New York Appleseed’s Statement On Recently Released NYC High School Admissions Offer Data

8.1.25 at 3:00 PM- New York Appleseed is encouraged to see consistently high percentages of students receiving offers to one of their preferred high school choices. It is positive to see 97% of all students received an offer to a listed choice, in addition to NYC crossing the over 80% threshold for those receiving one of their top three choices. 

We also remain optimistic about the direction of NYCPS in developing new tools and resources, such as the “Chance of Offer” tool, which was seemingly well-received and helped students and families better navigate the often arduous HS admissions process. And while this tool was a welcome addition,  much work remains to ensure all students, especially those from under-resourced communities, have equitable access to information and support. The process is still inherently complex, and the experiences of parents, service providers,  as well as a recent audit from the New York State Comptroller,  showcase how this complexity lends itself toward inequality, particularly for those from historically marginalized groups such as English Language Learners, Students in Temporary Housing, and students from low-income families. 

Further, praise for improvements to the process is short-lived when viewed alongside the stark and persistent segregation in the city’s most coveted specialized high schools. Last year, NYCPS highlighted a modest 1.5% increase in offers to Black students. This year, that percentage has dropped back to Fall 2023 levels. The stagnation and exacerbation of segregation is not surprising; it underscores what Appleseed has long known: no amount of test prep or outreach will fix a process that continues to facilitate segregation. These efforts function as band-aids, well-meaning, but ultimately insufficient without the intention for deeper structural changes needed to address the glaring inequities in access to these particular schools.

As long as the status quo remains unchallenged, so will the inequities. Further, it remains disheartening to see some of the most prestigious high schools in the country continue to bear such a glaring stain of inequality on their legacy.

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