Summer move NYC - SF. Chance of getting kindergarten spot? (San Francisco: home, neighborhood)

[Bklynmama]

We are likely relocating to SF from NY over the summer. We want to live in the city (not suburbs). I realize the terrible timing, but what are our chances of finding a kindergarten spot at a good school (public or private) this late in the game? We are coming from private school in Brooklyn. Do any of the SF private schools ever have spots open up this late?

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by Bklynmama

We are likely relocating to SF from NY over the summer. We want to live in the city (not suburbs). I realize the terrible timing, but what are our chances of finding a kindergarten spot at a good school (public or private) this late in the game? We are coming from private school in Brooklyn. Do any of the SF private schools ever have spots open up this late?

I reckon you'll need to call each private school individually to find out this information. You'll need to be more specific since there are so many of them. Some are Jewish, some are Catholic, some are non-denominational, there are college prep, language or art based schools, so nobody can accurately answer your question.

As for public schools, San Francisco uses a lottery system--so your child will get into a school but it might not be the one nearest your home or one of the better ones. If I remember correctly, you put down your first, second, third choices and you'll usually get one of them.

You'll need to call the district to get more specific info.

[twins4lynn]

SF schools aren't using a lottery system anymore. This year they started with something new. The chances of moving to SF this summer, living in an excellent public school district, and getting into the local excellent school is probably slim. (The period for enrollment under the new system ended in May, so the chances of vacancies in an excellent school would be slim by the time you enroll). http://www.sfusd.edu/en/assets/sfusd...ent-policy.pdf

Here is a link to private schools in the bay area, by county. I have always found this website to be helpful. Bay Area Private Schools, School List (http://www.baprivateschools.com/schllist.htm - broken link)

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by twins4lynn

SF schools aren't using a lottery system anymore. This year they started with something new. The chances of moving to SF this summer, living in an excellent public school district, and getting into the local excellent school is probably slim. (The period for enrollment under the new system ended in May, so the chances of vacancies in an excellent school would be slim by the time you enroll). http://www.sfusd.edu/en/assets/sfusd...ent-policy.pdf

Here is a link to private schools in the bay area, by county. I have always found this website to be helpful. Bay Area Private Schools, School List (http://www.baprivateschools.com/schllist.htm - broken link)

Wow! That's good news- about time. So now kids get to attend their neighborhood school w/o needing to transport them across the city?

[twins4lynn]

Originally Posted by clongirl

Wow! That's good news- about time. So now kids get to attend their neighborhood school w/o needing to transport them across the city?

Not necessarily. The link I included has the info and the order they use when selecting schools during the enrollment period (i.e. current siblings at the school, live in the attendance area and attended preschool in the attendance area, etc). Better than the old lottery sysem though.