Here you can learn how to register a student who is new to the New York City public school system or who has left our schools and is returning. Your child is entitled to attend New York City public schools free of charge if he or she:

• is more than 5 and less than 21 years of age and
• is a resident of New York City and
• has not received a high school diploma

Kindergarten is not mandatory in New York City public schools, but if you wish to have your child attend a New York City public school kindergarten, he or she must turn five years old by December 31 of the year he or she will enroll.

When and where do I register?

• Elementary or middle school: Register at your zoned school. Your zoned school is determined by your home address. If you don’t know your zoned elementary school, call 311 or click here. If you don’t have a zoned school, please visit a Borough Enrollment Office in your borough of residence.
• High school: Register at a Borough Enrollment Office.

To register your child, you will need the following documents:

• Verifiable proof of your home address: utility bill (gas, electric, or water), a deed to a house or a document from the City Housing Authority, or the Human Resources Administration. Other proofs of address include a medical or insurance card with home address or a statement that verifies your address from an employer, a social service agency, community-based organization or a religious institution. A telephone bill or driver’s license is not acceptable proof of address. A lease by itself is not acceptable. If a parent is subletting an apartment or home, or if more than one family shares a living space, you must present an affidavit from the leaseholder or homeowner and attach any of the above acceptable proofs of address.
• Your child’s birth certificate or passport.
• Your child’s immunization history.
• Your child’s transcript or most recent report card.
• Your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) (if applicable).

Will my child be eligible to ride on a school bus or receive other transportation?

Yellow school bus service is provided for eligible general education children in kindergarten through 6th grade. Eligibility is determined at the time of registration and is generally based on a student’s grade level and the distance between the student’s home address and school. In addition, students of all ages may be eligible for free or reduced public transportation fare depending on the distance between their home address and school. Please visit http://www.opt-osfns.org/opt/ or call the Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) Customer Service Hotline at 718-392-8855 for additional information.

Do I need to come with my child to school on the first day?

You must accompany your child on the first day of school if your child is an elementary or middle school student. It is strongly recommended that you accompany your child if your child is a high school student who is new to New York City public schools.