Kindergarten through grade twelve (K–12) schools are separated into three levels:
K-12 schools are either public or private. In New York City, public schools are operated by the DOE, which has a separate application process for each K-12 level. Learn when and how to apply to each level of public school below:
1. Sign up for kindergarten and Gifted & Talented (G&T) admissions email lists at schools.nyc.gov/SignUp.
2. Learn when to apply to kindergarten at schools.nyc.gov/K. Annual deadline is usually in January.
3. Use MySchools.nyc to learn about kindergarten options.
4. Learn which community school district (1-32) you live in and if your child has a zoned school by entering your address at school search.schools.nyc or calling 311.
5. Apply by the deadline.
For more information, read this guide. Check schools.nyc.gov/K and schools.nyc.gov/GT to get the most up-to-date information on this year’s application timeline and admissions events.
1. Use MySchools.nyc to identify the programs your child is eligible to attend.
2. Find your child’s school district(s) and any zoned middle schools(s): Enter your address at schoolsearch.schools.nyc or call 311
3. Add up to 12 program choices to your application. Put your choices in your true order of preference, with your favorite program as #1. There is no better strategy.
4. Apply one of the following ways:
1. Read this guide! Check schools.nyc.gov/HS for the most up-to-date information.
2. Sign up for our high school admissions email list at schools.nyc.gov/SignUp.
3. Use MySchools.nyc to start exploring program options.
4. Discuss high school options with your family! Start building a list of favorite programs.
5. Make an appointment with your school counselor to discuss your high school options.
6. Learn when to apply to high school.
7. Add 12 programs to your application in your true order of preference.
8. Apply to high school by the deadline.
9. Complete any additional requirements, such as an audition
Updated on February 21, 2024
The Dial a Teacher program provides free homework assistance for parents and students directly over the telephone, from Monday through Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m. Call the Dial-A-Teacher Hotline at (212) 777-3380 to get in touch with a tutor. Many teachers are bilingual and assist parents and students in 10 languages, including Armenian, Bengali, Chinese, English, French, Haitian-Creole, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Tagalog.
nypl.ny.brainfuse.com/authenticate.asp
Tutoring for children from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Schedule a session by logging in with your library card number.
Your child will be matched with a teacher based on grade level, subject, and availability. Applicants can send in their forms during the summer.
Help is offered online or on the phone and 1 hour of tutoring is offered per week. Enrollment is ongoing.
alittlejoyinitiative.com/tutoring
A tutor will be matched to your child by grade level, subject, and availability as soon as possible. Enrollment is ongoing.
A tutor will be matched to your child within a week. Enrollment is ongoing.
Updated on February 17, 2024
Free studio art classes are available at the Cooper Union on Saturdays. Find classes in Architecture, Digital Media/Photography, Drawing, Graphic Design, Painting, Sculpture, Senior Design Studio, and Senior Visual Art Studio. No prior experience is necessary; students only need to be highly motivated. Visit cooper.edu/academics/outreach-and-pre-college/saturday-program or email saturdayprogram@cooper.edu to learn more. Otherwise, call (212) 353-4108.
Teens have the chance to develop their computational interests or learn valuable lifelong skills with the Youth and Teen Media Education Program by NYC Parks. For more information about a wide selection of programs, visit nycgovparks.org/programs/media/teens or email media.ed@parks.nyc.gov. Call (212) 360-2791 for support.
Their programs are located in more than 400 parks, recreation centers, and public schools across New York City. Explore options for middle schoolers at cityparksfoundation.org/learn
It offers free after-school programs for children from 6 to 13 years old. Programming is based around monthly themes including sports, famous artists, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics). Registration is required. To apply, visit nycgovparks.org/programs/recreation/afterschool.
Instructional Clinic programs provide sessions at NYC City Parks for children aged eight and up, allowing them to learn sports in an approach that is safe, easy, and successful. There are so many sports options! For further information, contact your neighborhood recreation facility at nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters or visit cityparksfoundation.org/play. Apply to your favorite sports programs as early as late in the in the winter or early in the spring.
SBU Soccer offers quality and affordable programs that give new players a solid base and help competitive children improve and use their skills. Sessions vary based on the child’s experience. Children 2-19 are welcome to SBU. Practice gear is offered by the school with an affordable fee. Learn and apply at southbronxunited.org. There is an enrollment fee that varies depending on the program. In cases of financial hardship, families can submit financial assistance for a partial or complete waiver.
Teenagers in grades 8–12 learn about urban agriculture and the wonders of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The Garden Apprentice Program is a nine-month-based apprenticeship. New applications are open every year in the fall. Visit www.bbg.org/learn/gap or email gap@bbg.org for more information.
