About Dr. Sarah Suria

I help families navigate private/independent school admissions (Preschool–12th) and make confident decisions grounded in child psychology. My work blends executive function, self-regulation, and learning profile insights with practical school strategy—so your child is not only admitted, but fits and thrives.

Serving families in NYC, NJ, CT, PA, MA, FL, TX, GA, and CA; based in the Philadelphia area with ongoing work in New York City.

Representative school experience includes:

92Y (NY) • Agnes Irwin (PA) • Brentwood School (CA) • Buckingham Browne & Nichols (MA) • The Brearley School (NY) • Chapin (NY) • Collegiate School (NY) • Dalton School (NY) • Greenwich Country Day School (CT) • Lovett School (GA) •Milton Academy (MA) • Horace Mann (NY) •Trinity School (NY) • Westminister (GA)

(Additional placements span day, boarding, and progressive programs throughout the Northeast and beyond.)

What I Do

  • Admissions Strategy (Pre-K–9th): school list creation, parent/student statements, interview prep, timelines.

  • Premier/White-Glove: end-to-end application leadership through decisions and wait-pool strategy.

  • Post-Admissions Success: 90-day transition plans (routines, teacher communication, regulation).

  • Parent Consults (60 min): psychologist-backed answers and scripts you can use this week.

  • Early Years (0–2): milestone mapping and play-based plans.


Training & Credentials

  • PhD, School Psychology — Fordham University

  • MA, Teachers College, Columbia University

  • Internship, The Buckley School (Upper East Side, NYC) — classroom-embedded training in independent-school culture

  • Licensed Psychologist — conducts psychoeducational evaluations in Philadelphia and NYC


Families I Support

  • First-time applicants to independent/private schools

  • Children with learning differences or uneven profiles

  • Families relocating to/within NYC metro & Tri-State, West Coast

  • Parents seeking post-admissions confidence and support

My Approach (Psychology → Strategy → Action)

  1. Understand the child: strengths, stretches, executive function, regulation.

  2. Align with schools: culture/mission fit and authentic Family Brand.

  3. Communicate clearly: statements, interview stories, teacher/parent scripts.

  4. Support the transition: routines and skills that stick.

Ready to move forward?

Book a 20-minute consult to map your next steps, or download the Back to School Playbook