New Students

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New to New York City? New to public school?

Where do I register?

  • Elementary or middle school: Register at your zoned school. Your zoned school is determined by your home address. If you don’t know your zoned school, call 311 or click here. If you don’t have a zoned school, please visit a Borough Enrollment Office in your borough of residence.
  • High school: Register at a Borough Enrollment Office in your borough of residence.

To register your child, you will need the following documents:

  • Proof of residence. Any TWO of the following documents:
    • A residential utility bill (gas or electric) n the resident's name issued by National Grid (formerly Keyspan), Con Edison, or the Long Island Power Authority (for the Rockaways)*
    • Documentation or letter on letterhead from a federal, state or local government agency, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), City Housing Authority, Human Resources Administration (HRA), the Administration for Children's Services (ACS), or an ACS subcontractor indicating the resident's name and address*
    • An original lease agreement, deed, or mortgage statement for the residence
    • A current property tax bill for the residence
    • A water bill for the residence*
    • Official payroll documentation from an employer such as a form submitted for tax withholding purposes or payroll receipt; a letter on the employer's letterhead will not be accepted* 
  • Child’s birth certificate or passport
  • Child’s immunization records
  • Child's latest report card/transcript (if available)
  • Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and/or 504 Accommodation Plan (if applicable and available)

*these documents must be dated within the past 60 days

Will my child be eligible to ride on a school bus or receive other transportation?

Yellow school bus service is provided for eligible general education children in kindergarten through 6th grade. Eligibility is determined at the time of registration and is generally based on a student’s grade level and the distance between the student’s home address and school. In addition, students of all ages may be eligible for free or reduced public transportation fare depending on the distance between their home address and school. Please visit http://www.opt-osfns.org/opt/ or call the Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) Customer Service Hotline at 718-392-8855 for additional information.

Do I need to come with my child to school on the first day?

You must accompany your child on the first day of school if your child is an elementary or middle school student. It is strongly recommended that you accompany your child if your child is a high school student who is new to New York City public schools.

Is my child eligible for public school in New York City?
Your child is entitled to attend New York City public schools free of charge if he or she:

  • is more than 5 and less than 21 years of age and
  • is a resident of New York City and
  • has not received a high school diploma

Kindergarten is not mandatory in New York City public schools, but if you wish to have your child attend a New York City public school kindergarten, he or she must turn five years old by December 31 of the year he or she will enroll.