Here’s the word from insideschools.com. From what I can tell, the timetable for tours and applications has changed a bit. Thanks to Inside Schools for providing this information.

This year, the central office of student
enrollment at the Department of Education has begun to revamp the
process. While there is to be “no sweeping reform” this year according
to a department official, there will be a standardized application
calendar citywide. It’s designed to “bring it [admissions] into
alignment in one calendar,” Sandy Ferguson, the official in charge of
middle schools admissions told Insideschools, noting that in the past
middle school applications have been due as early as November in some
districts and as late as May in others.

Putting an end to rumors which have been
circulating in elementary schoolyards, Ferguson said that the choice
process will not change, and the districts will still be determining
the criteria for enrollment. “The eligibility rules aren’t changing,”
he said, “and there won’t be huge changes at any level.”

Directories in December; fairs & tours in January & February
      

For those districts with middle school choice –
mainly in Manhattan and Brooklyn – the central office will issue middle
school directories in December. District fairs, with representatives
from each middle school, are to be held in January and February, as are
school tours.

The change came as a surprise to some Manhattan and Brooklyn schools which had already begun booking fall tour
dates for prospective parents and students. “We were told to hold off
on booking more until the process gets sorted out,” a Manhattan parent
coordinator told Insideschools. A memo sent to principals last week
said: “While schools are encouraged to offer tours prior to the
distribution of the Middle School Directories, they are expected to
offer them in January and February.” The memo said that applications
will be delivered to elementary schools in January and will be due in
February. Students will learn where they have been accepted in May.

This should make for a more leisurely fall for
parents of 5th graders. However the late date of notification – not
until May – will be problematic for parents considering private schools
which expect a decision – and a deposit – months earlier.

Stay tuned – there are sure to be more details forthcoming. And check out our blog. As the middle school process heats up later this fall, Liz Willen  will chronicle the middle school search from a mom’s point of view.