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.
Episodes
42 episodes
Do Regents Still Matter? A No-Panic Explanation
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, host Carolyn DeFir dives deep into the complexities of the New York State Regents exams. She discusses the purpose of these exams, which serve as a measure of mastery in core subjects and have b...
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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55:40
Academic Supports in High School: Where to Find Help, Why It Exists, and How to Use It
In this episode of School Smarts NYC, host Carolyn DeFir discusses the various academic supports available to high school students in New York City. She emphasizes the importance of understanding these resources, especially for parents navigati...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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55:06
Afterschool Activities, Clubs & Sports: Why They Matter
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, Carolyn DeFir, discusses the significance of extracurricular activities for high school students. She emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between involvement and personal well-b...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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35:55
(Bonus Episode) Intention Setting vs. Resolutions: A Gentler Way to Review Your Year (For Busy Parents of Teens)
In this episode of School Smarts NYC, Carolyn reflects on the past year and discusses the importance of setting intentions rather than resolutions as the new year approaches. She emphasizes the value of reviewing one's calendar to identify patt...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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38:52
IEPs & 504s in High School: Planning the Transition from Middle School
In this episode of School Smarts NYC, host Carolyn DeFir discusses the transition from middle school to high school, focusing on the importance of understanding IEPs and 504 plans. She shares insights on navigating high school admissions, prepa...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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53:10
So You Got a Callback… (or You Didn’t): What It Means, What It Doesn’t, and What To Do Next
n this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, host Carolyn DeFir focuses on the significance of callbacks. She emphasizes the importance of understanding what callbacks mean, how to navigate the anxiety surrounding them, and the need for stu...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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23:05
Congratulations, You Hit Submit…Now What?
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, host Carolyn DeFir congratulates parents and students on completing the high school admissions process. She emphasizes the importance of taking a moment to breathe and celebrate the hard work th...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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8:03
Before You Hit Submit: Your Final NYC High School Application Q&A
In this episode of School Smarts NYC, host Carolyn DeFir shares personal experiences, answers frequently asked questions, and provides practical advice for parents and students navigating the final days before the application is due. From under...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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25:19
Two Weeks to Go: Your Last-Minute, No-Panic Game Plan
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, host Carolyn DeFir guides listeners through the final countdown to the NYC high school admissions deadline. She shares practical advice for parents and students navigating the application proces...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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38:46
(Bonus Episode) Tour Report #12: Eleanor Roosevelt High School
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, Carolyn provides an in-depth tour report of Eleanor Roosevelt High School, highlighting its academic rigor, supportive community, and vibrant arts programs. She discusses the school's culture, s...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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25:22
(Bonus Episode) Tour Report #11: New Explorations in Science, Technology & Math (nest+m)
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, host Carolyn DeFir explores NEST+m, a high school within a K-12 school located on the Lower East Side of New York City. She discusses the school's unique environment, student dynamics, academic ...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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20:16
(Bonus Episode) Tour Report #10 Midwood High School at Brooklyn College
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, host Carolyn DeFir provides an in-depth tour report of Midwood High School, highlighting its academic programs, school culture, extracurricular activities, and support systems. She discusses the...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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28:24
Hidden Gems: NYC High Schools You Might Not Know—But Should
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, host Carolyn DeFir emphasizes the importance of understanding school choices, rankings, and the value of hidden gems—schools that may not be widely recognized but offer excellent educational opp...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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53:12
(Bonus Episode) Tour Report #9: Edward R. Murrow
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, host Carolyn DeFir provides an in-depth exploration of Edward R. Murrow High School, one of Brooklyn's largest and most iconic high schools. She discusses the school's unique offerings, includin...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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19:04
(Bonus Episode) Tour Report #8: University Neighborhood High School
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, host Carolyn DeFir explores the rising popularity of University Neighborhood High School (UNHS) in New York City. She discusses the school's unique culture, strong leadership from the principal,...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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16:58
(Bonus Episode) Tour Report #7: NYC iSchool
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, Carolyn DeFir explores the unique educational landscape of iSchool in Soho, NYC. With a focus on student choice and real-world learning, iSchool offers a distinctive curriculum that emphasizes c...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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12:55
Assessment Anxiety: Helping Our Kids (and Ourselves) Keep Calm and Carry On… to the Test Room
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, Carolyn discusses the anxiety surrounding the high school application and testing process for both students and parents. She shares practical techniques for managing anxiety, including visualiza...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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23:16
Don’t Wait ’Til After Trick-or-Treat: The SHSAT Deadline Pep Talk
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, host Carolyn DeFir discusses the complexities of navigating the New York City high school admissions process, particularly focusing on specialized high schools. She emphasizes the importance of ...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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25:44
(Bonus Episode) Tour Report #6: Baruch High School
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, host Carolyn DeFir provides an in-depth overview of Baruch High School, a small screened school in Manhattan. She discusses the school's educational philosophy, community values, curriculum offe...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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24:41
How to Know If It’s a Good Fit — The Art (and Science) of School Matchmaking
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, host Carolyn DeFir emphasizes the importance of finding a school that is a good fit for each child. Carolyn discusses the significance of school tours, evaluating academic and extracurricular op...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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45:07
(Bonus Episode) Tour Report #5: The Beacon School
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, host Carolyn DeFir discusses the recent changes in the admissions process at The Beacon School, one of New York City's most talked-about high schools. She shares her personal experiences attendi...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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27:58
You Asked, I Answered: The Most-Asked Questions (So Far) Since NYC High School Applications Opened Last Week
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, Carolyn addresses frequently asked questions regarding the school application process in New York City. She discusses the importance of ranking schools based on true preference rather than strat...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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31:46
(Bonus Episode) Tour Report #4: Millennium Brooklyn High School
This episode provides an in-depth look at Millennium Brooklyn, a small yet vibrant screen school located in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Carolyn highlights the school's unique academic philosophy, commitment to inclusivity, structured curriculum, and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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13:02
(Bonus Episode) Tour Report #3: Brooklyn Technical High School
In this episode, Carolyn shares her experience visiting Brooklyn Tech, the largest high school in America, during an open house. She discusses the school's impressive size, the various programs offered, and her observations during the visit. Ca...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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13:03
Now What? The Post-Application is Open Pep Talk
In this episode of the School Smarts NYC podcast, host Carolyn DeFir guides parents through the complex process of school applications for the 2026-2027 school year. She shares her personal experiences and insights on navigating the application...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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40:24