Judy Baum or Ask Judy at Insideschools.org is the advice lady. She’s the go-to gal. She’s the one you write to when your child is having New York City public school problems.

Like today, someone wrote in about their daughter, who just started as a freshman at a specialized high school. The headline reads: My 9th Grader Hates Her School.

Here’s what happened. The girl came home the first day convinced that she will never like this school or be comfortable with the fit .

“She is interested in transferring to a smaller school that fosters creative and analytic thinking, community, and independence. My question is: How and when can a parent “know” that her child and the child’s school are not well-matched? How would you advise proceeding?” the mom writes.

For advice as to what to do in a situation like this, go to Ask Judy at Inside Schools.