Nail biting is over, high schools announce choices

It’s that time of year again — students who applied to sought-after specialized high schools now know if they got in. 

The David A. Stein Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy, MS/HS 141 had a particularly strong showing, with 30 eighth graders heading to a prestigious choice school, up from 18 last year. 

“We are by far the #1 Bronx feeder school to the Specialized HSs,” Principal Lori O’Mara wrote in an e-mail.  

Ms. O’Mara said school leaders recently developed a rigorous math club and are working to integrate more difficult reading and vocabulary in English classes. She also said the school is helping budding artists with chorus and theater groups. Students can also participate in a specialized high school admissions prep course or work on their art. 

Five students from IN-Tech Academy, MS/HS 368 were accepted into specialized high schools.  

Three students from the New School for Leadership and Arts, MS 244 were accepted into specialized high schools, although a slew will be going to private schools, Catholic high schools and other prestigious institutions, including Riverdale Country School, Manhattan Village Academy and NEST+m, which has a well-respected gifted and talented program. 

“If we’re able to start with all of our students in the sixth grade, look at what we can do,” Assistant Principal Eduardo Mora said. 

Overall, the Bronx lagged behind other boroughs in its high school admissions totals. Just 322 students were accepted, compared to 1,676 for Brooklyn, 1,074 for Manhattan, 1,919 for Queens and 369 for Staten Island. 

The schools not listed in the graph did not respond to a request for information by press time.