Your independent guide to NYC public schools

So i was wondering. I have been pretty good academically. In 5th grade i had a 3 on the ELA and a 4 on the Math. Then 2 4s on the 6th grade ones. Also i made honor every marking period in my grade and i have good attendance. I am currently in IS 302 Rafael Cordero and Molina Intermediate School and it is not a very good school. It was actually on the verge of closing due to low scores the standardized test. In 5 th grade i did not pay to much attention the enrolling in a gifted school. On a test i took in 5 th grade my math and reading skills were that of a 11th grader. So now starting 7th grade i wanna apply to a gifted and talented school preferably Mark Twain Middle school. I just wanna know if i can in 7th grade. I know i have to capacities to join a school like that but im not sure they will accept me now that im in 7th grade.

I'd say chances are slim at this point. You're already starting seventh grade, and your only reason for wanting to transfer is that you don't like it (the DOE generally only allows transfers for safety reasons, or if you or the school moved, so the commute is now much farther than before).

I think your best bet is to just buckle down and work hard and get the highest grades you can and the highest test scores you can this year, and also have perfect attendance if possible (or very few absences), and no latenesses. Also start researching high schools (your mom or dad can go to the big high school fair when it's held, usually in October, and get the huge book of high schools). You can start thinking about where you'd like to go to high school, and make sure you have the grades, test scores and good attendance to give you an edge to get into a great high school.

Good luck!

If you have an arts talent, especially in music, you can try seeing if one of the middle schools with an arts program has a place for you. (Sometimes students move or leave public school for private school, and a space will open up.) A good school to try would be Manhattan East for Arts and Academics (MS 224), which is Citywide unzoned, and has strong academics. They field an excellent jazz band and orchestral band. It is a small G&T school, and has a warm environment. It places many students at LaGuardia, Frank Sinatra, Beacon, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech, and other great high schools. Good luck!

Try MS 51 in Park Slope, Brooklyn. I heard that they have a few unexpected spots in 7th grade from kids who moved.