Moving to New York- need advice on secondary schools

[pixie54]

We're going when DD will be in the middle of year 5. She's currently at a small private school and she is very bright and musical. Boarding is not an option. Can anyone offer any advice or information about schooling in the US - we will only be there for five years and I think will be aiming to live near Greenwich Connecticut. Thanks!

[cocolepew]

no advice at all, I've only come to say how jealous I am

[animula]

Ooh!

Quick google tells me there's an on-line board for Brooklyn mothers called "Mommybites". that might be a place to log onto as well as mn?

[basildonbond]

no advice about specific schools, but just wanted to say you need to plan ahead for your return to the UK and that might affect your choice of school now

If she's going to be in the middle of Y5 and you're going to be there for 5 years that means she'll be going back into the UK system in Y10 or 11 (i.e. GCSE years) - it would be better to plan for her to come back before she starts GCSE courses or to wait until she can go into 6th form

[BrightnessFalls]

No advice either, Im just being nosey. Totally [evny] what a fantastic opportunity.

[BrightnessFalls]

of course.

[majurormi]

Greenwich public schools are excellent so that is always a good fallback if you do not get into private. Sorry public in the US is state. Other nearby towns with good state schools are Larchmont, Scarsdale, Mamaroneck and Rye. Private schools might be trickier as there is usually less turnover. I would NOT tell them that you plan to leave in a couple of years, they will want to fill a vacant spot with someone who will stay. Greenwich Country Day is supposed to excellent, ditto for Rye Country Day. There is all girls catholic school, Stuart, which s a Sacred Heart school. That is as far as my limited knowledge goes, I grew up outside NY but not in the area. In the US you can find a lot more excellent state schools than in the UK. I pay through the nose for my children to attend a London day school that is really not better than my local state school I attended, but so much pricier! State schools are strictly catchment based so you can choose a town with certainty that your child will have a place. Good luck.

[sameyeam]

Sent you a pm. Ask me anything. I live in Westchester County. Moved from Greenwich.

[NeitherShreddedNorSmug]

I second basildonbond's advice. majurormi is right about state schools in that area of the US being generally of a very high standard, but you need to think about the return if she will be coming back into the UK system (e.g. she will learn imperial weights and measures - DS2 knows how many cups there are in a pint, pints in a quart/gallon etc, which is more than I do ).

Maybe look at schools which do IB (there's one in Harrison, Westchester County) if you are sure you will be retuning to the UK at some point in DD's future education?

[horsemadmom]

Greenwich High is a fantastic! All the elemantary and middle schools too, Amazing Ivy acceptance rate. Very well resourced. You'd be mad to pay property tax for that school and then pay for private. I'm green with envy.

[Harleyband]

Your choice of school will very much be dependent on where you choose to live. Greenwich has excellent public (state) schools but the cost of living is correspondingly high (in the US quality of state schools very much tracks with local housing costs). The main issue with any US school (except those offering IB- and they're rare) is that the curriculum is very different than the UK so transitioning back in time for GCSEs might prove very difficult. There is a British school (independent) in Manhattan but it only goes up to age 14 (8th grade in US). My parents attempted this move with me- I went to the truly excellent state schools outside of Washington DC but was miles away from what was covered on GCSEs. I ended up boarding at a UK school...

[mummytime]

Okay would you be coming back for her to be in year 10? 11? Or sixth form?

It is virtually impossible to slot back into the UK system after the beginning of year 10 until sixth form. So if you have to move back then, either she will have to drop back to the beginning of GCSEs or you will need to send her to a private international school, maybe one of the American curriculum schools?
If she will be returning for the start of year 10 you may still have some issues. Similarily you may need to search for a sixth form to take her if returning at that stage, or use a private one used to overseas pupils.

But if you live in Greenwich I'd use the state schools.

[JaneySmedley]

Hi
I was wondering if anyone could help me? I'm new to mums net! We might have to relocate to New York in the Summer and I was wondering if anyone knew about the British schools over there. I have one daughter, who is currently in year 10, so will be taking her GCSE.'s over there.... And a son who is currently in year 8. Does anyone know of any schools in New York that do GCSE's? I have had a look at a few but they are for much younger children. Also it would only be for a year.
If anyone could help at all, I'd be so grateful.
Thanks

[Bobochic]

Are you seriously suggesting your DD will change school for Year 11 only? Which exam board is her current school using? Chances are that any overseas school will use a different board so your DD would be changing syllabus mid-course.

Your DD should stay put, IMVHO.

[Needmoresleep]

If you are returning to London you could look instead at schools offering IB and keep her in that system through to the end.

[JaneySmedley]

Thanks for the replies. Mostly the exam boards are ED-EXCEL. Not a lot of choice in us moving, I know it's not ideal.

[orangeblosssom]

My concern would be the low PISA ratings particularly in maths in the USA.
Generally maths must be taught very poorly there.

[Catinthecorner]

If it's only for a year I'd find a way to leave her at home and stay in her current school. Could a family member move into your house with her? Could you pay a friend to take her in for a year? She could still fly out and spend holidays with you but going for a year at the end of year ten means scrapping her current GCSEs, not having enough time to do a full set while abroad and then not having the qualifications to go to 6th form with her peers. She'd be looking at starting GCSEs again at 16 when you return.