Testimonials
“My husband and I are transplants to Los Angeles and like many parents in a similar boat, we found the process of navigating the LA school system convoluted and stressful. Elaine took the time to thoroughly get to know our son and guided us through the murky admissions waters with patience, kindness and empathy. Her confident demeanor and candid good humor takes the anxiety out of the process and allows you to relax with her calmly steering the ship.
Her USP is threefold: she is mom to a kindergartener and preschooler, she draws from years of experience as an educator in the classroom, and her most recent stint as an Associate Admissions Director at one of the most prestigious schools in LA equips her with an insider’s lens and an unparalleled skill set. She is able to advise on private, charter and public schools and guide you down the route that is best suited to your child’s personality and needs.
In an ever-changing school landscape, her advice looks beyond the trends, the brand names and the parent peer group pressure to help you choose the school that is truly the best fit for your child; and then map out a game plan for success. Elaine's is not a formulaic one-size-fits-all but a highly tailored custom approach. As parents, we couldn’t be more relieved and delighted to have her in our corner. And as testament to Elaine’s incredible counsel, we now have a happy thriving Kindergartener who loves his school (our first choice).
I have since recommended Elaine to several of my friends, and have only heard glowing tributes. She is simply superb at what she does, and you’ll be forever grateful you hired her.”
-Fara and Benjamin Taylor, parents of Kit
“We are a transracial adoptive family, and Elaine’s knowledge, experience and cultural competence make her especially adept at identifying what is at the core of our family’s values both in terms of academic and personal development. As parents, we are constantly bombarded with notions of the “right” thing to do, and she helped us cut through the noise of conventional wisdom to find what really mattered to us. We are so grateful for her expert guidance in helping us to tailor a plan for our son’s unique needs and find the right school community for our family.”
-Lily and Ben Van Cleave, parents of Desi
“Elaine has a warmth and familiarity that instantly sets people at ease. That, combined with her years of experience in the classroom and admissions office made her a stand-out guide and mentor when it came to navigating the private school landscape. Plus, as a mom of two kids, she truly understands my concerns and priorities. I'm a native of LA and grew up attending private schools, and yet I learned so much more about the ins and outs of the admissions process than I ever knew from Elaine. She’s the best of the best—look no further!”
-Lauren Rille, parent of Jane and Olive
“If you’re reading this, then you already know how incredibly daunting the LA school system can feel. At least it did for us. As parents, nothing was more important to my husband and I than finding the best possible educational environment for our child to thrive in, both scholastically and emotionally. But with so many options and hoops to jump through (so many hoops! Applications, assessments, deadlines, etc!), it can be totally overwhelming to sort through it all and make the best decision possible. Well, let me tell you, there is no one better equipped to help you navigate this tricky, confusing landscape and find your dream school than Elaine. Not only does she demystify the entire process, she also makes it exciting and dare I say, fun!
With her years of experience as both a teacher and associate director of admissions (and a mom!), she has a uniquely perfect background to provide incredible counsel and insight. Elaine’s passion for children and education comes through in her advice and it’s clear she truly understands not only the specific differences between the bajillion schools (roughly), but she’s able to expertly combine that with her ability to assess your child’s unique qualities, strengths, and needs in order to find the perfect fit for THEM. It’s truly magical to watch and provides such comfort during what can otherwise be a very stressful experience. By the end, we felt empowered and confident that our child had landed in the exact right spot for years to come. We’re so grateful Elaine was available to help us traverse this exciting journey and can’t imagine how we would have ever done it without her! Forever grateful.”
-Gracie and David Rosenthal, parents of Hugo
"I grew up in LA, so I didn't think I'd need help navigating the school system. But my husband and I only recently moved back, so I started to question my thinking. Meeting Elaine was a godsend. Not only did we become good friends through our sons, but I came to rely on her opinion as an educator. Before offering any advice, she took the time to understand our desires as a family and honed in on our values. She then made an assessment based on what was best for us: child and parents, alike. I quickly realized I didn't know what I wanted... I only knew what I didn't want. Through her patience, calm demeanor (and humor!), we landed at the best option for him. Because of her, our son is thriving in his kindergarten class and we could not be happier with the school.”
-Nadine, parent of Tamer
“Our family went to Elaine at the eleventh hour - in late July roughly a month before school was to start in late August. Sometimes, when you decide it's time for a change, the decision comes at the most inopportune moment. We have three children that were all attending a top LA private school, but it was not a good fit. I tried reaching out to another school on my own, but it was not fruitful. Elaine was able to make things happen quickly, efficiently, and professionally. All three of my kids were placed in another top school and everything was finalized within a week and a half. We couldn't believe it - a lateral move with only a few weeks left in the summer. A miracle worker! I would not hesitate to recommend Elaine in a heartbeat - she is warm, has institutional knowledge about the way private school admissions works, and makes it happen in the most efficient manner possible.“
-Melody Chang, parent of Charlie, Hannah, and Henry
“Elaine is an absolute rockstar! She has a warm demeanor, is extremely knowledgeable, professional and approachable. She connects quickly with families and puts them at ease. Elaine understands children, is a fantastic educator and is full of profound wisdom and guidance when it comes to childhood education and the application process. With her experience working in admissions, she has the behind the scenes insight of how the process works, from the interview to the assessment to the selection. This experience really sets her apart from others in the area of consulting. She is extremely organized, very responsive and an absolute pleasure to work with. I would not look any further... “
-Lisa Dabby Joyce, parent of Ethan, Zach, and Maddie
“I first met Elaine over ten years ago when we were both co-teaching in a second grade classroom at Carlthorp School. In addition to her strong teaching skills, Elaine had the unique ability to personally connect with students and families beyond academics. This was particularly evident during parent-teacher conferences when more candid conversations about students occurred. Elaine's honest feedback on student progress was greatly appreciated by parents. It was clear that she took the time to engage with her students which helped to foster a warm, nurturing classroom environment.
More recently, I have worked with Elaine in the Admission's Department at Carlthorp School. Her attention to detail, dedication and thorough understanding of the school's application process are invaluable. Elaine invests the time to truly understand what families are seeking in a school. Any family would be lucky to gain her insight into the often overwhelming admissions process.”
-Tara Brown, parent of W and V
"Elaine was extraordinary in helping us navigate the elementary school landscape as we assessed kindergarten options. Her extensive experience as a teacher, admissions director, and parent -- in both private and public school settings -- gives her a unique and valuable perspective that I felt very lucky to find. In addition to being an insightful wealth of knowledge, Elaine is also warm, pragmatic, and easy to connect with. Thank you, Elaine!"
-Natalie F., parent of 5 year old boy entering kindergarten
“We met Elaine many years ago, when she wore the hat of an elementary school teacher and taught both of my daughters. What struck me then was how well she interacted with parents and how great she was at motivating different types of learners within her classroom. She made every child feel seen, heard, and special. Even a decade later, Elaine still tops the favorite teachers' list for both my girls.
As Elaine moved on into admissions, I felt her experience as a teacher would provide unique insight. She knew if a child and their family would thrive or if the fit would be a challenge. The right elementary school fit is so important in building an academic foundation and self esteem that we feel any family would be well served under Elaine’s experienced guidance. She is honest, hard-working, and just a joy to be around.”
-Catherine O., parent of I and O