Looking for information and insights about academic and social similarities and differences between these two schools for a boy who would be entering in 9th grade. Anything current or recent parents could share would be most welcome! For example, I’ve heard integration for new boys at Collegiate can be challenging (socially and academically), given how few of them are joining a very well-established class. I’ve also heard Trinity’s new integrated math approach is not an unmitigated success, but integration socially goes reasonably well as the class size doubles. Also, I hear college placement is getting harder at both, but that may be universal in this climate. S is overall great student, loves math, science, English, Latin, history, Spanish, but is not coming from a high pressure elementary school, so has not been exposed to super accelerated classes.
Both schools are obviously at the pinnacle of NYC elites, so you really can’t go wrong with either one. Trinity especially resonates with the “social elite.” But for academics, especially STEM, Collegiate is better hands down. Better curriculum, much better facilities with the new building, and most of all, smarter and more talented students. Trinity is very strong in classics, but for the other academic interests identified, I’d say Collegiate should get the nod by a fair margin.
Congratulations on having such enviable choices!
If the Collegiate boys are smarter, is that because Collegiate has counseled out the weak students more effectively than Trinity? Or is their acceptance process more rigorous at Collegiate? I’m hearing rumors about Trinity’s strong legacy/sibling policy leading to a more mixed level of abilities, but no idea if that’s true? How about quantity of homework at either school?
Also, both schools do well overall at college placement. Is that because they are placing legacies and connected students? Does anyone know how they do placing non-connected, non URM students?
I would really appreciate any information any current or recent parents could share about their children’s experiences at either of these schools. My son is trying to decide, and it is not easy!
Has your son already decided? If not, I would say at Collegiate, it’s at least a little bit easier to adjust socially. It’s not an enormous difference, but the kids are a little more welcoming there.