Parents' Guide to New York City Elementary Schools

When it comes to choosing which school to send your kid to, where you live matters a lot. That said, it is far from the deciding factor and there are many irregularities to the Department of Education’s system of zones and districts. There are also many alternatives to the DOE’s zoned schools as well as tricks to navigating the zoning system. Here’s what you need to know:

What is the Difference between School Districts and School Zones?

The city is divided into 32 geographic districts that encompass many neighborhoods and many schools. These districts are then divided into smaller zones that define the area that a specific local school will serve (i.e., each school is assigned a zone.)

The main differentiating factor is that zones are much smaller than districts and it is your exact address that determines your school zone — not your neighborhood or even street. Your kid is guaranteed a seat in a public school, usually the one for which your address is zoned. When it comes to elementary school placements and especially kindergarten placement, your school zone is an important factor.

How Do I Find Out What School I’m Zoned For?

To figure out what school your kid is zoned for you can go to the DOE’s websiteand enter your address in the “school search” field. You can also call 311 and give the operator your address. The city is constantly rezoning areas so even the DOE’s website and 311 can give you wrong information. To be 100 percent sure of your zoning designation, it is best to call the school you think you are zoned for and ask them to verify your address.

Why Do School Zones Matter So Much?

If you’ve done your research and found a public elementary school that you love and want to your kid to attend, then it will be very important for you and your family to live within that school’s specific geographic zone. Elementary schools and schools zones vary in popularity and population, making some zones and schools very crowded and difficult to get into and others much less crowded and easier to get into. If you live in a very popular school zone, like the PS 199 zone on the Upper West Side or the PS 58 in Carroll Gardens, you may encounter a wait list even if you live in the zone and have applied before the enrollment cut off.

How Can I Learn About Public Schools?

Most kids in New York City attend the elementary school they are zoned for, but they are not required to. Before enrolling your kid in school, do some research about the school options in your area. You may find that the school you are zoned for is under performing and you wish to send your kid to an alternative option. Or you may find that the school you are zoned for is very popular and often has a wait list. Regardless of what you discover in your research, it is good to get the lay of the land. Word of mouth is the best place to start. Ask neighbors, co-workers and other parents for their opinion on local elementary schools. Many feel it is easiest to send kids to their neighborhood school and it offers a good way to build a community of friends and families you trust. Ultimately it is up to you and what makes sense for your lifestyle. There are many resources for parents who would like to get the inside scoop on elementary schools. Several are listed below.

• Insideschools – Insideschools provides authoritative independent assessments of New York City public schools

• Department of Education – The DOE is New York City’s school district and governing body. Their website provides assessment reports of all schools in the district

• New York City School Help – NYC School Help is a resource for Brooklyn parents

• School Search NYC – School Search NYC is highly trusted resource center for parents navigating private and public school admissions

• Mommy Poppins – Mommy Poppins is a New York City blog that provides information for families on schools, neighborhoods and kids’ activities

• Great Schools – Great Schools is a national non-profit that provides school information for families

How Does Enrollment for Kindergarten Work?

In New York City, all five-year olds are required to attend kindergarten, so the DOE guarantees that all children will get a placement. Nonetheless, you must submit an application for your kid even if you are planning on sending them to your zoned school. Here are some things to know.

1. The age cut-off works on a calendar year, not by month, so all kids born between Jan. 1, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2012 will need to enroll for kindergarten starting in the fall of 2017. The DOE does not let parents hold their children back if they are born at the end of the calendar year.

2. Schools will host tours between November and March for parents’ interested in getting a first-hand look inside a school and its classrooms. Contact the school directly to get a schedule of tour and open house dates.

3. Once you’re ready to apply, you can do so online via KindergartenConnect, which allows you to submit a single application for up to 12 schools ranked in order of your preference. If you prefer, you can also apply over the phone (718-935-2009) or at a Family Welcome Center (there are many locations throughout the city, click here to find). Staff members at Family Welcome Centers are available to answer all your school enrollment-related questions regardless of the age of your child.

4. Applications are accepted for a six-week period usually beginning the first week in January and ending in the middle of February. Preference is NOT given to those who apply first. Assignments are released at late April or early May.

5. Most kids attend the kindergartens they are zoned for and the DOE encourages parents to prioritize their zoned schools.

6. Once your child has enrolled at a school, they are guaranteed a seat there for all of elementary school — even if you move to a different zone or the zoning boundaries change.

How Do I Figure Out a School Zone’s Boundaries?

Some parents who want their kid to go to particular zoned school are willing to move into that school’s zone in order to increase the likelihood of acceptance. If you are willing to do this, it can be very helpful to know the geographic boundaries of that school zone. That said, these boundaries are not so easy to track down. The maps provided by the DOE and even the schools’ websites are not always up-to-date. You can ask your real estate broker, but the best thing to do is to call the school directly. Once you have a clear idea of the school’s boundaries you can create a custom boundary search on StreetEasy that matches the boundaries of the school and filter through apartments that way.

#element1