The REAL Housewifes of Orange County

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by tld221

I'm pretty sure the private school thing (and not just ANY private school, but the ones that require you to be on waiting lists from conception) is just as much a Society thing as attending charity events. Because private schools are just as dime a dozen asa public schools but only a portion of them mean anything when it comes to college admissions. Not that i'm an expert, but i've met many of private school grads who probably would've fared the same in public school.

And in my experience, private schools get reps under three categories - how whore-y the girls are, how awesome the sports teams are, or how much money you need to get in. Which is essentially what colleges do. private HS leads into private college which lead into more private circles, social, professional or otherwise.

It's so silly, because a good portion of kids at private universities went to public high schools, and a lot of kids from public high schools go on to private colleges. Myself being one. Maybe the public schools close to where these women live in NYC are not quality schools? If that's the case, I get it. But I really don't understand why most people spend so much money putting their kids in a private, "elite" kindegarten or nursery school.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

It's so silly, because a good portion of kids at private universities went to public high schools, and a lot of kids from public high schools go on to private colleges. Myself being one. Maybe the public schools close to where these women live in NYC are not quality schools? If that's the case, I get it. But I really don't understand why most people spend so much money putting their kids in a private, "elite" kindegarten or nursery school.

I hear you, being that NYC has some of of the greatest HS. but whatever works i guess.

And i agree, spending thousands on private kindergarten/nursery school is silly, however those beginning years (K-3) are so vital to the kid's success afterwards. I suppose if you get it into the kid's head from the beginning that school is serious business, the message will stick, especially if you keep them in said environment.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

It's so silly, because a good portion of kids at private universities went to public high schools, and a lot of kids from public high schools go on to private colleges. Myself being one. Maybe the public schools close to where these women live in NYC are not quality schools? If that's the case, I get it. But I really don't understand why most people spend so much money putting their kids in a private, "elite" kindegarten or nursery school.

Public HIGH schools in NYC, even in the neighborhoods these women are living in, are kind of hit-or-miss. There are approximately 6 public high schools in New York City that are constantly ranked among the top schools in America, and that regularly send their graduates to Ivy-caliber colleges. That said, those 6 schools are very, very difficult to get into. The 10-15 top private schools are very selective as well, but your odds of getting into one of those is higher than getting into Stuyvesant or Bronx Sci because of the money factor.

NYC schools just aren't the same as they are anywhere else. Most cities in the country, and definitely in suburban areas, you really can send your child to the neighborhood school and guarantee an excellent education that would prepare them for the top schools in the country. Here? Not so much.

[ZTAMich]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Public HIGH schools in NYC, even in the neighborhoods these women are living in, are kind of hit-or-miss. There are approximately 6 public high schools in New York City that are constantly ranked among the top schools in America, and that regularly send their graduates to Ivy-caliber colleges. That said, those 6 schools are very, very difficult to get into. The 10-15 top private schools are very selective as well, but your odds of getting into one of those is higher than getting into Stuyvesant or Bronx Sci because of the money factor.

NYC schools just aren't the same as they are anywhere else. Most cities in the country, and definitely in suburban areas, you really can send your child to the neighborhood school and guarantee an excellent education that would prepare them for the top schools in the country. Here? Not so much.

Oh city schools! Is it bad that as an employee of one of the not that great public schools I've already decided my kids will commute with me and go to the Catholic school across the street from my school?

And don't even get me started on why the most inexperienced teachers are at the most difficult/worst public schools....