Public school is based on where you live and proximity to the nearest school. You can’t just choose to attend if you live in Bayonne for example. PS 23 and PS 17 serve Mcginley Square.

Got it, thanks!

Be sure to enter the lotteries for the charters like LCCS or Ethical Community Charter School which are in your area. I believe if you get into their pre-k you are into the k-8.

You have a lot more to deal with if your child isn’t born yet. I’d spend your time looking into Gymboree classes, swim lessons, and other groups for new parents. When you child is 3 or 4 school becomes more pertinent. As others have said public school is based on location and that isn’t even a given. PS 16 is the highest rated JC public elementary school. Even when I lived in the district there wasn’t space for my child so they would be bussed to another public school. LCCS was the next option but while my friend got a lottery number of 3, I got 134. Needless to say, my kids don’t go there but my friend is thrilled with the curriculum. Many of the private schools offer financial aid. You’d be surprised what qualifies for it. I make a good living. But the nouveau rich who have moved in make so much more than me, they can afford $20k per child for a private education. You can qualify to receive 90% of tuition covered at many private schools.

If you don't live downtown you don't get in.

They did expand the school to allow more students. That said, they also expanded the range of addresses, and with so many new buildings, I’m sure some potential students would not be able to get in