how to prepare in the spring for the middle school search in the fall of 5th grade
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I love the face. it is so “long suffering middle schooler whose mom has just dressed her”.
By Joyce Szuflita
You have time. Model good habits for your 11 year old. Do a little research early. It will save you headaches in the fall.
First, unlike at elementary where you have a zoned safety, most families in the city don’t have a zoned middle school. If you would like to see if you do, go to the DoE’s find a school search function, put in your address, search for all grades and see what comes up. It will most likely say “No zoned school. Zoned for District (whatever) middle schools”. Sometimes you may get a surprise, but it is rare. You guys in the North Slope or Kensington are going to write to me now.
You get to apply to the schools in the Districts where you live and attend school. Most of you live and attend in the same district, so you only get the schools from there. Some of you may have schools from a couple districts to choose from. You can search around the MY SCHOOLS glitchy electronic directory, or you can just go to the simple list I have created here for Districts 13, 14, 15, and 17. You’re welcome.
On top of the schools from the Districts in which you live and attend school, you can also include some borough wide and city wide schools on your list of 12. I have also made a simple list for you here!
Why not search around on some websites. Many of them may have recordings of their tours or open houses available. Also, read the reviews and see the stats on Inside Schools. Join the parents of teens forums on Parents of NY Teens (their io group is here) and Park Slope Parents.
You can also come to my Intro to Middle School webinar. It is applicable no matter what district you live in. I don’t go into individual schools at these events, but you will come away with a solid understanding about how and when it all works, along with gobs of insight.
Read about one school a week. You will be know everything by the fall when your friends are all freaking out. Knowledge is power.
