STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The deadline to apply for New York City’s Gifted & Talented (G&T) programs is Friday.
Gifted & Talented programs offer accelerated instruction to eligible elementary school students in New York City.
Here’s a look at what to know:
What has changed with G&T?
In April, Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor David Banks announced the city was expanding its Gifted & Talented programming 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 also be created for the first time in the fall — with a program in each of the city’s 32 school districts. As part of this pilot program, there will be a total of 1,000 seats available.
Interested New York City families with kids entering kindergarten, grade 1, grade 2, or grade 3 this fall are welcome and encouraged to apply.
How do I apply?
The application is available at the city Department of Education’s (DOE) website at schools.nyc.gov/GT.
You can submit your child’s application one of two ways by Friday’s deadline:
- Online at MySchools.nyc. It’s easy to create a MySchools account — a video on the DOE’s website will walk you through the process.
- Through a Family Welcome Center. Find locations and hours at schools.nyc.gov/FWC.
If your child currently attends a charter, private, or parochial school and is entering grade 1, 2, or 3 this fall, be sure to submit their report card grades to a Family Welcome Center by July 1, the DOE said. The agency needs your child’s report card grades to determine eligibility for G&T.
What are the G&T programs?
K-to-5 G&T Programs
These existing programs serve children throughout elementary school, from kindergarten through grade 5. Children can enter these programs in kindergarten, grade 1, grade 2, or grade 3.
Grade 3 G&T Programs
These programs –– at least one in each NYC community school district –– serve children from grade 3 to grade 5. Children enter these programs in grade 3. Highest-performing grade 2 students (whose grades are in the top 10% at their school) are invited to apply.
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.
How does eligibility and applying work?
Applying to K-5 G&T programs:
Kindergarten (DOE children applying): 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 for a kindergarten entry.
Kindergarten (non-public school children applying): 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.
For current kindergarten, grade 1 and grade 2 students in public schools: The DOE will identify the highest-performing students — meaning their core course grades are in the top 10% at their school. They will be invited to apply.
Applying to Grade 3 G&T programs:
Current second-graders: The top 10% of second-graders in each school — determined by grades in the four core subject areas — will be invited to apply.
Where are the Staten Island programs?
Each of New York City’s 32 school districts received a new third-grade entry point at a school.
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
When do parents find out about offers?
Families will be considered for placement at all of their application choices. All G&T programs give priority to siblings of current students. Some programs also give priority to children who live or attend school in a specific district.
All applicants will receive a results letter in late July. This letter may include a G&T offer and any information about 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.
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