It's not too late to complete the 20th Annual NYC School Survey: submit your responses by the deadline this Friday, April 17!
When you share confidential feedback about your child’s experience in our schools with us, you can:
Influence important decisions at your child’s school.
School leaders use survey responses to guide improvements in safety, academics, school climate, communication, and student support for next school year. Your honest feedback highlights what’s working, identifies areas for growth, and has a direct impact on decisions that will affect your child’s experiences at school every day.
Help your school earn Citywide recognition.
We include survey feedback and response rates in our annual School Quality Report Snapshots, which summarize student achievement and the learning environment at your school. Higher response rates help paint a fuller picture of your school community and can even earn your school Citywide recognition: schools with an overall response rate of 85% will earn the NYC School Survey Response Rate Award on their Snapshot and NYC School Survey Report!
Strengthen your school community.
An engaged community is an empowered community! When more families complete the survey, your collective voice becomes stronger and can help drive real, beneficial change. Your responses help schools understand what families and students need and what to prioritize for next year. And because the survey only takes a few minutes, it’s one of the easiest ways to make a meaningful investment in your child’s education.
Find Your Joy During National Library Week (4/19–4/25)
Meet NYCPS’s Office of Sign Language Interpretation Services (OSLIS)!
In recognition of National American Sign Language (ASL) Day on Wednesday, April 15, we’re highlighting the tiny, but mighty team at the New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Office of Sign Language Interpretation Services (OSLIS).
Learn Budgeting Basics for Financial Literacy Month
Kickstart your family’s conversations about saving and spending money with these useful tips to help set up your young adult child for financial success.
Opportunities for Students (April 2026)
April is a great time for NYC students to seek new learning and earning opportunities for the upcoming summer season! Check out what's available for City students this month, including internships, free workshops, and great local events, and register/apply for them today!
Preparing for Life After High School with NYC’s Public Libraries
The Month Ahead (April 2026)
Don't be fooled, there's a ton going on this April! From Arab American Heritage Month and Spring Recess, to Climate Action Day and Summer Rising results, join us for the latest activities and events across NYCPS.
During Arab American Heritage Month, we're highlighting the stories of individuals who have often been left out of traditional historical records, like Kahlil Gibran, a writer, artist, and philosopher whose words have crossed borders, languages, and generations.
Learn more about Gibran and his most famous work, The Prophet
April marks the 30th anniversary of National Poetry Month! As we celebrate the art of poetry and the many voices that shape it, these reading recommendations for students of all ages highlight poetry collections, novels‑in‑verse, and poetry‑themed picture books that represent a wide range of perspectives. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Early Readers (3-K–Grade 2)
- C Is for City, by Nikki Grimes; illustrated by Pat Cummings
- Emma’s Poem, by Linda Glaser; illustrated by Claire A. Nivola
- For a Girl Becoming, by Joy Harjo; illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia
- I Talk Like a River, by Jordan Scott
- Kiyoshi's Walk, by Mark Karlins; illustrated by Nicole Wong
- Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook, by Shel Silverstein
Elementary (Grades 3–5)
- In Praise of Mystery, by Ada Limon; illustrated by Peter Sis
- Explosion at the Poem Factory, by Kyle Lukoff; illustrated by Mark Hoffmann
- Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks, by Suzanne Slade; illustrated By Cozbi A. Cabrera
- The Gift of the Broken Teacup, by Allan Wolf; illustrated by Jade Orlando
- I Am Kavi, by Thushanti Ponweera
- Land of the Cranes, by Aida Salazar
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
- Alias Anna, by Susan Hood with Greg Dawson
- Beanball, by Gene Fehler
- Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jacqueline Woodson
- Dear Mothman, by Robin Gow
- Please Pay Attention, by Jamie Sumner
- When Clouds Touch Us, by Thanhhà Lại
Upper Grades (Grades 9–12)
- An Appetite for Miracles, by Laekan Zea Kemp
- The Black Flamingo, by Dean Atta
- The Boy Lost in the Maze, by Joseph Coelho; illustrated by Kate Miliner
- King of the Neuro Verse, by Idris Goodwin
- The Poet X, by Elizabeth Acevedo
- Voices in the Air: Poems for Listeners, by Naomi Shihab Nye
You can find these books and many more great reads on Sora, our Citywide Digital Library, which provides free access to thousands of digital e-books and audiobooks for our students. You can also find even more recommendations in the Poetry, Spoken Word, and Novels in Verse Collection on Sora for even more great recommendations.
Missed our previous book recommendations?
Check them out in the "What We're Reading" Archive!
SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SCHOOLS
Last month, NYC Public Schools and Mikva Challenge partnered up to host SoapboxNYC, our annual celebration of youth voice and public speaking for students in grades K–12. Held at the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, the event featured outstanding student finalists who courageously stepped on stage to answer the question, "What is the biggest issue facing your community, and what should be done about it?"
Judging from these photos, it's clear that this year's SoapboxNYC will be remembered for years to come! We thank Mikva Challenge for their partnership and ongoing support for our Civics for All initiative!
Stay Informed with a NYC Schools Account (NYCSA)
With a NYCSA, you can:
- Access your child's school information on the go
- See your student’s grades, test scores and more
- Complete important forms
- Take classes in Parent University
- Get technology support through SupportHub
Every School Day Matters
Attendance matters! Learn how missing just two days of school every month can have a negative effect on your child's education, and see what solutions and resources are available to help your child stay in school every day, all year round!
Get Ready for More Learning and Less Scrolling
Beginning this September, NYC Public Schools will be implementing its new Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy across all K–12 City public schools, including charter programs, in accordance with New York State law. Learn more about this "cell phone ban," and start getting ready for distraction-free schools this fall!
Ready to Read: Literacy Resources for Families
NYC Reads is reshaping the way that we teach our students to read, but the learning doesn't have to stop at the classroom door! Whether it's a family book club or a phonics-based 20 questions game, you can bring the "science of reading" home by using any of our helpful resources that will help your children continue to develop their literacy skills, like:
- Reading Games
- Phonics, Vocabulary, and Storytelling Practice
- And more!
