New Economy Schools

[Steve Ekstrand]

We're in full scale panic mode shopping Kindergartens for RoboTerror Child.

Polytechnic School in Pasadena arguably one of the best schools in the state... With an elementary school housed in the original Myron Hunt designed buildings adjacent to CalTech... And a history dating back to 1907.... Yeah yeah cool cool....

Kindergarten tuition???

$18675 per school year.


Its the most expensive I've found for a kindergarten. Its much much more for HS.

Other indie schools are $10K to $16K in town. Catholic schools $6K-7K.

I'm just wondering how this economy is going to be effecting Kindergarten enrollment at these places. Polytechnic only takes 1 in 7 kindergarten applicants. I wonder if those adds are changing???

[Greg Peng]

Are the public schools really that bad out here?

[Simon Lu]

Steve,

Top you one here, my sister lives in Menlo Park (near Standford). My niece is enrolled in private kindergarden. Tuition cost is $24,000 per year... Don't know why it costs that much but I guess people in that area have that much money to spend. I don't think the economy effects them too much. Most of their net worth are in the 9 figures.

[Max Hayter]

* runs off to store to buy more condoms *

[Kurt Rahn]

I'm just wondering how this economy is going to be effecting Kindergarten enrollment at these places. Polytechnic only takes 1 in 7 kindergarten applicants. I wonder if those adds are changing???

I went to Poly for 1st-12th, so I still have a lot of contacts over there. The reason people go for kindergarten at those ridiculous tuition rates is they figure it's their best chance of getting their kid in. The acceptance rate for each subsequent grade is lower and lower. By middle school it's almost impossible, even if you're an alumnus; by high school, fugeddaboutit. The economy may affect other private schools, but there'll always be more demand at Poly than there is seats.

[Kurt Rahn]

Are the public schools really that bad out here?

Depends where you are. Redondo, Manhattan, etc. are excellent school districts. Others are not so hot. Even within a not-so-great district, there are good schools to be found, particularly in elementary. For instance, Pasadena Unified is, on the whole, crap. But my kids go to Sierra Madre Elementary and Middle, and they're in great shape (until 9th grade, when we'll be trolling for private schools). It's all a matter of doing your homework and finding the hidden gems in a lot of cases. If you're interested in more info about public schools, let me know...that's what I do.

[Kurt Rahn]

* runs off to store to buy more condoms *

ROTF. That could be a $24K condom, Max!

[Sebastian Rios]

Just send him to Catholic school but tell him not to believe all that crazy stuff about God and The Devil....That's what my dad did and look, I turned out fine.

[Bob Beamesderfer]

* runs off to store to buy more condoms *

ROTF. That could be a $24K condom, Max!

A vasectomy is cheaper. }:)

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

A vasectomy is cheaper. }:)

AMEN!

[Steve Ekstrand]

I was thinking Poly was bulletproof.... Send your kid there and he was guaranteed a success... President... Messiah.... Investment Bank CEO....

But then I found out Kurt went there.

Like Kurt said. If you want Poly for HS you have to start them there. But I don't know if we'll even be here in 9 years. I hope not. Looking for a BIGGER house with trailer storage and garage mahal room. That won't be in Pasadena!!!

[Steve Ekstrand]

Here's the list I compiled in Pasadena area and tuitions. Big range in costs.

Waverly 12220
Clairbourn School 14850
Barnhart School 9629
AssumptionSchool 6050
High Point Academy 10300
Polytechnic School 18675
Chandler School 15255
Sequoyah
Pasadena Waldorf
Walden 13775
Bethany Christian 5450
Gooden School 11600
Friends Western School 8000
Mayfield Junior School 15090
Pasadena Christian School 8000

[Bob Beamesderfer]

Here's a potential high school for Robert. Would certainly absorb some of his energy.

http://www.ormeschool.org/s/878/index.aspx?pgid=408" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A friend of mine shot a feature on the school for Associated Press in the early 1980s and a couple of years later I shot some pictures for the school itself. School is located in the high desert of Arizona and boards grades 8-12. Stunning landscape. Big rodeo program.

[Steve Ekstrand]

Max-- for Miata drivers the condom just protects against disease.

[Kurt Rahn]

Here's the list I compiled in Pasadena area and tuitions. Big range in costs.

Big range in quality too. Don't be fooled into thinking that just because they're all private, they're all good. With Bethany, for example, you're getting what you pay for (hope there aren't any Bethany people on this board )

[Steve Ekstrand]

Good you said something. Stacey of course was immediately drawn to Bethany and Assumption. I was immediately drawn to Poly. We do have a friend with a kid at Assumption and they like it.

All of our opinions probably based on cost.

Though I know the history of Poly. Part of the early CalTech admission program I got recruited for included a preparatory year at Poly first so I toured there as an 11-12yo. Was that big hairy kid on the play yard you Kurt???

[Kurt Rahn]

But then I found out Kurt went there.

And the sad fact is most of my Poly friends are social degenerates

[Bob Beamesderfer]

But then I found out Kurt went there.

And the sad fact is most of my Poly friends are social degenerates

You could have gone to Hollywood High and been among social degenerates, present and future.

[Steve Ekstrand]

Stacey's brother went to Hollywood High.

A Texas good ol boy.

[Bob Beamesderfer]

Stacey's brother went to Hollywood High.

A Texas good ol boy.

My brother-in-law's wife did. Then her mother moved to Beaumont and took her with. She was never a degenerate however.

BTW, check out the Orme School web site. It really is a lovely place and quite rural. Of course, not all kids or parents want to go the boarding school route and high school for Roberto is a long way off. Orme is a pioneer AZ family and two of them are in charge of the school. One's a lawyer, JD from UofA.

[Steve Ekstrand]

I wonder if any relation to the Orme Bros in the valley.

But I couldn't board Robert. College will come soon enough.
Of course, we have to survive middle school first where he will disown us.

[Kurt Rahn]

Was that big hairy kid on the play yard you Kurt???

Big, yes. Hairy, no. if you were 11-12, then I was 10 or so, and at that point, my mom made me wear a crewcut.

[Bob Beamesderfer]

I wonder if any relation to the Orme Bros in the valley.

But I couldn't board Robert. College will come soon enough.
Of course, we have to survive middle school first where he will disown us.

Might be.

Yeah, I don't get the idea that he would take too well to being away, but kids change. You could always buy a place in Sedona.

When I was there on assignment, there were kids from L.A. Those kids would be in their early to mid 40s now. Ulp.

[George Schilling]

Be glad you only have one Steve. As a single parent, I put three through private school. It was a strain on the purse strings but well worth it.