The Middle School Choice Process Fall 2013

1. The Middle School Choice ProcessFall 2013 • Stacey Katz, Guidance Counselor • Randy St. Germain, Parent Coordinator

2. Agenda • 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Matching Process Student Choice Middle School Match Priorities Admissions Method Seat Availability

7. Middle School Choice Application • Pre-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)

8. 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

9. Top of Page 2: Directions & Sample followed by customized choices Bottom of Page 3: Parent/Guardian Signature Ensure that students have ranked a sufficient number of schools in preference order

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. For Additional Information: • Contact your local Borough Enrollment Office (BEO) • Call 718-935-2398 • Email: MS_Enrollment@schools.nyc.gov • Stacey Katz: SKatz10@schools.nyc.gov ext. 172 • Randy St Germain: Rstgermain@schools.nyc.gov