STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The application process for New York City’s Gifted & Talented (G&T) program at several school sites across the five boroughs opens on Tuesday.
Last month, Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor David Banks announced the city was expanding its Gifted & Talented program to every school district starting in the 2022-2023 school year, along with changes regarding which students will be eligible and how the admissions process will work.
The expansion will add 100 kindergarten Gifted & Talented spots — for a total of 2,500 seats across the five boroughs. A new entry point for third grade will be created for the first time in the fall.
As part of this pilot program, there will be a total of 1,000 seats available.
The application opens Tuesday at the city Department of Education’s (DOE) website at schools.nyc.gov/GT.
Here’s eight things you need to know if you plan to apply for a G&T seat.
What is Gifted & Talented?
Gifted & Talented programs offer accelerated instruction to eligible elementary school students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Parents have previously told the Advance/SILive.com that students in Gifted & Talented programs learn the same curriculum, but it may move at a faster pace, include additional projects, use technology in the classroom and increase critical thinking.
G&T programs are open to public, district and charter school students, private and parochial school students, students with disabilities, students with accessibility needs, English Language Learners (ELL), and children in temporary housing. All families, regardless of immigration status, can apply.
Where are G&T programs on Staten Island?
PS 22, Graniteville, is the only third-grade entry program on Staten Island.
Here are the kindergarten entry programs:
- PS 3, Pleasant Plains
- PS 8, Great Kills
- PS 42, Eltingville
- PS 45, West Brighton
- PS 50, Oakwood
- PS 53, Bay Terrace
Who is eligible to apply for a kindergarten entry point?
For children currently attending DOE district schools, Pre-K Centers, NYC Early Education Centers (NYCEECs), or charter schools, all pre-K students will be evaluated by their current teachers.
If eligible, children will be nominated for G&T admissions. Families of eligible, nominated children will receive a G&T eligibility letter before the application opens, inviting them to apply. If interested, they can apply when the application is open. All eligible children who apply will be considered.
For children currently attending private or parochial school, or children not yet in school, interested families can apply when the application is open. After the application closes, early childhood education experts will contact you to schedule an interview. If eligible, children will be nominated for G&T admissions and considered for offers.
Who is eligible to apply for a third-grade entry point?
The top 10% of second-graders in each school — determined by grades in the four core subject areas — will be invited to apply to a third-grade program.
This ensures that the DOE is using multiple measures to determine eligibility in the program, according to the mayor’s office.
“The top 10% of second grade academic performers in every school will be invited to apply to gifted and talented programs, with preference being given to students applying to programs in their home district by using academic grades from the four core subject areas,” said Banks. “We are screening students for gifted behavior based off their total academic performance, not just a single test.”
Families will be considered for placement at all of their application choices, and offers will be made based on district and sibling priorities, as well as seat availability.
How do I apply?
The application opens on Tuesday, May 31, and closes on June 13.
On your child’s application, you can apply up to 12 G&T programs that interest you. Be sure to list these programs in your true order of preference, with your first-choice program as your number 1 choice.
You can submit your application one of the following ways by the deadline:
- Online at MySchools.nyc
- Through your local Family Welcome Center (schools.nyc.gov/FWC)
If you need help, you can call 718-935-2009 or email ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov.
Applicants will receive a results letter in July 2022, which may include a G&T offer and any information on waitlists.
How did Gifted and Talented work previously?
Previously, Gifted and Talented programs were only available starting in kindergarten. They will now be expanded to include an entry point in third grade.
The city has also removed the single, high-stakes exam to enter into a Gifted and Talented program.
What if my child is already in a G&T program?
According to the DOE, students currently enrolled in a G&T program do not need to apply to continue attending their current program.
Are there any information sessions about G&T?
The DOE’s Office of Student Enrollment is hosting a final virtual information session on June 1 with live interpretation in Arabic, Bangla, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Urdu. Through this session, families will be able to learn about Gifted & Talented program types, eligibility and how to apply, and they will have the opportunity to ask questions.
The virtual event will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. Click the link to join the session.
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