G+T Parents: Some Have News, Many Still Holding

Posted by helen at 4:19 PM

We've been hearing today from lots of parents who haven't yet had word on their child's g+t kindergarten and first-grade placement. The official word from the DOE is "this week" -- and as it's 'only' Wednesday, more waiting's in order. If we learn more about when news was mailed, we'll let you know -- but our bet is that the folks at OSEPO are plenty eager to get the news out. If you've gotten anything in the afternoon mail, let us know.

For families looking for seats in upper-elementary g+t programs, the application deadline is June 26th, with placements announced in mid-August. Details are also here on the DOE site, but go into the process with your eyes wide open: Comparatively few spots open up for upper-grade students, and competition can be fierce.

Still waiting for news on District 1, District 3, and middle-school snafus in District 15 and elsewhere. Hope for something of substance before too long...

Admissions Catch-Up

Posted by helen at 8:12 AM

With news reaching parents on g+t kindergarten placement and middle schools, some of the furor of the past week or so seems to have fizzled. But confusion persists in some quarters -- the News reported that some students have gotten letters meant for other children, and we've heard that up to 50 rising 6th graders at Manhattan's coveted Anderson School received middle school placements at other schools-- even though they didn't apply for seats outside their home school, which continues to grade 8.

We're hoping for follow-ups from the DOE today on lotteries in Districts 1 and 3 -- and for additional illumination on the District 15 middle school placements, where overwhelming demand appears to have cost some students their first-round seats (or seats at the schools of their choice). It's great news that so many strong, local schools generate such robust demand -- but worrisome that the same schools can't absorb the entirely predictable flow of in-district fifth-graders seeking seats.

Questions and a Few Answers

Posted by helen at 9:13 PM

Lots of questions waiting for answers from the DOE, but in the meanwhile, here's some feedback on specifics that have come in via comments. (Thanks as ever for posting, and for voicing questions shared by scores of city parents.)

One parent asked about out-of-zone kids getting pre-K seats while her child wasn't seated at their zoned school. You can try to appeal the decision, but chances are, no one will officially tell you how the decision to exclude your child and include another was made. The party line is that no out-of-zone kids were offered seats unless in-zone kids were all covered; this may give you some basis for an appeal, but unfortunately, nothing's certain.

Bronx shrink, I checked the pre-K application again, and checked in with the DOE. The application does stipulate that the older sibling be continuing in elementary school -- but it doesn't say 'boo' about ranking the big-sib's school as a first choice. Waiting for official word back on this, and will report more when it's known.

Dr Monty asked about appealing middle school placement. Last year, a few districts offered appeals (details here); D 15 does, but D 21 and 22 do not. Brutal, I know. Insult to injury, the deadline last year for appeals was May 25th, well ahead of first-round news for most parents this year. Try contacting parent coordinators at the school/s in question to see if any informal process exists. Sometimes a bit of relationship-building can go a long way.

Keep the questions flowing.

New charter MS coming to District 15

Posted by Philissa at 9:38 AM

From the Sun comes the news that the Brooklyn Prospect Charter School, which had its application denied last year, is now cleared to open in District 15 in 2009. The school will open with grade 6 and will eventually serve students in grades 6-12. Founders says Brooklyn Prospect will offer the rigorous International Baccalaureate program as part of the school's mission of giving students "the skills, knowledge, and habits of mind necessary for success in higher education, the workplace, and life in the twenty-first century." Parents of current 4th graders can contact the school now for more information; as at all charters, admissions will be done by lottery, applications for which will be due in April 2009, and residents of District 15 will have priority for admission.

Brooklyn Heights parents angling for new middle school

Posted by Philissa at 3:23 PM

Happy with PS 8, their neighborhood school, parents in Brooklyn Heights are hoping to get a middle school just for themselves, the Times reported in the City section yesterday.

Last month the real estate site Curbed reported that Two Trees development company was using the promise of a 300-seat neighborhood school to convince DUMBO residents to support the controversial 20-story residential tower it's planning to build in the area. Curbed commenters called the plan a ploy to get support for a project that doesn't fit into the neighborhood; one wrote, "With 8,000 new people moving into the neighborhood we will need new public schools. But to basically claim we can only get a school if we agree to this proposed monstrosity sounds like blackmail to me."

The Times article doesn't make it sound like the DUMBO school is a done deal at all -- a DOE spokeswoman said District 15, home to PS 8, has more middle school seats than students. But if the district does get a new middle school, it might not be the only option tailored to serve middle-class families opting into secondary public education in the city for the first time. Over in Park Slope, parents have proposed a charter middle school to open in the fall of 2008.