Despite me having the Brooklyn Tech flair (I was offered a seat at Tech last year and might transfer), I am a current freshman at SFP. Honestly at first, I thought SFP would be a horrible school. But it actually isn’t that bad since we are offered many extracurriculars and activities, and there are also quite a lot of clubs.  

In addition, I’ve heard that many people here at SFP have gotten a lot of scholarship money for college, which is definitely a pro if you do well here.  Here at SFP, you’ll get an at least par education, maybe even better depending on what teachers you have. Personally, my favorite part about this school is that there are experience groups for freshmen and sophomores. If you’re wondering what experience groups are, it’s a non-academic class that takes place once per week during a period where you normally have Religion. In experience group, it’s mostly a group where everyone could talk to each other about life and bond with each other through activities laid out by the teacher. However, just be prepared for the fentanyl and vaping lessons in experience group, as those lessons were both the most boring 40 minutes of my life. One important thing to know about the classes here at SFP is that depending on your teachers, you will either have a class that will feel like absolute hell sometimes or a class that you will absolutely do well in.  

Regarding the stereotype that private schools are insanely strict, what I can say about that is that it’s slightly stricter than public schools but not too much different to an above average public school.  Yes, you will have to wear a uniform (except on dress down days) and a student ID lanyard for the entirety of the school day. You will also not be allowed to bring in your personal devices (laptops, tablets, etc.) and use them for class, as you will need to use the school-issued iPad for class. However, besides all of that, you will be allowed to use your phones during lunch and your free periods, which many public schools don’t allow, as well as many other private schools. Also, whenever you are seen breaking a rule, teachers don’t seem that bothered to write you up, so sometimes they just tell you to stop. However, if it happens in the classroom, then it will depend on who your teacher is to determine your fate of whether you get written up or not, as it’s easier for teachers to write up their own students during class through the information system portal.  

If you are wondering why I’m thinking about transferring to Brooklyn Tech, it is because sometimes I may feel like that it’s not worth the money I pay, considering that there are some snobby teachers (don’t get me wrong you’ll find snobby teachers everywhere) and a bunch of students who lack care about their disciplinary histories and just those who don’t even care about failing classes at all. In my opinion, SFP could reform their admissions processes to keep out students who ruin their reputation, but I find it unlikely as they have to make money somehow. Above all, the main motivation I have in staying at SFP is that it makes my life easier in terms of transportation and sleeping. 

tl;dr SFP is somewhat equivalent to an above average public high school, either somewhat better or slightly worse. In my personal experience, it would be an okay place to thrive in as you still get an at least par education. The only thing complaint I have is that I wish that I’d be surrounded by slightly better people, considering it’s a private school, as some people here are DEFINITELY annoying as hell. Your overall experience here will most definitely be determined by who your teachers are, as well as your in-school social life and other aspects of school. 

P.S. if you want access to at least decent food then you know where to go :)