By Ben Fractenberg
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — One thousand New York City schoolchildren scored in the 99th percentile on tests for the city's kindergarten gifted and talented programs, according to a new report.
Those students make up more than half of those who qualified for citywide gifted programs, by scoring in the 97th percentile or higher, Inside Schools reported Wednesday.
The largest number of high-scoring students came from Manhattan’s school districts 2 and 3, with a total of 337 students acing the test, the report said.
There were 2,400 fewer students assessed this year than last, the site stated. There was a spike in test takers last year because the program was offered for kindergarten students for the first time in the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.
Kindergarten and first grade students who score a 90 percent or higher on the assessment test are guaranteed a spot in a district program. Those scoring a 97 percent or above are eligible for five citywide programs.
But scoring high does not guarantee a seat in a gifted class. The five citywide programs only have 300 seats for incoming kindergartners, Inside Schools said.