Living in Brooklyn, there's nothing more frustrating than the issue of educating your children.

Since the choice of school greatly impacts a child's life, immigrant families in this neighborhood perk up at the mention of school districts.

The admission process for public high schools in New York City is complicated, creating a barrier for first-time parents, but being informed can help with preparation.

The first school to mention is Brooklyn Technical High School.

It is one of the nine Specialized High Schools in New York City, offering a STEM-focused education. Located near the Fulton Street station in Fort Greene, it is a large school with about 5,800 students enrolled each year.

Admission is only possible through the SHSAT (Specialized High Schools Admissions Test), and the competition for scores is fierce. The school excels particularly in engineering, computer science, mathematics, and physics, and offers dozens of AP courses. It has a strong reputation for sending graduates to prestigious universities like MIT, Cornell, and Columbia.

As a public school, it is free of charge. However, many families invest in private tutoring to prepare for the SHSAT. It is common to start preparing as early as 6th or 7th grade.

The second school is Edward R. Murrow High School. It is located on Bedford Avenue in the Midwood area and has about 4,300 students enrolled.

This school consistently ranks among the top public high schools in New York City. Unlike specialized schools, admission is based on school grades and test scores rather than the SHSAT. It is particularly well-known for its programs in the arts, media, and journalism, and also offers specialized programs in music and media.

The sports teams perform well, and there are a variety of extracurricular activities available. Parents often praise the stable atmosphere of the school and the dedication of the teachers. Many students graduate and go on to attend NYU, Stony Brook, and CUNY schools.

The third school is Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences. It is located near the end of Manhattan Beach, close to Sheepshead Bay. With about 2,200 students, it is smaller than the previous two schools. It offers a curriculum focused on science and mathematics, but it is not a specialized school, so students can apply without the SHSAT.

However, the academic requirements are quite high, and the competition is significant. It is conveniently accessible for families living in the southern Brooklyn area (Sheepshead Bay, Marine Park, Canarsie, Flatbush, etc.). The school has a strong emphasis on life sciences and environmental science courses, with good performance in AP Biology and AP Chemistry. It also runs a partnership program with Kingsborough Community College, allowing high school students to earn college credits early.

Applications for admission to public high schools in New York City begin in the fall of 8th grade. The MySchools (myschools.nyc) website allows you to check information about each school, submit applications, and view results. You can apply to a maximum of 12 schools, and specialized schools have a separate admission process based on SHSAT results.

Open house tours typically take place in October and November, so I highly recommend visiting any schools you are interested in. There is a significant difference between experiencing the school atmosphere in person and just viewing information online. I personally visited five open houses when choosing schools for my children.