abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools

The Wait to Hear From Private Schools is Killing Me

Are you finding yourself involved in constant, elaborate mental calculations? Deep questions like: (a)  Spence or Brearley? (b) Village Community or City & Country? (c)  Collegiate or St. B's? (d)  PS 321 or Scarsdale? While unfortunately NYC private schools give families very little time to make up their minds, I do find that much of … Continue reading The Wait to Hear From Private Schools is Killing Me

abacusmom Admissions, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Public Schools, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools

Why NYC Preschool Directors Ask Parents For Their “Bucket List”

Do preschool directors want to know what parents hope to accomplish before they die? Get their children into Dalton? Sort of. Right now many preschool directors are asking parents how they rank the private schools to which their children are applying to kindergarten, and to put those schools into metaphorical "buckets". ie Bucket 1.  Dalton, … Continue reading Why NYC Preschool Directors Ask Parents For Their “Bucket List”

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

The 3 Most Common Mistakes People Make When They Write Private School Admissions Essays

For almost fourteen years, I've been reviewing parents' and students' private school admissions essays.  At this point, that's thousands of admissions statements.  But whenever I feel sorry for myself, I have to think about those poor private school admissions officers.  Sure, maybe they ask for it by assigning the questions, but believe me, they get … Continue reading The 3 Most Common Mistakes People Make When They Write Private School Admissions Essays

abacusmom Hill Schools, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools

NYC Private School Trend Spotter: You’re Not the Only One Who Hates Drop Off

Dropping off your child at an elite Manhattan private school every morning may sound like a dream come true, but in actuality may leave something to be desired.  Three possibilities: There could be ear-splitting noise.  Last year, students and parents at Horace Mann Nursery School on East 90th between Park and Madison were the victims of the … Continue reading NYC Private School Trend Spotter: You’re Not the Only One Who Hates Drop Off

abacusmom Admissions, Educational Consulting, Hill Schools, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, School advisor

Parent Explains Why Educational Consultant’s Help with Interviews Big Factor in Family’s Success

From a current client today.  Her child is applying to elite Manhattan and Riverdale private schools.  (All identifying details removed, naturally.) Hi Emily: I just wanted to say hello, and let you know how things are going. We have completed 9 out of 10 interviews. It has been grueling, as you predicted. <Child> is an … Continue reading Parent Explains Why Educational Consultant’s Help with Interviews Big Factor in Family’s Success

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

What New York City and Westchester Private Schools Don’t Tell You: 5 Admissions Secrets

1.  Your child should prep for the ERB.    Whether it's the ERB (also called the ECAA or WPPSI) for kindergarten, prekindergarten, or 1st grade, the ERB (also called the ECAA or WISC) for 2nd through 4th grade, or the ERB (also called the ISEE, the SSAT is another option) for 5th grade and up, … Continue reading What New York City and Westchester Private Schools Don’t Tell You: 5 Admissions Secrets

abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Consulting, Hill Schools, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, School advisor, Westchester Private Schools

One Parent Wants One Educational Consultant For His Second Child

This family's child attends one of the most competitive private schools in New York City. <School Name> is exactly  what we were looking for.  <My wife> and I keep telling each other that we spent our money very well in you.  <Our child> loves the school and they are giving him a lot of challenging … Continue reading One Parent Wants One Educational Consultant For His Second Child

abacusmom Brooklyn Private Schools, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools

NYC Private School Kindergarten: Blocks are Back

In The New York Times, Kyle Spencer writes With Blocks, Educators Go Back to Basics: As in fashion, old things often come back in style in education. The Parents League workshop reflects a renewed faith in unit blocks — those basic, indestructible wooden toys created in the early 1900s — sweeping through some elite swaths of … Continue reading NYC Private School Kindergarten: Blocks are Back

abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, Hill Schools, Kindergarten, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools

In NYC, Progressive Private Schools are Out, Traditional Private Schools are In

More and more, Manhattan families I work with want a traditional, rigorous NYC private school.  More progressive, loose schools are out and structured, intense schools are in.  This is a big change from when I started twelve years ago, when families were more excited by unconventional, novel schooling methods.  Nowadays, NYC parents want hard skills … Continue reading In NYC, Progressive Private Schools are Out, Traditional Private Schools are In

abacusmom Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Consulting, Hill Schools, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC ISEE, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, School advisor, Westchester 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