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Author Topic: Any Memories Of Garden Country Day School?  (Read 11165 times)

Offline Nagelberg

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Any Memories Of Garden Country Day School?
« on: August 10, 2009, 06:30:49 PM »
As a product of New York City's public school system, I never knew what to make of the little prep school on 79th Street known as the Garden Country Day School.  I passed it on a daily basis when I attended JHS 145.  I dated girls who went there.  But save for a few glimpses through the chain link fence that surrounded what is now known as the Garden School I hadn't a clue what went on there.  I even have a Garden yearbook from 1945 called "The Cupola" that has pictures of the old place. . .but after all these years I still can't get a handle on it.  Can any of you old Heightzers fill me in?  Does anybody have any memories of Garden Country Day?
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Offline ercillor

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Re: Any Memories Of Garden Country Day School?
« Reply #1 on: August 18, 2010, 12:02:20 PM »
Quote from: Nagelberg on August 10, 2009, 06:30:49 PM
As a product of New York City's public school system, I never knew what to make of the little prep school on 79th Street known as the Garden Country Day School. Can any of you old Heightzers fill me in?  Does anybody have any memories of Garden Country Day?

At first I could not remember why the name, "Garden Country Day School," should have seemed so familiar but now I do recall a private school situated upon a raised piece of land with its own little park area. I did know two little boys -- sons of our doctor -- who went there.  It was considered to be far and away superior to our public schools (I attended PS148).  If you entered their little park via an uphill winding pathway, you soon came to a lamppost and a park bench. On a misty night it was a somewhat ethereal place to sit. Part of the school's land was 'sawn away' in order to build the city's 76th St. park adjoining it but the school and its small green park remained for many years. Perhaps it is still there.
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Offline taggie

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Re: Any Memories Of Garden Country Day School?
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2010, 03:25:28 PM »
Yes, The Garden School as it is now called is alive and well. The school has nursery through to 12th grade. Some people remember it as
a school for the doctor's children but I have met many former students from various economic backgrounds. In the Upper Division there
are merit scholarships which increase this economic diversity. Garden School is a wonderful option to the rather large but good public
schools we have here in Jackson Heights. One parent needed to move a child as they were overwhelmed by the noise in PS69 and the
teacher said the student spent the day covering their ears or putting their head on the desk. This student is now thriving at Garden
School where the small class size and individual attention can help in all kinds of areas- academic, social/emotional or otherwise. The
high school students have done very well with their college possibilities as the students have a wide range of talents upon graduation.
It's a small but mighty presence still in Jackson Heights. I'm sure that a visit inside could be arranged by appointment on the website.
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Offline ercillor

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Re: Any Memories Of Garden Country Day School?
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2010, 01:32:17 PM »
Quote from: taggie on August 23, 2010, 03:25:28 PM
Yes, The Garden School as it is now called is alive and well. The school has nursery through to 12th grade. Garden School where the small class size and individual attention can help in all kinds of areas- academic, social/emotional or otherwise. The
high school students have done very well with their college possibilities as the students have a wide range of talents upon graduation.
It's a small but mighty presence still in Jackson Heights. I'm sure that a visit inside could be arranged by appointment on the website.

I live in Colorado now so a visit will be unlikely. If it were possible I would surely take you up on it. My own experience in the PS environment (PS149,148) was child shattering and I actually do remember wishing that I could attend that pretty school up on that lovely hill... At age seventy four I suspect that they would no longer have a place for me. :'(
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Offline phyllis

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Re: Any Memories Of Garden Country Day School?
« Reply #4 on: December 24, 2010, 09:27:55 AM »
I went to Garden Country Day School in 1960-62 - first and second grades. I have wonderful memories of it. There was a little wooden house in the back where the 1st and 2nd grades were. At recess, we'd go out the back door, across the street, where there was a city park. All in all, i have wonderful memories of that school and Jackson Heights in general. The girls wore skirts and shoes with bobby-socks.

I noticed that schools back then had around 30 students in one class with one teacher. Not like today, with the small classes and teacher assistants. But we seemed to learn better back then, less problems!
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Offline grm1967

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Re: Any Memories Of Garden Country Day School?
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2011, 07:24:33 PM »
I went to Garden School during the transition from Garden Country Day School to it's present name.  I started in the first grade and graduated from high school with many of the same classmates that I was with in the first grade.   The school was a rock in those days.  Behavior problems were not tolerated and the faculty were there forever.  I am sorry to read in other posts that there is high faculty turnover and the administration does not enforce a code of behavior in today's school environment.  I remember a great hot lunch, served family style and the spring operetta performance that was held outdoors on the terraces below the old clubhouse  (gym) on the hill.
As I said, I was there during transition and the clubhouse and hill were leveled after a fire, and turned into a field.

Thanks for the memories...
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Offline Jetswdo

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Re: Any Memories Of Garden Country Day School?
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2011, 08:56:08 PM »
I was a student at Garden School from 1967 through 1973--middle school through high school.  I have very happy memmories and made a few lifelong friends.  As a retired teacher today, I am greatful for the education that I received back then.  The school is still doing very well today, from what I understand.
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Offline Hank Stamper

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Re: Any Memories Of Garden Country Day School?
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2011, 08:59:10 AM »
For those of us who played ball at the 78th Street Park in the '60s, the Garden School was a bit of a tease -- wide open, beckoning… and off limits. Whenever we could not get space at the 78th Street Park  -- and that meant both main fields, the kiddie area and even the lower area (pool) we'd head over to 145. If that was taken, we climb the fence at the Garden School and get some ball in until we were kicked off by the guards. Playing at the Garden School was also the first and only time I ever played ball on a non-asphalt surface until high school. 
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Offline ovadacandystore

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Re: Any Memories Of Garden Country Day School?
« Reply #8 on: December 02, 2011, 07:02:35 PM »
Quote from: Nagelberg on August 10, 2009, 06:30:49 PM
As a product of New York City's public school system, I never knew what to make of the little prep school on 79th Street known as the Garden Country Day School.  I passed it on a daily basis when I attended JHS 145.  I dated girls who went there.  But save for a few glimpses through the chain link fence that surrounded what is now known as the Garden School I hadn't a clue what went on there.  I even have a Garden yearbook from 1945 called "The Cupola" that has pictures of the old place. . .but after all these years I still can't get a handle on it.  Can any of you old Heightzers fill me in?  Does anybody have any memories of Garden Country Day?

Hi Nagelberg
I know you posted this a couple of years ago, but I just found this site, and your user name caught my eye, and then I saw that you went to 145. You must've gone there around the time that I did as Dr. Nagelberg was the Principal then.
I remember Garden Country Day School very well. It was right across the street from 145.
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Offline phyllis

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Re: Any Memories Of Garden Country Day School?
« Reply #9 on: January 02, 2012, 08:37:27 PM »
Does anyone have any old photos to post?
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Offline ovadacandystore

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Re: Any Memories Of Garden Country Day School?
« Reply #10 on: January 02, 2012, 09:55:20 PM »
What kind of pictures are you looking for? I still have my Pulitzer Pen and Palette yearbook from 1957.
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Offline Fdthird

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Re: Any Memories Of Garden Country Day School?
« Reply #11 on: August 14, 2014, 01:56:27 PM »
Started at Garden Country Day School in September of 1955 because I was going to be 6 by January 2nd of 1956 and to start first grade in NYC public schools you had to be 6 by January 1st. Spent the next 12 years of my life at Garden.
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Offline ECG

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Re: Any Memories Of Garden Country Day School?
« Reply #12 on: August 14, 2014, 02:33:30 PM »
Fdthird - are you on the Garden mailing list? I'm also a Garden grad, though earlier than you. Currently I'm in charge of updating the list of alums.

If you aren't on the list and would like to be, PM me.

Mr. Hughes died last year but Mr. Millevoi & Mr. Grusky are still around. Millevoi is living in Amagansett and Grusky is still teaching.
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Offline Fdthird

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Re: Any Memories Of Garden Country Day School?
« Reply #13 on: August 17, 2014, 04:29:02 AM »
Garden Country Day School.   
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Offline guidokerly

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Re: Any Memories Of Garden Country Day School?
« Reply #14 on: August 22, 2014, 03:03:48 PM »
My son attended preK. great school, faculty and staff.
« Last Edit: August 23, 2014, 06:22:29 PM by Shelby2 »
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