School Admissions Anxiety Affects Parents of Young Children

Deciding where to send children for kindergarten has become an increasingly high-stakes moment for families across the United States. A study conducted by Bailey A. Brown, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Spelman College, sheds light on the anxiety that school admissions create among parents, particularly in New York City.

Brown interviewed over 100 parents from diverse backgrounds between 2014 and 2019, revealing that the expansion of school choice options has intensified this pressure. In New York City, approximately 65,000 kindergartners are matched to more than 700 public schools each year.

Traditionally, children would attend their zoned schools, but this practice has seen a decline, dropping from 72% in the 2007-08 school year to 60% in 2016-17. The introduction of online applications during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed parents to easily rank up to 12 school options, but it also heightened competition and anxiety.

Mothers, in particular, often feel that their choice reflects their parenting capabilities. For instance, in 2017, Janet, a white mother from Queens, expressed her fears of failing as a mother for not starting her school search early enough.

She spent numerous hours researching and felt immense pressure to ensure her child attended a 'good' school. Family dynamics also play a significant role, as mothers carrying the primary responsibility for school searches, regardless of their racial or economic background.

Parents of color, such as Fumi, a Black immigrant mother living in Washington Heights, felt additional pressure to find schools that were racially inclusive. Fumi’s experience with her son's gifted and talented program revealed a conflict between academic quality and racial diversity, illustrating the complexities of school choice.

Meanwhile, higher-income families sought niche schools offering advanced courses or dual-language programs, with parents like Renata and Stella actively searching for schools that suited their children’s unique needs.

In contrast, working-class parents often preferred local public schools reflecting their own educational experiences, even if these schools underperformed. The report indicates that nationwide, parental anxiety about school admissions reflects deeper issues within the American education system, underscoring inequalities and the emotional toll on families.

This anxiety surrounding kindergarten admissions points to systemic cracks in a high-stakes educational landscape, raising questions about the overall well-being of children and their families. As Brown concludes, the struggle for a suitable kindergarten not only highlights the pressures of school choice but also reflects broader societal challenges regarding education and mental health.

This story emphasizes the urgent need to address the mental health implications of school admissions anxiety, particularly as it affects parents navigating an increasingly complex educational environment, according to The 74.