MANHATTAN — Parents who want their children to attend a gifted and talented program at one of the city's public schools next fall have until Oct. 28 to submit the initial round of application paperwork.
The Request for Testing form, which is available on the Department of Education's website, is due Friday. It asks for basic information about the child who is applying.
Gifted and talented seats are open to any New York City children who were born between 2004 and 2007 and are currently in Pre-Kindergarten through second grade.
The children who apply will take two tests — the OLSAT and BSRA — in January or early February. Those who score in the top 90 percent of their age group will receive an offer to a gifted and talented program in their district, while those who score in the 97th percentile or above will be eligible for the more selective citywide programs.
The tests measure students' quantitative and verbal skills, along with how well they can follow directions.
This fall, District 2 — which covers lower Manhattan to the Upper East Side — saw more gifted and talented applicants than any other in the city, with 1,677 students taking the test and 44 percent of them qualifying.
Gifted and talented programs are funded by the city in public schools and are free for children to attend.
