PLACE NYC 2024 ADMISSIONS SURVEY RESULTS – Parents Denounce NYCPS School Admissions Lotteries, Demand Return to Objective Test for G&T and More Accelerated Programs

New York City – Over 450 public school parents responded to the PLACE NYC Admissions Survey after the release of New York City Public Schools’ (NYCPS) Kindergarten, Middle and High School offers for the 2024-25 school year. Questions were focused on the overall fairness of the process, as well as on availability and accessibility of academically rigorous programs. 

80% of the respondents recently completed the admissions process for their child (or children) and provided extensive feedback on their experience for Kindergarten (167 responses), Middle School (309 responses), and High School (247 responses).

For Kindergarten – nearly 70% did not support the use of teacher recommendations and lottery for Gifted & Talented programs even though 3 out of 4 families expressed satisfaction with the outcome. Parents also repeatedly pointed out an overly subjective selection process which has resulted in a watering down of the curricula, and the overall scarcity of seats across the city– many asking to “bring back developmentally appropriate kindergarten G&T screeners.”

For Middle Schools75% were unhappy with the elimination of many screened seats citywide. As for the overall process, it was an even split between satisfied and dissatisfied families. Comments received reflect different approaches and satisfaction levels in each district – with D2 families highlighting the uncertainty created by the lottery placement and commute implications. Brooklyn families – 39% of the survey respondents – praised the expansion of accelerated programs in D20 as being “the right decision and choice for high achieving kids!”, while D15 families note their “rising 6th grader will travel out of D15 to D20 because there are no suitable middle schools in D15.”

For High Schools, 70% of the respondents were not satisfied with the application process which some called “ridiculous and disheartening, nerve-racking and stressful.” Families want “more help within the DOE to prepare for audition videos and/or switch back to in person audition for arts programs.” The application is “equivalent to a full time job for parents from September through December 1,” and one parent noted the process is particularly burdensome for a “working family whose parents don’t speak English.” While many families lauded the earlier release date for offers (March 7 this year), almost 80% denounced the continuing use of the lottery, which “discourages kids who put in the effort in trying their best and reach their potential.” Families remain “grateful for the SHSAT test which provided [their] child with an appropriately rigorous option for high school” and reliability. Several respondents disappointed with their child’s offers either have left or plan to leave the public school system to enroll their children in private, parochial or charter schools instead or leave New York City altogether. 

Numerous comments also included a call for New York City Public Schools (“NYCPS”) to “resume the zone priority for high school admission,” citing long and excessive commutes from one borough to the other as“not good for kids.” and how the lack of zoned high schools for Manhattan families leaves Manhattan students “at a disadvantage.” 

Additionally, numerous parents expressed frustration with the scarcity of neighborhood accelerated programs and called for “AP, G&T […] offered in every school… Massively expanding the number of high achieving programs for talented kids will solve the access and equity issues.” Some parents also questioned the high percentage of “Diversity In Admission” set-asides in some programs which prioritizes low-income students. This initiative has some middle class families feeling squeezed out of selective public schools. 

Lastly, many respondents who will be applying to all levels of schools in the near future raised concerns over the Class Size Limit Law and how it could potentially further reduce the number of seats at high performing schools –  many said they “would prefer larger class size in high performing schools than smaller class size.

While many consulting businesses have flourished as a result of NYCPS’ uniquely convoluted and continually changing admission process, PLACE NYC parent volunteers conducted multiple free information sessions and “parent-to-parent” conversations in several languages during the year on the application processes which have been well received by families as a supplement to the information provided by NYCPS and schools’ counselors.

“As an engaged public school dad, I urge NYCPS to continue making improvements to the admissions process and take action on what families consistently ask for,” said Craig Slutzkin, PLACE NYC Treasurer. Lisa Marks, Co-President added “The responses to this survey will continue to guide PLACE NYC’s advocacy for more academically rigorous programs with fair and transparent admissions processes.”