How Does Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Gifted & Talented Class Compare To Other NYC Options - Tour School On Thursday To Have Your Questions Answered

Image of Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Front Door From Tim Melideo Photography

A recent question on the Urban Baby message board from a Roosevelt Island parent asked for advice regarding the PS/IS 217 Gifted & Talented Program compared to other NYC options:

Help? We live on Roosevelt Island (seriously!). DC got a 99. Stay on RI for the local G&T, Lower Lab, or try for Anderson/NEST+M?

Responses include:

• there are a few RI dc at Anderson; most end up moving into Manhattan because commute to UWS is hellish -- same thing with Queens

• There are a bunch of RI kids at LL, and I know of at least a few at Anderson. Try for the ones you really want! but I don't get staying on RI for the local G&T with a 99

• there are several kids from RI at NEST. Some take the Queens bus and others commute by car or subway. It is not that bad since it is on the F train and the school really is worth it.

• Hey neighbor. It depends on your willingness/desire to move or endure an awful commute. Anderson and NEST will take forever to get to. You have to wait for the yellow bus in Manhattan, or have an adult who can take the kid all the way to school. On the other hand, I believe there is a yellow bus from RI to Lower Lab. STEM is actually closer than all of those, but I have no idea whether they would provide a yellow bus. (RI clearly merits an exception to the "borough line" rule, but you'd probably have to fight.) If not, then I think it can be reached by Q102 plus a bit of walking. It would also be very easy for islanders who commute by car. There's also definitely something to be said for the convenience and community aspects of 217 G&T

• Our dc scored a 99 last year and ended up at RI and are very happy with the program. Class size is small (14 in K this year), the physical plant is outstanding, no crowding, art and music twice a week, foreign language starting next year, parent coordinator is fantastic, and a 10 minute walk to school is priceless.

If you are interested in learning more about Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217, the PTA is conducting an informational tour of the school on Thursday, April 29 at 9 AM. From the PS/IS 217 PTA web site:

OPEN HOUSE & SCHOOL TOUR

PS/IS 217 PTA invites you to a SCHOOL TOUR

THURSDAY, April 29, 2010 @ 9:00 am

Let your friends and neighbors know about this event if they are considering sending their children to our beautiful school!

Click here for more to RSVP for the PS/IS 217 School Tour.

For more information check out the Roosevelt Island School Gifted & Talented Class Blog.