As the Exmissions Specialist in the 14th Street Y Preschool, I have the pleasure of helping Pre-K families navigate the New York City world of kindergarten admissions. As applying to kindergarten in New York City can become overwhelming, I work with each individual preschool family to guide and advise them through the entire application process. It is my job to not only help our families find the best kindergarten option for their child, but to make the process clear and as stress-free as possible. This year has been extremely exciting as our families have been successfully placed at private schools of their choice including Friends Seminary, Blue School, and Trevor Day School. In addition, families have been accepted to institutions such as Village Community School, Leman Preparatory School, UNIS, and British International School.
As the spring season is upon us, I would like to share some tips for families who will be applying to kindergarten 2020-2021.
Tip 1: Take some time to think about the type of school you are interested in for your child.
Are you interested in applying to private school, public school, a school with a religious affiliation, or will you apply to all?
Will you be looking at schools only in your area or are you willing to travel?
Do you know what type of setting and curriculum you are looking for?
These are all questions to ask yourself while you begin the process. One resource, Independent School Admissions of Greater New York (ISAAGNY), provides a list of NYC independent private schools. Parents League of New York also offers great information, which you can view here.
Tip 2: Visit the schools you’re interested in.
Many schools have spring tours and open houses. Take advantage of these tours to familiarize yourself with different schools and narrow down choices. Visiting schools and hearing their philosophies and teaching styles can aid in your decision making about the type of school environment you want for your child.
Tip 3: Try not to become overwhelmed!
The process may seem daunting but educating yourself on school choices and adhering to strict deadlines will alleviate some of the stress.
Check back for more information on the application process on my next blog post coming soon.
Learn more about the 14th Street Y Preschool here.