Abacus Mom

Washington DC Private Schools Have Stressful Admissions Process Too

All you New Yorkers who think only we have to deal with stressful private school admissions, here's news: in Washington DC it's bad too.  Recently, I've been helping some Washington DC families with kindergarten ERB prep.  One family told me:

"I am so glad you can help us with the kindergarten ERB and admissions because we don't know anyone here in DC who can."

If you're from Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas or any other location with competitive private school admissions, Abacus Guide can provide you with that New York competitive edge.  Limited enrollment available so reserve your child's space.  Please contact us at least three months in advance of your child's test date:  212-712-2228 or eglickman(at)abacusguide.com

Summer: Time to Write Your Kindergarten Admission Essay?

Unfortunately, yes.  Since one of the most sought-after Manhattan private schools shuts down interviewing almost immediately after Labor Day, and others shut down a few weeks later, in-the-know parents are working on their private school kindergarten admissions essays now. 

I have last year's essay questions, as well as ten year's experience helping families with essays.  Throughout the summer I'm helping parents get an early start.  Limited enrollment available so reserve your child's space (212-712-2228, eglickman(at)abacusguide.com.)

Best Speech / Occupational / Physical / ABA Therapists in New York?

Toby Glick of ParentConfidante can help you find the best speech, physical, occupational, or ABA therapists in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Westchester or New Jersey.  She also knows the top pediatricians, developmental pediatricians, neurologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists in the NY metro area.  Get more info about Toby's services at www.parentconfidante.com.

How to Help Kids Transition to Kindergarten

Judy at InsideSchools has an excellent article on easing the transition to kindergarten.

Preschool Learning Disabilities Diagnoses

There have never been more therapists, psychologists, developmental pediatricians, and neurologists who have been more eager to label your preschool-aged child.  Receiving a diagnosis of a learning disability --nonverbal learning disability, asperger's, auditory processing disorder, "on the spectrum", the list goes on.  Parents can easily seek reports from professional after professional, spending thousands of dollars in the process and subjecting their children to numerous doctor's appointments, observations, and tests.

In my experience, early diagnoses are often incorrect, and they unnecessarily upset parents.  Focusing on children's needs and putting together programs to help with challenges is infinitely more helpful than any useless label.  Anyway, as children age, their needs often change.  A label is static, children are not.

Toby Glick of ParentConfidante helps parents navigate these murky waters.  You can learn more at www.parentconfidante.com or email toby(at)parentconfidante.com.

Spring ERB Scores Are In

My spring ERB clients' children have been receiving their ERB results.  I am delighted to report that everyone is thrilled: more than half the kids got double 99's on performance and verbal and everyone got in the 90's.  While certainly no one can guarantee any child's results, Preschoolers' Prep has worked incredibly well for so many kids.

Does My Child Need an ERB Tutor to Get Into Private School Kindergarten?

No.

When he is older, your child may need a tutor for physics, BC Calculus, Mandarin Chinese, marine biology, or any other subject with which you the parent lack expertise.

But luckily, it's different for the kindergarten ERB.  You and your skilled babysitter can handle preschool / kindergarten skills.  You don't need to outsource this job to a fancy tutor, which is why I don't offer tutoring services.  Tutoring four year olds is not a business I want to be in.

Preparing for the ERB should be like stimulating play, not cram school.  It also, especially today, should not be a waste of money. 

Unless your child has a developmental lag, in which case you will probably want to hire a therapist, your child will do best working with you or a skilled caretaker.  That way preparation is play, not "prep".  We're talking about four-year-olds.  We want to keep their lives reasonable despite the unfortunate expectations private schools place upon them.

With my program, Preschoolers' Prep, I teach you what skills and capabilities admissions directors seek from applicants, and recommend a personalized ERB Kit with educational toys and workbooks.  I am very proud of the scores my clients' children have achieved with my program, and the fact that kids have had fun while learning.   To learn more or call 212-712-2228 9am-9pm EST. Limited enrollment available so reserve your child's space.

Hackley School in Westchester

Parents often ask me about Hackley.  How does Hackley compare to the Hill schools in Riverdale?  How does Hackley compare to Westchester public schools?  What does Hackley require for admission? 

All in all, my clients who have applied to and attended Hackley have been impressed by the school.  A number were surprised and delighted by the school's diversity, its wide course offerings, its music program, and the beautiful facilities, including the lovely Hackley lower school.

For help with admission to Hackley and other Riverdale and Westchester private schools, click here.

Limited enrollment available so reserve your child's space. 

American and British Private School Applications Still Up Despite the Recession?

Many thanks to NYC Private Schools Blog , the new, awesome blog about, as you might have guessed, NYC private schools, for drawing our attention to a fascinating article in this week's Economist about trends in private school admission in bad economic times.

The article's author claims that demand so outstrips supply for top private schools that competition will continue unmitigated despite economic turmoil.  My only concern is that the article uses Fieldston admissions data from last year (+14% applicants) which doesn't convince me, given that the recession only hit in October, after many people had applied.  I will be more interested in next year's statistics.

The author's discussion of schools' reputation and the strong tie with longevity and Ivy admissions rates is right on the mark.  I was very interested in the explanation of the barriers to entry for new private schools and the comparison between what's happening in the US and the UK.  I think you will be too.

Best Books for Moving to Westchester, New Jersey, Long Island, Connecticut

Leaving New York City?  Thanks to the recession as well as normal migration, many New Yorkers with young children will move to nearby suburbs this summer.  Not all New Yorkers are thrilled about this--some approach a move with trepidation.  Relax--the suburbs have much to offer.  Some books with more info about the tristate area suburban life:

If You're Thinking of Living in ...All About 115 Great Neighborhoods in and Around New York

This book offers accurate, lengthy descriptions about suburban neighborhoods and helps you make a good choice about which one will best suit your family.

Zagat Westchester

Zagat New Jersey

Zagat Long Island

Zagat Connecticut

The food is better than you imagined these days.

Westchester Magazine

New Jersey Monthly

Connecticut Magazine

You need to get a subscription to the local magazine.  Once a year, suburban magazines offer school special issues, as well as regular schools reporting.  You'll also find best doctors, food, lawn care, pool boys, etc.