New Students

Enroll in 3-K

In New York City, you can apply to 3-K in the calendar year that your child turns three.

• If you have a child born in 2019 and don't yet have a 3-K offer, create a MySchools account to add yourself to program's waitlists now. If a program can make you a waitlist offer, they will contact you directly. Waitlists expire in October.
  • Watch this video to learn how to set up your MySchools account.
  • Watch this video to learn how to add your child to waitlists.
• Some 3-K seats (Extended Day and Year seats, Head Start seats) offer care and education for up to 10 hours a day, all year round to eligible children. Eligibility for these options is based on family income and needs––learn more on the 3-K page.
• Need help? Email ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov.

Learn more about 3-K.

Enroll in Pre-K

In New York City, your child can start attending pre-K in the calendar year they turn 4.

• If you have a child born in 2018 and don't yet have a pre-K placement, you can add your child to programs' waitlists by creating a MySchools account.
  • Watch this video to learn how to set up your MySchools account.
  • Watch this video to learn how to add your child to waitlists.
• If a program can make you a waitlist offer, they will contact you directly. Waitlists expire in October.
• Some pre-K seats (Extended Day and Year seats, Head Start seats) offer care and education for up to 10 hours a day, all year round to eligible children. Eligibility for these options is based on family income and needs––learn more on the Pre-K page.
• Need help? Visit a Family Welcome Center or email ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov.

Learn more about pre-K.

Enroll in Elementary or Middle School

• Children can start kindergarten in the calendar year they turn five. Elementary school spans kindergarten through grade 5.
• Children who have completed fifth grade can enroll in middle school, and most NYC middle schools serve children in grades 6–8.

Most students in kindergarten through grade 8 attend their zoned school if they have one.

• To find out if your New York City home address has a zoned school, call 311 or visit schoolsearch.schools.nyc and type in your home address.
• When schools are in session: If you have a zoned school, contact that school directly to register.
• If you don't have a zoned school, email or need help, email us at ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov or MSEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov.
• Learn about your zoned school and/or other schools in your district online with MySchools:
  • Find elementary schools
  • Find middle schools

For Children Entering Kindergarten in Fall 2022

• Missed the application period and need a school for the fall? You can still participate in admissions by adding your child to schools' waitlists. To do so, create a MySchools account.
  • Watch these videos to learn how to set up your MySchools account:
    • For kindergarten applicants
  • Watch these videos to learn how to add your child to waitlists:
    • For kindergarten applicants
• Kindergarten waitlists expire in October.

Enroll in High School

If your child has finished eighth grade, they can start high school. Families with new students who aren't yet enrolled in high school should email a Family Welcome Center to learn how to find a program and register.

• Use MySchools to explore high schools and make a list of programs that interest your child.
• Then email your local Family Welcome Center and share your list with them. 

For Children Entering Grade 9 or 10 in Fall 2022

• Missed the application period and need a school for the fall? You can still participate in admissions by adding your child to schools' waitlists!
• To do so, create or log in to your MySchools account.
  • In the MySchools directory, use filters and the search bar to find schools by interest area, location, accessibility, course offerings, and more. You can use the "Available 9th Grade Seats" or "Available 10th Grade Seats" filter to find programs that may have available seats.
  • When you're logged in, you can click "Join waitlist" next to a program's name to join it.
  • Watch this video to learn how to set up or access your account. Need help with your MySchools account? Visit or contact a Family Welcome Center.
  • Watch this video to learn how to add your child to waitlists.
• If a school can make you a waitlist offer, they will contact you directly.
• High school waitlists expire on September 16.

Learn more about high school.

Transfers, Non-Resident Enrollment, and Charter Schools

• Find out how to request a transfer from one NYC public school to another.
• If you live outside the five boroughs of NYC but would like to enroll your child in a NYC public school next year, learn about non-resident enrollment.
• If you're interested in charter schools, learn how to enroll and contact schools directly.

Enrollment for Students in Temporary Housing

Students in temporary housing, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, are not required to submit documentation (including address, proof of date of birth, and immunization records) in order to participate in any admission process or enroll in school. Read the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act in the Documents section to learn more.