Getting into a good public school when you're ou

nycwriter07

Subject: Getting into a "good" public school when you're ou

Does anyone know how one can get into a decent public school when you are not happy with the school you are zoned for? I live on PPSW but am somehow zoned for PS 130 instead of PS 154. I have not heard great things about 130 and am looking for ways to get my kids into 154 or a similar better school. Any ideas?

rose

There used to be a process to request a "variance" for a school other than your zoned school. At one time it was pretty easy for any but the most popular schools. I've heard that the DOE does not look favorably on variances anymore though. And 154 has become more popular so they may not have extra seats. But look on insideschools.org; I am sure they will have some information on what the process is now. I would also call 154 directly and ask. There are also a few magnet schools in District 15 that any child in the district can apply to -- Brooklyn New School and the Children's School and maybe others.

Also -- make sure you look at your zoned school before you rule it out. Don't just go by word of mouth.

reader

My child went to 154 on a variance a number of years ago. I visited the school, made an appointment with the guidance conselor, explained why
my zoned school wasn't a good fit, etc., and then worked through the district to have the paperwork done.

wtgirl

154 is a magnet school so you can apply to go there for Kindergarten (not pre-k....they turned away zoned kids this year). 154 is popular though and so your child will be put in a lottery (I believe it is a weighted lottery and not a strict pull the name out of a hate lottery). I am zoned for PS130 and don't plan on sending my kids there (but we still own/rent our coop in another zone). I have toured PS130 and don't trust Inside Schools frankly. They raved about PS130 and I was underwhelmed. The principal seems to have her way of running the school and didn't seem that open to suggestions. IT seemed very phonics driven and not particularly creative. BUT....I will consider sending my daughter there for pre-k only. The board of ed said they have done away with variances.

reader

Lots of kids in 321 are there on variances because their parents are teachers. Lots of kids in the Children's School never were part of a lottery but got a seat because of political considerations. Just because the BOE says they don't have a variance policy, doesn't mean they are not done.

c_j_hanson

I wrote a description of my own school search last year (zoned for 282, which is where my daughter wound up going) -- perhaps you'll find it helpful. There are a ton of options.

http://www.whynotsneeze.com/schools.html

yoda

Try PS 295

we like it a lot.