p>Anytime NYCMom
Post when you will be up there- I am interested in how the day goes.</p>
<p>I will post back. We are visiting on 10/14… Can’t wait</p>
<p>NYCMom, I also apologize for the delayed reply. It’s been a crazy summer and I haven’t been on the boards for a while. I’m an Emma mom, and would be happy to answer questions. If you look at my posts about Emma and our search experience in general, you will see there’s a lot of info. Feel free to PM me with specific questions.</p>
<p>GG is in her sophomore year. She loves Emma - and ggdad and I do, too. I can’t say enough good about the school (no, it’s not perfect, but boy… close enough!). So fair warning, you’ll be getting information from an advocate ;)</p>
<p>I went to Miss Porters and would highly recommend looking at it. I Absolutely loved it. Granted, I did have my moments where I wanted to be elsewhere (who doesn’t), but overall I’m so glad I went to Porter’s. I was very well prepared for college both socially and academically. Porter’s prepared me to write on the college level, think on the college level, and have the study skills to help me succeed on the college level. The teachers at MPS are better than half my college professors, and they truly care about the success about each and every girl. It’s a very tight knit, inclusive community; even now into my second year of college I am still in touch with a few of my teachers who know I can rely upon when I need unbiased, honest, and thoughtful advice.</p>
<p>The kids at Porter’s are intelligent, eclectic, diverse, and curious. Every girl has her place and is accepted no matter what. There really isn’t a popular group because the girls at MPS just don’t work that way. Porter’s is the kind of place where you can sit down at any table in the dining hall and strike up a conversation with who ever is sitting there. I had friends from all grades and from all over the world. I could go on and on about how amazing Porters is but I have homework to do ;). Please PM me if you have ANY questions! Good luck with the process!</p>
<p>NYCMom, just wondering if you all have looked at Masters, in Dobbs. Not single-sex obviously but several things about the school make it seem like one you might think about, if you haven’t already.</p>
<p>(Please forgive me if I’m forgetting some earlier conversation we might have had about this - we just moved house and I think I left half of my brain cells at the old place.)</p>
<p>Another Emma Mom here…LOVE the school…D just graduated is attending Cornell and couldn’t be happier or better prepared
If you have any questions PM me…I’ll be happy to answer</p>