School Smarts NYC
Your trusted guide to New York City high school admissions, special education support, and finding the best-fit school for your child.
School Smarts NYC gives parents expert tips, guidance, and real talk on navigating the NYC school system—from applications and screened admissions to IEPs, 504 plans, and beyond.
Because student success starts with informed families—and maybe a little humor to get you through it.
School Smarts NYC
"If you don't know, now you know" (Dear 6th and 7th Grade Families)
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, host Carolyn DeFir emphasizes the importance of building foundational skills in sixth grade, the high stakes of seventh grade, and strategies for preparing for high school admissions. Carolyn shares practical tips for parents, including how to support their children academically and emotionally during these critical years, while also addressing the significance of IEPs and 504 plans. The episode concludes with advice on how to effectively use the summer before eighth grade to prepare for the upcoming admissions cycle.