New York Family Partner: Ask The Admissions Expert

admissions

By Hélène Côté, School Consultant and Research Associate with School Search Solutions, a division of the School Choice Group.

All NYC parents—whether they’re ultimately interested in private school or public school for their children—should understand their public school options. Here’s an overview.

STEP 1. FINDING YOUR ZONED SCHOOL

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Your child is guaranteed a seat in a public school, typically the one for which your address is zoned. If you know your school district, use its website
Or, call 311 and give your address.
Use the NYC Department of Education’s School Search tool.

MIDDLE SCHOOL: The DOE Website (schools.nyc.gov) lists every district by borough and links to directories outlining each district’s process.

HIGH SCHOOL: Students can attend a zoned high school or one elsewhere in the city, including career and technical education schools, charter or specialized schools. Students must apply. Schools may require applications, testing, or audition.

STEP 2. EXPLORE VARIOUS OPTIONS

GIFTED & TALENTED SCHOOLS: There are a handful of un-zoned G & T schools that welcome students from all boroughs; there are many more programs that are zoned within their district. Education Department testing is available for all current NYC residents starting in pre-K.

MAGNET SCHOOLS: Students from throughout the district may attend. Some districts have specific criteria; others use the program to achieve integration. Magnets usually have a theme, like performing arts or math and science. They teach the prescribed curriculum but embed the theme within.

CHARTER SCHOOLS: These are run outside the local school district system, so do not list them on your District application. Visit the New York City Charter School Center (nyccharterschools.org) for more info and to begin a search; and contact schools directly for application procedures. By law, each charter is required to admit students through a random lottery usually conducted in April.

ENROLLING IN SCHOOLS OUTSIDE YOUR DISTRICT: Entry in a high performing school may be available by lottery.

STEP 3. CONSIDER YOUR FAMILY’S NEEDS

YOUR CHILD:
What are your child’s unique needs and what qualities in a school will meet these?
Does your child like work best alone or in groups?
Does your child need structure or hands-on experience?

LOGISTICAL NEEDS:

Location: How will your child get to and from school?
Start & End Times: What time does school begin and let out?
Afterschool: Do you need before/after care?

STEP 4. BE OPEN MINDED

Consider a broad range of schools and programs.
Don’t assume that popular schools are “better.” Define a “good” school as one that’s right for your family.
Look beyond test scores. They are just one indicator of school quality.

STEP 5. VISIT SCHOOLS

TOUR SCHOOLS: Attend open houses and school events from October through January

IMPORTANT ONLINE RESOURCES: NYC DOE (schools.nyc.gov); NYC District and School websites (visit schools.nyc.gov, and use Google); NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (nyc.gov/html/dycd); Advocates For Children Of New York (advocatesforchildren.org); GreatSchools.org; InsideSchools.org

If you have any other Ask the Admissions Expert questions or have questions regarding school placement in New York City, please contact us at [email protected].

Relevant Directory Listings

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St Andrew Avellino School

<p>St. Andrew Avellino Catholic Academy, voted “Best in Boro” by qns.com, is a home to students ranging from Nursery through 8th grade. We offer a safe and nurturing learning environment and a family-oriented community where students of all faiths and backgrounds can excel academically, socially and emotionally.</p> <p>The St. Andrew Avellino Catholic Academy Advantage: Engaging and challenging lessons created by experienced and passionate faculty that encourage critical and creative thinking. Traditional teaching approach and educational programs that adheres to New York State common-core curriculum and is accredited by Cognia. Early Childhood foundation in academics, emotional literacy and faith. High-school level Regents classes for advanced learners. Support services for learning differences. Hands-on science experiments in a STEM lab. Art, music, robotics, and physical education classes. Catholic faith formation from religion classes, weekly church liturgies, and Christian service projects. Wide range of programs and extracurricular activities (music, clubs, sports) that cater to the students’ diverse interests and needs.</p> <p>Excellent Student Outcomes: Above average standardized New York State test scores every year. Graduates attend and succeed at prestigious high schools (Regis, Chaminade, Bronx High School, Stuyvesant, and Townsend Harris) and Catholic high schools in Queens, Manhattan, and Long Island.</p> <p>Graduating classes receive an average of $250,000 in Catholic High School scholarships.</p> <p>Financial assistance is available for families that qualify. Early morning drop-off and afterschool care are available.</p>

Paché Montessori

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Located in a newly renovated landmark building amidst the beautiful brownstones of Cobble Hill. Carefully crafted with the developmental needs of children in mind, classrooms offer children calm, peaceful environments to explore the rich Montessori learning materials.</span></p>

Language & Laughter Studio

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LLS is a French and Spanish language center and immersion French preschool located in the heart of downtown Brooklyn. Their programs nurture children and provide them with the building blocks needed for a lifetime of learning, critical thinking while exposing them to the benefits of speaking a foreign language in a supportive environment.  </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The French Nature Preschool "Mini Maternelle" program offers a unique hybrid of outdoor and classroom-based learning with as many mornings as possible spent exploring nature in Fort Greene Park. Children grow excited about learning by building on their own discoveries and interests and nature provides an incredible setting for these experiences. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #222222; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">100% of the children who graduate from LLS leave the program fluent in French with a real sense of ownership of the language. Many of them go on to attend public or private dual language (French-English). To Learn more, click the website link above.</span></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a1702257-7fff-c0d0-07e4-08e40fd16877"></span></p>