Parents and children searching for a high school were told in the Fall to put down the name of 12 high schools that interested them when they filled ouut the applications. Many were confused by this new process, and now many children are left without a high school for the Fall.

How many? we cant be at all sure, but the Department of Education has stated that at least 12,000 to 14,000 kids are without a high school seat next Fall. This may be a very conservative number.

Inside schools suggests that parents appeal this process, and give some steps to take:

There is an official appeals process for those students who don't want to attend the school to which they were assigned. A letter should be sent to:

Office of Student Enrollment Planning and Operations
52 Chambers Street, Room 415
New York, NY 10007

The letter must include the student's name, student ID, current school and grade, date of birth, address, home telephone and the reasons for the appeal. Students will receive an answer to their appeal by the end of June. In the meantime, they will not be giving up their spots in the schools to which they have been matched, according to an official at the DOE. Appeals will be granted for such reasons as "travel hardship, real safety concerns or people who have moved since they made their choices," said Helen Carmody of the Office of Student Enrollment, Planning and Operations who cautioned that "many appeals will not be granted." When writing a letter of appeal, students should be specific about why they are appealing the match and which school or schools they would prefer. When possible, they should get their middle school guidance counselor to back them up and also appeal the match, she said.