School Eligibility

Anyone between the ages of 5 and 21 on December 31 of the current school year who has not received a high school diploma can attend a public school for free. A child must be 4 years old to be eligible to attend Pre-Kindergarten.

In most cases, a child's elementary or middle school location is determined by where the child lives. High school placements are made through a Citywide high school admissions process.

Learn about public school enrollment.

Call 311 for assistance by phone.

Undocumented immigrants can attend public school. Schools must let students enroll.

You do not need to provide documents related to immigration status or United States residency.

A child must begin attending school full-time in September of the year the child turns 6.

Students are required to go to school until they are 17. Once a teenager turns 17, the student must continue to attend school until the end of that school year.

To register a child for high school, you must provide:

Immunization records
Transcript
Current report card
Gas or electric bill, as proof of address

For incoming 9th graders, you must provide a school record that includes proof that the student completed 8th grade, test scores, and course work. An intermediate school diploma is not enough.

If your child is coming from another New York City high school, you must bring discharge papers from the student's previous school.

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Knowledge Article

IP Address

School Eligibility

Immigration Status

Required Schooling

High School Registration

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