Kindergarten Admissions Opens December 9
Beginning Tuesday, December 9, NYC children who were born in 2021 can participate in kindergarten admissions for fall 2026. You can add Gifted and Talented (G&T) and Dual Language programs to your child’s application at MySchools.nyc; G&T eligibility will be determined after you apply. To learn more about this year's kindergarten admissions process, visit our official "Kindergarten" webpage at schools.nyc.gov/K.
The fall 2026 kindergarten application will close on Friday, January 23, 2026.
Reminder: Upcoming Admissions Deadlines
There are two important admissions deadlines coming up in early December! The high school application will close on Wednesday, December 3, and the middle school application will close on Friday, December 12. Learn about each admissions process.
Reminder: Parent-Teacher Conferences
Reminder that this year’s second round of virtual parent-teacher conferences (PTCs) begins on Thursday, November 6. On the dates of afternoon parent-teacher conferences, students are dismissed three hours prior to the regular dismissal time. Evening parent-teacher conferences will be held between 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Please note that dates and times can vary depending on school and grade level—reach out to your child’s school to confirm their PTC schedule and how to set up your conference, including an in-person meeting if you prefer. View more tips and guidance on PTCs.
Climate Action Day
The first NYCPS Climate Action Day for the 2025–26 school year is coming up on Wednesday, November 19! Each Climate Action Day, NYC public school communities engage in activities highlighting climate education and sustainability practices connected to the theme of the day. The theme for November, “Waste,” encourages schools to plan activities throughout the month that help students and their families understand the importance of reducing the amount of waste they produce. Learn more about Climate Action Day.
Prepare for Remote Learning
As winter approaches, it’s important to remember that if school buildings must close due to an emergency, such as inclement weather, all K–12 students will participate in remote learning from home. Children attending LYFE or a 3-K or Pre-K program in an elementary school or Pre-K Center should participate in the remote learning experiences outlined by their program.
Speak to your school directly if your child still needs a working, internet-enabled device from NYCPS. Find guidance on how to use your loaned device.
Familiarize yourself ahead of time with the resources your child needs to participate in remote learning:
- Every active NYCPS student is assigned a NYCPS Student Account, which connects them to all NYCPS digital learning tools with a single login. Learn more about Student Accounts.
- Visit the Self Service website If you are not sure of your child’s NYCPS Account username and password, or ask your school for help.
- Learn more about the digital learning tools NYCPS uses.
New York City Schools Account (NYCSA)
View instructions on signing up for a NYC Schools Account (NYCSA). You can use NYCSA to stay updated about your child’s grades, transportation, attendance, Individualized Education Program (IEP) if applicable, and more. Your child’s school uses the contact information provided in NYCSA and the annual “blue card” form to reach you, so make sure your emergency contact information is updated and accurate!
With NYCSA you can also:
- Fill out and sign digital forms for your child’s school.
- Access technical support with NYCPS devices and platforms via SupportHub.
- Receive information from parent groups such as Community and Citywide Education Councils (CCECs) and your school’s Parent Association/Parent Teacher Association (PA/PTA).
October 2025: NYCPS Family Update
This update from New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) includes important dates on the 2025-26 school year calendar, upcoming...
This update from New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) includes important dates on the 2025-26 school year calendar, upcoming admissions information, parent-teacher conferences, preparing for remote learning, vaccination requirements, and the new electronic device policy.
2026 High School Admissions
Starting October 7, current eighth graders and first-time ninth graders can participate in this year's NYCPS high school application process.
Fall 2026 High School applications will close on Wednesday, December 3.
Digital Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT)
This fall, the SHSAT-the entrance exam required for admission to one of NYC's eight Specialized High Schools-will be administered digitally for the first time. Students who wish to take the SHSAT when it is administered in November must register for the test between October 7 and October 31.
2026 Middle School Admissions
Starting Wednesday, October 15, students currently in fifth grade (or sixth grade, for students in K-6 elementary schools) can participate in fall 2026 middle school admissions. Fall 2026 Middle School applications will close on Friday, December 12.
New Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy Reminder
Remember: per New York State law, starting this school year, students may not use their cell phones and other personal internet-enabled electronic devices during the school day. These devices must be stored somewhere like a locker or magnetic pouch. Make sure you are familiar with and following your school's policy on device storage.
November 2025 Parent-Teacher Conferences
This year's second round of parent-teacher conferences (PTCs) begins on Thursday, November 6. PTCs will be conducted remotely in 2025-26, however, schools may arrange an in-person conference upon request. Please note that dates and times can vary depending on school and grade level-speak with your child's school to confirm their PTC schedule and to set up your meeting.
Preparing for Remote Learning
If NYCPS school buildings close due to emergency conditions, all K-12 students will attend classes remotely. Ensure your child has a working, internet-enabled device at home. If you need a NYCPS-loaned device, contact your school directly now; do not wait for a building closure.
Students will need to use their NYCPS Student Account for remote learning. Get login help, or ask your school. Learn more at our Digital Learning page.
Stay Up to Date with Your Child's Vaccinations
All NYCPS students who are 2 months to 18 years old must meet both State and City immunization requirements to attend school. Review vaccine requirements by grade and talk to your child's health provider to learn more. Find a provider who fits your family's needs.
Keep Up with NYC Public Schools
Bookmark The Morning Bell blog and be sure to follow @NYCSchools on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube for the latest news and resources for NYC families!
September 2025: Welcome Back to School! A Message from Chancellor Aviles-Ramos
A message to start off the school year in NYC.
Welcome back! I'm thrilled to be starting the 2025-26 school year, and I hope you are as well.
Dear Families,
Welcome back! I'm thrilled to be starting the 2025-26 school year, and I hope you are as well. As both an educator and a parent, I've experienced many first days of school–but this one has special meaning for me, because it's my first "first day of school" as Chancellor. Our community has so much to accomplish together this year, and I can't wait to get started.
First, we're going to continue to expand upon our key initiatives: NYC Reads, NYC Solves, Student Pathways, and NYCPS Cares. NYC Reads and NYC Solves, which reimagine literacy and math instruction, are coming to 186 additional schools, and our FutureReadyNYC program, which offers high-demand career pathways for our high schoolers, will grow to 50 more schools. NYCPS Cares, our newest initiative, is all about creating a culture of care in our communities; as part of this work, we've launched student-led anti-bullying and anti-vaping campaigns, along with a program called Family Connectors, in which family members and community volunteers help other families access city resources.
These initiatives are already having an impact–just look at our 2025 state exam results, which show promising gains in both reading and math. The percentage of students scoring "proficient" in grades 3-8 grew 7.2 points in literacy and 3.5 points in math, leading to our highest proficiency rates in these subjects since 2012. I'm immensely proud of our students, staff, and families, whose hard work and commitment are directly reflected in these results. We certainly have more to do, but these improvements show we're on the right track.
This year, we'll build on this progress by emphasizing intellectual curiosity and academic rigor, filling our classrooms with rich discussion, deep thinking, and lots of "Aha!" moments. We are also implementing the new state law prohibiting student use of personal internet-enabled devices during the school day, which will help minimize distractions so students can fully engage. Sparking our students' love of learning is a key ingredient in fulfilling our mission: to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in their careers and communities.
I'm so excited to begin this journey with you as my partners. Thank you to our staff, our families and parent leaders, and our entire New York City Public Schools community for your dedication to our students. Happy first day of school, and here's to an incredible year ahead!
In partnership,
Melissa Aviles-Ramos
Chancellor