If your child was born in 2019, they can attend pre-K in fall 2023! Before the application opens in late January, we encourage you to learn about the three different program settings that offer pre-K. Today, we will be spotlighting District Schools.
Dear families,
If your child was born in 2019, they can attend pre-K in fall 2023! Before the application opens in late January, we encourage you to learn about the three different program settings that offer pre-K. Today, we will be spotlighting District Schools.
District Schools are NYC DOE public elementary schools. New York City has 32 school districts, and within these districts are zones. Some District Schools offer pre-K. There are two types of district schools: zoned and non-zoned. Most district schools are zoned, meaning that applicants who live in an area zoned for an individual school have priority to attend. Non-zoned schools give priority to applicants who live in the same district as the school. You can learn what district you live in and identify your zoned school (if applicable) by entering your address here! Families can apply to any school they are interested in, even if it is outside their zone or district. Please note that not all District Schools offer pre-K.
There are three districts in NYC where all the schools are nonzoned. Children who live in District 1 (Lower East Side), District 7 (South Bronx), and District 23 (Brownsville) have priority to attend all schools in the district.
All NYC children born in 2019 can apply to District Schools. Zoned applicants (if applicable), siblings, and applicants who live in the district receive priority for pre-K at each district school.
You might consider this setting if:
- Your child will have older siblings who attend the school next fall
- Your child lives within the school zone or district
- You’d like your child to be in the same school pre-K through 5th grade (all children will need to re-apply for kindergarten including current students)
Want to learn more? Visit our website at nyc.gov/preK for information about pre-K admissions. We recommend visiting the Pre-K Directory on MySchools to begin exploring program options. In the weeks ahead we will also be sharing more information to help you prepare for pre-K admissions!
Still have questions? Call us at 718-935-2009 or visit your local Family Welcome Center.
Best,
3-K & Pre-K Admissions Team