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.

Thoughts on New York Times' "Tips for the Admissions Test to Kindergarten"

Today Sharon Otterman of The New York Times brings to light what's happening behind parents' closed doors:  Tips for the Admissions Test ... to Kindergarten

As I've discussed before, test prep for four year olds is rampant.  Otterman profiles a new test prep company that focuses on both gifted and talented public and private school admission (OLSAT and ERB prep).  The company sends tutors to work with four year olds.  (My position is that ERB prep is not rocket science.  There's no reason to hire a professional tutor when any parent or competent, bright babysitter can handle the preschool level material required for the tests.)  In the Times article, I comment:

“It’s the same phenomenon as with the SATs: a gradual rise in test prep, until it becomes the norm,” said Emily Glickman, a Manhattan educational consultant. “Given that the demand for high-stakes schools outstrips supply, that’s what’s happening.”

I was very interested to read what the admissions director of a very prominent private school said about test prep:

“It’s unethical.  It completely negates the reason for giving the test, which is to provide a snapshot of their aptitudes, and it doesn’t correlate with their future success in school.”

I see this completely differently.  Requiring four year olds to take a test is unethical.  The ERB test does not provide a snapshot of their aptitudes, since plenty of shy, ill, hungry, late developing kids do not do well before they prep.  I cannot tell you how many brilliant poor testers I have met over the years.  Finally, the ERB test given at four obviously has very little correlation with future success in school since everyone knows that children develop and blossom at different ages.

Clearly, with all this publicity about ERB prep (this article and the one a few months ago about another test prep company), there will be less emphasis on scores this year.  The problem the private schools face:  they need to manage their yields (the number of accepted kids who actually enroll).  The ERB test with its clear scores gives admissions directors a tool to determine in advance a particular child's likelihood to enroll (top scorers will likely choose schools like Dalton and Trinity, low scorers less sought-after schools).  On the other hand, with extensive prep both in widespread prep programs and in the nursery schools themselves, more and more kids are scoring high 90's.  This makes choosing kindergarteners more difficult, so I believe there will be more nursery school brokering happening this year.

Urban Myth #1: ERB Test Includes Mazes

Sometimes, someone will call me and say something along the lines of,  "Junior rocks mazes!  I got him a maze workbook and he gets it!  He's set for the ERB!"

However, sadly for these individuals, mazes aren't on the ERB for kindergarten.  Mazes used to be, but no longer.  They've been off the ERB for a number of years.

Hmm, you think.  That's weird.  The ERB supposedly quantifies a child's intelligence and suitability for private school.  Mazes used to be thought to indicate intelligence, and now they don't?

I agree.  It IS weird.  But that's ERB rationale for you.

If your child likes mazes, for fun (and maybe development of fine motor skills), try:  Kumon My Book of Easy Mazes.

With my program, Preschoolers' Prep, I teach you what skills and capabilities admissions directors do 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.

We're British; Where Do We Send Our Children to School in New York?

Every year, many British families call me seeking private or public schools in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the New York City suburbs.  While there is a British private school in New York, many British families seek American schools for a full cultural experience.  Particularly in the younger years, British kids can easily transfer back and forth between American and British schools.

I recommend schools both in the suburbs and in NYC.  Families are commonly concerned that American schools will not be sufficiently challenging, particularly since British elementary schools start a year earlier with the Reception year.

If you're a British or international family seeking help with NYC schooling, I welcome your contact.  Limited enrollment available so reserve your child's space. 212-712-2228 or eglickman(at)abacusguide.com

Familiarity Breeds Better Test Scores

Today the Times' Javier Hernandez had an excellent article, A Moo Moo Here, and Better Test Scores Later.   The article's key point:

Educators have long known that prior knowledge of a subject can significantly improve a child’s performance on tests. If parents have read medieval tales to their children every night, they are likely to glide through questions about King Arthur.

With this in mind, students from Harlem Success Academy visited a farm to get a leg up on New York State math and English exams.

I understand administrators' goals.  They're right -- without question, comfort with a subject improves test scores.  This is true not only for the New York State exams but also for the SAT and even so-called intelligence tests like the ERB.

I hope the children also enjoyed the visit to the farm.  When kindergarten children take field trips for test prep, I hope we as adults take pause.  This is yet another symptom of our test-obsessed society.  Hopefully in this case there was an upside--city children take a trip to the country--vs. the usual downside.

Getting into Stuyvesant (SHSAT Test Prep)

Back in the day, the people I knew who attended Stuyvesant liked to program, build bridges, play chess, and smoke pot. 

It's not so laid-back anymore.  Have you seen all the storefronts devoted to Stuyvesant Specialized High Schools Admissions Test prep? 

If you can afford it, get a tutor.  Contact me for the best Stuyvesant tutors: one of them used to give talks at Stuyvesant with me.

If you can't, take a class.  Be careful at these storefront places that they're not just mindless drill-and-kill.  Make sure they're actually teaching to the Stuyvesant test.

A great prep book to get: 

Cracking the New York City Specialized High Schools Admissions Test

And finally, a book about Stuyvesant, as well as other top NYC public high schools:

New York City's Best Public High Schools

Getting Into Hunter

As a Hunter grad, I can tell you, the old days were easy: you went in, you took the Hunter test, you prayed, and sometimes you made it.

These days, it's not so simple.  The test prep wave has raised the bar for everyone. 

If you can afford it, get a tutor.  Contact me for the best Hunter tutors: one of them I have known since I went to Hunter.  (He was the student body president.)

If you can't, take a class.

A book about Hunter, as well as other top NYC public high schools:  New York City's Best Public High Schools

Amy Sohn's New Novel Prospect Park West "Gets" Private Schools

Just finished Amy Sohn's new novel, Prospect Park West.  While the ending disappointed me, on the whole it is an entertaining read.  Sohn takes chick lit to a fresh milieu, Park Slope, and makes a number of astute observations about contemporary urban parenting.

Sohn includes some private and public schools gossip, much of which is right on the mark.  She portrays real-life and fictional Brooklyn and downtown celebrities, and explains which schools are popular with them.  Look for some remarks about Saint Ann's, as well as public school zoning shenanigans.

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.