The recent KinderHaus preschool scandal in Brooklyn—where a former director is accused of embezzling millions in tuition—has understandably shaken parents. In 27 years of practice, I told Erin Hudson at Bloomberg, I’ve never seen a case quite like this: a school director indicted for embezzlement. It’s extraordinary—and unsettling. But it also highlights something families need … Continue reading Brooklyn Preschool Embezzlement Shocks Parents
NYC Families Navigate a System That No Longer Works for Everyone
Troy Closson’s New York Times piece, Rising Costs and Competition at NY Private Schools Have Parents on Edge, offers a clear view of how New York’s school system actually works. Families with resources move smoothly through the process, while everyone else is left navigating a system that is opaque and uneven. There is no exaggeration … Continue reading NYC Families Navigate a System That No Longer Works for Everyone
The End of the “Common Calendar”? What It Means That Top NYC Schools Have Left ISAAGNY
In a meaningful shift that hasn’t gotten enough attention, Horace Mann, Ethical Culture Fieldston, Riverdale, Collegiate and Brearley have left ISAAGNY and are no longer following the shared admissions calendar. That calendar used to create some order in an otherwise stressful process—everyone applied, heard back, and decided on roughly the same timeline. Now, these schools … Continue reading The End of the “Common Calendar”? What It Means That Top NYC Schools Have Left ISAAGNY
Success Stories: Middle School Admissions Triumph
From a successful middle school applicant family today: Emily, I hope you are well. We wanted to share the good news that <Child> has been accepted to both <top Brooklyn> and <top Manhattan school> for the coming year. At this point, <top Manhattan school> feels like the strongest fit for <Child>, and he is genuinely … Continue reading Success Stories: Middle School Admissions Triumph
Soaring Private School Tuition in NYC: What to Know
Private school tuition in New York has reached a point that would have seemed unimaginable a decade ago. Schools that once hovered around the $40,000 mark — even Avenues charged about $40,000 per year when it opened and in its early years — are now demanding well over $70,000 a year. Thanks to Amanda Gordon … Continue reading Soaring Private School Tuition in NYC: What to Know
Great Day For My Kindergarten Clients
It's a beautiful day fielding calls and receiving emails from happy clients. Some examples of notes coming in: Emily, <Child> got into <top downtown school>!! We feel very happy about this outcome and are immensely grateful for all the guidance you have provided us, which has made all the difference and also helped keep us … Continue reading Great Day For My Kindergarten Clients
Why Families Seek Intuitive Educational Guidance: A Touching Parent’s Letter
Every so often, I receive a message that reminds me why I do what I do. A dad I worked with a few years back just wrote: Good Morning Emily, I am so happy to hear from you again. Emily, in our last meeting in Westchester you left in me strong impression of a deeply … Continue reading Why Families Seek Intuitive Educational Guidance: A Touching Parent’s Letter
Mastering Parent Interviews: Prep for Success
Parent interviews can be nerve-wracking. Even the most confident parents sometimes freeze or stumble when talking about their child, the school, or their family’s goals. That’s where my interview prep service comes in. I guide parents through the process so they feel calm, confident, and ready to present their child authentically. We cover the types … Continue reading Mastering Parent Interviews: Prep for Success
Discover BASIS Independent Brooklyn: Top K-12 Private School Open Houses
We were pleased to receive the following from BASIS Independent Brooklyn today: Learn why BASIS Independent Brooklyn consistently ranks among the top K-12 Private School in the nation at our upcoming fall Open Houses. Our Brooklyn school has two campuses, and it is part of a network known for its advanced curriculum that blends liberal … Continue reading Discover BASIS Independent Brooklyn: Top K-12 Private School Open Houses
The Importance of Personalized Essay Help in the Age of AI
Parents ask me: “Now that there’s AI, do we still need essay help?” Yes. AI writes. But it sounds like AI. Generic. Flat. Not like your child. Not like you. Schools notice. Three families just emailed me: “Thank you for the feedback. Incorporated and reads much better!!” and <Wife> just said "Wow, that is a … Continue reading The Importance of Personalized Essay Help in the Age of AI