NEW YORK (TIP): Chancellor Carmen Fariña announced, October 8 that the kindergarten application process will begin earlier in order to make the application process easier for families. Families will be able to apply to kindergarten starting December 7 and will receive an offer letter in mid-March – one month earlier than last year. The earlier application process will give families and students more time to learn about their new school, offer greater transparency around zoned waitlists, and help ensure a smoother transition from pre-K to kindergarten for our youngest learners.

“With a historic number of students enrolled in free, full-day, high-quality pre-K, it’s critical that we build on this strong foundation to make sure students are entering kindergarten prepared. By making kindergarten offers earlier, we will make the process easier for families and strengthen the transition between pre-K and kindergarten. This is a common-sense approach to helping our families and students,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña.

The application process and priority structure will remain the same. Starting on December 7, families will be able to apply online, over the phone, or in person at a Family Welcome Center through a single application. The application allows parents to apply to up to 12 options, ranking them in order of preference. Online applications are translated into all nine of the DOE’s languages and families can receive assistance in over 200 languages by calling 718-935-2009.

To inform families of this exciting change, and to guide them through the application process, the DOE will be holding information sessions for families in every borough in December. Additionally, we are providing copies of the kindergarten directory at schools, pre-K sites and Family Welcome Centers around the City, including translated copies where they are needed. The DOE will also reach out directly to families, ensure that all pre-K sites provide information to families on the application process, and inform families of the change at an upcoming pre-K forum.

Families can learn more about the kindergarten application process by visiting our
websitewww.nyc.gov/ schools/kindergarten, calling 718-935-2009, or visiting a Family Welcome Center. Families interested in a specific school can reach out to the school about tours and to learn more.