Kindergarten Application Period Begins Today

The kindergarten admissions process opens today, and though the process differs from school to school, there are some standard timelines and guidelines for eligibility and admissions priorities. All students entering kindergarten in September 2012 (children born in 2007) must submit an application, even if they are applying to zoned schools.

During the application period, which runs through March 2, you should visit the schools in your zone to get a better idea of what the school is like, and to fill out an application. Be sure to see the list of required documents that you'll need to bring with you.

You can also visit schools that you're interested in that are outside of your zone, though priority is given to students residing within the zone. To find out which school you are zoned for, call 311 or conduct a search on the DOE site.

The best way to learn about a school is to see it first hand--and to see others, so you can compare them. Of course, advice from others can be just as helpful, so if you have some thoughts about one of our local schools that you'd like to share, please do. Maybe there is something you wish someone had told you about the school that you found out later? What has your child's experience been? And what's your experience been as a part of the school community?

In the meantime, here's the contact info and open house information (if available) for elementary schools in our area:

PS 10: 511 7th Ave, 718-965-1190, Parent Coordinator Madeline Seide's email is mseide@ps10.org. Applications accepted 9-11:30am, and you must sign in at the security desk before heading to the main office. There is an open house on Friday, January 20 at 9am; sign up online here.

PS 107: 1301 8th Ave, 718-499-2054, Parent Coordinator Heather Damon's email is hdamon@schools.nyc.gov. Upcoming school tours scheduled for Tuesdays, January 10 and February 12 and 28 at 9am; no appointment necessary.

PS 130: 70 Ocean Parkway, 718-686-1940, Parent Coordinator Jaquelin Serra's email is JHardy3@schools.nyc.gov.

PS 154: 1625 11th Ave, 718-768-0057, Parent Coordinator Diana Plunkett's email is dplunkett@schools.nyc.gov. Registration hours are 9-11am, forms are in the main office.

PS 230: 1 Albemarle Road, 718-437-6135, Parent Coordinator Nadine F. Myers-Guilloteau's email is nmyers5@schools.nyc.gov. Kindergarten open houses are scheduled for Monday, January 23 and Thursday, February 16 at 9am at 425 McDonald Ave.

PS 295: 330 18th St, 718-965-0390, Parent Coordinator Shari Fields' email is SFields7@schools.nyc.gov. Upcoming open houses are scheduled for Tuesdays, January 10 and February 7 at 9am; no appointment necessary.