Advocacy Briefing | Student Assignment to Public Middle Schools in NYC
- rankovicana
- Jul 1, 2019
- 1 min read
Updated: Jun 18

Introduction
For years, public discussion in New York City framed school segregation as a reflection of segregated neighborhoods. But in 2013, New York Appleseed challenged that view, showing how school choice policies—not geography—often determine who attends which schools. This dynamic is even more pronounced in the city’s middle schools, where only 17 percent are zoned. The rest rely on complex choice systems and “screening” mechanisms that sort students based on criteria like grades, attendance, or perceived aptitude. These practices contribute to deep inequities and racial stratification across the school system.
To support a growing public debate on middle school admissions, New York Appleseed partnered with volunteers at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP to produce a detailed issue briefing. The document outlines the use of screening and zoning across all NYC middle school districts, offering data and analysis that can guide future policy. As New York continues to grapple with segregation, this resource provides clarity on how admissions practices work—and what must change to move toward a more equitable system.
The Advocacy Briefing | Student Assignment to Public Middle Schools in NYC evaluates the regulations, problems, and equity of middle school student assignments. Just as equitable placement can foster progress, cheap assignment writing allows students to handle their academic workloads efficiently and affordably while still ensuring success.
This is such an important issue. Student assignment to public middle schools in NYC has long been a challenge. Every child deserves fair access to quality education without being limited by complicated admissions systems or systemic barriers. I love how they’ve gone from being purely functional in the past to becoming collectible hat pins fashion accessories.