Stuyvesant High School
Hi Everyone, I’m moving to Bed-Stuy in the Fall, at least I think that’s what the locals call it? I’m moving from Los Angeles. I’m doing some research on high schools for my son. I found a lot of lists of schools in Brooklyn, greatschools is a great resource too, but neither of these websites…
Hi Everyone, I’m moving to Bed-Stuy in the Fall, at least I think that’s what the locals call it? I’m moving from Los Angeles.
I’m doing some research on high schools for my son. I found a lot of lists of schools in Brooklyn, greatschools is a great resource too, but neither of these websites provided any info on how difficult the admissions test is.
Is it like getting into Harvard? DO you have to be some kind of genius? Or is just living inside the district guarantee you a shot?
Thanks everyone!
I took the test for All 3 specialized years ago (BX Science, Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Tech). The way it works is it’s one test for all three schools. Your score on the test determines which schools you can get in. You must score at least “some number” to get in any of the 3, then the higher the score the more you will place. I passed for all 3 but actually opted out of any, I went to Edward R. Murrow, which at the time was the best public HS in NYC. I hear it’s still pretty good. Laguardia is good if your son has a talent. From what I remember its an audition not a test. Bard, Hunter, Etc are very competitive. Chances are if you didnt apply from Middle school you wont get a seat (unless you have some money/connects). My daughter is 10 and I’m applying for those schools already. Also, Medgar Evers HS Highly ranked, but is also a test and interviews for the child and parents. Link here: http://www.mecps.org/
Good Luck
Wow! Great info everyone, thanks a ton!
High schools are not zoned but every student is guaranteed a seat somewhere. The students list their top 16 schools in order and the selective schools provide their rank ordered lists of applicants. The first wave of matches for next fall have already been made so it could be difficult to get into the most popular schools. Lots of Brooklyn kids go to schools in lower Manhattan like ICE, School of the Future, and Bard. I suggest calling one of the schools that catches your eye and asking them about the process. If the office isn’t helpful, ask for the parent coordinator’s contact information. Calling the Board of Ed is a frightening prospect, but give it a try. I doubt the specialized high schools (Stuy, Brooklyn Science, Bronx Science, LaGuardia) will be available for next year, but some of the others might be. Since you are moving from out of town, the rules are different but as others have said, you are going to have to work the system if you don’t want your son at Boys and Girls High.
When I took it, the stuy test was a PSAT-lite. Basic algebra, geometry, reading comprehension, etc.
It wasn’t very hard — I got a perfect score and had plenty of time left over.
um, meant to say “if your kid is a boy”
if you take algebra and geometry in middle school and read a lot the test will be easy. I doubt the prep class is worth it.
if your son is a boy, try Regis, you get a much better education there than NYC public schools (even a good one) and it’s also free.
My kid is at Stuyvesant. He took a prep class for the specialized school test. It seemed like so many kids were doing prep classes or getting tutored that you put your kid at a disadvantage if you don’t. Of the 30k or so that take the test, 800 kids are admitted to Stuy. Brooklyn Tech uses the same specialized schools test, is not as hard to get in to but also a good school. If you’re moving this summer and the kid is starting 9th grade in the fall, it’s too late for schools like Stuy. It’s possible to apply again for admission in 10th grade.
Unlike in lower grades, for high school there aren’t generally high schools that you can automatically go to because you’re in the district. If you’re moving to the city in the fall and the kid is starting high school the city will find a place, but it may not be in one of the great schools if you’ve missed all the application process deadlines.
My son was admitted to Stuyvesant but chose to go to private high school instead. You have to take the NYC specialized high school test. It’s very competitive. Many parents send their children to after-school/weekend prep courses specifically for the specialized HS exams. It’s all about being above the cut-off score however. If you are above this test score then you are admitted (Stuy has the highest cut-off I think).
Stuy is highly competitive – of the 30,000 applicants something like 600 are accepted.