The Manhattan Family Guide to Private Schools

Rating:
Summary: Save the $27 plus tax for school fees
Review: As a parent who has been through the Manhattan private school interview route, I have to say my only regret is buying this book. It might be handy if you want to read details about ERBs and a definition of an independent school, but you just don't need this guide! Our daughter got into most of the schools we applied for--ergo we had lots to choose from. And in the end, we returned the book to B&N because it's not even a comprehensive guide! (It doesn't purport to be, but then, what's the point? You may as well do your own internet research based on location or some other criteria.) Furthermore, the information for each school in the book is not consistent. Some of them go on and on and on, and others only get a page and a half. Bizarre. Pointless.

Rating:
Summary: Who needs Stephen King??
Review: Very useful for the addresses and contact names
and numbers at each school.

Otherwise the book provides the stereotyped
image associated with each school. Mixed in you
will find Zagat style sentence fragment gushings.
"Many" readers will find it "tacky" and "annoying"
representing a " nose pressed up against the window"
point of view.

Better to just invest the time and visit the schools.

Rating:
Summary: Zagats guide to Manhattan schools
Review: Very useful for the addresses and contact names
and numbers at each school.

Otherwise the book provides the stereotyped
image associated with each school. Mixed in you
will find Zagat style sentence fragment gushings.
"Many" readers will find it "tacky" and "annoying"
representing a " nose pressed up against the window"
point of view.

Better to just invest the time and visit the schools.

Rating:
Summary: A Wealth of Information
Review: When my son began the first grade I had a strong interest in placing him in a challenging school that will increase his potential to learn. The Manhattan Family Guide to Private Schools helped me in the process of finding the appropriate school for my son. The book provides detailed information such as, tuition, amount of grants received by the school each year, address, telephone number, etc. I was especially thrilled by the chapters focusing on financial aid, scholarship programs and testing referrals. I recommend this book to anyone in the preliminary process of finding a specialized school in Manhattan.

Rating:
Summary: Very Good Introduction to NYC Private Schools
Review: While there are many college guidebooks available, unfortunately there are only a few books about NYC private schools. And despite the different titles, these books often contain content written by the schools themselves. Refreshingly, Goldman and Hausman's book is different because it is written by two private school moms. Seeking input from private school parents and students, the two authors offer more inclusive profiles than are available elsewhere. As a local educational consultant, I often recommend this book to my families as a good starting point for their research. The new edition is more comprehensive than ever. .....

Rating:
Summary: Who needs Stephen King??
Review: You can read this book and get just as horrified. The authors give lots of practical information in one central place, but stop short of telling what we really need to know. What does acceptance REALLY entail? What sort of student flourishes at each school? Does actual merit count for anything, or is it all just luck, appearance and connections? Also they are inconsistent with their descriptions of the schools~ for example they describe a sports or music program at one school, but don't even mention those programs or lack thereof at others. All in all,buying this one of the many necessary evils to raising a child in NYC if you are not fortunate enough to have connections.