NYC School Secrets

I’m getting all confused with the school choices in NYC and this book provides a clear big picture overview. in addition, it contains links to many useful topics and having it in digital version makes it easy to click on the links to learn more about a particular topic of interest. Highly recommended!

I’ve taken part in Alina’s online seminars, sought her advice, and consulted her written materials on numerous occasions. She helped us navigate the kindergarten admissions process and to advocate for our child when the DOE gave us the runaround. She has been an invaluable resource and I would highly recommend her!

Highly recommend this book if you are in NYC or consider moving here and getting your child into Kindergarten. Alina is going into great detail, explaining thoroughly what to expect from the process, what things to consider, outlines the timeline and possible strategies: you will gain a lot of info for your money along with related links. Also consider going to one of her free workshops, where you get to meet the author and ask questions relevant to your situation.

Buy this now if you live in NYC and are considering the public school system. Invaluable.

Alina Adams is an excellent resource whether you’re interested in public school options, private school options, or both. Her candor is atypical and a breath of fresh air.

Alina Adams helps navigate you through every step of the NYC kindergarten application process in this essential book with support, up-to-date information and spot-on wisdom. The best book on this particular subject yet. Must get!

Updated every year! A++++

The book provides invaluable information on the preparation and application processes for NYC kindergarten admissions. We will refer to it every step of the way; only wish we got our hands on it sooner!

Read more “NYC School Process is Nuts. This will help!”

This is has been a clear, comprehensive guide to the daunting task of finding the right high NY school for our child. I highly recommend it.

Wish I had read this first, and over a year ago! Really helpful in laying out the changes over the years (which I was finding impossible to figure out, even after removing pandemic influenced changes).Doesn’t address the fact that the “Getting Into NYC K” actually for many programs (both public and private) is now “Getting into NYC Pre-K”. (Or at least that’s my sense, in the middle of the PreK season right now.)

I read this cover to cover! Full of well-structured, clear and concise information for first-time NYC Kindergarten navigators. The author makes herself available for one on one and group questions which is very very helpful when you want to tease out specific situations. I had a half hour phone session with the author and all of my questions were answered. Thank you Alina!

Informative, easy to read, honest insight into navigating NYC Kindergarten! A must read for anyone embarking on their children’s school journey in New York City.

Such a great help understanding the difference between schools!!! This kindergarten application process can be very overwhelm and I this book has helped me a lot! Thanks!

Read more “5.0 out of 5 stars wealth of knowledge”

Read more “Best Book”

Alina’s book and webcasts are phenomenal.

Alina guided us through the kindergarten process with tailored recommendations gleaned from taking a thorough intake. Her insights ultimately led to strong choices and a perfect match for our child.

I met Alina at one of her NYC workshops and immediately purchased this book afterwards. It explains the NYC school admissions process so thoroughly and I felt so well prepared and informed thanks to this book. If you are a parent in NYC, you need this book!

The light in the tunnel! – that’s how I feel after reading this book and speaking to Alina. The book helped a lot to clarify many questions: I found all necessary information to understand the process, to identify the goals and to make a plan. I was able to discuss with Alina my personal situation what helped a busy mom’s mind to get a piece of mind 🙂 Highly recommended!

This book is a wonderful guide to help you understand the various options for high school in New York City. There are so many things to consider when applyingand the process can be so confusing. The information was so helpful in figuring out what was right for our family.

After reading the first chapter of the book, I wrote down all my questions and just paid for a call with Alina. No one has so frankly broken down the school system for me before. I mentioned what she told me to my son’s ABA therapist who works with the DOE and she confirmed everything Alina said. In 30 minutes she had offered SEVERAL solutions to our (possible) predicament. If you cannot afford her phone call, READ THIS BOOK. If you CAN afford her phone call, READ THIS BOOK TO REMIND YOU OF WHAT SHE TOLD YOU.

Read more “Extremely helpful to get an overarching picture of the whole school system”

A must-have to wrap your head around the kindergarden/elementary school admissions process in NYC and great that it is digital given the constant changes.

everything from her G&T calculator, her website, videos and of course this book are life savers for a NYC parent as myself. I was totally lost until I came across her work

This book is an excellent reference that would guide parents through the tedious and complicated kindergarten admissions proccess. Meeting with Alina brought me back to sanity. She understood my priorities and catered to my requests. I left with a long list of possible schools and a specific to do list.

Extremely useful information. Alina Adams knows everything!

Give yourself time for this journey. Read the book, write down your questions. Schedule a call with Alina, go back to the book, write down more questions, talk to parents/friends, then schedule another call. You will not understand the system the first time to approach the subject, so give yourself a moment to read, digest, then repeat. Alina has an impressive hold on this knowledge and you can benefit from her many, many years experience with this book.

Read more “Timely and valuable information”

Read more “I strongly recommend this book”

This book is incredibly helpful. The writer clarifies a very confusing process and has lots of great suggestions. My son turns three in December and I’m glad I read this book now. Hopefully by the time testing and applications start we will be ready!

