Support
Parents of children of color seeking a quality education for their children want guidance and support through the application process. They are concerned about issues such as cost and affordability; choosing the best school environment where their child will be happy and able to thrive; making sure that they and their child will feel welcomed and supported in their new school. EARLY STEPS counselors are uniquely qualified to address these important concerns by providing:
Professional Services:
- EARLY STEPS counselors focus their time on providing parents with an overview of the whole process: the applications, the interviews and the decisions. EARLY STEPS facilitates communication between families and schools, setting a tone of collaboration with long-term positive effects. EARLY STEPS’ staff provides each family with an overview of independent school education and discusses the parents’ goals and educational values to help them select the best schools for their children. In addition, EARLY STEPS maintains a resource file of psychologists and other professionals of color who can provide additional support services.
- New York City independent school tuitions range between $18,000 and $33,000 per year. EARLY STEPS families represent a broad range of income levels. Some families pay full tuition while others receive financial aid in varying amounts according to individual needs and the schools’ available resources. Each family is required to pay some portion of the tuition. EARLY STEPS provides counseling and support to families applying for financial aid. We do not provide financial aid; member schools award all financial aid.
- Our support doesn’t end after enrollment. As needed, we continue to advocate for your child and family throughout your years in independent school and beyond using our professional relationships with member schools, outside professionals, and children’s programs that serve families of color in New York City.
Support 