If you’re a parent of a four year old, in need of After-School, you most likely have some tough choices. Apparently, NY State thinks the school building is safe enough for PreK students from 8:30 - 2:30 but not after that.  And the State doesn’t trust the same After-school staff who care for Kindergarten children to care for PreK children.

I’ve learned that our schools and neighborhoods will continue to grow more disparate and segregated until New York’s policy makers treat early childcare, education and extra-curricular enrichment as an investment in whole families all along the income scale.

It’s finally here! a Google map we’ve created that includes every District, Boro and City-wide middle school for Manhattan students/residents. Easy to use and including enough basic info. you need to know to help narrow down your search. Click through the link below to go directly to the map and start exploring!

Community leaders in NYC School District 1 are serious about promoting our schools and supporting our families. To demonstrate, they’ve organized a walking tour of (almost) every District 1 middle school for families to visit. Doors will be open this Saturday for parents and students (especially those who have a hard time touring during the work week) to meet teachers, principals and other parents from each school, to ask questions and learn about options. The goal is to encourage families to expand their choices and encourage the community to engage in diversifying our schools in this highly segregated neighborhood. We’re looking forward to joining the walk!

For the past eight years, The Public Good has been actively researching NYC Department of Education (DOE) policies around school choice and choice leads to or is lead by segregation and inequity.

We have been exploring is the link between resources and funding for services such as after-school programs and the socio-economic composition of elementary schools.

View the presentation here for insights and links to resources that help families navigate the Middle School application process.