Public schooling in New York is a layered system, and the office you need depends on where you live. The state sets the rules, but local districts, city agencies and regional service centers handle enrollment, bus routes, records and special education. This page gathers public school contacts from the Bronx to Buffalo, so you can find a campus phone number and know which body to call next. The database covers 947 cities, from dense Brooklyn neighborhoods to small upstate villages.

Who Runs Public Schools in New York State

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) oversees public education statewide. Its head, the Commissioner of Education, is appointed by the Board of Regents. The Regents are chosen by the State Legislature rather than by voters. They set policy for the University of the State of New York, an umbrella that includes every public school. The main rules come from the state Education Law and the Commissioner's Regulations.

NYSED sets learning standards, certifies teachers, defines graduation requirements and publishes annual School Report Cards. It does not run individual schools. That job belongs to roughly 700 school districts, each with its own board of education, superintendent and budget. In most districts, voters elect the board and approve the school budget each May. New York City and the other "Big Five" cities (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers) work differently, because their school budgets run through city government.

A few state rules apply wherever you live:

Public Schools in New York City: Five Boroughs, One District

The largest share of our listings sits in New York City, where the five boroughs match five counties. Brooklyn is Kings County, which has more listings than any other county in the state. The Bronx County and Queens County pages come next. Manhattan is New York County, and Staten Island is Richmond County.

NYC Public Schools is one district run by a chancellor who answers to the mayor. Elementary and middle schools are grouped into 32 community school districts, and each has a superintendent. Most elementary students attend a zoned school based on their home address. Family Welcome Centers in each borough help with registration, placement questions and transfers.

High school works differently. Eighth graders submit a citywide application in the fall and rank their choices. Some programs screen by grades or auditions. Others admit by lottery or give priority to local students. Examples in our directory include Bronx Theatre High School, Bronx International High School in Morrisania, the Brooklyn School for Music and Theater in Crown Heights, and the Academy of Urban Planning in Bushwick. In Queens you will find August Martin High School in Jamaica and the East-West School of International Studies in Flushing. Concord High School serves Staten Island.

Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but independent boards run them. Central Brooklyn Ascend Charter School, Believe Southside Charter High School in Williamsburg and Challenge Preparatory Charter School in Far Rockaway are listed here. Charters admit students by lottery when applications exceed seats, so you apply to each school directly rather than through your zoned school.

Upstate Cities, Long Island Suburbs and Rural Districts

Outside the city, the picture changes. Buffalo and Rochester anchor the western part of the state in Erie County and Monroe County, while Syracuse sits in Onondaga County. Their city districts are large, with magnet programs, bilingual offerings and neighborhood schools. The Seymour Dual Language Academy in Syracuse is one example. Albany Leadership Charter High School for Girls shows how charters operate in the Capital Region. Yonkers, in Westchester County, has its own city district too. Cross Hill Academy is among its listings.

Long Island is the opposite case. Suffolk County and Nassau County together hold hundreds of listings, but they are split among dozens of small suburban districts. Each sets its own tax rate and calendar. District lines often ignore town and village boundaries, so your mailing city may not match your school district. Confirm your district using your street address before you go to a school office.

In rural areas, such as Jamestown in Chautauqua County, one district may serve several towns. These districts often share staff and programs through Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). BOCES regional centers run career and technical programs, special education services and adult education that a small district could not offer alone. Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in Jamestown is a typical example of a smaller-city school in our listings.

Enrolling a Child: What to Bring and When to Go

Enrollment is handled by the district, and often by a central registration office rather than the school itself. Rules vary by district, but most ask for the same core papers:

Families without a fixed address are protected by the federal McKinney-Vento Act. A student can enroll right away, even without all the paperwork, and every district has a liaison to help.

Timing matters. Kindergarten registration usually runs in winter or spring for September starts. NYC high school applications close in the fall. Many offices run reduced hours in July and August, so call ahead. Our listings are compiled from public records. A few may show an outdated address or phone number, so confirm details with the school or district before you travel.

