Calendar set for middle school admissions

Applying to middle school in New York City has long been a mixed bag. In some school districts parents have a choice of where to send their kids; in others most children simply attend their neighborhood school. Where there's choice, the fall frenzy of booking tours for 10-year-olds, attending fairs, and keeping track of application deadlines can seem as onerous for parents as applying to college.

This year, the central office of student enrollment at the Department of Education has begun to revamp the process. While there is to be "no sweeping reform" this year according to a department official, there will be a standardized application calendar citywide. It's designed to "bring it [admissions] into alignment in one calendar," Sandy Ferguson, the official in charge of middle schools admissions told Insideschools, noting that in the past middle school applications have been due as early as November in some districts and as late as May in others.

Putting an end to rumors which have been circulating in elementary schoolyards, Ferguson said that the choice process will not change, and the districts will still be determining the criteria for enrollment. "The eligibility rules aren't changing," he said, "and there won't be huge changes at any level."

Directories in December; fairs & tours in January & February

For those districts with middle school choice mainly in Manhattan and Brooklyn the central office will issue middle school directories in December. District fairs, with representatives from each middle school, are to be held between Jan. 3 and Feb. 4. Some schools will offer tours in the fall check our listing of open houses or call the school. Winter 2008 tour dates will be published in the middle school directories.

The change came as a surprise to some Manhattan and Brooklyn schools which had already begun booking fall tour dates for prospective parents and students. "We were told to hold off on booking more until the process gets sorted out," a Manhattan parent coordinator told Insideschools. A memo sent to principals said: "While schools are encouraged to offer tours prior to the distribution of the Middle School Directories, they are expected to offer them in January and February." Applications will be available at elementary schools in January and will be due in February. Students will learn where they have been accepted in May.

This should make for a more leisurely fall for parents of 5th graders. However the late date of notification not until May will be problematic for parents considering private schools which expect a decision and a deposit months earlier.

Stay tuned there are sure to be more details forthcoming. And check out our blog. As the middle school process heats up later this year, Liz Willen will chronicle the middle school search from a mom's point of view.

Got a specific question? Contact the Department of Education at MS_Enrollment@schools.nyc.gov.

Pamela Wheaton, October 3, 2007