Trends in College Admissions

Paragraph Trends in College Admissions An Eventful Year Are SAT Subject Tests (SAT IIs) on their way out? Today, few institutions require the tests, and many require them only of STEM and engineering applicants. What this means is that for many students, 11th grade is not the nightmare it used to be. For more information: Are … Continue reading Trends in College Admissions

Going to a NYC Private School Costs More than an Ivy League College

Sophia Hollander of The Wall Street Journal broke news today with her story about how New York City private school annual tuition has risen to $40,000. Private School Tuition Bill Tops $40,000 As I told Hollander in a phone call, given that demand for top school slots outstrips supply, I am not surprised that tuition bills … Continue reading Going to a NYC Private School Costs More than an Ivy League College

ERB (ISEE): When Should I Take the ERB (ISEE) to Get Into a NYC Private High School or Middle School?

Generally, it's best to take the ERB (ISEE) in December.  The ISEE is an academic-based test, the more you have learned, the better you do.  You're graded against a same-grade based peer group. From the ERB, the people who administer the ISEE: It is important to note that the ISEE may not be taken for … Continue reading ERB (ISEE): When Should I Take the ERB (ISEE) to Get Into a NYC Private High School or Middle School?

Hackley School Seeks to Raise Its Profile (Think of It as a Riverdale Campus School with a Slightly Longer Commute)

Rumor has it that Hackley School is seeking to expand its pool of applicants to include more students from Manhattan.  The school wants more full-tuition and diverse candidates.  Given that Hackley is already one of the two  most competitive private schools in Westchester, the New York school is clearly looking to increase its selectivity and … Continue reading Hackley School Seeks to Raise Its Profile (Think of It as a Riverdale Campus School with a Slightly Longer Commute)

York Avenue Preschool Fights Back

A client alerted me to York Avenue Preschool's revised website, which has testimonials from real-life parents about the school's many benefits.  Disappointingly, nobody reveals the real juice: Harvard admissions stats. York Ave. Preschool Website

York Avenue Preschool Lawsuit Story Shocks, Amuses Foreigners

Barely a day after the New York Post broke the news of the mom suing York Avenue Preschool for not properly preparing her daughter for the ERB for kindergarten, and hence, Harvard, delighted Europeans have pounced on the story. From Will Pavia's amusing Mother Sues Nursery in the London Times: Observers from outside Manhattan, with its frantic … Continue reading York Avenue Preschool Lawsuit Story Shocks, Amuses Foreigners

Best New York City Private Schools / NYC Private Schools Ranking Top Schools

Dear Abacus Mom, Which NYC private schools are the best?  Please tell me which schools are in the top-tier in your rankings. Whether it's parents reading my blog or my educational consulting clients, almost everyone wants to know which NYC private schools are the "best".  They want to know my Manhattan, Brooklyn, Riverdale, and Westchester … Continue reading Best New York City Private Schools / NYC Private Schools Ranking Top Schools

How to Get Into Rye Country Day School

From an educational consulting client today: Our son also got accepted into Rye Country Day School. He has been accepted into all four schools to which he applied. This is surprising to us. It wouldn't have been possible without your help. We can't thank you enough for all you have done for our family.  Limited … Continue reading How to Get Into Rye Country Day School

New NYC Private Schools — Avenues, World Class Learning Academy — Want Your Child

Miriam Souccar of Crain's New York did an excellent job covering all the new schools opening recently in Manhattan:  Private schools boom.  New schools include Avenues, World Class Learning Academy, The Blue School, and Mandell.  All are hoping to increase seat supply in the Manhattan environment which is notorious for not having enough.  Souccar writes: Despite … Continue reading New NYC Private Schools — Avenues, World Class Learning Academy — Want Your Child