>>(The few I know who remained in Manhattan or wherever were very well off and used private schools.) ... or managed to survive the seemingly insane NYC Depart

>>(The few I know who remained in Manhattan or wherever were very well off and used private schools.) ... or managed to survive the seemingly insane NYC Department of Education admissions process to enter your child[ren] into public Pre-K, Kindergarten or Middle School. There are good schools in the city, but most are difficult to get into for a variety of reasons.