Abacus Mom

2009 Private School Admissions: The Year in Review

As we close out 2009, here's what we'll remember about this eventful year:

• Public school zoning became so uncertain and chaotic that for the first time, people applied to private school just in case public didn't work out;
• Thanks to ample coverage in the press, ERB prep for kindergarten became a headline, ruffling feathers throughout the ISAAGNY community;
• The lower level ISEE, with new questions and new scoring, proved problematic for many test-takers;
• Family affluence counted in admissions--more than ever;
• Financial aid for new families proved more elusive;
• The tumultuous economy didn't damper families' enthusiasm for Dalton, Collegiate, Trinity, and other top brand name schools;
• So in Lake Wobegon all the children are above average.  Since here in New York, our children are gifted, a new school for this population almost immediately gained traction with Manhattan parents.

Here's to a happy and successful 2010!!!

For our help with your child's 2010-2011 application, or call 212-712-2228 9am-9pm EST. Limited enrollment available so please reserve your child's space early.

More on ISEE Lower Level 2009 Results

A reader wrote in today,

Your blog is wonderful, thank you! I have been noticing that ISEE scores for the lower level exam have been coming back very low as well. Is there any reason for this, or information on this phenomenon on the Internet?

Possible reasons I have been able to track down so far from my tutor sources: some overly difficult material not suitable for 5th graders, the insertion of beta questions throughout the test that may have thrown some test takers off, and possible misscoring in some cases.

ISEE (ERB) Scores Coming In

Families applying to private school 6th grade and 9th grade, take note:  ISEE (ERB) scores are coming in lower than usual this year.  The Independent School Entrance Exam test was revised in 2009.  Scores, stanines, and percentile ranks are less than what many families anticipated due to the changes in the test.  We are tracking news closely.  Stay tuned...

Confidential Source Indicates Private School Directors of Admissions "Pissed"

Unsurprisingly, a confidential source in-the-know tells me that private school directors of admissions are indeed "pissed" by the two New York Times articles this fall disclosing all the ERB prepping going on for kindergarten.  Chances are, private schools will place less emphasis than usual on ERB scores and more on child interview performance.

I have been blogging about this for weeks.  In my experience, directors of admission detest private companies profiteering off their admissions process, and resent parents who don't want to go through it blind.  Clearly, since prepping works--whether it's for the ERB or for interview performance, this whole process is a charade.  The idea of judging four year olds and predicting their future success is wrong, period.

Coed or Single Sex Private Schools?

Frequently people ask me whether single sex or coed private schools are better.  It's a very controversial subject, and there's no clear answer. 

This new article from the UK Guardian presents excellent arguments for both sides.  I have read quite a bit on this subject, and the writers here have some insights that you don't usually see.  If you are thinking about single sex or coed private school, here's the link to this Guardian piece.