LOWER MANHATTAN — Lower Manhattan's sought-after public elementary schools have been no stranger to kindergarten waitlists, but this year, only one of six local schools has the parent-dreaded list.
Battery Park City's P.S. 276 has 41 students on its waitlist, a high but somewhat usual number for the popular 55 Battery Place school.
This year, across the city, the number of kids on a waitlist for their zoned schools dropped about 9 percent, but the overall number of schools with waitlists increased, according to Department of Education figures.
P.S. 276 Principal Terri Rutyer, however, said she doesn't see the number as a major concern. "Historically, many of the families are offered seats," she said in an email. "Those families who are not offered seats at 276 are offered seats at one of the exceptional downtown schools."
In years past, Downtown schools have been overwhelmed with nearly 150 students on waitlists — the addition of the new Peck Slip School has helped alleviate some of the overspill.
But the lack of kindergarten waitlists doesn't exactly tell the full story of school overcrowding, some local parents and school advocates say.
Many schools, including P.S. 276 are taking on more kindergarten classes than they were designed for, and that pushes up the number of students in higher grades — with more than 30 first graders in some classes.
The overflow of students also affects the use of common spaces like cafeterias and gyms, parents say.
"The principals have all done a phenomenal job in making this work in their existing facilities but it is in no way ideal," said Tricia Joyce, a parent of children at TriBeCa public school P.S. 234, and longtime school advocate.
Another new school is on its way — a 476-seat school in the Financial District — is currently being planned, but many Downtown say that with the development boom in Lower Manhattan, that's still not enough space.
"We have thousands more apartments being built in the next couple of years," Joyce added. "The development does not seem to be letting up whatsoever."
