Poly Prep Country Day School

Below is an excerpt from a book my child wrote after enrollment, serving as a remembrance of this school! (Excerpt because it's limited to 500 words):
Poly Prep is not far from Brooklyn Chinatown. Driving from New Jersey, you'll arrive right after crossing the Hudson River. Upon entering the campus, there's a lake... The campus features winding paths leading to secluded spots... Ms. Liu, the Admissions Director, was already waiting for us in the lobby. Ms. Liu holds a master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and is from Dongyang, Zhejiang Province. My grandfather is also from Dongyang, Zhejiang. She introduced the visit schedule: physics and math classes in the morning, experiencing the school cafeteria for lunch, and a school tour in the afternoon. First, we had math class. The math teacher was a female Ph.D., and there were 10 students in the class. The teacher asked about my depth of math study, and I said Calculus BC. All the students in the class covered their mouths in surprise. This aristocratic high school, founded in 1854, has accumulated countless honors over its 170 years. The most precious honors, trophies, and photos fill the hallways... A sense of honor and belonging naturally arose in my heart; it's a great honor to study at such a high school!... There are also very beautiful concert halls, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a gymnasium... Fortunately, the school also offers comprehensive AP courses. The principals are all very kind, some even adorable... I also met my future counselor, a brilliant graduate from MIT. I think this is a truly ideal high school I could find!

My son entered this school in August 2020. I believe this is the most suitable place for him to study during his four years in the United States. After he enrolled, the school administration and teachers provided him with comprehensive care and attention, which led to significant improvements in all aspects of his life and studies. The various activities organized by the school have greatly benefited the children. In particular, Ms. Liu, who is responsible for international students, shows meticulous care for her students. She constantly monitors their academic progress, daily life, emotional well-being, and other situations, providing timely assistance and solutions, and communicating with parents immediately. She has truly proven to be a teacher who makes us parents happy, reassured, and extremely satisfied. With such teachers in such a school, we have every reason to believe that they will cultivate batch after batch of outstanding students who are capable, profound, and knowledgeable.

In 2020, during a particularly challenging time for all international students in New York, I joined Poly. Then, in June 2022, filled with joyful and fulfilling memories, I concluded my high school journey.
Here, I want to express my gratitude to my school, Poly Prep, for accompanying me through those two most perplexing years as a high school student.
It witnessed my life as an international student, witnessed me singing passionately on New York's music stages, witnessed me burning the midnight oil writing essays, witnessed the sweat and joy shed by the musical theater cast, witnessed one test paper after another in calculus class, witnessed our discussions on the 2022 general election's voting and trends in American history class; it witnessed the class preparing for AP English together in front of the gym, the French teacher who chatted with me every Tuesday morning, and the tennis courts with puddles after a fresh rain. The school bus driver, who is about to retire in two years, I was always his last stop. It witnessed my repeated network disconnections during esports competitions at home... witnessed the younger students chasing after soccer balls, and witnessed the shared anticipation and reluctance we held as the older students graduated.

The warm sunlight shines on the lush green grass and pale yellow wildflowers by the lake. Sitting on a wooden bench, I've seen the change of seasons here; a gentle breeze blows, and now, it's spring once again.
I'll walk around the school a couple more times, sit for a bit, climb the white bell tower, walk along the tree-lined stone paths,
Push open that door, and then close it.
Soon, very soon, counting down the days,

I've graduated.

The most beloved school, offering comprehensive academic enrichment, and showcasing the best in both software and hardware. The teachers' passion and encouragement provide children with a continuous source of energy and motivation. We've had a string of good news with admissions to US Ivy League schools, and your journey to an Ivy League starts here.

POLY School is located in Brooklyn, New York, in an excellent location, and its campus area is considered one of the largest among private schools in New York. We chose the day student option because of the resources available from the school and the city. The number of Chinese students admitted is extremely small, all in single digits. The school's college placement is excellent, as it is one of New York's eight Ivy League preparatory schools. In 2019, my child was also admitted to POLY when it officially began accepting international applications, enrolling as a freshman (Grade 9). In the same year, one Chinese student transferred into Grade 10 and another into Grade 11. The first graduating Chinese student chose Oxford University. The second Chinese student chose Vanderbilt University (with a full scholarship). The third Chinese student was the first to complete all four years of high school at POLY and was admitted early to Williams College. The school has Ms. Liu in the international department, a high-achieving UPenn alumna, who serves as a teacher, mother figure, friend, and sister, providing 24-hour seamless communication between parents and the school. During the pandemic, thanks to her meticulous care, my child resolutely gave up the embassy charter flight to return home, feeling safe staying at school and attending classes in tents set up on the playground. Homestays are matched by the school according to student needs; my child chose the Soho district in Manhattan to experience New York's immersive artistic atmosphere. Upon entering, students are accompanied by a college counseling advisor for four years. To be even more targeted, we also chose a local agency for US college applications. The school is strong in academics, sports, and arts, requiring a TOEFL score of 100+, and the overall experience was excellent. Later, when my daughter applied, she was not admitted, which was a great pity. However, we recognized the school's philosophy of being responsible for the children. Afterwards, we chose a boarding school, and she will be a senior (Grade 12) in the second half of the year. For POLY, I am grateful!

The previous short review was written by me, and there was a typo where 'day student' and 'boarding student' were reversed. The correction is as follows:
Our child was actually not very well prepared to study at an American high school; all decisions were made rather hastily. The child is not an academic overachiever, and to some extent, might have been a bit overly pampered. For Chinese parents, when a child studies at an American high school, boarding school is often the first choice, as it feels much safer psychologically and is more convenient. However, based on our experience and that of surrounding classmates, day school is also a good option, offering many different life experiences. Interacting with American classmates is actually quite similar to back home; only those with common interests truly get along. There aren't as many racial issues; if you are open-minded and more accepting of different views and different people, isn't that the joy of growth?

Our child's preparation for American high school was actually not very thorough, and all decisions were made rather hastily. Our child isn't the 'straight-A student' type; in some ways, they might even be a little over-spoiled. For Chinese parents, when children attend American high school, boarding school is often the first choice, mainly because it feels much safer psychologically and is much more convenient. In fact, based on our experience and that of other students around us, boarding school is indeed a good choice, adding many different life experiences. Interacting with American classmates is actually quite similar to back home; you mostly hang out with those who share similar interests. There aren't that many racial issues; isn't it part of the joy of growing up to be more open-minded and accept different perspectives and different people?

The school's faculty and teaching facilities go without saying, as it's a well-established prestigious school. What's worth mentioning is that during our child's years at school, they happened to coincide with three years of the pandemic. To ensure students had a truly complete educational experience, the school invested heavily in acquiring tents and increasing testing measures. Even during the peak of the pandemic, while adhering to epidemic prevention rules, they tried their best to maintain in-person learning time, allowing children to learn and live together. This kind of responsibility and commitment expected from educators is not something that can be achieved by just shouting a few slogans.

Even more noteworthy is our respected Teacher Liu, the backbone for our Chinese children at school. Throughout the three years of the pandemic, without Teacher Liu's help, we parents back in China wouldn't know how anxious we would have become. I think this is also part of the 'Poly spirit'.