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

The Best Time to Hire a NYC Private Schools Educational Consultant

When is the right time to hire a NYC private schools educational consultant? Is it September, right after Labor Day, when the private school admissions process starts? No. Why not? It's like calling your tax accountant on April 14th.  Any reputable educational consultant is at the height of her season.  I have been working with … Continue reading The Best Time to Hire a NYC Private Schools Educational Consultant

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

No Surpise that Private High Schools Recruit Top Students

Adam Himmelsbach and Pete Thamel of The New York Times write today that Middle School Is Basketball’s Fiercest Recruiting Battleground for DC private schools. This does not surpise me at all.   Many of Manhattan, Riverdale, Brooklyn and Westchester's best private high schools expand at the 9th grade level, specifically as an entry point for top middle school … Continue reading No Surpise that Private High Schools Recruit Top Students

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

abacusmom Brooklyn Private Schools, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, NYC Public Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools, Westchester Public Schools

Emphasizing Performance vs. Character at Elite NYC Schools

Thanks to David Brooks for his superb opinion piece, Why Our Elites Stink In this provocatively titled article, Brooks discusses how over the last generation, the meritocracy took over from the old Protestant establishment, rising to positions of power in banking and government.  In his view, the meritocracy believes in the power of an individual's performance, … Continue reading Emphasizing Performance vs. Character at Elite NYC Schools

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

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?

abacusmom Brooklyn Private Schools, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools

Another NYC Private School Sex Scandal

Jenny Anderson today reports on another NYC private school sex scandal, this time at Riverdale.  A teacher engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student. Sadly, Riverdale joins a growing list of NYC private schools that have emerged from sex scandals.  Over the decades, the list includes: Trevor Day (ex-headmaster, web sex case) Poly Prep (ex-football … Continue reading Another NYC Private School Sex Scandal

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

When Should My Child Take the ERB to Get Into NYC Private School Kindergarten?

How old should my child be when she takes the ERB to get into private school kindergarten? The ERB, also known as the ECAA or WPPSI, is the test required by Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Riverdale private schools for admission into kindergarten, 1st grade, and in many cases, pre-kindergarten. To apply to kindergarten, children have to … Continue reading When Should My Child Take the ERB to Get Into NYC Private School Kindergarten?

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

Last Call for Recommended Westchester Day Camp

Today I spoke to my colleagues at my recommended Westchester day camp.  Enrollment for summer 2012 is nearly filled. If you're interested in having your child get out of the city for the summer, learn to swim, have fun, and develop gross motor and social skills which will help him or her in the NYC … Continue reading Last Call for Recommended Westchester Day Camp

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

Will Being Bilingual Help My Child Get Into NYC Private School?

According to The New York Times, being bilingual makes you smarter.  For days, this article has been the paper's most emailed. I'm not surprised, because in my own educational consulting practice about two-thirds of my preschool clients are bi-, or even trilingual.  Many affluent Manhattan families include one or two parents who emigrated from Europe, Latin … Continue reading Will Being Bilingual Help My Child Get Into NYC Private School?

abacusmom Admissions, ISEE Prep, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools

ISEE: Does My Child Need a Tutor to Prep, or Is Just a Review Book OK?

Question from a parent today: Does my child need a tutor for the ISEE or can we just go through a review book? Answer from Private School Authority Master Tutor Nick Ordway: Any student can choose a review book over a tutor.  I myself never had a tutor and always tutored myself when I was … Continue reading ISEE: Does My Child Need a Tutor to Prep, or Is Just a Review Book OK?