In a meaningful shift that hasn’t gotten enough attention, Horace Mann, Ethical Culture Fieldston, Riverdale, Collegiate and Brearley have left ISAAGNY and are no longer following the shared admissions calendar. That calendar used to create some order in an otherwise stressful process—everyone applied, heard back, and decided on roughly the same timeline. Now, these schools … Continue reading The End of the “Common Calendar”? What It Means That Top NYC Schools Have Left ISAAGNY
Success Stories: Middle School Admissions Triumph
From a successful middle school applicant family today: Emily, I hope you are well. We wanted to share the good news that <Child> has been accepted to both <top Brooklyn> and <top Manhattan school> for the coming year. At this point, <top Manhattan school> feels like the strongest fit for <Child>, and he is genuinely … Continue reading Success Stories: Middle School Admissions Triumph
Soaring Private School Tuition in NYC: What to Know
Private school tuition in New York has reached a point that would have seemed unimaginable a decade ago. Schools that once hovered around the $40,000 mark — even Avenues charged about $40,000 per year when it opened and in its early years — are now demanding well over $70,000 a year. Thanks to Amanda Gordon … Continue reading Soaring Private School Tuition in NYC: What to Know
Why Families Seek Intuitive Educational Guidance: A Touching Parent’s Letter
Every so often, I receive a message that reminds me why I do what I do. A dad I worked with a few years back just wrote: Good Morning Emily, I am so happy to hear from you again. Emily, in our last meeting in Westchester you left in me strong impression of a deeply … Continue reading Why Families Seek Intuitive Educational Guidance: A Touching Parent’s Letter
Mastering Parent Interviews: Prep for Success
Parent interviews can be nerve-wracking. Even the most confident parents sometimes freeze or stumble when talking about their child, the school, or their family’s goals. That’s where my interview prep service comes in. I guide parents through the process so they feel calm, confident, and ready to present their child authentically. We cover the types … Continue reading Mastering Parent Interviews: Prep for Success
The Importance of Personalized Essay Help in the Age of AI
Parents ask me: “Now that there’s AI, do we still need essay help?” Yes. AI writes. But it sounds like AI. Generic. Flat. Not like your child. Not like you. Schools notice. Three families just emailed me: “Thank you for the feedback. Incorporated and reads much better!!” and <Wife> just said "Wow, that is a … Continue reading The Importance of Personalized Essay Help in the Age of AI
Same-Sex Schools Appoint Different Sex Leaders
In 2024, Collegiate School appointed Bodie Brizendine, former head of Spence, as its new leader, replacing David Lourie, who had served since 2020. Brizendine’s appointment is historic: she is the first woman ever to helm this nearly 400-year-old boys’ school, a rare break from centuries of male leadership. The significance is clearer when you compare … Continue reading Same-Sex Schools Appoint Different Sex Leaders
The Truth About NYC Private School Admissions and Consultants
Families sometimes ask me: “Do you advocate for your clients with schools?” The answer is no—and that’s exactly as it should be. NYC private schools want to evaluate each child and family on their merits, not on their consultant. Admissions officers consistently make clear that they do not give preference to applicants because of a … Continue reading The Truth About NYC Private School Admissions and Consultants
Demand for Elite NYC Private Schools Grows Amid Political Changes
The most elite NYC private schools continue to garner strong parent demand, especially with the shifting political headwinds we have witnessed since the pandemic. A significant percentage of NYC public school parents are fed up by changes in how students are selected for G&T programs and by the rise in "equitable" grading, in which all … Continue reading Demand for Elite NYC Private Schools Grows Amid Political Changes
The Survival of Creative Private Schools in Competitive Admissions Era
Thanks to Nicole LaPorte at Town & Country for her insightful summer article, Can Private “Alternative” Schools Survive in the Age of Cutthroat College Admissions? As LaPorte notes, as college admissions become more competitive, traditional academic metrics are increasingly prioritized by families. Progressive private schools like Saint Ann’s in Brooklyn and Peninsula in California—known for … Continue reading The Survival of Creative Private Schools in Competitive Admissions Era