Like many other NYC moms, I received a postcard from the NYC Department of Education in the mail yesterday. It listed key dates for Kindergarten admissions.
Basically, families need to apply in person between January 12 and March 2 at every school they are interested in having their child attend for kindergarten, including their zoned school. (Even if your child is attending pre-k at the desired school, you need to apply again for Kindergarten.) Families will be notified about their assignment offers in mid-March and pre-register at their schools between March 16th and April 13th. (You can get more information on their site.)
Personally, I have no idea what to do. My dilemma is that we’re moving in the summer in order to be in a better school district for the fall. Should I just take my chances and pray that there will be an open spot in our future zoned school? Why is the NYC public school system so difficult – or is it just me?!
I refuse to stress myself out about this. Worst case scenario, I’ll homeschool Michael for Kindergarten and enroll him in a few group classes for socialization purposes (he’s such a social little boy!). One of my friends (an assistant principal in NYC) pointed out that Kindergarten is not mandatory in NYC anyway.
(I know that many of you mom readers who don’t live in NYC don’t get the “angst”. I grew up in the Virginia school system, so I don’t get it either!)
