abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, Manhattan Private Schools, Private Schools, Westchester Public Schools

International Baccalaureate in New York City

Caroline Porter and Stephanie Banchero have a good article in the Wall Street Journal about the rise in status of the International Baccalaureate Program:  More U.S. Schools Go International Briefly, schools across the United States are adopting the program because it is seen as well preparing students for college and a more globalized world. In Manhattan, … Continue reading International Baccalaureate in New York City

abacusmom Admissions, Private Schools, Public Schools, Westchester Private Schools, Westchester Public Schools

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

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

Kindergarten Redshirting in NYC Got Tougher?

Sarah Gonser has a New York Times article today:  Kindergarten ‘Redshirting’ Gets Tougher in N.Y.C., With Repercussions .  The article confuses me, because holding your child back for public school kindergarten in NYC has always been extremely difficult.  It's only in NYC suburbs and in private schools where parents can easily hold their kids back. According to … Continue reading Kindergarten Redshirting in NYC Got Tougher?

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

I am Pregnant. Do I Need to Hire a NYC Educational Consultant?

No. Urban myth says that NYC preschools keep waiting lists, and you need to get on as soon as that pregnancy stick is positive. Fortunately, even Manhattan and Brooklyn schools are not that crazy. Many New Yorkers call me when they are expecting a baby or have one.  I always tell them that they do … Continue reading I am Pregnant. Do I Need to Hire a NYC Educational Consultant?

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 Westchester Private Schools, Westchester Public Schools

A Big Thank You to State Senator Jeff Klein from Riverdale and Westchester Private Schools

I want to give a special thank you on behalf of Riverdale and Westchester private schools and educational consultants everywhere to State Senator Jeff Klein. Klein voted for the New York State Legislature's tax cap on budget levy increases by school districts and local governments.  Because the bill did not include relief for local governments or … Continue reading A Big Thank You to State Senator Jeff Klein from Riverdale and Westchester Private Schools

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!

abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, Educational Consulting, ERB Prep, ERBs, Learn to Read, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, Private Schools, Public Schools, Reading, Riverdale Private Schools, School advisor, Special Needs Manhattan, Special Needs NYC, Speech Therapy NYC, Westchester Private Schools, Westchester Public Schools

More on When Should My Child Start Kindergarten

Thanks to Jessica Kelmon of GreatSchools for her excellent article, When should kids start kindergarten?  Kelmon writes: Yet another part of the equation with today’s high-stakes testing is that we expect more of kindergartners. Unfortunately, they’re less prepared for success. "Kindergarten is much more academic than ever," says Emily Glickman, a Manhattan-based educational consultant. "Many people feel that kindergarten is … Continue reading More on When Should My Child Start Kindergarten

abacusmom Admissions, Brooklyn Private Schools, Kindergarten, Learn to Read, Manhattan Private Schools, NYC Private Schools, NYC Public Schools, Parenting, Private Schools, Public Schools, Reading, Riverdale Private Schools, School advisor, Westchester Private Schools, Westchester Public Schools

Again, Not Enough Room in Some NYC Public School Zoned Kindergartens

Do you pay your city taxes? Do you think your children are entitled to decent schooling in your own neighborhood? Well, forget it. If you live in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens, for another year, overcrowding is leading to waitlists at some renowned local public kindergartens.  The New York Times's Fernanda Santos tells the story:  In Packed … Continue reading Again, Not Enough Room in Some NYC Public School Zoned Kindergartens

abacusmom Admissions, Hill Schools, Riverdale Private Schools, Westchester Private Schools, Westchester Public Schools

Wasn’t My Westchester House Supposed to Be in a Good School District?

More Westchester families are disturbed by local public school budget cutbacks.  Moms and dads are increasingly well educated about curriculum, and in some areas are protesting how math and other subjects are taught, or which classes or technology is offered in public schools.  Many Westchester families are fed up that they bought houses in what … Continue reading Wasn’t My Westchester House Supposed to Be in a Good School District?