Children born in 2019 are eligible for pre-K for the fall, and those born in 2020 will be eligible for 3-K. To best support families during the application period, we’re providing you with tips and best practices to help guide you if families have questions!
Application Tips:
- The application is NOT first come first serve. This means that regardless of if a family applies the day the application opens or the day it closes, all applications will be processed as on time. There is no incentive for submitting earlier.
- Families should list programs on their application in true preference order. A child’s admissions priority does not change no matter where they rank that program on the application. Listing choices in true preference order allows the family to communicate their preferred choices to our team. The Office of Student Enrollment tries our best to make an offer to a family’s highest preferred choice when possible. Programs cannot see where a family ranks them on their application.
- Families can apply to any program they are interested in their child attending. Families can apply to pre-K across the setting types, and outside of their zone, district, or borough etc. A family can list a maximum of 12 choices on their application, and they will be considered for admissions at all schools they list.
- Families can apply in one of three ways (online at MySchools, by calling (718) 235-2009 or in person at a Family Welcome Center). Programs cannot submit applications or create accounts on the behalf of children.
Best Practices & Policies:
- NYC children born between January 1-December 31, 2019 are eligible for pre-K, and those born between January 1-December 31, 2020 are eligible for 3-K for school beginning Fall of 2023. If a child does not meet these requirements, they are not eligible.
- Children do not need to be toilet trained to attend 3-K or pre-K.
- All NYC children born in 2019 and 2020 are eligible and welcome to apply to 3-K or pre-K. This includes student’s learning English, immigrant families, students with accessibility needs and/or disabilities, LGBTQ students and students who live in temporary housing.
You can find more resources by clicking here. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions!