Tips for beginning your NYC school search

The first thing I always tell parents is to sign up for newsletters to start learning about different school options. It a free and easy way to explore NYC schools.

Sign up to newsletters

• insideschools.org is great for public schools.

• isaagny.org covers independent schools, preschool through high school in the greater New York metropolitan area

• parentsleague.org has helpful information on independent, private in NYC and greater metropolitan area and boarding schools and hosts virtual school fairs

• If you are interested in charter schools, visit https://findnyccharterschools.org/.

• If you are interested in parochial schools, visit https://catholicschoolsny.org/

Create a MySchools account

Also, be sure to create a MySchools account at https://www.myschools.nyc/en/even if you’re not sure you’ll go the public school route.

If you already know where you’re living, confirm your zoned school by entering your address on MySchools or InsideSchools. Even if you’re not considering public school, it’s worth being familiar with your zoned option. Circumstances change, and it’s not unusual for families to move between public and private schools.

Get organised

Mind the deadlines. They matter! Admissions timelines vary from school to school and from public to private to charter. Also note that application and financial aid deadlines are often different. Which brings me to the next point: stay organized. Use whatever system works best for you to keep track of applications, deadlines, tours, and your child’s visits.

Waitlists are real and they move! This applies to both private and public schools.

New York City offers so many choices, public, private, charter, and religious so keep an open mind and explore. Even if you can’t visit every school in person, you can learn a lot from their websites and social media. So dig in and explore. You can learn a lot about school’s culture and philosophy from their posts.  And when you do visit in person, be sure to take note of what’s on the bulletin boards. What is on the walls will also give you insight into the curriculum and the community.

Trust yourselves

Trust your gut. Data, rankings, and opinions can be helpful, but what matters most is what is feels right for you, your child and your family. Try to tune out the chatter, whether it’s online or in person, you know your child best. Take notes right after each visit. What resonated with you? What didn’t? Can you picture your child and family there?

Be aware that public and private schools have different cutoff dates for kindergarten eligibility and they’re strict about it, even if your child misses by a day. It can be disappointing, but remember you’re giving your child the gift of time.

School leaders set the tone. If you can, listen to the principal or head of school speak, watch a video, or read something they’ve written. It gives you a sense of the school’s leadership and values.

And finally, there really isn’t one “best” school.

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