MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMISSION/OPEN HOUSES

• Explore schools and programs with the searchable MySchools middle school directory.(Open external link) You don't need an account to start browsing! 
  • Search. Type any school's name in the search box to learn more about it. Search for schools by features or offerings, such as "debate" or "band."
  • Filter. Use the filter buttons below the search box to narrow down the list of schools based on what is important to you, such as accessibility, location near a specific subway line, sports offered, and more.
• Learn where your child can apply to middle school. In NYC, students are eligible to apply to middle school in their middle school district (based on their home address) and, when different, in the district where they currently attend elementary school.
  1. Use this map tool (Open external link) to look up your child's school district(s).
  2. Find your middle school district.  Enter your child's home address in the search bar to display their district number and any zoned middle schools they may have. Your child can apply to all middle schools in this district.
  3. Find your elementary school district. Enter the name of your child's current school in the search bar to display its district. If this differs from their middle school district, your child can apply to middle schools in both of these districts.
• Watch our NYC Middle School Admissions Video Series—scroll up to the top of this page to view. We'll walk you through the steps of applying to middle school in New York City.

Questions?

• We're here to help! Call us at 718-935-2009

All New York City children are guaranteed a seat at a public middle school. Apply to middle school when your child is in their last year of elementary school. Your child must be both of the following to apply:

• A current New York City resident
• A current fifth grade student, or a current sixth grade student if their elementary school ends in sixth grade

All of the following students are welcome to apply to middle school: current public district and charter school students, private or parochial school students, students with disabilities, students with accessibility needs, students learning English, students in temporary housing, and LGBTQ and gender nonconforming students.

Middle school offers students opportunities to explore their interests, discover new subjects, and learn more about themselves. Apply online to middle schools with your child’s personalized middle school application.

Schools on Your Application

In your child’s personalized online application, you’ll be able to see and explore every middle school program that they’re eligible to apply for and, if they get an offer, to attend. Middle schools have different eligibility criteria:

• District schools offer a program or programs open only to students in the district where your family is zoned for middle school and, when different, in the district where your child goes to public elementary school.
• Boroughwide schools offer a program or programs that are open to all students in your borough.
• Citywide schools offer a program or programs open to all NYC students.

Some schools or programs require an additional test or audition. Learn more on each school’s website or in the NYC Middle School Directory; scroll down to find the directory for your district. You can schedule some of these additional admissions requirements in MySchools, our new online application system.

For Bronx Students and Families. Starting in fall 2019, all Bronx students and residents are eligible to apply to all Bronx middle schools. If your child is a Bronx student or resident, this means:

• All Bronx middle schools will appear as options for your child's middle school application.
• All students who live or go to school in a Bronx district will have an admissions priority to attend middle schools in that district or districts.
• If seats remain, applicants who live and go to school in other Bronx districts will then be considered for admission.

Diversity in Middle School Admissions

Middle schools across the city are participating in an initiative to increase diversity within their programs—learn more on our Diversity in Admissions page.

Charter Schools

Charter schools have a separate admissions process. Contact charter schools directly to learn how to apply.

Your Middle School Choices

• MySchools(Open external link). During the application period, use MySchools to learn which district (1-32) your child is zoned to for middle school, find choices for your application, and apply. Learn your child's zoned middle school any time of year by entering your address here.

• Use last year's guide to start exploring programs in your district and learn about middle school admissions, including admissions methods and priorities for specific middle schools. For the most up-to-date admissions information, please refer to MySchools.

• Alternative Middle Schools. Learn about programs for students older than 13 who have not yet completed eighth grade.

Most NYC students apply to middle school during their fifth grade year, or if different, their final year of elementary school. 

The middle school application period for students applying this year to enter middle school in fall 2021 is not yet open.

In your child's personalized online application, you can see and explore every middle school program that they are eligible to apply for and, if they get an offer, to attend. From these options, you can add up to 12 middle school programs to your child’s application. Add the programs that interest you and your child the most and rank them in your true order of preference in the application.

• Consider adding the programs where your child has an admissions priority or guarantee, such as their zoned school(s) or continuing school. You do not have to place any of these programs as your first choice to keep your priority.
• Make an appointment to talk to your child's school counselor. Discuss your child's middle school application choices and how you plan to rank them.
• Use MySchools to explore your child's middle school options.
• Read last year's Middle School Admissions Guide—PDF and accessible versions are available below.

During the application period, you can apply in English, Spanish, Chinese, Bengali, Russian, Arabic, Urdu, Haitian Creole, Korean, or French in MySchools(Open external link). If you would like to apply using another language, call us and ask for an interpreter.

Questions? We're here to help.

• Talk to your Parent Coordinator
• Call us at 718-935-2009
• Contact a Family Welcome Center