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Any pros/cons about Country Day vs. Good Hope? Interested in parent suggestions.
Posted : May 21, 2011 12:30 pm
I have a daughter at one school and friends with kids at the other. Feel free to PM me for details.
Most people will say "both are fine" but there are differences, --some of which might be important to you.
Posted : May 21, 2011 2:09 pm
Useful recommendations will depend on whether you'll be considering lower, middle or upper school, too.
Posted : May 21, 2011 3:59 pm
Topic starter
Lower school.
Posted : May 21, 2011 10:46 pm
Lots of comments on this in the past, just do a search.
Posted : May 22, 2011 3:41 am
Topic starter
I looked at previous posts. No one really states their opinions. I know students move back and forth between the two schools. I would like to know how the parents feel about which school is providing a strong academic program. I am not interested in producing a theater major or artist. Do any parents have gifted students being enriched at either school?
Posted : May 22, 2011 2:25 pm
My son went to K4 at Good Hope East. He repeated K4 at Country Day and then completed Kindergarten at Country Day. After 3 weeks in 1st grade I removed him from Country Day and now we are homeschooling. Both schools are way behind in Kindergarten and 1st by stateside standards. I don't know about the other grades other than what I have heard. I know of 4 kindergarten parents, 2 first grade and 2 second grade parents who removed their children this past year for that reason. I removed my son because he is a visual learner and his teacher refused accommodate any other learning style, even though she only had 13 students and an assistant. She instead bullied my son and punished him for not understanding what he was supposed to do. My son went from a non reader to reading at 3rd grade level in 7 months after I removed him from school. He did great in Kindergarten however, as those teachers, in my opinion, are great teachers.
I don't believe that being behind by stateside standards is such a bad thing unless you will be going back to the states before your child gets to the upper grades. Unfortunately that often happens here.
There is also other options such as Montessori, AZ Academy and other private schools that are closer to stateside standards. I have also heard that the public schools do a fabulous job as far as curriculum goes in the elementary schools.
I believe that Country Day and Good Hope are both good schools that have good and bad just like any other school. I don't believe that one is academically better than the other. Country Day is probably better funded. The cost of both schools is very high. If I were to put my child back into school I would look at the other private schools even though I can afford Country Day or Good Hope.
I know teachers at both schools that are very dedicated and wonderful teachers. Same with AZ, St. Marys and public school. Probably the best thing to do is visit a few schools and find the right fit for your child.
Posted : May 22, 2011 3:02 pm
I think most people would agree that first, third and fifth grades are strong at CDS. College acceptances from CDS are historically strong. GHS offers a very strong preK and K program.
Additionally the faculty at CDS tends to be solid and well supported. GHS suffered from high teacher turnover for quite a while which made for difficulties.
Both schools have administrative strengths and weaknesses but GHS continues to suffer from an underqualified administration and an unfocused board of trustees.
Obviously we've chosen CDS but we were at GHS for several years. Our child isn't yet in highschool but I feel that middle and highschool grades at CDS will be strong.
Posted : May 22, 2011 3:11 pm
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Sorry, I can't help with advice re either school.
However, I wouldn't poo poo either theater majors or artists in terms of the extent to which such students are bright or gifted.
Though I think I I know what you mean, an excellent school is able to produce brilliant physicists, chemists, or writers as well as talented, well-educated actors, musicians or visual artists (sometimes all in the same kid).
Best,
Islandlola
Posted : May 22, 2011 6:15 pm
:-X:-X islandlola. Well said.
Posted : May 22, 2011 6:24 pm
Topic starter
SunnyCaribe, I noticed you didn't mention 2nd grade or 4th at GHS. My child is in the lower grades and would enter 2nd soon. What opinions do you have of those grade levels? Is the curriculum not as good or not satisified with the faculty? I feel this is an important factor when choosing a school. Also what are the different qualifications between the two schools administrative staff? Are the faculty more lenient on behavior or do they encourage respect and responsibility for student actions?Or does it just depend on certain students receiving preferential treatment based on their families? I have heard of this from a few friends. I also heard many unhappy parents with the kindergarten program on main campus. The kindergarten teacher is not returning next year. Not sure why. I know many parents with older students were reluctant to enroll their younger ones because of the K4 weaknesses.
