When do NYC school applications open?

It depends on the entry point. Early-childhood (3-K and Pre-K) and elementary (Kindergarten, Gifted & Talented) applications generally run over the winter for the following September. The middle- and high-school applications open in the fall of the prior school year — typically early October — and close in early December, with offers in March. The SHSAT for specialized high schools is registered in September–October and sat in late October. The city announces exact dates each year.

What's the difference between 3-K and Pre-K in NYC?

Both are free, full-day public early-childhood programs; the difference is age. 3-K is for children who turn 3 in the calendar year and is still expanding, so it isn't yet guaranteed in every district. Pre-K is for children who turn 4 and is effectively universal across the city. Both are applied for through MySchools with sibling and district priorities and a random tiebreak — never a test.

Do I have to apply for kindergarten if we have a zoned school?

Yes. Even if your home address has a zoned school where in-zone children are generally guaranteed a seat, NYC asks every family to apply through MySchools to confirm the seat and to rank any out-of-zone, magnet, or charter options. Applying never costs you your zoned priority.

How does Gifted & Talented (G&T) admission work in NYC?

G&T programs are entered in kindergarten or third grade through a separate application plus an eligibility step — in recent years a teacher referral and evaluation rather than a single test. Eligible children then enter a random lottery for limited seats, so eligibility doesn't guarantee placement. The rules have changed repeatedly, so confirm the current year's process before relying on it.

What admission methods do NYC middle and high schools use?

NYC public and charter middle and high schools admit by eight methods: SHSAT (specialized high schools), audition, screened (by grades), Educational Option, limited unscreened, unscreened (random lottery), zoned, and charter lottery. Each is explained on this page with the schools that use it. Private schools run their own admissions and aren't part of this system.

How NYC schools admit

4 early entry points · 8 middle & high school methods · 1,689 programs

New York City admits children through a different door at each stage — 3-K and Pre-K in early childhood, a zoned-or-choice application for Kindergarten plus Gifted & Talented, then eight distinct methods for middle and high school. Some go by test, some by grades, some run a random lottery, some by where you live. Pick a stage below, then a method to see it explained in plain English with its typical application window; the middle- and high-school tab also lists the public and charter schools that use each method — lit on the map alongside. Private schools admit on their own terms and are not included here.

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3-K

Free, full-day early childhood for children who turn 3 in the calendar year. Admission is by application, never a test or a zone.

3-K is free, full-day early childhood for children who turn 3 during the calendar year. Seats sit across district schools, NYC Early Education Centers (NYCEECs), and family child care, and families apply through the city's MySchools portal rather than by test or attendance zone. Programs fill by a set of admissions priorities — a sibling already enrolled, then district of residence — with remaining seats assigned by random number. 3-K is being expanded toward universal access but is not yet guaranteed in every district, so apply on time and rank several programs. A 3-K seat is independent of your later Pre-K, Kindergarten, and elementary applications.

Typical window

Applications typically open in the winter and close in the spring; the city announces exact dates each year.

SHSAT

14 programs

Test-only admission. Offers go in descending order of SHSAT score combined with the student's school-preference list.

Eight testing Specialized High Schools — Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech, Brooklyn Latin, Staten Island Tech, Queens HSSE, HSAS at Lehman, and HSMSE at CCNY. Registration runs September → October of 8th grade through the school's counselor; the test is sat in late October. Each student ranks all eight schools by preference; the city matches in March in strict descending score order until each school fills. No grades, attendance, audition, sibling, or geographic preference is considered. Free Department of Education prep is offered through the DREAM program. Students may also rank LaGuardia (audition-based) on the same registration form, but it admits by audition, not score.

Typical window

SHSAT registration runs September–October of 8th grade; the test is sat in late October and offers arrive in March. The city announces exact dates each year.

Show all 14 programs →

Common questions about NYC admissions

When do NYC school applications open?: It depends on the entry point. Early-childhood (3-K and Pre-K) and elementary (Kindergarten, Gifted & Talented) applications generally run over the winter for the following September. The middle- and high-school applications open in the fall of the prior school year — typically early October — and close in early December, with offers in March. The SHSAT for specialized high schools is registered in September–October and sat in late October. The city announces exact dates each year.
What's the difference between 3-K and Pre-K in NYC?: Both are free, full-day public early-childhood programs; the difference is age. 3-K is for children who turn 3 in the calendar year and is still expanding, so it isn't yet guaranteed in every district. Pre-K is for children who turn 4 and is effectively universal across the city. Both are applied for through MySchools with sibling and district priorities and a random tiebreak — never a test.
Do I have to apply for kindergarten if we have a zoned school?: Yes. Even if your home address has a zoned school where in-zone children are generally guaranteed a seat, NYC asks every family to apply through MySchools to confirm the seat and to rank any out-of-zone, magnet, or charter options. Applying never costs you your zoned priority.
How does Gifted & Talented (G&T) admission work in NYC?: G&T programs are entered in kindergarten or third grade through a separate application plus an eligibility step — in recent years a teacher referral and evaluation rather than a single test. Eligible children then enter a random lottery for limited seats, so eligibility doesn't guarantee placement. The rules have changed repeatedly, so confirm the current year's process before relying on it.
What admission methods do NYC middle and high schools use?: NYC public and charter middle and high schools admit by eight methods: SHSAT (specialized high schools), audition, screened (by grades), Educational Option, limited unscreened, unscreened (random lottery), zoned, and charter lottery. Each is explained on this page with the schools that use it. Private schools run their own admissions and aren't part of this system.

Methods change cycle to cycle — always confirm with the school before you apply. Looking for a specific school? Search the full directory at /schools.

Admission Methods

How NYC schools admit

Know the rules? Now run them for your family.

3-K

Pre-K

Kindergarten

Gifted & Talented (G&T)

SHSAT

Audition

Screened

Ed. Opt.

Limited Unscreened

Unscreened

Zoned

Charter Lottery

Common questions about NYC admissions