PS 282 or PS 9?

stacey

Old Time Brooklyn wrote: Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

Question for the dumb: If you were a parent with a kid in PS321 and your child got into a G&T program could you apply to G&T schools and if you didn't like the placement, could you just stay at 321 in "regular" program?

This is how I remember it - there is a test that is given to children starting in K which tests for the G&T program. All districts have G&T programs. Once your are notified how your child did on the G&T test it tells you which school has an opening, at this point you either take the opening or stay where you are. If your child tests in the 98 percentile they are offered a seat at one of the G&T "schools" like NEST+m or Anderson where your child will have to travel into Manhattan.

@Latanaya - Ms. D'Avilar is relatively new (I think she took over as Principal [from VP]) about 5 years ago.

pnlop

To be eligible for the G&T your child has to score 90% or higher.

You can get more info on the DOE website.

solamami

stacey wrote: there is a test that is given to children starting in K which tests for the G&T program. All districts have G&T programs. Once your are notified how your child did on the G&T test it tells you which school has an opening, at this point you either take the opening or stay where you are. If your child tests in the 98 percentile they are offered a seat at one of the G&T "schools" like NEST+m or Anderson where your child will have to travel into Manhattan. .

Actually, the process you describe is not correct. Since I'm in the thick of this (maddening) process, I can break it down:

Standard kindergarten application process is separate from G&T, whether you are zoned are not. For regular K, the individual school makes the decision on whether they can offer your child a seat. (Sibling preference, then zone, then district.) Letters went out just before spring break. This deadline for registration is this Friday, April 23.

If you've elected to have your child take the G&T test, then you first have to wait for the Results Letter (which I only got in the snail mail TODAY). If your child meets the criteria (90th percentile), then you have to APPLY for a G&T school is your district. (You're not offered a seat.) On the application, you have to put your choices in order of preference. (Admission is NOT guaranteed). There are only 3 schools in District 13, so that narrows it down. But preference order is key. Because placement is decided by the DOE (sibling preference, then by percentile, and order of preference). If your child is above the 97th percentile, then you are allowed to apply to G&T school citywide, but again, admission is not guaranteed. And from what I've heard, it's even more cutthroat & elitist. Application deadline is April 30. Parents won't be notified until the 2nd week of June where their child will end up.

So you still have to register for regular kindergarten, just in case. At 5 years old, my child has to have a "safety school." You see the ridonkulousness of it all?

So to answer the "dumb" question, yes. If your child is at 321 (which I believe is District 15, yes? I know PS10 is, which is also a great school with no G&T), and doesn't get into a G&T school of your choice, you can opt to keep him/her at 321. Just make sure they're registered. Otherwise, someone on the waiting list just got lucky.

stacey

Thanks for that clarification - it was much simpler when my son was attending. All I can say is just wait until the Jr. High and HS process then you will know maddening.

thelambchop

to add to the confusion, i think you can apply for local G&Ts outside of your district, too, but you'll be low on the priority list. also, i think ps 10 does in fact have a g&t program. it's pretty new, and popular, so probably not a real option for those residing in D13.

i also think admissions to regular K are not, in the first instance, up to the individual school. i think the individual school can make the decision as to who gets in if there are open spots after all sibs and zoned kids are in, but the priorities are supposed to be the same for K as they are for 1st and beyond. though perhaps that's changed since i last read up on it?? and the doe doesn't have to offer you a space for K at all. you're also not guaranteed a spot in your *zoned* school for 1st and beyond, but they do have to find space for you somewhere. this issue - of kids being waitlisted for their zoned schools even past K - is playing out in some popular zones in manhattan now, but seems not to have occurred in even the much vaunted ps 321.

anyway, part of the takeaway from this dialogue is that the process and the opportunities seem to change every year, so the advice is always to check with the DOE and any school you're interested in with respect to the hows and whens of any application.

stacey

I just came across this and thought it might interest you

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/18/dtg_afterschoolcuts_2010_04_30_bk.html

old time brooklyn

I heard so many kids got turned away from PS9 gifted and talented program. Seems the score to get in was more in line with the city wide program than district. Guess the school is rising in people's minds.

whynot_31

Old Time Brooklyn wrote: I heard so many kids got turned away from PS9 gifted and talented program. Seems the score to get in was more in line with the city wide program than district. Guess the school is rising in people's minds.

Yes, now is an excellent time to be a teacher at PS 9 and claim credit for your students improved test scores.

....as the demographics of the neighborhood change, and as more long term families decide to send their kids to PS 9 (as opposed to private), those test scores are rising.

Note: I'm sure the teachers are doing a fine job as well, but it never hurts to ride the wave. (My criticism is mostly against the admin of the DOE, not the staff of PS 9. ...What a silly way to grade to a school....)