Thank you to all who joined us for our webinar, NYC 3-K, Pre-K, and Kindergarten Explained, presented on December 14, 2022.

Videos of the event are now available for viewing in English and Spanish.

In this webinar, we provide an overview of the NYC public school system (districts and zones), your options (zoned, non-zoned, charter, dual language, gifted and talented), school and program settings, what to look for on a school tour, and where to find answers to your questions.

More questions? Join our free community forum, InsideSchools+.

Make sure to review the following resources and please share this information with your school community.

InsideSchools Resources

InsideSchools.org: An independent guide to NYC public schools that includes school profiles, school search tools, and parent guides. Discover your options using our 3-K and Pre-K and Elementary School search tools. Print out checklists in English or Spanish to take along on a school tour. Watch “What to Look for” videos about pre-K and kindergarten.

InsideSchools+: Our free community forum. Ask us anything!

Weekly InsideSchools newsletters: Get the latest news, admissions updates, and more in English and Spanish.

DOE & Other Resources

NYS Learning Standards: What your child is expected to learn at each grade level.

MySchools: Official online application and directory for all grade levels.

NYC Department of Education (DOE): Click on “Enrollment” on the homepage (and then select "Enroll Grade by Grade") for links to all 3-K, pre-K, kindergarten, and Gifted and Talented admissions information.

Multilingual learners: Immigrant and Multilingual Student Support is a website created by the DOE that offers resources for NYC families and students.

Diversity in Admissions: Some schools give an admissions priority to applicants who are low-income, English Language Learners (ELLs) or Emerging Multilingual Learners (EMLs), are in the child welfare system or live in temporary housing. Find the list and priorities here.

More on diversity: Read an article mentioned in the webinar, How Diversity Makes Us Smarter, and about research that shows teachers of color have higher expectations for students of color when compared with white teachers.

The DOE calendar of tours and admissions events.

DOE admissions email alerts: Sign up to receive news and reminders about the application process.

NYC Charter School Center: You may apply to any charter school using the common application. Also review history and data on NYC charters, open houses, and admissions information.

Special Education Resources

INCLUDEnyc: Helpline open Monday to Thursday, 9am – 3pm.

Advocates for Children: Helpline open Monday to Thursday, 10am - 4pm.