about 

Elissa Stein, Founder

When looking at high schools with my older child, I was lucky enough to be part of a parent-driven collective that shared info and experiences as the process evolved. The collaboration was such a boon I decided to spearhead a similar group when my younger son got to that point.

With a list of close to 200 people, the community we created made the experience far more manageable for those involved. Parents on my list knew about tours before 8th grade, where to meet kids after testing, how ranking systems worked, and much more. I got feedback on a regular basis like:

You are the best. You have no idea how grateful I am that you have  organized this! - MM

You are a powerhouse of a woman. How would I ever have negotiated this nightmare procedure without this list? With deep thanks and gratitude and awe. - PH

From that, High School 411 was born. Every season brought new changes and challenges and then Covid hit. The system was upended in countless ways, with ripples still working themselves out and while the DOE has been far more transparent, somehow it’s gotten more confusing. But, 10 seasons in, High School 411 and I are here to demystify, unify, and support families on your journeys.

Some More Info . . . 

As the parent of two former NYC public school students - both now college graduates continuing on their paths - I have  been PTA co-president at three different schools, served on four executive boards and three SLT's. I wrote about education at Huffington Post and have worked to resolve inequities in Fair Student Funding in NYC. Along with that I'm a writer, an activist, a graphic designer, a sometimes obsessive spin biker, a podcaster, a kidney donor, an enthusiastic thrifter, and accomplished crafter. CLICK HERE to read more.