Nearly 30,000 families may be shut out of the city’s free summer school and camp program this year as demand for the popular program continues to outstrip available space, according to figures provided Wednesday to the City Council.
Close to 139,000 students in kindergarten through eighth grade applied for 110,000 spots in Summer Rising, officials said at a hearing on the Department of Youth and Community Development budget. Families were expected to receive placements this week.
Despite efforts to improve the application process this year, demand for the popular initiative again exceeded the number of available seats.
Last year, the majority of slots were grabbed within the first week of registration — shutting children out of learning opportunities and families out of child care. Education officials told The News enrollment is capped to ensure sufficient school and camp staff.
The run on seats led the city to overhaul its enrollment process so that families could apply any time through May 1.
“We made significant improvement to the enrollment process,” said Commissioner Keith Howard.
“No more ‘first come, first served.”
Roughly 50,000 students signed up for the lottery the first day it opened, Howard and Schools Chancellor David Banks announced last month.
Officials also made major changes to give a boost to families who had historically been shut out of the program.
Students with disabilities, in foster care, or who live in temporary housing — including many migrants from the South American border — will be prioritized for sites at the schools they attend year-round. And children required to attend summer school can expect seats too.
“Families should start to hear about their child’s placement very soon,” Howard said.
New this summer, middle school students will participate in career programs that expose kids to job opportunities, including in science, technology, engineering and math fields.
“We are proud and excited to be kicking off another…
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