As a school consultant and former Carnegie Hill resident, I enjoyed Matthew Sedacca’s recent Curbed article on The Spence School’s proposed expansion plans.
Beyond reporting the facts, Sedacca does something increasingly rare: he captures neighborhood atmosphere. Reading it reminded me a bit of Jimmy Breslin’s work, where the people and the place are as important as the news.
I am proud to be quoted:
“Parents want the resources of a college campus delivered to a 12-year-old.”
The Spence proposal has sparked debate about preservation, growth, and neighborhood character, but it also reflects the reality that schools like Spence are in an arms race with other elite private schools.
Parents often wonder whether a major expansion signals changes in admissions. In my experience, projects like these are usually less about increasing enrollment and more about providing justification for high student fees and keeping up with consumer demand.