St. Peter's Prep or Seton Hall Prep archived
Jan 26, 2008 at 10:06pm
Jan 27, 2008 at 12:18am Edited
Depends on what sport your son plays. St. Joe's if he plays football. Seton Hall for basketball, lacrosse and soccer. :bigsmile:
More seriously Seton Hall Prep is closer and there are a lot of boys from SOM at the school. I know some boys go to St. Joe's from this area (I see them on the train), but I think it would be a more lonely existence for a young teen. I don't know about academics, but Seton Hall seems to be a feeder school for the University of Scranton, Marist and Loyola of Maryland. The above isn't scientific but based on the relatively few kids we know who went to Seton Hall.
I tend to be more impressed with Delbarton, but it is expensive and more difficult to get into.
More seriously Seton Hall Prep is closer and there are a lot of boys from SOM at the school. I know some boys go to St. Joe's from this area (I see them on the train), but I think it would be a more lonely existence for a young teen. I don't know about academics, but Seton Hall seems to be a feeder school for the University of Scranton, Marist and Loyola of Maryland. The above isn't scientific but based on the relatively few kids we know who went to Seton Hall.
I tend to be more impressed with Delbarton, but it is expensive and more difficult to get into.
That damn dyslexia kicked in again, plus it was early. I meant to say St. Peters, not St. Joes
I went to SHP so I am biased. Both are great schools. They both have very diverse student backgrounds. St Peters is a harder commute and draws students from a smaller area. In both schools there will be about the same number from Maplewood, but SHP will have students from 5 or 6 counties, SPP from 3 or 4. Also the location is not as safe at night. SHP has better facilities both in terms of academics, athletics and extracurricular.
What about St. Benedict's in Newark. Nationally Ranked Soccer and Basketball programs. Something like 95% of the grads go on to college. Tuition about $8k very diverse community, solid theatre program easy commute from Maplewood and S.O.
At CHS, 93% go on to college. Has top academics, arts, theatre, sports (depending on the sport).
Anyway, why not let the kid decide?
Anyway, why not let the kid decide?
Thanks for the input, all.
We didn't look at St. Benedict's closely because they have a year round schedule, and that seemed tough to manage as a family.
And Columbia is still in the mix- but rather than spend time going through the reasons why we are even looking outside Columbia, lets just say his middle School experience was mixed. And as much as I support public education (and still do for my other two kids), I have to make the best decision based on my son's situation. And, yes, he has the major say in the choice. We would not force him to go somewhere he doesn't want to go. But- maybe I'm old fashioned- I think mom and dad should be a major part of that process.
We didn't look at St. Benedict's closely because they have a year round schedule, and that seemed tough to manage as a family.
And Columbia is still in the mix- but rather than spend time going through the reasons why we are even looking outside Columbia, lets just say his middle School experience was mixed. And as much as I support public education (and still do for my other two kids), I have to make the best decision based on my son's situation. And, yes, he has the major say in the choice. We would not force him to go somewhere he doesn't want to go. But- maybe I'm old fashioned- I think mom and dad should be a major part of that process.
seems like it depends on his needs, the commute, etc. Maybe talk to some parents. Did your son spend the day at each?
SHP has candidate day today are you going? It would be good to go to get a feel for the school. I have 4 nephews at SHP and they love it. They thank their parents every so often for sending them there.
Your right it is a year round schedule I think they start in Aug and end in June. They will definitely keep your son busy some type activity or involvement is almost required. The year round aspect I believe was implemented to keep the students busy and out of trouble outside of school. The students spend so much time there that really do build some great relationships.
I would pick SHP. It's diverse, interesting, and close! It's hard to overstate the importance of that, since the hs years can involve a great deal of time at school, coming back to school, etc. There are def many families from S
OMA there, which can be a great help. This is not just a matter of your convenience, of course. You want your child to be part of the school community, and making that doable is a real concern. Every year, when I see CHS and SHP play soccer here at Baird, I notice the huge groups of fans on each side of the field. Those experiences -- informal and often unplanned (teens!) -- are very important, and you want that to be possible for your child. My impression is that the back and forth would be easier with SHP.
I agree with you that the parents have a HUGE role in this decision. For one thing, as your son lists pros and cons of each situation, you need to help him brainstorm those, esp those beyond the ken of an 8th grader. You are, of course, in an enviable position with these 3 good options. Good luck!
OMA there, which can be a great help. This is not just a matter of your convenience, of course. You want your child to be part of the school community, and making that doable is a real concern. Every year, when I see CHS and SHP play soccer here at Baird, I notice the huge groups of fans on each side of the field. Those experiences -- informal and often unplanned (teens!) -- are very important, and you want that to be possible for your child. My impression is that the back and forth would be easier with SHP.
I agree with you that the parents have a HUGE role in this decision. For one thing, as your son lists pros and cons of each situation, you need to help him brainstorm those, esp those beyond the ken of an 8th grader. You are, of course, in an enviable position with these 3 good options. Good luck!
You have a choice between a school steeped in Jesuit tradition (St. Peter's Prep) and another one, also very good, that is not steeped in that tradition.
Have you visited both schools? Have you visited their websites? Have you spoken to parents and alumni?
For my money, the Jesuit tradition is superior and opens networking doors with graduates of other Jesuit institutions around the country (world) when your child becomes an alumnus. I believe that St. Peter's Prep's results exceed those of SHP but I haven't tracked those in the past few years, so my information may either be dated or just an impression.
I expect that diversity might be greater with St Peter's rather than with a "suburban" school like Seton Hall Prep. It's worth checking out some of these things with facts before you make a decision.
