If anyone would like a different perspective on the Ellis School from what you would get at an Open House (particularly anyone considering sending their daughter to Ellis Pre-K), I urge you to contact me. It’s true that many girls have a wonderful experience there, but many do not. When we were exploring schools for our daughter, we wanted to hear both positive and negative anecdotes about the programs under consideration, and in fact we posted to this list multiple times to gather such information. It’s the only way to make an informed decision and hopefully avoid a very expensive mistake. Thus, I would be happy to pay it forward and help somebody else make the right decision for their daughter. Ellis can be a great place for the right type of girl. But the truth is that the Lower School has serious administration/management issues, and there has been some appalling treatment of children (and their families) who don’t fit the Ellis mold. If your daughter already has the social and emotional skills of a child 2-3 years her senior, then yes, Ellis may be “supportive,” “challenging“ and “accepting of her exactly how she is”. If she does not, that description will be utterly laughable. In the words of a child development specialist, Ellis is a “developmentally inappropriate” place. You are paying for a fancy name and a bunch of unnecessary bells and whistles but you are most certainly NOT paying for a nurturing and supportive environment. This is important for prospective families to know. I wish I had. Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message:
From: Dora Magovern <dora.magovern@gmail.com> Date: October 15, 2019 at 3:21:36 PM EDT To: neighborhood@highlandparkpa.com Subject: Open House for The Ellis School
Hello Highland Park,
Many of you may be in the process of thinking about school for your daughter(s) for next year. Perhaps she will be starting elementary, middle or high school. I wanted to pass along that The Ellis School will be holding an open house on October 22. Ellis provides an educational environment that is supportive, challenging and accepting of girls exactly as they are. It allows girls and young women to be proud of their curiosity and intellectual fervor, and to enter the world as bold and authentic women. I'm happy to chat with you about Ellis as both a parent and an alumna.
Kind regards,
Dora P. Magovern LCSW, MPH ---------------------------------
"Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds."-- George Eliot