Math and problem-solving are the focal points of the BEAM programs. BEAM supports middle and high school students who are underrepresented in STEM careers. Students are welcome to take part in a wide range of enrichment events throughout the year, such as classes on the weekends, field trips and lab visits, and more. Learn more at beammath.org/a-10-year-program. Contact BEAM at (888) 264-2793 or info@beammath.org.
Brooklyn Robot Foundry offers STEAM classes for children aged 2–12 years. The Robot Foundry wants to inspire children to explore, problem-solve, and imagine by making STEAM learning entertaining. Visit brooklynrobotfoundry.com/programs for more information or call (347) 762-6840.
New York City public school K–12 students are invited to apply to STEM Matters NYC enrichment programs offered during spring break. Visit nycdoe.campintouch.com/ui/forms/application/camper/App to submit your application. Applicants entering kindergarten through grade 9 are selected to participate via lottery.
Summer Rising is a free, safe, and fun academic and enrichment program for NYC students currently in grades K–8. In every neighborhood, well-known community-based organizations and local school leaders run it. Breakfast, lunch, and a snack are served to each student! The deadline to apply is usually in March so keep an eye out early in the year. Learn more about this city-wide program at schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/summer.
Find a city’s outdoor pool near you and take swimming lessons in the summer. Visit nycgovparks.org/facilities/outdoor-pools to learn more about open days and hours of operation.
NYC Parks Summer Day Camp offers 6–13-year-olds a variety of summer activities. Campers participate in sports, fitness, and outdoor activities while exploring New York City’s cultural and educational offerings. Apply early! Registration is conducted through a lottery in early March. Learn more and apply at nycgovparks.org/summercamp/applying.
Fresh Air Fund offers outdoor summer activities for kids to provide them with new experiences, skills, and ways to see things from different points of view. Learn about their different programs at freshair.org. Create an account at freshair.org/sign-up-for-camp and apply early in the year! If you have trouble registering, email apply@freshair.org or call 800-367-0003.
The YMCA offers day camps in all five boroughs for children aged 8–12. Learn more at ymcanyc.org/programs/camp.
NYC teens between 14 and 21 receive career exploration and paid work experience each summer through the nation’s biggest youth employment program, the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). Participants can earn money through their participation. Call 1-800-246-4646 for questions and learn how to apply at nyc.gov/syep. Applications usually close in March. Apply early!
Updated on February 21, 2024
Futures and Options provides paid, mentored internships and career readiness workshops to high school juniors and seniors. Apply by visiting futuresandoptions.org/our-programs/our-programs-internships.
The Apollo Theater Academy High School Internship Program offers paid professional development opportunities for high school students pursuing administrative, programming, and production jobs in the arts and entertainment industries. The annual deadline is in January. Visit apollotheater.org/education/apollo-theater-academy/internships to learn more.
The Met offers undergraduate and graduate students paid internships that would help them gain professional experience and explore museum careers in the arts. The annual deadline is in January. Learn how to apply at metmuseum.org/about-the-met/internships/undergraduate-and-graduate-students/summer.
Tech Scholars engage 9–12 grade girls in coding through passion projects in the humanities. The program creates digital media projects that aim to have a social impact. Visit nyhistory.org/education/tech-scholars to apply. Annual deadlines are usually in early May. Call (212) 873-3400 for more information.
The New York District Attorney Internship Program is a robust internship that offers students hands-on experience with the criminal justice system. Application deadlines are usually in March. For questions, inquire at highschoolinternship@dany.nyc.gov or by calling (347-417-2001). Visit manhattanda.org/careers/internship-opportunities/high-school-internship to learn more.
The Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center provides high school students with hands-on experience in laboratory techniques. Visit mskcc.org/education-training/high-school-college/hopp-summer-student and start an application. Yearly applications start in November. For any questions, please reach out to the HOPP Summer Student Program at HOPPSummerProgram@mskcc.org or (646) 888-2013.
The NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships for high school and college students to improve science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. Learn more at nasa.gov/learning-resources/internship-programs.
Mt. Sinai is offering free virtual summer courses and in-person internships. For additional information, please visit icahn.mssm.edu/about/diversity/ceye/programs/summer or send an email to ceye@mssm.edu. For frequently asked questions (FAQs), please see page 5 of this document. The deadline for applications is in March.
The Ma’ayan Laboratory’s Summer Research Training Program in Biomedical Big Data Science is a ten-week research intense program for undergraduate and master’s students interested in cutting-edge biomedical data-intensive research projects. For more information, visit labs.icahn.mssm.edu/maayanlab/summer-research-program. The application deadline is in February.
Updated in February 22, 2024