abacusmom Admissions, ERB Prep, ERBs, ISEE Prep

Why You May Want to Start Your Child’s ISEE Prep this Spring

Many of our educational consulting clients from public school and even many private schools complain that their children's vocabulary, writing skills and/or math skills are lacking.  For these students, early prep can help not only with ISEE or SSAT test scores, but also with school grades and essay writing. Here's what we offer at Private … Continue reading Why You May Want to Start Your Child’s ISEE Prep this Spring

abacusmom Admissions, ERB Prep, ERBs, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools

My Child Has to Take the ERB! Wait, What is the ERB?

If your child is applying to prekindergarten (at many, but not all, private schools), kindergarten (at almost all schools) or 1st grade, she will be asked to take the ERB.  Other ERB names you may encounter are WPPSI or ECAA. The ERB is supposedly an IQ test, but if you ask around you will find … Continue reading My Child Has to Take the ERB! Wait, What is the ERB?

abacusmom ERB Prep, NYC Private Schools

Why ERB Prep Will Not Get Your Preschooler Banished from Exclusive Private School Kindergartens

There is an urban myth, kept alive by some in the NYC private schools community, that if you prep your preschooler for the ERB (WPPSI), she will be sussed out by her omniscient ERB tester.  The ERB tester will then write up her score report, using damning language written in a private code, and little … Continue reading Why ERB Prep Will Not Get Your Preschooler Banished from Exclusive Private School Kindergartens

abacusmom Admissions, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools

Kindergarten Private School Interviews / ERB: Educational Prep Toys?

More and more families have been asking me about useful toys and activities to prep their children for private school kindergarten interviews.  Let me be clear: I am against kindergarten interview prepping.  Just by attending nursery school, your child is getting excellent exposure to educational toys and activities similar to what he or she will … Continue reading Kindergarten Private School Interviews / ERB: Educational Prep Toys?

abacusmom Admissions, Educational Consulting, Educational Toys, ERB Prep

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

abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Consulting, ERB Prep, ERBs, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, School advisor, Westchester Private Schools

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?

abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Consulting, ERB Prep, ERBs, Learn to Read, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Private Schools, Public Schools, Reading, Riverdale Private Schools, School advisor, Special Needs Manhattan, Special Needs NYC, Speech Therapy NYC, Westchester Private Schools, Westchester Public Schools

More on When Should My Child Start Kindergarten

Thanks to Jessica Kelmon of GreatSchools for her excellent article, When should kids start kindergarten?  Kelmon writes: Yet another part of the equation with today’s high-stakes testing is that we expect more of kindergartners. Unfortunately, they’re less prepared for success. "Kindergarten is much more academic than ever," says Emily Glickman, a Manhattan-based educational consultant. "Many people feel that kindergarten is … Continue reading More on When Should My Child Start Kindergarten

abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, ERBs, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, NYC Public Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Public Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, School advisor, Westchester Private Schools

More Favorite Educational Games for Preschool, Kindergarten, and First Grade

Families I work with love hearing about the best educational games for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade.  Here are the top games families and teachers are playing with kids now for ERB and school interview prep as well as fun: ThinkFun Zingo Apples to Apples Junior - The Game of Crazy Comparisons! ThinkFun Rush Hour … Continue reading More Favorite Educational Games for Preschool, Kindergarten, and First Grade

abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, ERB Prep, ERBs, Hill Schools, ISEE Prep, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC ISEE, NYC Private Schools, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, SSAT Prep, Westchester Private Schools

ISEE / SSAT: Which Test Should My Child Take – ISEE or SSAT – and When Should S/he Take It?

Anthony-James Green, New York's top ISEE and SSAT tutor, knows.  He and I are currently writing a brief guide to taking the ISEE and SSAT for private high school and middle school admission. If your child will be taking the ISEE or SSAT, now is the time to start thinking about math and verbal prep.  … Continue reading ISEE / SSAT: Which Test Should My Child Take – ISEE or SSAT – and When Should S/he Take It?

abacusmom Admissions, Books, Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Consulting, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, ERBs, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Learn to Read, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Reading, Riverdale Private Schools, School advisor, Westchester Private Schools

Kindergarten ERB / WPPSI IV Test Prep Kit Nonverbal Section: Best ERB Toys and Books

Parents tend to worry about the non-verbal section of the ERB / WPPSI test used in NYC private school kindergarten admission. "No question Joe is verbal.  But non-verbal? What is that ERB section anyway?" The ERB / WPPSI IV non-verbal section tests children's short term memory, processing speed and accuracy, and reasoning skills.  In April … Continue reading Kindergarten ERB / WPPSI IV Test Prep Kit Nonverbal Section: Best ERB Toys and Books