Blog

Non-Cognitive Skills: "Looking Beyond Grades and Testing" I’ve been asked if investing time, energy and resources into a search for a Preschool is necessary, when High School is usually considered “the high stakes experience” for future choices in life. I invite you to consider this. The basics: We know that language development (e.g vocabulary) is most critical ages 0-5 and impactful in many ways over a lifetime. We know that a quality Preschool experience is a long-term indicator for college and career success, whether college or vocation-bound after high school. We know that cognitive, academically-focused skills and performance in [...]

On Donald Trump, Community and Transitioning with Developmental Disabilities into the Workforce Thank you, Guest Blogger and Parent, Sara Prince, for sharing your family’s story of the challenges faced by those with disabilities when transitioning from school-age to work in any given community. And, that we all have choices on how to be involved in providing support. Those of us who spend any time at all around people who are not spoken for by Donald Trump – and that’s many of us, I think – have an obvious target for our outrage right now. Trump’s obscene demonstrations of insensitivity [...]

Join Elie Gaines in Bend, Oregon for "How to Choose a School" All Schools Consulting is expanding into Oregon and we’re making our debut in Bend, Oregon this month! Join us for a FREE event to learn “How to Choose a School” for students entering Preschool- Grade 12. Bring a friend – Arrive early, chat and snack – Listen and share your thoughts on School Search Services coming to Central Oregon. Learn “tips” on how to choose the best school “fit” for your child and family. Wednesday, January 27th 6:00-7:00pm at Dudley’s Bookshop Cafe – Upstairs, 137 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend, OR OR Thursday, January 28th [...]

How is your child gifted? What is gifted education in K-12 schools? Preface: Recent calls or conversations, in the last few weeks especially, have intrigued me to write a blog addressing questions posed. I write here from my perspective, and from both my experience as a gifted cluster teacher and now as a consultant, or school advisor, having visited hundreds of Arizona schools in the last three years. This is the time of year, in many schools in Arizona, where blanket gifted testing has been administered to Second Graders and the results have been, or will be, sent home to parents. It’s that [...]

Back to School Just a sneak peek at the August 2014 issue of North Scottsdale Lifestyle Magazine pages where ASC was recognized! I couldn’t wait to share. The online issue will be available August 1st, I believe. Be sure to check it out as there are great back to school tips for families. See www.nscottsdalelifestyle.com. Of course, back-to-school magazine issues always bring me back as a mom to the weeks just before school started each Fall. I noticed yesterday many families shopping for school supplies, and probably college-dorm supplies. It took me back instantly [...]

How to Find a School in a City or Community in Arizona If you are searching to learn how to find the right school in a city, town or community in Arizona then there are a few things to think about for finding the best school fit: First you should understand Arizona’s “open enrollment” policy. Our state is unique in many ways, including the flexibility it offers for school options. Next, learn about the unique funding mechanisms in Arizona for public and private schools through Arizona Tax Credit, School Tuition Organization scholarships and the Empowerment Scholarship Account program. Arizona has a wealth of outstanding school [...]

All Schools Consulting Provides Relocation Assistance to Arizona When a life transition initiates a family move to a new city or community in Arizona, you can rely on All Schools Consulting to develop a tailored relocation assistance program to seamlessly coordinate the school search for children in preschool through high school. We personalize the school search to create a match with students, families and schools. Arizona education specialists communicate collaboratively with relocation specialists seeking the perfect home, as we do the search for schools offering the best “fit”. Sometimes, the school search leads the way to the perfect home, and other times the perfect home leads the way [...]

ASC Anniversary and Free Informational Event Join Us Wed., April 9th, 2014 from 4:00 – 6:00pm 4:00 – 5:00pm Celebrate our Anniversary! Drop in, make new friends, eat cake! 5:00 – 6:00pm Presenting, “Where will your child thrive?: How to Choose a School” Ira Levine Jewish Community Campus, Room 104 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254 Babysitting available, $10/2 hours – RSVP by Tues., April 8th to Elie via our Contact Us form, here. We would love to see you there!

All Schools Consulting Interviewed for School Choice Week Very excited and grateful to have been contacted for an interview with the education news agency serving the Arizona School Boards Association for School Choice Week, January 26 to February 1, 2014. See the article, “School Choice Week Highlights Arizonans Options”, at the link below for AzEdNews.com. http://azednews.com/2014/01/23/school-choice-week-highlights-arizonans-options/

Choosing a School is Like Walking a Tightrope – Finding Balance is Everything! (This blog post is a reprint article written for the January 2014 First Things First newsletter. See www.azftf.gov for additional information on early childhood education.) You may ask, “How is it possible to find the best school “fit”? Is it possible to find the right balance for my child and family? ” The simple answer: “Yes.” The challenging question: “How?” You are the “coach” for your child’s schooling. You’re his best advocate. You know your child and your hopes for him. How will you guide him to door-opening experiences? Whether vocational [...]