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comparing elementary schools...
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Naturalmama
Love my boys!!
Member since 1/12 3548 total posts
Name:
Christine
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comparing elementary schools...
My friend lives in Queens, in the Flushing/Whitestone area. The local public school is considered very good. However, she is also considering the local Catholic school for her DD. Her DD is only 2.5 so it would be for Sept. 2018 when she is eligible for Pre-k 4 all. She wants to start to research this now because Pre-K application deadlines are so early. Is there a website that posts Catholic schools test scores? Also, does anyone have a child in a DOE elementary school that can tell me what kind of specials (music, gym, foreign language, art), and extracurricular activities are offered? She can't find any info on the website, but the catholic school seems to offer a lot. Lastly, and this is a long shot, anyone have any experience with PS 184 or St. Mel Catholic Academy? TIA!
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Posted 11/26/16 7:13 PM  |
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Re: comparing elementary schools...
Posted by Naturalmama
My friend lives in Queens, in the Flushing/Whitestone area. The local public school is considered very good. However, she is also considering the local Catholic school for her DD. Her DD is only 2.5 so it would be for Sept. 2018 when she is eligible for Pre-k 4 all. She wants to start to research this now because Pre-K application deadlines are so early. Is there a website that posts Catholic schools test scores? Also, does anyone have a child in a DOE elementary school that can tell me what kind of specials (music, gym, foreign language, art), and extracurricular activities are offered? She can't find any info on the website, but the catholic school seems to offer a lot. Lastly, and this is a long shot, anyone have any experience with PS 184 or St. Mel Catholic Academy? TIA!
ps 184 is a great school. why doesnt she call and ask for a tour? they are rated a 9 out of 10 on greatschools.org too if she needs like "proof" or something. I grew up in queens, born and raised there for 30 years. my dad lived there since the 40's. close to her area. I worked in that school district until about 5 years ago. it was a great school then and queens schools are among the highest rated public schools in the state. they of course have specials. I can't guarantee what that school has at the moment but they have AT LEAST 4 and it would be something like: gym, arts, library, science, music. Foreign language depends if they have bilingual classrooms or need english as a second language. I wouldnt waste money on a catholic school in queens. the public schools are better. if it was manhattan or long island i might say catholic school.
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| Posted 11/26/16 9:34 PM |
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Hopefulmama
LIF Adult
Member since 4/14 1014 total posts
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Re: comparing elementary schools...
My nieces went to St. Mel's. I will say it was very clicky, for both the mom's and the girls. Someone was always on the outs (at least for the class years I witnessed). My neices' experiences almost scared me off putting mine in catholic school, lol. It's only one class per grade and I think whatever reputation you have since kindergarten sticks ( I think this is true of many catholic schools). I will say my nieces are both smart and did well in high school so I'm sure the academics are fine. And I have seen the community rally around their own in times of tragedy, etc., so that is a nice perk of Catholic school. Personally for me, I don't like the homogeneity and the fact that it's the same 20 or so kids are together from 1-8th. There's no where for any kid who isn't completely typical to find their own niche (again, true of most catholic schools, not just St. Mel's). You just have to weigh that against the perks of catholic school - faith formation, openly celebrating your holidays, strong sense of community etc. I actually found myself in a very similar situation (and neighborhood). I put my kids in catholic prek but am switching to public for K and after because one of them needs special ed and services that are not offered at our catholic school.
ETA - I don't think catholic schools public ally post their test scores but you can ask. My kids attend the free UPK at another local catholic school (didn't get a spot at our public school) and our school has them posted inside by the principal's office and they are similar to our highly regarded public school's scores).
Message edited 11/27/2016 6:38:18 PM.
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| Posted 11/27/16 7:16 AM |
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Loveme
LIF Adult
Member since 6/11 3170 total posts
Name:
Me
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comparing elementary schools...
DS is in UPK at a public school close to 184 and he has music, art, gym, and science. I love the UPK program and am happy with it.
I don't have experience with st. Mel's but I know the private schools are a nice community.
I'm considering Greek school for my son going forward because I want him to learn to read and write the language but otherwise I would keep him in public. The districts are excellent and I think the teachers really help you if your child needs a little help.
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| Posted 11/27/16 10:56 AM |
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Naturalmama
Love my boys!!
Member since 1/12 3548 total posts
Name:
Christine
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comparing elementary schools...
Thank you, everyone! She said she looked at the reviews and every review for St. Mel's complained about kids who were mean and huge bullies, and that the principal and teachers did very little, if anything, to help. She is crossing that school off of her list. She is still considering Catholic school, but is going to to look into St. Luke's, St. Andrew's, St. Kevin's, and Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament.
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| Posted 11/27/16 11:27 AM |
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Dolphinsbaby
My 3 little guys!
Member since 12/10 2943 total posts
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Re: comparing elementary schools...
I have heard good things about 184. It is a very small school. I would tell her to at least apply for the prek there. My friend didn't get her son in until k (and it was their zoned school). They give preference to the kids that have siblings in the school.
As far as catholic, I believe most of them follow the upk program so all the specials-art, science, should be the same (unless they are paying privately and not doing the free upk).
Honestly, I agree with pp that in this area all the public elementary schools are good and I wouldn't hesitate to send them to public.
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| Posted 11/27/16 11:42 AM |
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Hopefulmama
LIF Adult
Member since 4/14 1014 total posts
Name:
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Re: comparing elementary schools...
Posted by Naturalmama
Thank you, everyone! She said she looked at the reviews and every review for St. Mel's complained about kids who were mean and huge bullies, and that the principal and teachers did very little, if anything, to help. She is crossing that school off of her list. She is still considering Catholic school, but is going to to look into St. Luke's, St. Andrew's, St. Kevin's, and Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament.
My kids are at OLBS now for prek and I went there myself as a child. It's a really lovely school. They have a Music Together last period once a week class that parents can attend. If one of mine didn't need special ed I would consider staying there. I think it has a higher enrollment than most local catholic schools and has an actual gym, cafeteria and auditorium - as opposed to the usual catholic school "cafegymatoriun" per Everybody Loves Raymond ;)
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| Posted 11/27/16 11:57 AM |
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Loveme
LIF Adult
Member since 6/11 3170 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: comparing elementary schools...
Posted by Naturalmama
Thank you, everyone! She said she looked at the reviews and every review for St. Mel's complained about kids who were mean and huge bullies, and that the principal and teachers did very little, if anything, to help. She is crossing that school off of her list. She is still considering Catholic school, but is going to to look into St. Luke's, St. Andrew's, St. Kevin's, and Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament.
FWIW my friend has her DD at St. Kevin's for K and is very pleased so far.
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| Posted 11/27/16 1:10 PM |
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comparing elementary schools...
I teach in that area and know that our neighboring schools (including 184) are good..unless she feels VERY strongly about religious instruction, I would stick with public
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| Posted 11/27/16 5:45 PM |
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