Read more “Frani C.”

Read more “A Great Overview of Everything You Need to Know About NYC School Admissions!”

This book has very good informations I did not know about applying for different high schools. And how the school system works.

A good start if you feel overwhelmed by this confusing NYC Kindergarten system. I feel more confident, armed, and ready to start now. Thank you!

I’ve been a subscriber to Alina’s educational blog NewYorkSchoolTalk.org for a few years now, and I can’t emphasize enough how much valuable information she has shared on the G&T process. From tips and tricks to ranking schools, working a waitlist, calculating the best test date, I’ve learned so much from her webinars , and would recommend her to anyone trying to navigate the NYC school application process.

Alina summarizes everything you need to know about your child’s elementary school options in New York. The book is well-written, organized in a very intuitive way and is updated on a regular basis to show relevant information. Alina uses an appropriate amount of humor to support her points and it’s easy to read.

Such a clear breakdown of a complicated system! The timeline is a very helpful tool as well! Thank you for this 🙂  

I have been following Alina Adams for my daugters Kindergarten admissions and being on her mailing list was very helpful. I always got timely alerts for activity and steps that needed to be completed. I have also attended her call for advice on ranking schools and picked up some great tips. The perspective really helps! I would recommend any parents going through the admissions process to get on her mailing list and attend her events. It’s worth it!

I have not read this edition of the book but I have read a past edition as well as following Alina’s blog, newsletter, and YouTube channel. Alina is *the* expert on NYC schools. If you need help navigating the process (and you do), this book is for you.

I saw Alina speak at a local workshop and subsequently purchased her book for follow ups. Her information stays up to date with the ebook and you are able to get emails with any DOE changes as well as links to all of the forms and paperwork as needed too. We live in a not so great area for schools and she was able to give me some rays of sunlight for our kids, but without giving us unrealistic expectations. I would recommend this book to anyone who is embarking on the NYC school journey.

Alina Adams has built a great network of information for parents facing the hardships of NYC School choice. Getting information has taken away a lot of the anxiety I had in finding the perfect school for my young children. This fall I’ll be on my journey to Kindergarten admissions, and I can’t wait!

We have read Alina’s book (and went to a seminar). The book is extremely informative to navigate the crazy NY school applications process. Everything is well explained and organized; truly helps to navigate the maze. Honestly don’t know we would have done it without it.

This book is an excellent starting point to orient yourself in the byzantine labyrinth of NYC school. It helped us a lot when we started searching for better schools for our daughter. The author also runs very helpful podcasts that provide more details about NYC schools.

The public school options in NYC are super confusing and Alina Adams is THE expert on NYC public schools. Her book is thorough without being confusing and has specific links and deadlines the she updates every year. I found it so helpful that I subscribed to her podcast and email too. If you’re a parent of a toddler, do yourself a favor and but this ebook.

If I could give more than 5 stars I definitely would! Is a great book! Extremely thorough and informative. She provides links and resources that are crucial in this process.

Read more “Priceless information on the NYC school system that you can’t find anywhere else”

Read more “Eliza S.”

Good book for getting into kindergarten. My wife and I really loved it and would highly recommend it to others.

Read more “Anetta W.”

I attended Alina’s G&T workshop in April and found it hugely helpful. I asked her for insights of the top schools and discussed rank orderings with her. I’ve been on school tours which are helpful but by design they can be a bit biased. What Alina offers is truly unbiased discussions of strengths and weaknesses of each school which forms important basis for comparison. We just learned my child is going to Anderson. We could not be happier. Alina’s workshop is truly differentiated and offers information not available elsewhere.

If you’re looking for a clear and concise guide to the overwhelming labyrinth of NYC schools, buy this book. Alina Adams has put in one place a user-friendly road map that allows parents who are confronting the NYC school system for the first time a way in which to navigate their way through. Between the book and Ms. Adams’ willingness to talk with parents, she is a great resource.

Alina has been an invaluable resource for my family in navigating the New York City school systems, both public and private. She has guided us through decisions regarding my son’s education since kindergarten, and he is now off to a middle school that we are thrilled with, in no small part due to Alina’s expertise and support. We are eternally grateful for her!

Excellent overview of the NYC K system and the admissions process.

I feel like Alina took my hand and walked me through the mirky waters of getting into kindergarten. Subscribe to her email list ASAP because she will remind you of important dates and times to your due dates, your results, and how to make sense of it all. She goes above and beyond!Start with the book and get on her mailing list. She will tell you things you wouldn’t know otherwise.

I find this book to be very thorough and informative. The timeline provided is a great resource and the book provides insider tips and tricks. Alina has been extremely helpful in my quest to find the perfect school for my twins. Alina is super knowledgable and personable! I highly recommend.

Read more “We now have a strategy we are comfortable with!”

Read more “The book is a great overview of the NYC system for elementary schools”