How to get the school you want
It’s time for New York City eighth-graders to pore over a smorgasbord of 400 public high schools — and apply to a dozen.
But getting into one of the best is a lot tougher than it looks.
“There are not nearly enough seats in the most desirable schools for all who want them,” says Maurice Frumkin, a former Department of Education admissions guru and president of NYC Admissions Solutions, a Brooklyn-based firm that advises families navigating the Big Apple’s complex high-school admissions process.
HERE’S HIS ADVICE TO LAND IN ONE Of YOUR TOP PICKS:
Start researching high schools, ideally, by seventh grade. Later, you will need time to visit schools — and some give preference to those who attend information sessions. You will prepare for interviews or auditions, and compile portfolios of your seventh-and eighth-grade work.
Going to an elite, specialized school like Stuyvesant and Bronx Science means prepping for the tough SHSAT exam — the only admission criterion. Ambitious families start tutoring their kids in elementary school. Take practice exams to get familiar with the format, and learn test-taking strategies.
Make a list of 12 schools where you have a reasonable shot at getting in — and keep notes on their pros and cons.
Know everything about the admission priorities and requirements of the schools on your wishlist.
As The Post’s listings show, the top schools require applicants to have high grades, good scores on state math and English exams, and excellent attendance. High schools base their decisions largely on 7th grade performance — so do your best that year.
On school visits, ask administrators about their admission “rubric”— how much weight they give to factors like grades, exams, and auditions. This key information is not included in the Department of Education’s telephone-book-sized high school directory.
Be realistic, but don’t underestimate your chances. “A gifted musician may dilute the significance of test scores,” Frumkin says. Or a student may overcome lower grades with stellar attendance — a sign of effort.
Don’t fall into the “achievement trap,” he says. Many top schools — or special programs within them — give priority to certain students. Some limit enrollment to those who live in the borough or district. Many 6-12 schools give priority to ongoing eighth-graders. “So, even if you’re a very strong candidate, it can still be a long shot,” Frumkin says.
Aim to put all 12 possible choices on your application in order of preference. Those who limit their list to the most popular high schools — like Eleanor Roosevelt, Beacon and Millennium — compete with thousands of other good students for limited seats.
Hedge your bets by finding other suitable schools. Consider special honors programs within big schools — oases of excellence that give kids a greater sense of belonging. Each selective program requires a separate listing on the high-school application.
“The more choices you put down, generally, the risk goes down of getting nothing in Round 1,” Frumkin says.
Students not matched to any schools in Round 1 get a second chance in Round 2, but the choices and seats are sparse. Don’t get stuck.
Eighth-graders should attend today’s citywide high-school fair at Brooklyn Tech HS and upcoming borough fairs — see our calendar (left) — and start signing up for open houses and tours.
Check out our rankings, and research choices at InsideSchools.org, an independent source of information about city schools. Sites on each school include reviews, statistics, and comments from students. Grill your guidance counselor. Good luck.