💡 The Final Countdown! 🚨 Deadline 12/4/24
The NYC DOE HS Admissions deadline is upon us. With the holiday season in the mix, be sure you're dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s!
First, stay focused. Don't concern yourself with what other families are doing and where other applicants are applying. Do not fall victim to comparison and perseverating over the same 10 schools everyone has “heard of.” Notice my language - these schools are certainly lovely and familiar - but it doesn’t mean they’re better, the best, or the right spot for your kiddo. Stay committed to what's best for your child and block out the noise.
Stay open minded about a balanced list of high schools that can offer your child a range of opportunities. There are SO MANY fantastic high schools in NYC, (544+). Your child will be more comfortable than you realize in a lot of different communities. You raised them in NYC afterall!
What are your applicants favorite or reach schools in terms of accessibility? Put them at the top.
What are your fairly accessible but not slam dunk schools? Put them in the middle.
What are your safeties? Sure they’re not your top choices, but what schools will your child likely get into that you’d be happy with? Put them at the end.
Do I think adding more than 12 schools will make a big difference to this year’s results? No. Chalkbeat reported that last cycle, 77% of applicants got into one of their top three schools.
Weak random #? Get on the essay, portfolio, or audition train. Don’t sleep on Ed Opt schools.
Not in group 1? Don’t panic. There are a lot of fantastic schools that are Ed Opt or Lottery. PS and by the way, there are plenty of HS’s that offer more than 1 program students can apply to!
We’re closing in on Thanksgiving. While radical rest is should be a top priority, this is an opportune time to finish any last straggling tasks.
Are you including Bard, Bk College Academy, Medgar Evers Academy or any other HS that requires students take their own internal assessment? Get registered and ready!
Your applicant should be finalizing their essays
Your artist should by putting their final touches on their portfolios and recording audition videos. Don’t forget schools that ask for additional personal statement vids, (I’m looking at you Fine Arts, Technical Theater, Nest+M, etc!)
Finally, do yourself and your sanity a favor: upload your materials EARLY. How about a few days in advance? Then - if you indulge - pour yourself a stiff drink and your kid a hot cocoa. Congrats - you’re done!
FREE High School Admissions Guide
City Smarts co-founder Danielle Florio has been educating NYC parents and schools on the high school admissions process for over 15 years. This year she’s put together an incredible guide outlining the admissions process. If you are the parent of a 7th or 8th grader, you won’t want to miss out on this invaluable resource.
