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NEW YORK (AP) — Fewer than half of New York City children looking to enroll in pre-kindergarten this fall are landing a seat at their top-choice school.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday that the city has more than 26,000 prekindergarten seats in public schools.
About two-thirds of the children whose parents applied were accommodated with a seat. But for some that meant being matched up with a school that wasn't their first choice.
Nearly one-third of those who applied were not matched with any school.
Those parents will now apply to community-based organizations that will also offer pre-k.
An expansion of pre-kindergarten was de Blasio's signature campaign proposal last year.
After a political battle with Albany, the program will be funded with $300 million from the state budget.
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