NYC PRIVATE SCHOOLS REJECTION BLUES
Now that the NYC private school acceptance and rejection letters have been mailed out, some parents are thrilled and relieved and some are sorely disappointed. While some children are basking in their parents’ approval, others no doubt feel that they have let their parents down. Parents need to be aware that children are highly sensitive to their parents’ moods and are listening even when they don’t seem to be.
It is important for parents to be especially loving, accepting and encouraging at this time and to be alert to any unusual signs of stress in their children. If a child expresses any fears about their schools (don’t forget they’ve been coached, tested, interviewed) they should be reassured that they will go to a good school which they’ll love.
And they probably will love the school they go to. In addition, they may ultimately do even better academically than they would in a more selective school. There is a body of research called the Big Fish Little Pond Effect which has shown that some children in very selective educational placements often have less academic self esteem and lower academic achievement than similar children in less competitive educational settings. In short, it’s better to be a Big Fish in a Small Pond than a Small Fish in a Big Pond.
Given the NYC private school scene, it's more important than ever to work with an educational consultant who can help you maximize the chances for acceptance into your desired school but who can also steer you towards other schools where your child can thrive. This is especially true if there is any kind of learning or behavior issue which may be a red flag at some schools. To get more information, contact toby@ParentConfidante School Success Consulting.