As a part of the Center for NYC Affairs at The New School, InsideSchools combines practical information for parents and cutting-edge policy research. Past research projects include a look at...

Charter schools are free, public schools open to all New York City students. They are founded by not-for-profit Boards of Trustees and operate under a contract (or "charter") of up to five years....

The following is a paid message from School in the Square. School in the Square (S2) is a FREE, PreK–12 public charter school now accepting applications for the 2023-24 school year. S2 engages,...

Updated March 15, 2022 If you want to explore options beyond your neighborhood elementary or middle school you may want to enter a lottery for a charter school. There are also some charter high...

When Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that New York would partner with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to “reimagine” education in the state, it took many by surprise. One contacted us...

For 18 years, InsideSchools has provided an invaluable public service: free independent reviews of the city’s schools, resources for families navigating the school system, and a trustworthy...

Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration recently announced that a number of charter and district schools will become partners this school year in exchanging ideas and best practices. The subject of...

As the May 10 deadline for parents to rank gifted and talented applications approaches, one Insideschools message board became a hotbed of anxiety. “Do you know what G&T is supposed to do with...

Here's help for 5th-grade parents now in the throes of the hunt for middle school. Insideschools combed the city for good middle schools that are not among the usual favorites—those popular...

This weekend, thousands of 8th and 9th graders will be presenting art portfolios, delivering monologues, dancing and singing in an effort to win admission to the elite “Fame” school, Fiorello H....

Algebra is a gateway course—the foundation for higher-level math and a critical hurdle that New York students must clear in order to graduate. Eighth- and 9th-graders who do well in it are steered...

Boys and Girls High School is a failing school by many standards. The New York City Department of Education gave it a grade of “F” on its 2011 Progress Report. Only 45.7% of students graduate in...

Dear Judy With all the talk about professional tutoring giving the edge in admissions tests for selective schools and G&T programs, I am beginning to worry. We can’t afford much in the way of...

Last SaturdayClass Size Matters held a Citywide Parent Conference at Manhattan'sSchool of the Future. Local officials, educators, and families gathered to discuss school governance, parent...

March 26 Update -- The earliest a school can set its application deadline is April 1. Many schools, because of next week's vacation, set a later deadline. These dates can be found in the DOE's...

On February 4, ARISE , a coalition of individuals and 24 organizations of which AFC is a member, issued a statement charging that the Department of Education's plan to reform special education does...

The New York Times reports today that charter school construction is providing a growing niche for the building and design industries in the New York City area. The article highlights a...

Summer break is hardly a vacation for more than 90 schools across the city that will be moving into new locations for the new school year. For some, moving means a home in a brand-new building,...

As the end of the school year marked the exit of several top special education officials at the DOE, we wondered when departing Garth Harries, senior coordinator for special education, would issue...

Dear Judy, My son is entering 7th grade this fall. Should I be thinking about high school admissions already? What can I do to get prepared? - Thinking Ahead Mom Judy answers: Dear Thinking...

When Lydia Bellahcene’s son "E.E.," who struggles with a reading disability, was picked from a lottery to attend Williamsburg Charter High School, she was elated. “I thought my son could be...

Recently, we sat down with James Merriman, the chief executive of the New York City Center for Charter School Excellence, to talk about the politics and policies of charter schools in New York...

April's a busy season for New York City's 78 charter schools, which currently serve 18,000 students. This coming school year, 24 new charters will open, and charter-school advocates tout high...

This fall 24 charter schools are expected to open across New York City, bringing the total number of city charter schools to more than 100. Although classes don't begin until next August or...

If making decisions about New York City public schools was anything like looking for real estate, I’d be ready to buy into the New York Harbor School right now, before the crowds arrive. (Come to...