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Alina Adams
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Getting Into NYC Kindergarten: Updated for 2025 - and beyond! Kindle Edition

by Alina Adams (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 111 ratings
UPDATED to include the newest Gifted & Talented application process! If you will be applying your child to New York City Kindergarten, you could pay $50,000 to a private consultant, or you could read “Getting Into NYC Kindergarten,” the only book of its kind that covers everything the Department of Education doesn't want you to know, and lists all of your available options, including:

· Public School/General Ed (zoned and unzoned)
· Public School Dual Language
· Public School Gifted & Talented (Citywide and District)
· Public Charter Schools
· Hunter College Elementary School
· Private Schools (Independent and Religious)

Plus advice on whether to prep your child for intelligence tests, insider tips on “working the waitlist,” how to ace a parent interview, the pros and cons of red-shirting, and a detailed timeline covering everything you should be doing in the 18 (yes, 18!) months prior to your child starting Kindergarten.

The Department of Education is constantly changing its own procedures. Don't get left behind or tripped up! It is possible to raise your odds of getting into your first-choice school, but the window of opportunity is very brief. Don't fill out any forms until you've read this book!

*** Alina Adams is a NYT best-selling author who also writes for Epicenter NYC and The 74, and is a contributor to The Daily News, The New York Post, the Today Show Parenting blog, Mommy Poppins, Red Tricycle, Kveller, Café Mom, and BlogHer. Got a question about Kindergarten in NYC? Workshops, webisodes, podcasts and a calculator to help your figure out the optimal date for your child's tests are at: www.NYCSchoolSecrets.com
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  1. Print length
    67 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    April 19, 2015
  5. File size
    154 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00WERQCV8
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 19, 2015
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 9th
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 154 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 67 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 111 ratings

About the author

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Alina Adams

Alina Adams

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

My first book, "The Fictitious Marquis," came out in June of 1995. Twenty years later, I figure it's time to shake things up a little.

For 20 years, I've heard lots of advice about how to become a successful author. I am now about to throw it all out the window.

#1) Never let anyone see anything but your very, very best work.

After 20 years and over a dozen published books, I am writing my next romance novel live online at: www.AlinaAdams.com/live. Readers can follow along with my every key-stroke, see my typos, my mistakes, my clunky prose and my plot dead ends that I delete the next day. They can watch me edit, and they can offer their own suggestions. Along the way, I hope everyone gets a better idea of what it's like to write a book from start to finish. (It's not magic, and it's not divine inspiration. It's simply hard work, even on days when you don't feel like it. Especially on days when you don't feel like it.)

#2) Stick to one genre so you can build an audience.

I've written romance novels, figure skating mysteries, family sagas, and now a non-fiction book about the trials and tribulations of getting into Kindergarten in NYC. (It costs $9.99 and is geared for all those parents who can't afford a $10,000 private consultant. Yes, people do hire them. To get their kids into Kindergarten.)

#3) Don't try anything too radical that readers won't understand.

A few years ago, I took my traditionally published figure-skating mystery novels and turned them into enhanced ebooks, with video from the Ice Theatre of NY embedded alongside the story. People still aren't sure what to make of them. Think of it as a book and movie in one. Why just read about figure-skating, after all, when you can actually see the routines described!

How will all this rule-breaking turn out? I don't know... you tell me!

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
111 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book informative, with one noting it provides a clear breakdown of a complicated system. Moreover, the timeline is helpful, and customers appreciate that the content is regularly updated to show relevant information.

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29 customers mention "Information quality"29 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative, with one customer noting it provides a clear breakdown of a complicated system.

"...the book when my daughter was 2 years old and it has served as a great reference for all these “prep” years when you’re doing your research and..." Read more

"...not a comprehensive guide to every single school, but invaluable at seeing the whole picture and getting a sense of what you want for your family...." Read more

"...book helped me make sense of the process and gave me confidence regarding my planning correctly for the decisions I will be making over the next two..." Read more

"Extremely thorough and informative book! How crazy is it that we need a book to explain getting into kindergarten in NYC?..." Read more

7 customers mention "Timeline"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the timeline helpful, with one mentioning it provides useful information for potential hedging actions.

"...were our first, second and back up options and provided the timeline for potential hedging actions..." Read more

"...The timeline is very helpful and the content is always being updated since the DOE and independent schools are often changing their systems...." Read more

"Such a clear breakdown of a complicated system! The timeline is a very helpful tool as well!Thank you for this :)" Read more

"...interview, the pros and cons of red-shirting, and a detailed timeline covering everything you should be doing in the 18 (yes, 18!)..." Read more

5 customers mention "Content update"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate that the book is regularly updated to include relevant information.

