Enroll in NYC Public Schools

Need a School for Your Child Now?

Learn what to do on the New Students page and review the "How to Enroll" flyer below for information on enrolling your child for the upcoming school year.

How to Enroll

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MySchools is an online directory of NYC public schools and programs, as well as an application system for families.

Create a MySchools account to explore schools, apply, join waitlists, and get your offer.

Fall 2026 Admissions Timeline*

Below are the application open, close, and offer release dates for each of the admissions processes. These dates are for students who are applying during the 2025-2026 school year for admission in the 2026-2027 school year.

*These dates are subject to change. Any changes will be announced and communicated directly to families. Sign up for updates here.

High School Admissions

  • Tuesday, October 7, 2025: High School Application, LaGuardia Application, and Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) Registration Opens
  • Friday, October 31, 2025: SHSAT Registration Closes
  • Wednesday, December 3, 2025: High School and LaGuardia Applications Close
  • Thursday, March 5, 2026: High School Offer Release

Middle School Admissions Timeline

  • Wednesday, October 15, 2025: Middle School Application Opens
  • Monday, November 3, 2025: Deadline to register to test for Mark Twain I.S. 239 (21K239) and District 21 Talent Tests
  • Friday, December 12, 2025: Middle School Application Closes
  • Wednesday, April 15, 2026: Middle School Offer Release 

Kindergarten (and Kindergarten Gifted & Talented) Admissions

  • Tuesday, December 9, 2025: Kindergarten Application Opens
  • Friday, January 23, 2026: Kindergarten Application Closes
  • Tuesday, March 31, 2026: Kindergarten Offer Release

3-K and Pre-K Admissions

  • Wednesday, January 14, 2026: 3-K and Pre-K Applications Open
  • Friday, February 27, 2026: 3-K and Pre-K Applications Close
  • Tuesday, May 12, 2026: Pre-K Offer Release
  • Tuesday, May 19, 2026: 3-K Offer Release

 Gifted & Talented (G&T) Grade 1-4 Admissions

  • Tuesday, April 21, 2026: G&T Upper Grade Application Opens
  • Friday, May 8, 2026: G&T Upper Grade Application Closes
  • Thursday, June 11, 2026: G&T Upper Grade Offer Release

HOW TO APPLY: Grade by Grade

Click or tap on the links below to learn more about each admissions process.

  • Infant and Toddler

    Learn about eligibilty for Infant and Toddler programming. These programs provide free or low-cost child care and education for children from 6 weeks to 2 years old. If you qualify, your child can begin a program any time during the year.

  • Head Start

    For qualifying families: Head Start provides safe, positive learning environments for children ages 3-4 to learn, to play, and get ready for kindergarten and beyond. Early Head Start provides child care for children 0-2 years old. Contact programs directly to apply.

  • 3-K

    Apply to free, full-day 3-K programs the year your child turns 3.

  • Pre-K

    Apply to pre-K programs the year your child turns 4.

  • Kindergarten

    Your child will enter kindergarten in the calendar year they turn 5. Apply even if your child is a current pre-K student.

  • Gifted and Talented

    Eligible children entering kindergarten (in the calendar year they turn 5), grade 1, grade 2, grade 3 or grade 4 can participate in G&T admissions.

  • Middle School

    Apply during your child’s 5th grade year (or 6th grade for students in K-6 schools).

  • High School

    Apply during your child's 8th or (first-time) 9th grade year.

  • Specialized High Schools

    During your child's 8th or (first-time) 9th grade year, register to audition and/or test to apply to the Specialized High Schools.

  • How Students Get Offers to DOE Public Schools

    Learn about the factors that match students with NYC public schools, including how randomly assigned numbers are used in admissions.