Watch Out Anna: Editor-in-Chief Molly Howard   (Photo: Kate Lacey)

Just when you thought New York City private-school kids had it all, they’re getting something else—a glossy mag for, by, and about themselves. NYCircuit is the brainchild of Molly Howard, a senior at Trinity, and Lauren Abuaf, who graduated in June. The first issue hits newsstands—or rather the polished-marble lobbies of Manhattan’s and Riverdale’s better private schools—this month.

“It’s guaranteed to be in the hands of kids who have a lot of money at their disposal,” says Molly, repeating the refrain that attracted advertisers like Scoop, Miramax, and Teen Vogue to the 96-page inaugural issue. She expects to publish twice a year.

“Teen Vogue ran a picture of one of my friends, and every kid in my school was going crazy,” she adds. “A magazine about your friends? You want to read it!”

Alongside urgent news of the latest accessories, there will also be some hard-line investigations, including one on the SATs, written by Carly Zakin, a Dalton student. “It’s about buying your way into a good score,” Molly explains earnestly. “It’s not a fair test!”

The mag will be published by Niche Media (owners of Gotham and Hamptons) and will also run regular profiles of local gals such as Jessie Della Femina, a fashion designer and Spence School senior, and Annabelle Dexter-Jones, daughter of Mick Jones of Foreigner. “She went to Chapin, but now she goes to Dwight,” says Molly. “Dwight was more understanding about her auditions.”

No one seems entirely sure who’s bankrolling the publication, but signs point to Molly’s dad, an investment banker. “I don’t really know the details,” says Molly, who may include a copy of NYCircuit with her college applications. “They ask you, ‘What did you do last summer?’ Well, this is what I did.”

Related:

• Archive: “Intelligencer Features”
• Articles by Ralph Gardner Jr.
• Table of Contents: October 13, 2003 issue of New York | Subscribe!