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.

• Explore program options through MySchools. Contact schools directly to see if there is a seat available and register. You can use the "Need a 3-K Seat Now?" filter to view programs that may have 3-K seats for the remainder of the 2023-24 school year.
• 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.

• Explore program options through MySchools. Contact schools directly to see if there is a seat available and register. You can use the "Need a Pre-K Seat Now?" filter to view programs that may have 3-K seats for the remainder of the 2023-24 school year.
• 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? 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.
• If you have a zoned school, contact that school directly to register.
• If you don't have a zoned school, or need help, make an appointment with a Family Welcome Center to enroll. 
• Learn about your zoned school and/or other schools in your district online with MySchools:
  • Find elementary schools
  • Find middle schools

Enroll in High School

If your child has finished eighth grade, they can start high school this September. Families with new students who aren't yet enrolled in high school should contact a Family Welcome Center enroll. 

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.