The New York City public school system has a wonderful Gifted & Talented program, but to get your children enrolled you need to understand how it works, request testing, and then your child needs to score high enough to be offered a seat. The process can be a bit overwhelming, so we're happy to help break it down with the key dates and steps you need to be aware of. If your child was born in 2011 - 2014, this is crunch time for you. Read on!
What is G&T?
The G&T Program, short for "gifted and talented", is one way the NYC department of education (DOE) supports exceptional students in Kindergarten through 5th grade (with placement into the program when entering Kindergarten through 3rd grade). There are district and citywide programs, with district programs prioritizing admissions to local students in that district, and citywide programs being open to all but requiring a higher test score (score of 97 or above as opposed to a score of 90 for district programs).
G&T is very competitive. For example, last year 14,538 rising Kindergarteners tested, 3685 received a score high enough to make them eligible to apply to the program, 3036 students applied, and 2305 students received G&T placement. That's less than 16%!
For official information on the G&T program from the DOE, refer to their website and this PDF on G&T (for children born 2011-2013) and this PDF on G&T / Kindergarten Admissions (for children born in 2014).
About the G&T Test
There are two parts to the G&T test: verbal and non-verbal. The verbal portion measures reasoning and comprehension, and students must listen carefully to oral instructions. They are assessed on things such as sequences, likenesses and differences, solving math problems, and recalling numbers and words. The non-verbal portion tests children on sequencing, patterns, and problem solving. Rising kindergarteners aren't expected to bubble in answers, and can simply point to the answer.
Certain accommodations can be made for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Individualized Education Services Programs (IESPs), or 504 Accommodation Plans, and English Language Learners (ELLs) can request to take the test in another language.
G&T Test Prep
It's important to be aware that parents are not allowed to accompany the child during testing. This is the first time some rising Kindergarteners have ever been away from a parent, so it's important to prepare your child and consider practicing beforehand.
You can find a few practice pages in the G&T Handbook that will help you and your child better understand the types of questions and format of the test. It's recommended to practice a bit.
There are also some preschools, UPK / Pre-K, and enrichment programs that focus on preparing students for G&T testing and admissions. Worldtots is one such preschool, even offering NYC's free UPK program, and conducting play-based learning in English and Mandarin! If looking for prep classes, FasTracKids in Dyker Heights and Miss Karen's Preschool in Bay Ridge offer G&T assessment and prep courses.
District 20 & Local Citywide G&T Programs:
Brooklyn School of Inquiry (citywide program)
Location: 50 Avenue P
Size: K-8 (G&T K-5), 585 students
Read our full school profile on BSI here!
PS 102 The Bayview (district 20 program)
Location: 211 72nd Street
Size: K-5, 1428 students
Read our full school profile on P.S. 102 here!
PS / IS 104 The Fort Hamilton School (district 20 program)
Location: 9115 5th Avenue
Size: K-8 (G&T K-5), 1278 students
Read our full school profile on P.S./I.S. 104 here!
PS 164 Caesar Rodney (district 20 program)
Location: 4211 14th Avenue
Size: Pre-K - 5 (G&T K-5), 658 students
Read our full school profile on P.S. 164 here!
PS 200 Benson School (district 20 program)
Location: 1940 Benson Avenue
Size: Pre-K - 5 (G&T K-5), 1299 students
Read our full school profile on P.S. 200 here!
PS 204 Vince Lombardi (district 20 program)
Location: 8101 15th Avenue
Size: Pre-K - 5 (G&T 1 - 5), 1195 students
Read our full school profile on P.S. 204 here!
PS 205 Clarion (district 20 program)
Location: 6701 20th Avenue
Size: Pre-K to 5 (G&T K-5), 1246 students
Read our full school profile on P.S. 205 here!
PS 229 Dyker (district 20 program)
Location: 1400 Benson Avenue
Size: Pre-K - 8 (G&T K-5), 1240 students
Read our full school profile on P.S. 229 here!
Important Dates
October 30, 2018: Brooklyn Elementary Admissions info session held at PS 69 from 6:30 - 8:30, covering 3-K, Pre-K, Kindergarten, and G&T admissions processes.
November 9, 2018: deadline to sign up to take the G&T test (called "RFT" - request for testing). You can sign up here.
November 2018: applications for Kindergarten open here.
January 2019: G&T tests conducted (dates and locations vary).
January 14, 2019: deadline to apply to Kindergarten.
March 2019: receive Kindergarten offer.
March 2019: receive G&T scores and if applicable, program application form.
April 2019: deadline to accept Kindergarten offer (you'll notice this deadline is before you know if you'll be getting a G&T placement, so go ahead and accept the Kindergarten offer to be safe, and you can later decline if you do end up receiving G&T placement).
April TBA, 2019: deadline to apply to G&T programs.
May - June 2019: receive offer to G&T program.
June 2019: deadline to accept G&T offer.
To stay on top of dates and important events, be sure to subscribe to relevant NYC DOE newsletters / alerts, as well as Bay Ridge Families' weekly roundups!
We hope you found this article helpful!! Please share with anyone you think may be interested in G&T programs, and leave a comment with your own tips or thoughts!!
Looking for a great preschool or UPK program in Brooklyn? We are Worldtots, a dual-language English & Mandarin program located in the intersection of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, and Sunset Park!