Introduction Robin Aronow, Ph.D Educational Consultant

Public School Resources Publications The Parents ’ Guide to New York City ’ s Best Middle Schools Local Newspapers like the West Side Spirit and Our Town

Public School Resources (cont.) Websites tm Middle School Enrollment, tm r/default.htm Middle School Calendarhttp://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/Middle/Calenda r/default.htm ions/default.htm Middle School Directorieshttp://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/Middle/Publicat ions/default.htm Quality Reports, Progress Reports and Morehttp://schools.nyc.gov/Accountability/default.htm AandMathTestResults. Common Core Resultshttp://schools.nyc.gov/Accountability/data/TestResults/EL AandMathTestResults.

Public School Resources (cont.) Websites (cont.) And other District websites

Schools May Look At Attendance and Punctuality (all do!) Test Scores/Grades Diagnostic Test Interview Portfolio Academic and Personal Behaviors Competency Attendance at an Open House or the Fair Ranking if they are a first choice school, or giving more points if first choice school: e.g. Computer, Mott Hall II, Booker T. Washington and WESS (more points)

Public Middle School Options Zoned School (with Special Progress Classes-SP) –e.g. District 2: Robert F Wagner (JHS 167), Simon Baruch (JHS 104)

Public Middle School Options (cont.) District Schools –Most are on District Applications –May be exceptions like Center School in D3 which you apply to directly for 5 th grade!

Public Middle School Options (cont.) Citywide Options or those who consider out of District Students: Anderson, NEST+M, TAG, Special Music School, Mark Twain, Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS), Institute of Collaborative Education (ICE), Ballet Tech, Ella Baker, Manhattan East, Young Women’s Leadership Academy Hunter College High School for 7 th Grade

Special Needs Students The Department of Education offers the following options: Self Contained Classrooms Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) Special Education Teacher Support Services (SETTS)

Borough Options Check handbook for these options. However a review shows that the majority of these schools are performing worse than the city average.

Public School Timeline April-August Start reading up on schools via websites or books Make preliminary list of schools to which your child will apply

Public School Timeline (cont.) September Call Middle Schools of interest, or sign up on websites, for tours as soon as possible. Tours do close out! Attend any school events held at your elementary school. District Fairs: Check DOE website October Directories distributed at schools, fairs, district offices, online Open house events at Middle Schools start this month District 3 Principal’s Forum, October Download and complete application to Mark Twain Middle School for the Talented. Due mid-October! Check out websites of citywide options such as Anderson, NEST+M TAG, and ICE Download application of Special Music School, if have musical talent.

Public School Timeline (cont.) November Middle School applications distributed Download citywide option applications if not done previously December Deadline to return applications to your public school or to schools with school based admission by early December.

Public School Timeline (cont.) January-February Student interviews and testing at select Middle Schools. Mark Twain Talent Testing New Middle School packets distributed March New Middle School application deadline April Decision letters distributed May Return appeal letters/ If accepted to two schools, choose. June Appeal decision letters distributed

Private School Resources Publications The Manhattan Family Guide to Private Schools and Selective Public Schools A Parents ’ Guide to Special Education in New York City and the Metropolitan Area West Side Spirit and Our Town

Private School Resources (cont.) ORGANIZATIONS The Educational Records Bureau (ERB) and ISEE SSAT Parents League National Association of Independent Schools Greatschools.org Prep for Prep, A Better Chance (ABC), Albert G. Oliver

Private School Considerations Progressive or Traditional Single Sex or Coed Religious, Spiritual, Ethics Rigorous or More Relaxed Campus or City School Cost and Financial Aid Sibling Policy

Private School Protocol Top Choice Letters vs First Choice Letter Recommendations Ethics Wait Lists Safer Schools

Private School Timeline April-August Start reading up on schools via websites, brochures and books Make preliminary list of schools to which your child is applying Establish application folder and spreadsheets to track progress and deadlines Download any applicable applications and start preliminary drafts Register for ISEE and/or SSAT testing

Private School Timeline (cont.) September-November Finalize list of schools to which your child is applying Download applications or call schools for applications Attend Open Houses Attend Parents League School Fair and Panel Set up and attend tours Complete and submit applications, the sooner the better to ensure interview spaces Student and/or Parent(s) interview at private schools Sit for ISEE and/or SSAT testing Submit recommendation forms to teachers

Private School Timeline (cont.) December-January Sit for ISEE and/or SSAT testing if not done previously Student and/or Parent(s) interview at private schools References mail letters to receiving schools Send Top Choice Letters to receiving schools Teacher recommendations completed by mid-December Relevant documents mailed to receiving schools

Private School Timeline (cont.) February Receive acceptance status letters by early February and inform schools of decisions bye end of February. Work waitlists if applicable.

What to Look For or Ask When Touring How happy and involved do the students seem? What is the level of participation? Do you have the same impression from 6 th grade to the year of graduation? How long have the different members of the administration been in place? What is the average class size? How large is the school? Does the school have a diverse student and staff population?

What to Look For or Ask When Touring How do teachers interact with the students? What level of interaction is allowed and/or expected between students? Do students learn from each other, as well as from teachers? What is the general breakdown between new and experienced teachers? What kinds of supports are new teachers given? Is professional development available to teachers and do they take advantage of it? Is there collaboration among the teachers in the school and if so, what does it look like?

What to Look For or Ask When Touring What role does art, music, drama, dance, and athletics play in the curriculum? How often do the students attend these classes? How are the facilities? Are there relationships with any cultural or community institutions that provide special programming or grants? Is there a science lab and what is the quality of this facility? What is the role of technology in the school? What is the quality of the school library? What foreign languages are taught? What electives are offered? What Regent and/or AP/Intensive classes are offered? What is the range of extra-curricular activities?

What to Look For or Ask When Touring How does the school deal with students who are advanced or experiencing difficulties? What extra supports are offered? Are there advisers? How often does a child meet with an adviser? Ratio of counselors to students? How does the school deal with discipline/behavioral problems? How much homework can your child expect in each grade?

What to Look For or Ask When Touring What does the school see as the role of the parent? What transportation, if any, is available? Is lunch provided? What time will lunch be? May students eat on and/or off campus? Are there study hall/free periods? What is the exmission process like to high school (if the school ends in 8 th grade) or college (if the school ends in 12 th grade) and where do students go? What is the ratio of counselors to students? AND Lastly, what were your first impressions of the school when entering and then after having toured?