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

PS 134: 4001 18th Ave, 718-436-7200, Parent Coordinator Betty Lopez's email is BLopez13@schools.nyc.gov.

PS 139: 330 Rugby Rd, 718-282-5254, Parent Coordinator Maria Caridi's email is MCaridi3@schools.nyc.gov. Open house scheduled for Wednesday, January 18 at 8:45am.

PS 179: 202 Avenue C, 718-438-4010, Parent Coordinator Kathleen Vitale's email is KVitale2@schools.nyc.gov.

PS 217: 1111 Newkirk Ave, 718-434-6960, Parent Coordinator Mary Kay Seery's email is mseery2@schools.nyc.gov. Open house scheduled for Thursday, January 12 at 9:15am.

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.