More Bronx and city eighth-graders got into the high schools of their choice than last year.

Students began applying to schools in 2004 rather than automatically signing up for their neighborhood school. Of the more than 90,000 students that applied, 43 percent of them got into their first choice, up 6 percent from last year. Eighty-three percent are able to attend one of their top five choices, which is also up 6 percent. Students can reapply in a third round of applications.

The Department of Education claims the new process is designed to give students more choices.