The Middle School Choice Process Fall 2013

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The Middle School Choice Process

Fall 2013

Stacey Katz, Guidance Counselor

Randy St. Germain, Parent Coordinator

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• Welcome

• An overview of the MS Choice Process• Student eligibility & priorities • Types of programs• Matching process• The MS Choice application• Tips for the process• MS Choice timeline

• Q&A

Agenda

Eligibility Eligibility to Middle School is based on Chancellor’s Regulation A-101:• Students will be able to apply to schools in their district of

attendance and/or district to which they are zoned for middle school.

• Students may apply to schools with multiple district eligibilities, borough-wide or city-wide programs

To read Chancellor’s Regulation A-101, please visit:

http://schools.nyc.gov/RulesPolicies/ChancellorsRegulations

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Priorities• Priority to zone

• Zoned middle school will continue to grant priority to students who reside in the zone

5th grade students who wish to attend a school for which they have priority must rank that school as one of their choices on the MS Application

Continuing 5th grade students who want to remain at PS 101 MUST rank PS 101 on the application

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Types of MS Choice Programs• Screened

• Schools rank students based on a range of academic criteria

• Screened – Language• Dual Language & Newcomers programs

• Test based• Admission based on composite test score

• Limited Unscreened• Priority to students who attend an event

• Unscreened• Random selection process

• Zoned• Open only to students in the zoned area

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Matching Process

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Middle School Match

Student Choice

Priorities

Admissions Method

Seat Availability

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Middle School Choice ApplicationPre-populated with customized middle school choices.

These include programs based on:•District(s) for which a student is eligible:

• District of attendance• District of residence

•Programs based on submission of Request For Testing Form: • Talent Testing Programs:

Mark Twain for the Gifted & Talented (citywide)

SECTIONS 1& 2:Any changes to student information must be updated in ATS – SEMS will then change to reflect and a new application can be printed directly from SEMS on the following Monday

Sections 3 & 4:These will be

blank & should be completed

by the elementary school after

students return application

Top of Page 2: Directions & Sample

followed by customized choices

Ensure that students have ranked a sufficient number of schools in preference order

Bottom of Page 3:Parent/Guardian Signature

MS Choice Process Tips The MS Directory is a great reference for what options exist for

each district

Students should attend the MS Fair, open houses and other events to learn more about schools they are interested in

Students should consider travel distance when ranking schools on the application

There is no sibling priority for middle school

There are additional options (school-based application processes - district, borough, or citywide) listed in the back of the directory• These will not show up on the MS Choice application and

interested students should reach out to these schools directly

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MS Choice Timeline - Fall• Middle School Directories: September

• Request for Testing (RFT) Forms: October• District 21/Mark Twain citywide (Talent Testing)

• District MS Fairs: October/November• School-based open houses, tours & events throughout the fall

• MS Choice Applications: November – December

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MS Choice Timeline - Spring• District 21/Mark Twain talent testing: January

• Screened school interviews & testing: February - March

• New schools round: March (If applicable)

• Notification letters: May

• Appeals/Second application round: June

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For Additional Information:• Contact your local Borough Enrollment Office (BEO)

• Call 718-935-2398

• Email: [email protected]

• Stacey Katz: [email protected] ext. 172

• Randy St Germain: [email protected]

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