Getting An A In Admissions: New York Family’s 2015-2016 Admissions Guide

An essential reason why many families are choosing to stay in the city, even if they have the means to live elsewhere, is because they are happy with their school choices. And often, when parents are evaluating their school options, they want to explore more than one sector before deciding which way to go. So, to help you take a big-picture approach to all the potential possibilities, here’s an overview of the three largest school sectors: Public (including charter schools), independent (including nursery), and Catholic.

Kindergarten teacher reading to children

Public Schools 

The public school section focuses on admissions policies and procedures for pre-K, Kindergarten, G&T, and charter. Stay tuned for an expanded version including sections on middle school, high school, special needs, and other related education topics.

Independent Schools 

For our section on independent school admissions, we start with the nursery school process, which is similar to the process for Kindergarten admissions, but also has some important distinctions. Stay tuned for an expanded version of the story featuring a discussion of admissions to middle school, high school, and boarding school.

Catholic Schools

This is a review of the admissions process for Catholic schools under the Archdiocese of New York, a process which is undergoing significant changes, and also happens to attract a substantial number of non-Catholics as well as Catholics. Of course there are other educational institutions in the city with religious foundations but most of those schools operate independently. Stay tuned for an expanded version of this story which will include a list of prominent Jewish schools and other religious schools.

Relevant Directory Listings

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Ready Set Grow Preschool

<p><a href="https://www.readysetgrownassau.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.readysetgrownassau.org/&source=gmail&ust=1692384562653000&usg=AOvVaw3H4vbx-RdPPdKc5YnYYhnS">Ready Set Grow Preschool </a>(RSG), located in New Hyde Park believes that lifelong learning begins with a well-rounded, comprehensive and compassionate early childhood education. </p> <p>Ready Set Grow, the treasured preschool attached to the Progressive Athletic Center, serves as an educational hub for children 2 to 4 years of age. The educational team at RSG have created an enriching environment that hones in on children’s natural curiosity about the world around them in order to promote socialization, creativity, and critical thinking. Student’s delve into thematic daily play-based lessons in science, mathematics, art, literary enrichment, and physical education that serve as building blocks for the child's academic future. Preschoolers at RSG have the unique opportunity to develop their gross motor skills at the attached, fully equipped gymnastics facility where they engage in climbing, movement-based games and gymnastics. </p> <p>Ready Set Grow preschool offers 4 age-based classes taught by certified teachers. Each thoughtfully curated class is an excellent nursery to grade school transition. The warm and welcoming environment of the school allows children to feel confident in their new-found independence. As a first-time mom, N.S,  was relieved when her son felt immediately comfortable at the preschool relaying to the director that, “From the first day of school, my son's teachers have shown such warmth, compassion and professionalism. We are greeted each day with genuine smiles and excitement. My son looks forward to drop off each day and often mentions teachers and classmates at dinner. It's so cool to know that he’s making such good memories”. The professional and fun-loving staff helps their students cultivate social and academic skill sets that will be utilized throughout their school career. As a mom of two now-grade schooler’s, Cheryl L. thanks RSG for “...making her children's pre-school experience so special and helping to prepare them for Pre-K. Cherryl continues by stating, “ RSG staff creates an educational atmosphere combined with caring, creativity and fun.”</p> <p><a href="https://www.readysetgrownassau.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.readysetgrownassau.org/&source=gmail&ust=1692384562653000&usg=AOvVaw3H4vbx-RdPPdKc5YnYYhnS">Ready Set Grow Preschool</a> is now accepting Fall new-student applications for 2’s, 3’s and 4’s. Visit their website or email RSG’s head director, Louiza at <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[email protected]</a> for information on classes and registration. </p>

The Williamsburg Neighborhood Nursery School

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; color: #000000;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Founded on the belief that a good early childhood program should provide children and their families with a bridge between the worlds of home and school, WNNS provides a school experience that is carefully structured, yet also allows the children to explore the school world at their own pace and in their own way.</span></p>

Lefferts Gardens Montessori

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Serving our community since 1986 and a member of the American Montessori Society. We offer a hands-on learning environment for Toddlers through Grade 6, with a mission to help each individual child reach his or her potential and to prepare students to be independent thinkers, lifelong learners and responsible citizens in an ever-changing world.</span></p>