I am concerned about transferring to stateside in a few years. It sounds like I will need to additional tutoring at home to meet stateside standards. I am happy to hear some honest responses. These responses are very helpful! Thanks.
Posted : May 22, 2011 6:34 pm
Topic starter
islandlola, i expected a comment but understood. I am looking for a well rounded school not one focused only on the arts. perhaps that's a better way to state it. some private schools emphasize art in their daily schedules more than academics. Too much time is spent performing instead of learning in my opinion. I want my child to focus on her interests,like science and math, and provide more instruction in the content area. She enjoys performing but complains about how often it occurs.
Posted : May 22, 2011 6:40 pm
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Truly, Sandy, I hear you. I agree, math and science are all too often neglected in some places.
BUT, as the parent of kids who excelled at math, science and the arts (they blew away science fairs with their math and physics-based music projects AND excelled at acting and musical performance), I know that giftedness sometimes happens across even seemingly unrelated academic disciplines and has to be nurtured accordingly.
Best wishes on finding a good placement for your child,
Islandlola
Posted : May 22, 2011 8:38 pm
Since your child is only entering 2cnd Grade - are her interests Math and Science at this young age or are they your interests?
Posted : May 22, 2011 11:01 pm
No more smiley faces for me. I picked thumbs up when I posted and got frown faces. So weird.
Sandy, there is not a perfect school. Both the schools you are considering have some very wonderful dedicated educators as do the other schools on the island. Visit them all. You may find a great match for your child.
My kid however, is an artist and loves to act, usually he loves to act like Jim Carey and talks with his butt. He is only allowed to do that at home.
He can tell you everything about the periodic table, atoms, molecules, physics and electronics. His true love is the ocean and he knows everything about it.
Sorry, I am kind of a relaxed parent. My other 5 have already graduated college and we are just having fun with our 7 year old. He is a neat island boy. Kids have a way of learning and finding a niche if you just let them. This is a great place to raise a child.
Good Luck!
Posted : May 22, 2011 11:42 pm
Hello. Not much is mentioned about Public schools being good, except for a few post s her and there. I also checked out a website about after school programs -forgot the name -it's right on my fingertips?:$) it's on the google search of usvi school listings - anyone heard of or had children participate? the website was neat. Thx
Posted : May 23, 2011 3:45 am
Topic starter
exitzero, i am a master science/math teacher. my child loves anything to do with science or math. i may in some way have influenced this through genetics or my love of learning. my home is often occupied by new creatures that she wants to know all about. i spend a lot of time explaining how nature works. this weekend i had to explain quicksand. so i know what her interests are as well as her teachers who have always commented on her knowledge of science facts.
Posted : May 23, 2011 10:49 am
Sandy, I can only speak from my experience. There are two teachers in each lower school grade. One of the 2nd grade teachers is effective, the other isn't. We got the second teacher, and in hindsight I would not have put my child through that, although learning how to cope with a poor classroom environment was valuable in its own way. Both the 3rd grade teachers were wonderful, most of our peers agree. There are two fourth grade teachers as well, one is very good but unfortunately she is relocating after this year and I don't know anything about her replacement.
Say what you will about art, the new lower school art teacher is quite well liked.
The curriculum is pretty well established by now...the school has made a priority of creating a relatively smooth, integrated and seamless curriculum over the last several years.
Posted : May 23, 2011 1:06 pm
Topic starter
SunnyCaribe, are you referring to CDS having two teachers at each grade level? I know from the GHS website that the lower school only has one teacher at each grade level. I am leaning toward CDS at this point unless someone sways me.
Posted : May 23, 2011 9:12 pm
sandy, I work at CDS and both of my kids go there. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to PM me.
Posted : May 23, 2011 9:40 pm
Sandy, isn't your "son" a student at GHS in first grade? I'm confused. I am pretty sure you have a son and he is in first at GHS. It doesn't matter. I know people who switch back and forth from school to school. It is a very small island. That is why no one likes to bash the other schools because people switch back and forth. All the schools here have good and bad. The kids all know each other and are friends no matter what school they go to.
Posted : May 23, 2011 11:30 pm
