May 2025 Newsletter
Summer Review!
Thank you for allowing us to help your families this year and for the last twenty-two years. We have been watching your children grow up, go to college, and beyond. Now we are helping a new generation of parents understand the school process and how to navigate the journey.
Our practice continues to flourish. This year alone we served 120 families, placed children in over 22 schools which includes, private, public, special, preschools, and boarding schools.
Here is our extensive list to date of day school placements and acceptances:
Atlanta International School, Atlanta Speech School, Ben Franklin, The Children’s School, Cliff Valley, Davis Academy, Fulton Science Academy, Galloway, Holy Innocents, Lovett, Marist, Mt. Vernon, Pace, Paideia, Schenck, St. Martins, St. Pius, The New School, The Swift School, The Howard School, Trinity, Wesleyan, Westminster, Whitefield Academy, Woodward Academy plus various public schools and preschools.
We could not have done this without the support of the admission teams from all these schools. They are incredible folks who make our work easy, enjoyable and exhilarating!
What does an educational consultant do:
A) We help families understand the school process for their family.
B) We assist families in their exploration of schools.
C) We determine a specialized path for each family and provide expertise in the analysis of grades and testing, interview techniques, and specific strategies needed for success.
D) We help with your individual, educational concerns and find the specific specialists or resources, as needed.
E) We help with recommending summer activities, special activities, or team activities needed for your child.
F) We help new parents determine where to live, what preschools are available and/or what pediatrician to use?
If you know someone who may need us, we are already accepting new clients for 2025-2026.
Now let’s highlight some major summer areas! These are subjects which we are constantly concerned about and review regularly.
Reading: No matter where you are this summer, books must be part of the life of your family. Grade level appropriate reading lists are available from schools, libraries and even online. Be sure your child is reading at his/her grade level or beyond. Let them choose from different genres ranging from biographies to graphic novels. The number of books is not as important but generally 3-4 would be a start. Before school is out, get a list from your current teacher or from the media specialist at your school..
Math: Summer is for relaxing and fun but it is critical to keep their math minds open and review what they have learned this year and before. From memorizing math facts, to reviewing how to do fractions, this is a good time to fill the gaps. If you are not able to help, get a workbook or two. Find someone who can reinforce the areas of need. Again, check with your current teacher for advice but we are available to get you on a path of review. If your child works even one hour per week reviewing, you will notice a difference. We must work on building confidence in the weaker areas and math is one of those subjects that needs constant review and reinforcement.
Writing: Our children do not get enough writing during the year. They are so busy with work in all subjects that one of the biggest complaints we hear from parents is that ‘my child can’t write.’ Have your child pick out a journal or notebook and let them be creative and write. Write a comic strip; write a letter to a friend; write about their trip or what their favorite meal would be. If handwriting is of concern, then let them use the computer to write their thoughts. Illustrate their work; make a book and bind it together. You need to be industrious to get your child to sit down and write.
Play, Socialization, and Downtime will lead to better productivity. This does not mean staying on the ipad or phone. Children must get outside, have friends over, take walks, play board games, do team activities and have time with you, sharing and communicating on all subjects. This area is critical for improving brain development and social skills. It is okay for your child to “be bored.” This unstructured time is so important to their development. Put away devices that are distracting their minds and use summer as an opportunity to put away your own as well.
It is important to communicate with your child. Plan your summer for enjoyment! We are here to help you with your educational needs and your plans going forward. Thank you for taking the time to read this; for trusting us with your children and for passing our name along to others.
We care about you,
Happy summer!
Barbara, Betsy, Fontaine and Margo