abacusmom Admissions, Educational Consulting, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, ERBs, Manhattan Private Schools

Washington DC Private Schools Have Stressful Admissions Process Too

All you New Yorkers who think only we have to deal with stressful private school admissions, here's news: in Washington DC it's bad too.  Recently, I've been helping some Washington DC families with kindergarten ERB prep.  One family told me: "I am so glad you can help us with the kindergarten ERB and admissions because … Continue reading Washington DC Private Schools Have Stressful Admissions Process Too

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

Spring ERB Scores Are In

My spring ERB clients' children have been receiving their ERB results.  I am delighted to report that everyone is thrilled: more than half the kids got double 99s on performance and verbal and everyone got in the 90s.  While certainly no one can guarantee any child's results, Preschoolers' Prep has worked incredibly well for so … Continue reading Spring ERB Scores Are In

abacusmom Admissions, Educational Consulting, ERBs, Hill Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools, Westchester Public Schools

Hackley School in Westchester

Parents often ask me about Hackley.  How does Hackley compare to the Hill schools in Riverdale?  How does Hackley compare to Westchester public schools?  What does Hackley require for admission? All in all, my clients who have applied to and attended Hackley have been impressed by the school.  A number were surprised and delighted by … Continue reading Hackley School in Westchester

abacusmom Admissions, Books, Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Consulting, Educational Toys, ERB Prep, ERBs, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools

ERB Prep Kit

As part of my educational consulting programs, I offer "Preschoolers' Prep".  Preschoolers' Prep helps families understand what skills and abilities private school admissions directors seek from child kindergarten applicants.  Admissions directors evaluate children for kindergarten based upon their ERB score, child interview, and school report. The right toys and workbooks can help preschoolers develop many … Continue reading ERB Prep Kit

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

Understanding ERB Score Reports

Much has been made of the mysterious "ERB code" on the descriptive portion of ERB score reports.  Many families believe that testers embed top-secret ERB language that only private school admissions directors can decode. Part of my job as a NYC and Westchester private schools educational consultant is to help families comprehend what the performance … Continue reading Understanding ERB Score Reports

abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Consulting, ERBs, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Private Schools

ERB Prep for Kindergarten: Can I Have a 99, Please?

A parent comments on the UrbanBaby Schools board: I find it amazing how many kids in NY have ERB scores of 99. Parents are either lying or this city has a hugely disproportionate number of the smartest kids in the country. I don't know how many parents lie, but definitely a disproportionate number of Manhattan … Continue reading ERB Prep for Kindergarten: Can I Have a 99, Please?

abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Consulting, ERBs, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools

Well, What Happened in 2009 With NYC Private School Kindergarten Admission?

The decisions for kindergarten are finally in.  Everyone wants to know: with the recession, were results different this year?  Here's what I'm seeing: As usual, ERB scores mean EVERYTHING.  My clients with high ERB scores (defined as high 90's--more children than ever as parent prepping has become more widespread and the scoring scale has not … Continue reading Well, What Happened in 2009 With NYC Private School Kindergarten Admission?

abacusmom Admissions, ERBs, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Private Schools

NYC Private School Entry Tougher for Siblings and Legacies

In a sign of increasingly competitive times, the private schools are being more and more inhospitable to siblings and legacies.  Schools are usually advising families to apply to a number of schools for Child #2 or #3 etc., even if parents have been very active with volunteering and donations. More and more sibling and legacy … Continue reading NYC Private School Entry Tougher for Siblings and Legacies

abacusmom Admissions, ERBs, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Private Schools

Claremont Prep Has Reason to Celebrate

Claremont Prep has reason to celebrate today.  In The New York Sun, reporter Elizabeth Green gave a very positive account of the school's progress in attracting students and administrators, and its plans to open a new high school in Sept. '09.  If I worked at Claremont, I'd put the article in my admissions materials and on … Continue reading Claremont Prep Has Reason to Celebrate

abacusmom Admissions, Educational Consulting, ERBs, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Private Schools

Does Having a Connected Preschool Director Matter in Manhattan?

People often ask me if it matters if you have a connected preschool director. The answer: less than it used to. As kindergarten admission has become more competitive, schools are less beholden to individual nursery school directors, and are drawing from a wider pool of applicants from lots of schools. One advantage of a connected … Continue reading Does Having a Connected Preschool Director Matter in Manhattan?