The Time to Think About DOE High School Admissions Is Now

By New York City Department of Education Staff

New York City has more than 350 high schools offering many different types of programs. Having so many choices is great, but it takes time to consider all of the options.

It’s never too early to focus on high school admissions. If your child will be in 8th or 9th grade this year, keep in mind that December 1st is the date when high school applications are due to school guidance counselors. Students can indicate up to 12 preferred schools/programs on the Application for Admission to High School form.

Your child’s teachers and guidance counselors can support your child through this process, but parents play a very important role in helping students make the best choices.

You can help your child think carefully about:

• His/her educational and career interests;
• Student support services, including services for English language learners and students with special needs;
• Extra curricular interests, including clubs and sports;
• High school environment, including size and location;
• The different methods high schools use for choosing their students. Different schools use varying methods and students and parents need to understand those differences.

There are many tools families can use to help understand the process. Most important, 8th and 9th graders receive a copy of the High School Directory, which also is available online at http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/StudentEnroll/HSAdmissions/.

Families can attend the Citywide High School Fair in September and Borough Fairs in October. You can research your options, talk to school representatives, and begin to identify which schools seem like the best fit. High schools also have information sessions and open houses for specific programs. At your child’s current school, you can speak with the Parent Coordinator, Guidance Counselor, Assistant Principal, or Principal to get a sense of which high schools best match your child’s academic needs and career interests.

The DOE Office of Student Enrollment Planning and Operations can be reached at 212-374-2363.

Excerpt from: Guide for Parents and Families 2006-2007