As entrance in top schools has become more and more competitive, parents are becoming more aggressive in seeking to guarantee every advantage for their children. In the case of Nicole Imprescia, this means going to court to sue a school over its failure to prepare her daughter for the Ivy League. Her daughter, Lucia, is four. The school is the York Avenue Preschool. It seems that there are “Tiger Moms” but then there are “Tiffany Moms.”
The preschool is $19,000 a year and Imprescia insists that she paid the money because (and this is actually in the filing) “[i]t is no secret that getting a child into the Ivy League starts in nursery school.” Imprescia insists that the pre-school was not grooming Lucia for the Ivy League but simply letting her play with friends.
The filing also notes “[s]tudies have shown entry into a good nursery school guarantees more income than entry into an average school.” Wow.
Imprescia insists that the school should have been prepping Lucia for the intelligence test known as the E.R.B. and that she has fallen behind her competitors among the four-year-old crowd.
I know little about the E.R.B. and my wife and I are committed to supporting the public school system. While we have had serous concerns over class size in Fairfax County, we believe strongly in reinforcing the public school system. With Madie completing kindergarten, it now appears that I have already missed the window for top schools and probably set her on a course for a penal institution. On the other hand, she just made a really really cool Leperechaun trap.
Source: NY Times and first seen on ABA Journal
Jonathan Turley
BIL,
Best wishes.
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Why would someone pay $19,000 a year for preschool if the school wasn’t somehow extraordinary? I’m sure the school does nothing to dissuade parents from thinking that their kids are getting the fast track to the Ivys, since that type of a reputation makes them so much money. This story sounds like the woman bought into the hype and got pissed off when she realized she was paying $19,000 for ordinary preschool. While I would have told her to write the complaint differently, I understand the impulse behind it.
My guess is that the woman is new to the upper fifth of wage earners, maybe the first in her family to go to college, maybe she didn’t go to college at all. I can see someone like that believing the idea that there is a good-ol’-boy network among people with “old money” where they look out for each other, and that the club starts with going to the “right” schools.
Frank is definitely on to something. It also has something to do with globalization.
BIL – I was born with only one kidney and have had infections, they are no fun at all. I hope two things:
You get better very soon
You get those wild day-glo orange pills – they make a trip to the head a real psychedelic experience! 8-{D
Frank, your very likely on to something there. There just isn’t a plentiful supply of mid-range jobs to be had as there was in the past.
Hope you’re feeling better and back at the keyboard soon BIL. Hang in there.
Buddha –
By all means, keep an eye out for the medical maniacs.
They’re everywhere, and they dress just like the good guys.
Buddha,
Get well soon. I miss you, your intelligence and wit. It’s a bitch to get through, but with your courage we’ll see you back soon.
BIL:
Best wishes for a quick recovery. Hang in there.
Jonathan
Get better Buddha. In your honor, while in Dublin I’ll fortify my kidneys with antiseptic to avoid infection.
Because we have created an America of haves and have-nots the pressure on parents to drive their children harder. It is another step in the uglification of what was once a great country. It may not be enough to get a BA from your local land grant college if you want to avoid second class membership in this brave new country. You may need an ivy degree to boost you into middle class. While I know it is wrong and obviously this mom is insane I completely understand what is driving her.
BTW – my two will both be getting their degrees from local land grants this year.
Buddha, Hope you get well soon and return quickly. I think you had a kidney infection last year if I remember correctly.
I am forever grateful that our community has an excellent public school system and I truly wish every community across this land were as fortunate. Many of our graduating seniors are accepted to Ivy League schools … every year.
Elaine M.
1, March 15, 2011 at 10:54 am
Swarthmore mom,
Does it test math, reading, writing, and language skills?
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Maybe the school should countersue and claim that the child didn’t test well because her parents gave her inferior genes. Just a thought.
LOL … very, very good
Buddha,
It’s lonely here without you. I miss both the challenge and the praise. Kidney infections can be quite painful and stubborn buggers so take care of your gloriously green self and return to us soon.
BIL,
You are missed! Here’s hoping you have a speedy recovery
BIL:
Full and speedy recovery my friend.Also had kidney infection back in the day,fresh fruit and vegetables were prescribed to me.
The one thing That I remember about the infection it felt like my back was broken.
BIL, your absence has been conspicuous. Best wishes for you to get better. Kidney problems are no fun. Cheers on your way to speedy good health.
Buddha
Hope you’re feeling better soon.
Yes, Buddha…do get well….
Buddha,
OT: Several of you have been trying to get in contact with me and this is just easier than individual responses. Down with kidney infection. Will return to posting when feeling better.
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You got a new knee….. I suppose it is good…after a while the body parts do wear out….Might wanna try cherry juice or some antioxidant….maybe a few whiffs of a Ghost Pepper…then again…something Herbal…..