Responding to the growing complexity, competition and resulting anxiety that Connecticut and surrounding area parents face in the school admissions process, school placement industry leader The School Choice Group today officially launched a new division -- School Search Solutions.
With an initial regional roll-out in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, School Search Solutions consultants will work directly with parents of preschool through college-aged students to help them navigate the school search and admissions process at even the most competitive private and public schools available. With 100 consultants in over 50 locations worldwide, The School Choice Group is now extending its expertise -- formerly accessible only to top executives at Fortune 100 companies -- directly to local area families through School Search Solutions.
"The level of stress surrounding school admissions is at the highest we've seen in years, particularly in Connecticut's Fairfield County," said Liz Perelstein, noted education expert and founder of School Search Solutions, a division of The School Choice Group. "It is important for families in this very competitive region to approach the school search and admissions process with accurate information and a strategy in place."
Speaking to the acceptance rates of elite schools in and around the greater New York City region, Perelstein notes just how difficult the process has become. Legacy, sibling and other set-asides can bring the acceptance rate at some local area schools for families with no ties to less than 5 percent -- a rate even lower than some of the country's most elite colleges.
Perelstein also commented on the rising costs of education. In the New York City K-12 market region alone, tuition has risen by 48 percent over the past 10 years, adjusted for inflation, according to data compiled by the National Association of Independent Schools. This trend is expected to continue. Tuition at several of the competitive New York City K-12 private schools are poised to cross the $40,000 mark in the 2012-13 school year. Tuition rates of several Fairfield County schools are not far behind, with tuition at the most competitive schools solidly coming in above the $30,000 mark.
"With tuition costs continuing to rise sharply and the competition more frenetic than ever, ensuring your child is in the right school requires expertise, a calm approach and a tested process," said Perelstein. "The cost of a private education has transformed over the past several years from a standard expense to a significant investment."
Founded in 1998 and having achieved close to 6000 successful school placements to date, School Search Solutions' partner division School Choice International is the leader in the school placement industry worldwide. Originally, School Choice's clients had been relocating families of high-level executives at Fortune 100 and other top corporations. In recent years, however, an increasing number of families have come to The School Choice Group directly, seeking the same level of services enjoyed by corporate executives.
Perelstein commented on the official launch of the new consumer division stating, "Through client referrals and word of mouth we've increasingly been providing our services directly to families over the past several years. To meet this growing need, we are now formally tailoring our services to individual families. Expertise which was once available to a limited set of parents is now available to any family in the Connecticut, New York or New Jersey area seeking highly professional, executive-level support for their school search needs. Today's launch of School Search Solutions is a natural extension of The School Choice Group mission."
School Search Solutions offerings are outlined in detail at www.schoolsearchsolutions.com. Services range from a one-hour professional consultation to the Platinum Placement Service package which includes a full spectrum of services from school target analysis to school visits, application support, and post-placement follow-up services. A number of add-on services are also available. They include boarding school placement, advocacy and support services for gifted children and specialized services for children with learning differences.
Anticipating a successful roll-out in the New York area, The School Choice Group intends to officially launch School Search Solutions to other competitive school markets including Washington, DC, Boston, Seattle and San Francisco over the course of the next twelve months. School Search Solutions' partner division, School Choice International, will continue to serve the needs of corporate clients.
About The School Choice Group
The School Choice Group, through its two divisions School Search Solutions and School Choice International, is the leading global educational consulting service specializing in school placement counseling for private, public, and international schools, from preschool through college. With more than 100 experienced consultants in 50 locations globally, The School Choice Group works with families, school, and employers, including Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, to help find the right schools for children, anywhere in the world.
An industry leader in bringing needed initiatives into the education arena, The School Choice Group founder and chair, Elizabeth Perelstein, co-founded the British International School of New York. Additionally, through School Choice International Perelstein created Global Education Explorer, the only Web-based resource for families to compare education across the globe. School Choice International also conducts on-site training for group moves and research and policy analysis for corporations, schools and governments setting or re-evaluating education policy. Perelstein is one of ten to receive Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneur awards. In 2011, School Choice International was placed on Inc.’s 500/5000 list of fastest growing companies. In 2012, Ms. Perelstein received an Enterprising Women of the Year Award. For more information, visit: www.schoolsearchsolutions.com.
