ps 321
On a post from earlier this year, someone wrote that ps 321 is no longer accepting new students from outside the zone. Anyone know whether this is the case?
On a post from earlier this year, someone wrote that ps 321 is no longer accepting new students from outside the zone. Anyone know whether this is the case?
Admissions for middle school next year will not be at the school level. The city is centralizing the admissions process to look similar to HS. My understanding is that parents will rank their MS choices and then be given their school.
I think in policy variences are out, its less clear what that will look like in practice.
“I imagine that if 321 really dropped the number of variances that would be a boon for 282 and other schools in the area?”
Not necessarily, they come from all over bklyn just for 321. 282 does not have the reputation. (though it may be a fine school)
I’m the original poster on this one. Truth is, we are thinking about buying a place in the 282 zone, and I’m wondering what the future holds for that school. So many people seem concerned enough with 282 that they find other places for their kids to go, 321 in particular. I imagine that if 321 really dropped the number of variances that would be a boon for 282 and other schools in the area?
My daughter went there, from K to 5. I was out of the zone in 2000 but I was very persistent and received a variance. I was not so fortunate with my 2nd daughter this year. She will be going elsewhere for pre-k. I will tell you that this is very late in the game to try to get in to the most popular schools. The application process started in March. But Good Luck.
Lots of kids from outside the immediate district go to PS321, for a variety of reasons. Some are special needs, some have pull with local politicos, some are volunteers at the school, or for any of a million other different reasons. Our son went there for a year and we live outside the zone. Several kids on our block go there too. Policy is pretty much decided by the principal, and can change year to year, or even month to month, since attendance is always shifting. It behooves the principal money-wise to keep the school as full as possible, so if there is a spot open in a particular grade, they may let you in. Since it is so well known and desirable (rightly or wrongly), you’ll have a hard time getting in from outside the zone without some sort of reason, though it is not impossible – I’ve seen it done. Kindergarten or prek are probably the toughest to get into.
Try Classical Hellenic Charter School on 5th avenue. They aren’t bound by any particular district currently. Expanding enrollment, daily language instruction, continues through 8th grade, not crowded, and they just got a hot shot new principal from Bay Ridge. It’s a great school.
Actually, I am aware of several cases of “variances” being granted at 321. I know a few business owners along 7th Ave who live outside the district and have their children there, claiming it’s closer to their work. I know a teacher at the District 13 school on 6th Ave and Berkeley who lives in Midwood and sends her two kids to 321. The school where she works, by the way, is quite empty. I assume she knew someone who pulled strings to get them in. I also know of a case where someone has a cell phone bill and something else mailed to a friend who lives in the “zone” and used that to get her 2nd grader into 321. Once the kid is in there, they don’t follow up to check.
As far as I know, 321 hasn’t accepted kids from outside the zone for years. That’s not to say that people aren’t using illegal addresses to attend, but the school doesn’t give variances at all (unless perhaps for some special needs). I don’t think a school can give variances if it is overcrowded anyway. Except perhaps to a sibling of a current student who has moved out of the zone, but is then entitled to remain at the school.
No one is getting in from out of zone recently…and the only school vaguely close to there that isn’t stuffed to the gills is 282.