I was quoted this week in a New York Times article by James Barron about a former Catholic school building in Sunset Park that will soon become the permanent home of a charter school. You can read the article here: Where a Catholic School Closed, a Charter School Opens As I told The Times, "One … Continue reading NYC School Buildings Last Longer Than Schools
Abacus Blog
What Spence’s Expansion Says About NYC Private Schools
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 … Continue reading What Spence’s Expansion Says About NYC Private Schools
School Selection Program Reference
If you're getting started figuring out your child's schooling journey, including weighing NYC private vs public, NYC public vs. suburban public, choosing Manhattan, Brooklyn, Riverdale, Westchester or Greenwich private schools, understanding the admissions timeline and testing and getting all your most private questions answered, you're on the right website. Over the last 25 years, Abacus … Continue reading School Selection Program Reference
Prince George Chooses Eton. Why New Yorkers Should Care.
Prince George will attend Eton College, ending years of speculation. But beneath the royal headlines lies a familiar admissions story. Discover what NYC, Westchester, and Greenwich families can learn about preparation, school fit, and long-term planning.
What NYC Families Say After Working with a Private School Admissions Consultant
I often say the real measure of my educational consulting work is not what happens during admissions. It is how families feel about their decisions once they are on the other side. Today a former client introduced me to close friends whose child is entering the kindergarten process this fall. She wrote:We shared how much … Continue reading What NYC Families Say After Working with a Private School Admissions Consultant
What NYC Private School Teachers Actually Earn
Rikki Schlott in The New York Post highlights something that surprises almost every family I work with: in some NYC private schools, teachers are earning less than the tuition being paid by the students sitting in their classrooms. I was quoted in the article about this perception gap, and it’s one I see constantly. Families … Continue reading What NYC Private School Teachers Actually Earn
Classical Education Is Growing in NYC Private Schools
There’s an interesting development on the Upper West Side that says a lot about where things are heading. Nearly a year after Manhattan Country School closed, its building may be taken over by the Geneva School of Manhattan, a growing Classical Christian school. Erin Hudson at Bloomberg covered the proposed $20M deal. I said: Classical … Continue reading Classical Education Is Growing in NYC Private Schools
NYC Private Schools Left Behind: NYT Highlights Gaps in NYC Emergency Alerts
Matthew Haag of The New York Times reports on a critical gap in New York City’s emergency communication system that leaves NYC private schools without timely safety alerts. Read the full article here: A Text System Sent Safety Alerts to Private Schools. Now, It’s Silent. As a parent and educational consultant deeply invested in school … Continue reading NYC Private Schools Left Behind: NYT Highlights Gaps in NYC Emergency Alerts
Private Parent Advisory Sessions for Thoughtful Educational Decision‑Making
One of the most common things parents say to me is: We want to make the right decision, but it's very hard to see clearly when it's your own child. That’s exactly where my parent advisory sessions come in. Last night, after a one‑on‑one session with a family navigating some complex educational decisions, I received … Continue reading Private Parent Advisory Sessions for Thoughtful Educational Decision‑Making
Navigating the Future of Education: AI’s Role in Schools
A thought-provoking NY Post article by Katie Warren explores the rapid rise of AI-driven schools like Alpha, where students spend just a couple of hours a day on academics with AI tutors and the rest on life skills. The promise is compelling: highly personalized learning, faster academic progress, and more engaged students. And some families … Continue reading Navigating the Future of Education: AI’s Role in Schools