applying to 3k or Prek with a "bad" lottery number

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The DoE is now putting the random number in your MYSCHOOLS profile when you begin the process to apply for 3k or Prek. It is a hexadecimal 32 digit list of letters and numbers that kinda looks like your computer’s serial code. The only characters that really matter are the first two. The sequence goes from 0-9 and a-f. The “best” number is 00. The “worst” is ff. If you care to know, it is all explained here, including a chart that has estimated what % of people have a higher number than you.

SUPER IMPORTANT: Don’t freak out about your number. It is only used as a tie breaker when there are candidates of equal priority. Each time you apply for schools; for Prek, K, 6th grade and 9th grade, you get a different number. Each time you are on a wait-list, you get a different number.
DON’T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS! IT IS NOT THE ORDER IN WHICH YOUR APPLICATION IS CONSIDERED. It is a tie breaker whenever there are candidates of equal priority. For example: all zoned families have the same priority for their zoned school, but they are ordered according to their random number within that group.

There are many factors that matter in this match, like, if you are continuing at a school that has 3K or Prk, if you have a sibling in the school, if you are in District for a Prek Center, or if you are in-zone for a DoE school. If you are placed in a program depends on a whole bunch of factors including your priorities if any, the number of seats available, and the popularity of the school, as well as your luck with the random number.
The best advice is to rank a robust and diverse list of programs. Make sure that there are lots of seats available to you that are not mostly prioritized for other people. Try to leverage any priorities that you can. Rank schools in true preference order.

Gifted and talented for 1st through 4th grade

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By Joyce Szuflita
Gifted and Talented is back baby! and it is more opaque and imprecise than ever!! If you were interested in G&T for kindergarten in fall of 2023, that process is over and placements have been made. If you are interested in moving your child from their current program for a change at first through fourth grade for the fall of 2023, you have until May 15 to apply. You can only apply if your child has been identified by their course grades to be eligible and you would have received notice from the DoE. Read this to find out what you actually get and don’t get at G&T. This is a large city and there are neighborhoods with very different environments and needs. In this blog I am speaking to the families who live in northwest Brooklyn where there is a bounty of quality, stable, progressive elementary schools filled with talented educators.

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i'm applying to kindergarten with a "bad" lottery number

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i'm applying to kindergarten with a "bad" lottery number

By Joyce Szufltia
This is something that middle and high school parents have had to address this year. It is in the wind and kindergarten parents have begun to ask. The “random number” aka lottery number has always been with us. It has just never been revealed by the DoE. This year, the DoE revealed the “number” to older kids and if you ask them, they will tell you too. It doesn’t predict your fate, but it does give you a little insight that may help you manage expectations.

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My kid is not in Group 1, what do I do now?!!!

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By Joyce Szuflita
I just got a great email from Elissa Stein (High School 411) about priority groups and it inspired me to write this. If you use the code JOYCE10 she will give you a little discount on her subscription.

This process is not a lottery. It is a match and there are lots of wrinkles to it. Random numbers are in there, but they are not the only thing to consider.

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Lottery numbers will be revealed this season for middle school and high school placement.

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Lottery numbers will be revealed this season for middle school and high school placement.

By Joyce Szuflita
Counter to my speculation earlier this year (It happens), I have gotten conclusive confirmation from the Director of Enrollment that random numbers will be released before the application deadlines this fall.

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