BRAD LANDER COMMITTEES

COUNCIL MEMBER, 39TH DISTRICT

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March 9th, 2010

Mr. Joel Klein

Chancellor
New York City Department of Education
Tweed Courthouse
New York, NY 10007

Re: Admissions practices at Millennium High School

Dear Chancellor Klein:

I am writing in regards to apparent changes in admissions practices at Millennium High School.

In past years, many students from Brooklyn were accepted at Millennium (reportedly in both the
first and main acceptance rounds), and parents were advised that it was smart and reasonable to
list Millennium as a priority school.

This year, I have been informed that no Brooklyn students were accepted in the first round, and
that parents – after being advised, as in previous years, that Millennium was a good choice and
therefore listing it as a priority – have been told they are unlikely to be accepted there (and
therefore, in effect, that they have wasted a choice).

I was recently informed by DOE representatives that the official admissions policy at
Millennium has not changed, and that it has always been students from south of Houston first, all
of Manhattan second, and the remaining City third. However, the following text is taken directly
from Millennium High School's own website (on the "selection criteria" tab,
http://www.millenniumhs.org/admissions.jsp?rn=7648357, as of March 9, 2010):

"Admission preference is given to students who live or attend school below Houston Street, but
we currently have students attending from all five boroughs. In 2008, we had over 4,200
applications for 150 seats."

As you can see, there is no reference to a priority for students from Manhattan (beyond those
south of Houston). At a minimum, it seems clear that this year’s practice has changed, whatever
the official policy. Whatever the reason, it represents a material shift. At a minimum, Brooklyn
parents should have been informed of any such change in advance of the application process. I

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urge you to take the lack of any such notice into account as decisions are made, and explore what
can be done to admit Brooklyn students.

In addition, this issue also raises broader questions about equity within the high school selection
process. I understand the logic and equity of both (a) geographically-targeted schools, with
broad admissions policies, and (b) selective schools that are equally available to students
citywide (and located throughout the city). However, I have significant concerns about the
equity of having small, selective high schools with geographic preferences -- especially when
they are predominantly located in more affluent neighborhoods (like those of District 2).

Thank you very much for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Brad Lander
City Councilmember, 39th District, Brooklyn

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