Kindergarten admissions for 2009 begins Jan. 12

In a departure from previous years, the kindergarten admissions process will begin much earlier this year, in January rather than March, and families may apply to multiple schools, according to a memo issued by the Department of Education. Beginning on Jan. 12, families may apply directly at schools, although preference in acceptance will be given to students who live in the school's zone. Unlike pre-kindergarten admissions, there will not be a standard application for kindergarten, but the timeline has been standardized and all schools will follow the same admissions rules.

Last year, the DOE centralized pre-K admissions, taking it away from individual schools and issuing a citywide application. At the same time, officials announced their plan to centralize kindergarten admissions for 2009-2010. After complaints of numerous problems with pre-K admissions, the DOE reversed its plan, deciding to leave kindergarten admissions in the hands of the schools and to concentrate on improving pre-K enrollment. The memo lays out a standardized admissions calendar citywide and a priority list for admissions.

Priority to students with siblings enrolled at the school

To apply, parents should bring information that "establishes each child's priority for that school," according to the central enrollment office, including proof of birth, two proofs of residence, and the name, date of birth, and school registration number for any sibling who will be attending the school next year.

First priority goes to students who are zoned for the school and who have siblings who will be enrolled in the school in September 2009; second priority goes to other zoned students. If space is still available, the next priority goes to students who are not zoned for the school but who have siblings who will be attending the school in September 2009, giving preference first to those who live in the district and then to those out of district. Last on the list are students who are not zoned for the school, giving priority first those who live in the district and finally to those who don't. If more students apply than there is space available, a lottery will be held and a waiting list will be maintained.

In the past, admissions procedures have varied from district to district; with some schools admitting out of zone students, depending upon space, while others did not. The new process leaves open the possibility that families unhappy with their zoned schools may have more options.

Apply between Jan. 12- March 2

Applications will be accepted for six weeks, from Jan.12 to March 2. By mid-March, schools will notify families of whether they have been accepted. Families will have until April 13 to accept the offer and pre-register at the schools. On April 20, schools can pre-register other students from the waiting list.

Students whose families don't apply by March, or who move to the city or a new school zone after March 2, can still apply to their zoned school, although there is no guarantee that they will be admitted. According to an e-mail from enrollment officials, "if there is still a wait list, they will be added to the wait list. If there is no wait list, they will be placed."

According to the memo, the central enrollment office will administer kindergarten admissions for District 1, on Manhattan's Lower East Side, where there are no zoned schools, and for the lottery in District 3, on Manhattan's Upper West Side, as well as for other unspecified schools in other districts.

All students currently enrolled in public pre-K programs must re-apply for kindergarten; there is no guarantee that they may continue in their current program.

Students must turn five-years-old by Dec. 31, 2009 to be eligible for kindergarten.

Gifted & talented enrollment

This kindergarten admissions process is separate from the application process for gifted & talented programs. Testing for those programs begins in January, notification of scores is not until April, and placement offers come out in late May. At that time, there will likely be shifts in enrollment at some schools, with families opting for G&T programs rather than the general programs at other schools.

Stay tuned to Insideschools.org, and our blog for further updates. Got questions or concerns about the process? Join the conversation on our forum. Check out our Basics for more information about applying to kindergarten.

(Pamela Wheaton, Dec. 19, 2008).