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

NYC Private Schools: What is a Private School Thank You Letter? An I Love You Letter? A First Choice Letter?

NYC Private Schools Lingo: A Thank You Letter thanks private school admissions staff. An I Love You Letter explains how much you love the school. A First Choice Letter says your child will definitely go if admitted. Should you send these letters?  When should you send them?  How many should you send? These are the kinds of questions I discuss and … Continue reading NYC Private Schools: What is a Private School Thank You Letter? An I Love You Letter? A First Choice Letter?

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

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

NYC Private School Interviews: How to Ace the Admissions Interview

From a client today: We had a busy day yesterday!  We had our parent interview at <well-known Manhattan private school> and we were soooooo glad to have been prepped by you.  It went very well! Hooray!  At Abacus Guide, we prep parents and middle and high school students for private school interview success.  If you're … Continue reading NYC Private School Interviews: How to Ace the Admissions Interview

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

A Bouquet from a Mom Today

I was surprised today to receive a beautiful bouquet.  When I emailed a thank you to the kind mom who sent them, she wrote back: (with identifying details removed) The bouquet is actually late – I should have sent it immediately after our last phone call. <Child's name> is still at summer camp.  She will … Continue reading A Bouquet from a Mom Today

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

Half of Dalton’s Incoming Kindergarteners are Students of Color

Sophia Hollander of The Wall Street Journal broke the story today that almost half of Dalton's incoming kindergarteners are students of color: At Dalton, a Push for Change Hollander writes: Dalton will dramatically exceed the citywide average for kindergarten diversity at New York's private schools, which was 30% students of color last year, according to data … Continue reading Half of Dalton’s Incoming Kindergarteners are Students of Color

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

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

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

Which NYC Private Schools Don’t Require the ERB for Kindergarten?

Little Red? Village Community School? Ramaz? Lycee Francais? Corlears? Sorry, these Manhattan private schools changed their entrance policies.  They want the ERB for kindergarten. So which private schools don't? Saint Ann's City and Country Manhattan Country School Bank Street Calhoun Mandell and a few more which I share with my School Selection clients.  I also … Continue reading Which NYC Private Schools Don’t Require the ERB for Kindergarten?

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

Best NYC Schools for International Students? NYC Schools with the International Baccalaureate? Help!

Every year I help international families find the best private and public schools in NYC (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Riverdale), Westchester, Long Island, and New Jersey.  Often families seek schools with the International Baccalaureate curriculum and my opinion of available educational and IB options.  My recent clients have hailed from England, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Singapore, Hong … Continue reading Best NYC Schools for International Students? NYC Schools with the International Baccalaureate? Help!