Living
Primary & Secondary Schools
Private schools and selective public schools require entrance exams and student interviews as part of the admissions process, and some require family interviews as well – particularly for programmes that admit students at a young age. Slots at these schools are highly coveted, and the selection process is therefore extremely competitive. As a result, many students wind up on waiting lists at their first or second choice schools. The curriculum in private schools adheres to state-imposed standards, but frequently expands to include foreign language, community service, and fine arts requirements. Some schools have specific areas of focus, such as the four specialised public high schools. Of these, the ‘science schools’ (which emphasise science and mathematics courses) are Stuyvesant High School, Bronx High School of Science, and Brooklyn Technical High School. Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and the Performing Arts provide performance training to young musicians, dancers, and actors, and require prospective students to audition.
The standards of teaching vary from school to school, but are generally quite high, and many teachers take advantage of the immense cultural resources available throughout the city. Classroom facilities also vary, but all schools provide computer and internet access for students. Outside space in Manhattan tends to be cramped, and playgrounds are often squeezed onto rooftops or adjacent lots. Space constraints prompt some schools to lease sports facilities at locations separate from the main campus.
As discussed above, public school education is free, and students are loaned textbooks and supplies free of charge. Private school tuition can range from $10,000 to $30,000 annually, and additional expenses (books, transportation, lunch, and activity fees) may range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
In addition to the selective public schools cited above, some of the most highly regarded New York City primary and secondary schools are Collegiate School (www.collegiateschool.org), Horace Mann (www.horacemann.org), the Dalton School (www.dalton.org), the Dwight School (www.dwight.edu), Lycee Francais (www.lfny.org), and Regis High School (www.regis-nyc.org).
The standards of teaching vary from school to school, but are generally quite high, and many teachers take advantage of the immense cultural resources available throughout the city. Classroom facilities also vary, but all schools provide computer and internet access for students. Outside space in Manhattan tends to be cramped, and playgrounds are often squeezed onto rooftops or adjacent lots. Space constraints prompt some schools to lease sports facilities at locations separate from the main campus.
As discussed above, public school education is free, and students are loaned textbooks and supplies free of charge. Private school tuition can range from $10,000 to $30,000 annually, and additional expenses (books, transportation, lunch, and activity fees) may range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
In addition to the selective public schools cited above, some of the most highly regarded New York City primary and secondary schools are Collegiate School (www.collegiateschool.org), Horace Mann (www.horacemann.org), the Dalton School (www.dalton.org), the Dwight School (www.dwight.edu), Lycee Francais (www.lfny.org), and Regis High School (www.regis-nyc.org).
