NYC Private Schools Lingo: A Thank You Letter thanks private school admissions staff. An I Love You Letter explains how much you love the school. A First Choice Letter says your child will definitely go if admitted. Should you send these letters? When should you send them? How many should you send? These are the kinds of questions I discuss and … Continue reading NYC Private Schools: What is a Private School Thank You Letter? An I Love You Letter? A First Choice Letter?
Manhattan Families Applying to Westchester and New Jersey Private Schools
For many years, some Westchester, Long Island, and New Jersey families have opted for New York City private schools. Now Winnie Hu of The New York Times breaks the news that the phenomena goes both ways: Private Schools in Suburbs Tap Manhattan Market. Suburban private schools like Hackley, Dwight-Englewood, and the newly expanding Mohawk are offering … Continue reading Manhattan Families Applying to Westchester and New Jersey Private Schools
This Tip Will Help You Rock Your NYC Private School Interview
As an educational consultant who has helped families prepare for private school interviews for over twelve years, I can confidently say that the most common mistake parents and middle and high school students make is not talking enough about themselves. People assume that others have their strengths and backgrounds when in actuality each of us … Continue reading This Tip Will Help You Rock Your NYC Private School Interview
NYC Private School Interviews: How to Ace the Admissions Interview
From a client today: We had a busy day yesterday! We had our parent interview at <well-known Manhattan private school> and we were soooooo glad to have been prepped by you. It went very well! Hooray! At Abacus Guide, we prep parents and middle and high school students for private school interview success. If you're … Continue reading NYC Private School Interviews: How to Ace the Admissions Interview
A Bouquet from a Mom Today
I was surprised today to receive a beautiful bouquet. When I emailed a thank you to the kind mom who sent them, she wrote back: (with identifying details removed) The bouquet is actually late – I should have sent it immediately after our last phone call. <Child's name> is still at summer camp. She will … Continue reading A Bouquet from a Mom Today
Half of Dalton’s Incoming Kindergarteners are Students of Color
Sophia Hollander of The Wall Street Journal broke the story today that almost half of Dalton's incoming kindergarteners are students of color: At Dalton, a Push for Change Hollander writes: Dalton will dramatically exceed the citywide average for kindergarten diversity at New York's private schools, which was 30% students of color last year, according to data … Continue reading Half of Dalton’s Incoming Kindergarteners are Students of Color
Your Guide to NYC Private (Independent) Catholic Schools
Manhattan, Brooklyn, Riverdale and Westchester have many diocesean Catholic schools governed and financed by the Catholic dioceses. Many New York families seek admission into independent Catholic schools. Independent Catholic schools are funded and governed independently--not by the dioceses. In Manhattan, families who work with me often seek admission into Saint David's for boys, and Marymount … Continue reading Your Guide to NYC Private (Independent) Catholic Schools
Kindergarten ERB Prep: Complete ERB Performance Section Prep Kit
Reposted below is a popular blog entry from April that got buried on my site: Parents tend to worry about the performance section of the ERB / WPPSI test used in NYC private school kindergarten admission. "No question Joe is verbal. But can he perform? What is the ERB performance section anyway?" The ERB / … Continue reading Kindergarten ERB Prep: Complete ERB Performance Section Prep Kit
Which NYC Private Schools Don’t Require the ERB for Kindergarten?
Little Red? Village Community School? Ramaz? Lycee Francais? Corlears? Sorry, these Manhattan private schools changed their entrance policies. They want the ERB for kindergarten. So which private schools don't? Saint Ann's City and Country Manhattan Country School Bank Street Calhoun Mandell and a few more which I share with my School Selection clients. I also … Continue reading Which NYC Private Schools Don’t Require the ERB for Kindergarten?
Best NYC Schools for International Students? NYC Schools with the International Baccalaureate? Help!
Every year I help international families find the best private and public schools in NYC (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Riverdale), Westchester, Long Island, and New Jersey. Often families seek schools with the International Baccalaureate curriculum and my opinion of available educational and IB options. My recent clients have hailed from England, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Singapore, Hong … Continue reading Best NYC Schools for International Students? NYC Schools with the International Baccalaureate? Help!