The Department of Education has not yet released the numbers of how many 8th-graders were not matched with a public high school for September and we will share the information as soon as we get it -- possibly later today. Last year the number of unmatched students was 7500; this year it may be slightly higher.

In the meantime, many families of 8th-graders who were not matched anywhere are scrambling to find the right match in this next round of applications -- called the supplementary round.

If you are an 8th or 9th grader who is still looking for a high school, here is our advice about what to do, along with a rundown of some of the best options.

How to choose a school

This year there are more than 300 schools, many with multiple programs, that have at least some seats for incoming 9th and 10th graders. With no data included on the number of seats available at each school, your best bet is to focus on the schools that meet your needs and interests and rank them in the order of preference. You might also want to call the school to find out the number of open seats. There may be 12 slots to fill in but don't put down 12 choices unless you would be willing to accept a spot at any of them. And, look at the list carefully to make sure there are spots open for the grade you're entering in September.

Check out the schools' profiles on Insideschools.organd take another look at their listing in the high school directory. Call any schools you are interested in to see if it is possible to visit or tour. Also meet with school representatives at the supplementary round high school fair on Thursday, April 22 from 6-9 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr.high school complex located at 122 Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan.

Supplementary round applications are due back to guidance counselors by Thursday, April 29.

Did your child take the specialized high school exam and just miss the cut-off for acceptance? You may be eligible to apply for the summer Discovery Program. Talk to your middle school guidance counselor about which specialized high schools are offering a Discovery Program and how to apply. Also, check out page 17 of the 2009 - 2010 Specialized High Schools Student Handbook for details about the program and eligibility requirements.

Last week we reported that most empty seats are at large neighborhood schools, new schools opened in the past few years or slated to open in September, and arts-focused schools. Here's a rundown of some of the choices.

Schools for high achieving students

There are a few good choices for high achievers in every borough.

In the Bronx, consider the selective programs at Marble Hill High School for International Studies. Also take a look at University Heights Secondary School, which caters to a range of students including high achievers. The Cinema School, which opened in 2009 with great fanfare and lots of press attention, is another good bet for incoming 9th graders.

In Brooklyn, consider Benjamin Banneker Academyand tinyBedford Academy, both in the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill area. Also look at Abraham Lincoln High School'sHonors Institute for American Studies and Institute for Professions in Science. Brooklyn College Academy, which has openings for 10th-graders, offers the opportunity to learn on a college campus. Clara Barton's selective Gateway health program, a well-respected program for students interested in medical careers, also has openings.

In Manhattan, the Frank McCourt High School, which has garnered good press, is opening in September on the Upper West Side. For native Spanish speakers learning English, the Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematicshas seats available in its Bilingual Spanish Science & Mathematics program.

In Queens, consider "honors" programs within large high schools such as John Bowne High School'sScience Research Program, the Humanities Academy at Hillcrest High Schooland the selective programs atLong Island City High School.

On Staten Island, the large neighborhood high schools, Curtis,New Dorp, Port Richmond, Susan E. Wagnerand Tottenville, all have slots open for programs designed for strong students.

Schools for middle-of-the-road students.

Some small schools, and small programs within larger school, do a good job of delivering solid academics to a broader range of students. Several schools affiliated with the well-regarded Urban Assembly and the College Board have seats available. They have a good track record of running small programs with solid academics. There are openings in a few of the schools in the Frederick Douglass network as well. Several of the brand new schools, opening in September, might also be good bets.

In the Bronx, the Hostos-Lincoln Academy of Sciencehas openings for incoming 10th graders. An interesting choice for a self-starting teen who can handle lots of independence is the Bronx Lab school. Several graduates from this alternative school have received prestigiousPosse scholarships.

In Brooklyn, The School for International Studies in Cobble Hill caters to a range of students in a welcoming and supportive environment. There are openings for rising 10th graders at the Brooklyn Secondary School for Collaborative Studies, a progressive 6 -12 school in Carroll Gardens.

In Manhattan, the Young Women's Leadership School, an all girls school with graduation rates on par with the city's most selective schools, has seats for incoming 10th graders.

In Queens, there are seats open for rising 10th graders in John Bowne'sagriculture program. Recent immigrants might consider Newcomers High School, which ranked 6th in the nation in US News and World Report's annual survey of America's Best High Schools.

There are no small schools with openings on Staten Island, although all the zoned schools have slots.

Popular neighborhood schools

Seats are available in some popular, albeit overcrowded, neighborhood high schools. Large schools offer lots of extra-curricular activities and a broad range of courses where students can take a mixture of honors and regular-paced classes as well as interesting electives. If you're assigned to a program that you're not happy with, you might have luck applying to transfer to another program.

In the Bronx, there are openings inLehmanand TrumanHigh Schools.

In Brooklyn, take a look at Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, James Madison, New Utrecht, and Fort Hamilton.

In Queens, consider Bayside, Cardozo, Francis Lewis, Hillcrest, Long Island Cityand Forest Hills.

In Staten Island, Curtis, New Dorp, Port Richmond, Susan E. Wagnerand Tottenvillehigh schools all have seats available.

Art-focused

For creative students looking for an arts program, there are options throughout the city.

Wings Academy, Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Musicand Theatre Arts Production Company School(TAPCO) are strong choices for the arts in the Bronx.

In Brooklyn, look at the Brooklyn High School of the Artsand Brooklyn Theatre Arts. Life Academy High School for Film and Musicis a good fit for students who are passionate about film, Abraham Lincoln High Schoolhas a well-respected photography program and Gotham Professional Arts Academycan be a great school for struggling students who are artistically inclined and could benefit from a progressive, alternative curriculum.

In Manhattan, High School of Fashion Industries, Art and Design High School andCity College Academy of the Arts all have seats.

In Queens, consider the Theater Arts program at Hillcrest High Schoolas well as Long Island City High School'sOpera Institute and Orchestra Academy.

On Staten Island, there are openings in both the Visual Arts and Performing Arts programs at Curtis High School.

Career and Technical Schools

For students who like to tinker or want to get hands-on experience and professional certification in technology or the trades, there are picks throughout the city. The High School for Fashion Industries is a perennial favorite. Also take a look at George Westinghousein Brooklyn, Aviation High Schooland Queens Vocational High Schoolin Queens and the television production program at Harry S. Truman High School.

Schools originally slated to be closed

All 19 schools involved in the UFT lawsuitagainst the Department of Education are included on the list. The DOE is appealing the court decision, but is still enrolling students in all 19 schools with the possible exception of one, the Choir Academy of Harlem. The New York Times reported that despite the court's decision and its inclusion on the supplementary round list, the DOE will put the closure of the Choir Academy to a second vote by the Panel for Educational Policy at its next meeting on April 20.

What did we miss on our list? Share your advice and school picks in the comments below.