Free NYC Private School Admissions Newsletter

Every month, we send out our exclusive NYC Private School Admissions Newsletter.  A former client emailed us back: Thought you might like to know that <son's name> finished his 9th grade in good standing, with a high GPA for the year, even with all the time management struggle with honors classes, after-school sports, and outdoor activities. His … Continue reading Free NYC Private School Admissions Newsletter

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

Want a NYC Public School Gifted and Talented Seat? Good Luck

Beth Fertig at the New York Times and Philissa Cramer at Gotham Schools posted some shocking statitstics about New York City Gifted and Talented (G&T) programs: 40% of students who tested for the G&T kindergarten program tested as gifted. 68% of eligible "gifted" kindergarten applicants actually received G&T offers These statistics suggest: Test prep works. … Continue reading Want a NYC Public School Gifted and Talented Seat? Good Luck

Westchester Public School Tries A Private School Approach

Joseph De Avila writes in The Wall Street Journal today about Rye Brook's new revenue-raising project:   The $20,000 Public School Westchester School Markets Itself as Alternative to Private Institutions De Avila explains that the Blind Brook-Rye Union Free School District, facing woes typical of many Westchester public schools (mounting teacher-pension and other costs) and atypical … Continue reading Westchester Public School Tries A Private School Approach

PTA Power at Some Top NYC Public Schools

Kyle Spencer of The New York Times broke an important story today about how Manhattan parents at some public schools in affluent areas have done an amazing job fundraising for their students, in some cases raising more than a million dollars a year.  I said: “Many now have amenities that can compete with private school offerings,” … Continue reading PTA Power at Some Top NYC Public Schools

Top 3 Mistakes in Choosing NYC Private Schools

It's May, and families in the know are already working on compiling their NYC private schools lists for applying this fall.  Whether you're looking at private schools in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Riverdale, or Westchester, for your child's sake, don't fall into these common traps: Considering only schools that your preschool or exmissions director recommends.  Remember, she has her … Continue reading Top 3 Mistakes in Choosing NYC Private Schools

Packer is on the Up and Up

As a former Packer student, I was very interested in Jenny Anderson's Times article today about Packer:  As a Private School in Brooklyn Raises Its Profile, Questions of Identity Arise To sum up, as NYC private school admission generally has become more competitive, Packer has become more competitive, with more students applying and more money spent … Continue reading Packer is on the Up and Up

If You Give Up Your NYC Private School Spot, Will You Lose a Year’s Tuition?

The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal both weigh in today about what happens when families who sign a contract for Manhattan private school then back out, often because the child has been admitted to a top public school.  A number of schools, including Mandell, Friends, York Prep, and Little Red, have sued … Continue reading If You Give Up Your NYC Private School Spot, Will You Lose a Year’s Tuition?

The School Boards — NYC Private Schools, Public Schools, and More Online

I recently highlighted The School Boards as an up-and-coming website for New York parents. I had a chance yesterday to chat with the founder of The School Boards, Will Pan.  I was deeply impressed by his integrity and persistence in setting up an exciting new site for families. Will writes: The whole idea of the site came … Continue reading The School Boards — NYC Private Schools, Public Schools, and More Online

Just How Messed Up the New York City Public Schools Kindergarten Situation Is

Today a mom emailed me for information about my NYC private schools admissions consulting programs.  This is what the mom wrote: How Can We Help You: Need to find out if we can get into a good private school as a back up if daughter can't get in a good public NYC school That is how messed up … Continue reading Just How Messed Up the New York City Public Schools Kindergarten Situation Is