"...The timeline is very helpful and the content is always being updated since the DOE and independent schools are often changing their systems...." Read more

"...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..." Read more

"...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!" Read more

"...being confusing and has specific links and deadlines the she updates every year...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Anon
    5.0 out of 5 stars The book is a great overview of the NYC system for elementary schools
    Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The book is a great overview of the NYC system for elementary schools. I purchased the book when my daughter was 2 years old and it has served as a great reference for all these “prep” years when you’re doing your research and talking to other parents. I actually printed it out and turned into a notebook with all my notes on the margins. What is absolutely instrumental is Alina’s coaching services – at some point I realized that I had all the information but couldn’t come up with a strategy that would work for our particular circumstances. Alina gave me great advice, laying out what were our first, second and back up options and provided the timeline for potential hedging actions (including moving to a different school zone as a very last resort). She worked with us patiently as we were put on a wait list to our top choice school and gave excellent advice on how to work it. Needless to say, we received the offer.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Arly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely helpful to get an overarching picture of the whole school system
    Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Alina Adams' book is a must-read for parents who plan to have kids in school in New York City. The system can be as complicated as you want it to be, and this book gives a solid framework for understanding the basics of the system. Once you read it you'll have a solid foundation to delve into the parts of the system that you're interested in. The timeline is very helpful and the content is always being updated since the DOE and independent schools are often changing their systems. Since it's an e-Book you'll have the links to the latest information. It's short and to the point, a quick read packed with information. It's not a comprehensive guide to every single school, but invaluable at seeing the whole picture and getting a sense of what you want for your family. Plus she just has a lot of helpful hints and good ideas since she's worked with many families in this process.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Stamatin
    5.0 out of 5 stars I strongly recommend this book
    Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I strongly recommend this book. The content is exactly spot on and serves as an important read for any expectant parent about to embark on the cyclone of options, competition, public policies and types of schools which your family and pre-K darling will face in the coming few years. Adam’s book is full of facts and insights that EVERY parent should be aware like the positives and negatives of each type of public and private schools in the modern era of choices in which we live if you’re a NYC dweller or are planning to become one and want to get your child into the right kindergarten program. While I’m still mulling over options for my own child, this book helped me make sense of the process and gave me confidence regarding my planning correctly for the decisions I will be making over the next two years of my family’s life and child’s education.
    One person found this helpful
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  • NYC Lifer
    4.0 out of 5 stars NYC School Process is Nuts. This will help!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Extremely thorough and informative book! How crazy is it that we need a book to explain getting into kindergarten in NYC? Very....but if you want to navigate the myriad of options, this book is a must. I do not know that there is a better way to learn about the differences between the different programs (even if excluding private schools) - the time table that the author provides is very valuable as well. I am sure this information (or most of it anyway) exists out there, if you have the time and energy to decipher the DOE website, various parenting board posting sites, and talk to all of your neighbors with older children. But I don't have that time, so this book really helped!
    Helpful
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  • Kate Spikler
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book
    Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I just ordered and devoured Alina Adams' book. I'm your typical NYC parent overwhelmed and anxious about the options available to our child for Kindergarten. We don't live in a particularly great public school district, have a very limited budget for private school, and feel that a G&T option where a 99% score is too much of a stretch to rely on. Alina was able to give us concrete information and options to help us feel like that it would all work out and we would still find the right solution for our child. She spells everything out very clearly (time lines, types of schools, testing, etc.) , explaining every option, the ins and outs, etc. It is clear she truly cares and wants to help the NYC parent and child navigate this process in the most effective way - and she does! Thank you Alina. Will let you know how it goes!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars immensely helpful!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Such a clear breakdown of a complicated system! The timeline is a very helpful tool as well!Thank you for this :)
    Helpful
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  • Reading Fool
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Overview of Everything You Need to Know About NYC School Admissions!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    If you will be applying your child to New York City Kindergarten in the next year or two, I highly recommend that you read “Getting Into NYC Kindergarten,” the only book of its kind that covers all available options, including:

    · Public School/General Ed (zoned and unzoned)
    · Public School Gifted & Talented (District & Citywide)
    · Public School Dual Language
    · Public School Magnet Programs
    · Charter Schools
    · Hunter College Elementary School
    · Private Schools (Independent and Religious)

    Plus advice on prepping your child for intelligence tests, insider tips on “working the waitlist,” how to ace a parent interview, the pros and cons of red-shirting, and a detailed timeline covering everything you should be doing in the 18 (yes, 18!) months prior to your child starting Kindergarten.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Jonathan Tischio
    5.0 out of 5 stars Most useful book ever
    Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    One person found this helpful
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