Poll: how is everyone using this site?

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1

Let me just start by saying that I’m a computer engineer, I love data, and this site is totally catnip to me.

The first thing I did was create a spreadsheet and then look up each of my candidate schools in NYC-SIFT. My spreadsheet had columns for data that isn’t in NYC-SIFT but can be derived from the SIFT dataset joined with my personal preference: out-the-door time (how late my kid needs to wake up in order to get to the school by starting bell), the percent of students that are of my own race, and custom criteria (average combined SAT score, presence of AP Music Theory offering, presence of a certain desired language, etc)

Then I used the NYC-SIFT Advisor to add more rows to the bottom of the list. The advisor tool was great for discovering new schools in my borough and then I used the Facebook group to learn about each one. Finally, I went back to NYC-SIFT to fill out the custom columns and sign up for open houses.

This is a time-intensive process and I don’t know how people survived in the days when your RAN was hidden from you and there was no NYC-SIFT. I am thankful I didn’t have kids any earlier than I did, ha ha! Many thanks to Adrian, Amelie, and all the other parents who have paved the way for parents like me!

2

I’m happy that you found this useful! Do you have any suggestions for improvement? Specifically, any data sets you wish you had access to?

I’m currently in conversations with the DOE trying to convince them to release more data. I already have a list of datasets I’m asking for, but any suggestions from parents would be extremely valuable.

Thanks!

3

In terms of data to get from the DOE… I will think about it…

In terms of NYC-SIFT features, if there were a way to get an aggregated view across all my favorited schools - or “show me the start time across all my schools in this search” or even the commute time, that would be handy, but I also worry that’d be a power user feature that only like 10 parents a year would use, so maybe only if you’re super bored.

4

So, the ability to customize the fields you see in your favorited list of schools & programs?

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5

Hi Adrian,
THANK YOU so much for building this and sharing with everyone!
Do you have a “tip jar” or something I can send you a Starbucks gift card or something? Or a charity I can donate to in your honor?

6

Thank you for your kind words! I’m just glad you found the site useful.

All I ask for is feedback and suggestions (if you think of any) and to let fellow middle school parents and guidance counselors know about the site!

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I will be pleased to do so!

8

Hi Adrian, I’m reaching out from InsideSchools.org, where we’re really impressed with all the work you’ve done on data collection. We’d love to learn more about your experience creating NYC-SIFT and the insights you’ve gained from it. Do you have time to talk in January? Best regards, Lydie. RaschkaL@newschool.edu

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Hi Lydie! I sent you an email with my contact information. Hope to hear from you soon!