Have you visited both schools? Have you visited their websites? Have you spoken to parents and alumni?
For my money, the Jesuit tradition is superior and opens networking doors with graduates of other Jesuit institutions around the country (world) when your child becomes an alumnus. I believe that St. Peter's Prep's results exceed those of SHP but I haven't tracked those in the past few years, so my information may either be dated or just an impression.
I expect that diversity might be greater with St Peter's rather than with a "suburban" school like Seton Hall Prep. It's worth checking out some of these things with facts before you make a decision.
Jan 27, 2008 at 3:52pm Edited
Jumping on soccer05's comments, i went to St. B's this weekend and was really impressed with the kids attitude towards school and the faculty.
ps - impressive athletics. Amazing pool, great fields.... And hard to imagine kids get all this for ~ 8000.
ps - impressive athletics. Amazing pool, great fields.... And hard to imagine kids get all this for ~ 8000.
Jeusits at St. Peter's, plus your son gets some experience outside of SOM and closer to the city.
You can check jesuit.org, and the websites of the Association of Jesuit Universities and Colleges and of the Jesuit Secondary Education Association for more information.
soccer05, thats not the case for SHP. They for a fact have less days then the public schools and dont require you do any activities outside regular school hours if you dont wish to. i think there both overrated and the public schools are just as good, but if the student wants to go private and the parents can afford it, go for it
I come from a long line of SPP alumni (I'm female, so I couldn't go, but I would have, had I had a choice) -- two uncles; two brothers; husband (we met while he was a student); brother-in-law; etc. I don't know much about SHP, but I can say that we've uniformly been impressesed with SPP. Folks have mentioned its strong Jesuit tradition - I wholeheartedly second that. Strong academics that encourage independent thinking; active student life; commitment to diversity; strong public service ethic; dynamic environment ... all good things. We also highly respect its current administration - devoted president and principal; iconic chaplain. I can't say enough good things. I worry a bit about the commute, but my husband commuted from Lyndhurst, and he says it really wasn't a chore. He participated in sports and activities and met many good friends. Good luck deciding!
SOman, don't really know how SHP works in regards to the schedule and requirements. I don't think it is overrated when a school in Newark sends 95% of its graduating class to college it is a success. It is not the strongest academic environment, but I strongly believe it has a very good balance of everything.
While I will always be in favor of a strong, Jesuit grounding, I have to say that your child probably won't go wrong with either choice.
The key is to make sure you've done your homework on both choices.
The key is to make sure you've done your homework on both choices.
My sister has been bringing my nephews to schools for September. They are now in 7th grade. They were leaning toward SHP because of the experiences they've had through older brothers of classmates. BUT one of the biggest deciding factors is they want to play baseball and basketball. If you child is not a powerhouse being recruited by schools the chances are pretty slim they will get much play time at SHP. So now, they are leaning toward Oratory Prep.
Well, it seems that after all of the great advice from my friends and neighbors, as well as visits and research and more, our son has chosen St. Peter's Prep.
It was a tough decision, and for all the reasons covered here. Ultimately, the commute became less of an issue than athletics, the strong Jesuit character and the overall sense of the place. We let him decide, but guided him throughthe process. And I really cold have gone either way- but I think he made the right decision.
Thanks to all
It was a tough decision, and for all the reasons covered here. Ultimately, the commute became less of an issue than athletics, the strong Jesuit character and the overall sense of the place. We let him decide, but guided him throughthe process. And I really cold have gone either way- but I think he made the right decision.
Thanks to all
Good for your son.
He will have a tough row to hoe, but his teachers and advisers will be with him every step of the way. He will astound you with what he will learn and do in the Jesuit tradition.
He will have a tough row to hoe, but his teachers and advisers will be with him every step of the way. He will astound you with what he will learn and do in the Jesuit tradition.
again Soccer05, your information is wrong. Im not sure about the 95% but SHP is in west orange, not Newark, although location doesnt really matter since the kids are from towns all over.
95% isnt that impressive either, they charge $10,000 a year and have placement tests/review your grades just to get into the school so they do deny some students. The local HS, takes everyone, so there are many more students who "dont care about academics" so to say. theres also the students who have no plans to go onto to college way before they have to decide(cant afford it, not for them, working,etc.). yet someone posted, "At CHS, 93% go on to college."
not that it really matters, just trying to clear things up
95% isnt that impressive either, they charge $10,000 a year and have placement tests/review your grades just to get into the school so they do deny some students. The local HS, takes everyone, so there are many more students who "dont care about academics" so to say. theres also the students who have no plans to go onto to college way before they have to decide(cant afford it, not for them, working,etc.). yet someone posted, "At CHS, 93% go on to college."
not that it really matters, just trying to clear things up
St Peters is where corrupt Hudson County politicians go, isn't it? :wink:
Choosing between a Jesuit and another Catholic prep school is a little like the choice between enlisting in the Marines or the Army.
Just made that up.
Just made that up.
SOman- I was referring to St Benedict's in the previous statement being located in Newark not SHP.
SOMan, 93% or 92% (varies a bit year to year) go to 2-yr or 4-yr college form CHS. I think 4-yr is 78-80%. This speaks quite highly of our public school considering the inherent economic/academic diversity.
Jan 31, 2008 at 5:37am Edited
Viking, public schools have to take all comers, private schools don't. The MSO district has a large Special Ed contingent which private schools don't have.
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We are still considering Columbia, but it seems to be less of an option as time goes on. So-- between these two schools, which would you pick? And why? Did anyone else have to make this decision?