RECORD NUMBER OF FAMILIES APPLY TO NYC CHARTER SCHOOLS
~
Over 133,000 Applications for 14,600 Open Seats for 2012 School Year
(New York, NY, May 22, 2012) Charter school applications continued to rise for the 2012-13 school year as more students applied to charter schools, according to estimates released by the New York City Charter School Center today. An estimated 133,080 applications, representing 67,500 applicants, were submitted for 14,600 available seats in this spring’s random admissions lotteries. The resulting charter school waiting lists totaled an estimated 52,900 families citywide, up from 51,100 last year, based on the Charter Center’s annual survey of charter schools.
“Families across New York City have responded overwhelmingly in favor to having choices when it comes to their children’s education, and these numbers are proof that the charter sector is here to stay,” said James D. Merriman, CEO of the New York City Charter School Center. “Year after year and in greater numbers, parents seek out charter schools, many of which are helping students achieve at high levels.”
Across the city, an estimated 4.6 students applied for each available charter school seat, on average. With enough students on waitlists to fill Yankee Stadium, and charter school applicants exceeding available seats in every borough, these numbers underscore the continuing, widespread demand for high-quality public school options.
###
About the New York City Charter School Center
The New York City Charter School Center is an independent non-profit committed to fostering an environment in which public charters can open and flourish, and, through their innovative approaches, provide models for improving all public schools. The Charter Center helps new charter schools get started, supports existing schools, and builds community support so that highly effective schools can flourish.
About NYC’s Charter Schools
Charter schools are free, independently run public schools that are able to innovate in their classroom structures, curriculum, and teaching methods. In return, they’re held to higher standards of accountability. More than 90 percent of the City’s charter school students are African-American or Latino, and more than 75 percent are from low-income families. There are currently 136 public charter schools serving students in all five boroughs.
