NYC Middle Schools Poised To Reopen: Here’s What You Need To Know

NEW YORK CITY — Another “first day” awaits New York City’s public middle school students — and could soon greet their high school counterparts.

School is back Thursday for the city’s sixth- through eighth-grade students who opted for in-person learning.

“We’re moving forward bringing our middle school kids back tomorrow, and then we want to go farther and we want to get ready for a really, really great September when everyone’s back,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday.

Middle school and high school students have been fully remote since November, when the city’s coronavirus positivity levels hit a 3 percent threshold for automatic districtwide closures.

COVID-19 virus levels in the city remain far above that point — as of Wednesday, the average positivity rate is 7.15 percent — but health officials have re-evaluated the safety of schools. Positivity levels remain low for elementary schools that have reopened, and experts believe the city’s safety measures have paid off.

“Clearly, our schools have been safe,” de Blasio said.

De Blasio said he expects to make an announcement “in the next few weeks” as to when high school students can return.

But until then, here’s what students and parents need to know about middle schools reopening.

Who’s coming back?

Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students who have opted into in-person or blended learning.

They must also have filled out a consent form for COVID-19 virus testing by their first scheduled day of in-person leaning. Families can fill out the form through their NYC Schools Account.

What’s this about COVID-19 testing?

All schools will have 20 percent of their students and staff randomly tested each week.

How many schools are reopening?

In total, 471 middle schools are reopening. Chancellor Richard Carranza recently said roughly half will offer five-day-a-week in-person instruction to their students.

How will I know my child’s schedule?

Principals are supposed to have contacted parents with schedules. Parents who haven’t received them yet should contact their schools.