Admissions

Based on extensive community feedback, we are updating our admissions processes to be more family friendly, transparent, and timely:

• Earlier Application Timelines, Earlier Offers. This school year, we are moving the high school application timeline earlier in the fall so that offers can be released in March. This timeline will give you more time to plan for the next school year. Additionally, we will release high school offers together with any Specialized High Schools results in one offer letter.
• Centralized open house calendar. We launched an events calendar in MySchools(Open external link) so you can find all admissions events and school open houses and tour information in one place. You can add events to your personal calendar and RSVP to events directly from MySchools.
• Clearer admissions information. We now display more information about a student’s chance of getting an offer to various programs. For example, we are providing more accurate applicant data to show how in-demand a program is. We are now showing the true number of applicants who were considered for a seat in a program. In contrast to previous years, this number excludes applicants who matched to a more preferred choice from their application.
• Improved virtual audition experience. This year, the virtual audition and additional material submission experience will provide clearer instructions and clearer confirmation when submissions are received.
• School-day SHSAT administration. We surveyed hundreds of families, and due to overwhelming support we will continue to enable DOE 8th graders to take the SHSAT during the school day at their current school rather than traveling to sites on the weekend.
• A fairer process for programs that screen. Based on community and school feedback, for students and families interested in screened high schools, those schools will admit the top-performing applicants from across each middle school and citywide. Applicants to screened high schools will be placed into groups based on their final seventh-grade core course grades. Students will be admitted to screened programs in group order, starting with students in group one. If all students in group one have been accommodated, students in group two will then be considered for available seats, and so on.
  • Students will be in group one if the average of their final seventh grade course grades falls in the highest 15% of their school or citywide, and that average is at least a 90.
  • Students will be in group two if they are not in group one, and the average falls in the highest 30% of their school or citywide, and that average is at least an 80.
  • Students will be in group three if they are not in groups one or two, and the average falls in the highest 50% of their school or citywide, and that average is at least a 70.
  • Students will be in group four if they are not in groups one, two, or three, and their average falls in the highest 70% of their school or citywide, and that average is at least a 65.
  • All other students will be in group five.

To apply to high school, you must be both of the following:

• A NYC resident
• A current eighth grade or first-time ninth grade student

During the application period, all of the following students are welcome to apply: Current public district and charter school students, private or parochial school students, students with disabilities, students with accessibility needs, students learning English, students from immigrant families, students in temporary housing, LGBTQ and gender nonconforming students, and students with children.

Watch this animation to find out why your high school application choices matter and to learn about other factors, such as admissions priorities and seat availability. For more detailed information on how offers are made to specific types of programs, keep reading this page and check out the following resources:

• The high school section of the 2023 NYC Public Schools Admissions Guide––scroll to the bottom of this page to view or download this resource. Print copies are also available at middle schools, libraries, and other locations.
• How Students Get Offers to DOE Public Schools
• Screened Admissions

<iframe src=”https://player.vimeo.com/video/288796889?h=9c4142c6f6″ width=”444″ height=”250″ frameborder=”0″ allow=”autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/288796889″>How Students Get Offers to New York City Public Schools</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/nycschools”>NYC Public Schools</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>

During the application period, you can submit your application one of the following three ways:

• Online with MySchools(Open external link)––recommended!
• Through your school counselor
• Through a Family Welcome Center

Here’s how to apply online:

1. Use MySchools to explore high school options, and talk with your school counselor about your application choices.
   • Be sure to place programs in your true order of preference, with your first choice as #1.
   • Applying to 12 programs, any of which you’d be happy to attend, makes it more likely that you’ll get an offer to a program of your choice.
2. Check the “Selection Criteria” section of each program’s MySchools page to see if that program has any additional admissions requirements. For example, audition programs require an audition, and some screened programs require applicants to complete an interview or essay.
   • Find out how to prepare auditions for any programs that require them, including for Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, NYC’s audition Specialized High School, in MySchools(Open external link) or on our Auditions page.
   • Learn how screened schools will make offers this year on our Screened Admissions page. For a list of programs that require assessments and guidance on these requirements, check our Assessments for Screened Programs page.
3. Submit your application and any additional requirements by the deadline. When you see the confetti, you’ll know we’ve received your application!
   • You can apply in English, Spanish, Chinese, Bangla, Russian, Arabic, Urdu, Haitian Creole, Korean, or French online in MySchools.
   • If you would like to apply using another language, call us at 718-935-2009, or contact a Family Welcome Center and ask for an interpreter.

Have questions about MySchools or your application? 

• Learn how to create your MySchools(Open external link) account, build and submit your application, and more in the video playlist at the top of this page.
• Need additional support? Talk to your school counselor (or contact a Family Welcome Center); they can help you access your MySchools(Open external link) account, build a balanced application, and apply.