NYC Independent Schools Will Not Ask Parents For 'First Choice' Letter

NEW YORK, NY -- The Board of ISAAGNY (Independent School Admissions Association of Greater New York) on October 10th voted to ratify the recommendations of its task force on Kindergarten Admissions. The new policy requires that member schools no longer encourage parents to designate a "first choice" when applying their children to Kindergarten.  This requirement affects both the on-going and early childhood schools that are members of Isaagny. This recommendation has also been discussed by the Guild of Independent Schools and has received the support of all of the member schools of both the Guild and Isaagny.

The task force, which was chaired by Dr. Pat Hayot, the Head of The Chapin School, felt that the practice of "first choice letters" was having a negative impact on the admissions process and was forcing families to make decisions about their preference for a school before they had adequate information.  The mission of Isaagny is to help families as they apply to independent schools and to insure that the process is consistent, fair and that the families make informed choices. (www.isaagny.org)

For Further information contact:

George Davison
Chair of the Committee of Trustees of Isaagny
President of the Guild of Independent Schools
Head of Grace Church School
86 Fourth Avenue
New York, NY 10003
www.isaagny.org

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