advertisement
On CHOW: How to tip at a restaurant
Sign up | Log in
new post » see more posts »
  • How do you apply to schools long distance? We are planning to move to New York summer 2009, but we currently live on the west coast with one who will be ready for preschool (3s) and one who will be ready for kindergarten.

    19 replies [ Reply | Watch | Options ]
    08.21.08, 02:18 PM [ Flag ]
    • Public or private?

      [ Reply | Options ]
      08.21.08, 02:19 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
      • Both. I mean, I'd send her (kindergartener) to Hunter or Anderson in a heartbeat if she got in, but I know the odds are almost impossible.

        [ Reply | Options ]
        08.21.08, 02:21 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
        • np: i think it is very hard to apply to public schools unless you have a NYC address. worht making some calls if you are interested. of course you can always go zoned.

          [ Reply | Options ]
          08.21.08, 02:56 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
        • np. If your older dc will be ready to start K in September of 2009, you won't be able to try for Hunter. You need to live here when you apply, which would be this fall. The DOE will let dc test and apply the summer you move here, but I don't know how the odds are for getting in to a sought after program like Anderson.

          [ Reply | Options ]
          08.21.08, 05:51 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
      • I think I would ask your current preschool if they have relationships with any NY schools or if they would be willing to make calls for you.

        [ Reply | Options ]
        08.21.08, 05:32 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • I think you should contact the schools and the Parents League and see what suggestions they might have. Most people are in the position of not knowing in advance that they will be moving to NYC - your situation is more unique.

      [ Reply | Options ]
      08.21.08, 02:23 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • It is such a flipping dog and pony show where you are at the beck adn call of the schools. Maybe they'll let you schedule things within the same week and you just come here for a week?

      [ Reply | Options ]
      08.21.08, 02:25 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • we had friends who did this. they did the preschool later on-just found a spot over the summer. for the k, they came over, did the erb, playdates and parent stuff over the course of a week. schools were very accommodating

      [ Reply | Options ]
      08.21.08, 02:37 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
      • We did this. They were all really nice about it. Remember that you usually need 2 mornings per school - one to tour and one for interview/playdate.

        [ Reply | Options ]
        08.21.08, 02:38 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
        • Thank you for the information. Can I bother you with some more questions? Did your child do OK going to playdate after playdate all week? Were schools OK with you missing their open house? What time of year did you do this? Other complicating factor is baby #3 due late January, so I can't fly to NY after late November.

          [ Reply | Options ]
          08.21.08, 02:42 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
          • or-our friends also had a new db. schools were fine with missing the other stuff. I don't know the time of year, but I do know they only applied to like 6 schools maybe, and over the course of 2 wks (or 10 days).

            [ Reply | Options ]
            08.21.08, 02:47 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
            • oh, and gl. I found schools were very nice as long as you are upfront with them. I was due in Dec with my 3rd while going through the process, though not long distance. schools all made sure that we got playdates/interviews way before my due date (my dc had playdates mostly with sibs/legacies because of the early notification deadline for them). they were really flexbile and helpful-we are not a huge money family or connected either. just a nice, non PITA family who asked for help.

              [ Reply | Options ]
              08.21.08, 02:50 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
              • Thank you! How about the issue of whether a 4 1/2 year old can handle the scrutiny of 5 or 6 "playdates" over the course of a week or two? Maybe she won't know the difference and it's just my adult take on it, but it's hard to believe she'll be at her best...

                [ Reply | Options ]
                08.21.08, 02:54 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                • it depends on the schedule and the child, really.

                  [ Reply | Options ]
                  08.21.08, 02:58 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                • np - I would probably try to break it up - do two one-week trips and try to do 3 playdates on each trip. DC went through the process last year and we tried to avoid having playdates on back to back days. 3 in a week was unavoidable at times, and that turned out fine. I think they really need a day off in between.

                  [ Reply | Options ]
                  08.21.08, 04:35 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • I think you apply for K (at least) in the fall like everyone else, but get your apps in really early and explain that you are moving to NY. Then, I think you schedule 1-2 weeks to visit NY, and most of the schools will try to work with you and fit everything into that time frame. If you can swing it, I'd schedule two trips, maybe 1 that's just you and 1 with your dc's to give schools a little more flexibility.

      [ Reply | Options ]
      08.21.08, 07:23 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
      • Thank you for the advice. What's the story on whether DH has to be there for all pieces of the process? I don't think more than one one-week trip is realistic for him, though the children and I could come twice. Also, you think I could blow off preschool applying until I got to NY in the summer and take my chances then?

        [ Reply | Options ]
        08.21.08, 07:54 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
        • Sorry for the late reply. Yes, you could take your chances with preschool or look at first come first serve programs and preschool alternatives (at places like Reebok or Kidville) for the 1st year. And, yes, I think you could bring your dc for just 1 week trip if you think he/she is up to a LOT of playdates in 1 week.

          [ Reply | Options ]
          08.22.08, 10:03 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • You cannot apply for public K until the child has already established residency in NYC. They will not allow you to request G&T testing etc.

      [ Reply | Options ]
      08.22.08, 05:05 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
advertisement
advertisement
Click Here

UrbanBaby Asks...

What are your Thanksgiving travel plans?

Already voted? View Results

See previous polls »

Boards Help

Abbreviations
More Boards Help

Site Feedback Thank you for your feedback about the new site. We are paying close attention to your comments and we will incorporate them as we make improvements to the site. Please continue to report problems and offer feedback on the Site Feedback Board and visit our Site Talk blog for answers to some of your questions and updates on specific issues.