Public schools in New York are operated by independent school districts governed by locally elected boards and overseen by the New York Department of Education, which sets academic standards, graduation requirements, and accountability frameworks for all public schools in the state. New York distributes state funding to districts through a formula that accounts for student enrollment, local property wealth, and special population needs.

Public Schools locations are available in 947 cities across New York. They are spread across 63 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration of public schools include New York, Bronx, Brooklyn, reflecting larger urban populations with extensive school district networks serving tens of thousands of students across many campuses.

Families new to New York should contact their local school district's enrollment office to determine their assigned school, learn about available school choice programs, and understand immunization and residency documentation requirements before the start of the school year.

Public Schools by Counties

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Parents and guardians in New York can find their assigned public school by entering their home address on the local school district's website. Enrollment documentation requirements in New York typically include proof of residency, birth certificate, and current immunization records, so gathering these materials before the enrollment window opens can prevent delays.

Browse Public Schools by county across New York to find the nearest location.

Checking Schools and Getting Support Across New York

Once your child is enrolled, NYSED data helps you judge a school. Its School Report Cards show enrollment, graduation rates, assessment results and per-pupil spending for every district and building. High school students work toward a Regents diploma by passing state exams in subjects such as English, math, science and social studies. Your school counselor can explain which pathway applies to your child.

If you live outside New York City, start with the district office, since it controls zoning, transportation and records. In the Buffalo area, the Erie County page lists schools by city. On Staten Island, the Richmond County page covers the borough's campuses, including Concord High School. For students with disabilities, each district has a Committee on Special Education. Preschool-age children are handled by a separate Committee on Preschool Special Education. Putting your request in writing creates a record and starts the process.

Use your street address, not your mailing city. New York school district boundaries often cross town, village and ZIP code lines, especially on Long Island and in suburban Westchester. Your property tax bill lists the school district that taxes your home, which is a reliable check. You can also call a nearby school or the district office and give your address. In New York City, the district office or a Family Welcome Center can confirm your zoned elementary school and community school district from your address.

Districts typically ask for proof of age, proof that you live in the district, and an immunization record. Residency proof is usually a lease, deed or recent utility bill, and some districts want two documents. Bring your own photo ID and any records from the previous school. If your child has an IEP, bring a copy. Requirements differ slightly between districts, so check with the registration office first. Families in temporary housing can enroll immediately under the McKinney-Vento Act while gathering papers.

State law requires attendance from age 6, but nearly all children start kindergarten at five. Most districts set a cutoff of December 1, meaning a child must turn five by that date. New York City places children who turn five during the calendar year. Districts must offer kindergarten, though some families wait until age six. Because cutoffs are set locally, confirm the date with your district office before registering, especially if your child's birthday falls in the late fall or winter.

Eighth graders submit one citywide application in the fall, ranking up to 12 programs. Some programs screen applicants, others use auditions, and many give priority to students in a certain zone or district. Most of the specialized high schools admit by the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test, while LaGuardia High School uses an audition. A computer matches students to seats and offers go out in the spring. Middle school guidance counselors help with the process, and each borough has a Family Welcome Center.

Charter schools in New York are public and charge no tuition. Any child who is eligible for public school may apply, and if applications exceed available seats, the school holds a lottery. State law allows preference for siblings and for students from the home district. Charters such as Albany Leadership Charter High School for Girls and Brooklyn's Believe Southside Charter High School run their own applications, so contact each school directly. Charters are authorized by bodies such as the Board of Regents, the State University of New York or the NYC chancellor.

Send a written request for an evaluation to the school principal or the district's Committee on Special Education, and keep a copy. The district must then seek your consent, evaluate your child and hold a meeting to decide whether services are needed. If your child qualifies, the committee writes an Individualized Education Program listing goals, services and placement. Children under five are handled by the Committee on Preschool Special Education, which works with the county. You may bring an advocate or ask questions at any meeting.

BOCES stands for Boards of Cooperative Educational Services. These regional agencies serve groups of school districts outside New York City. They run shared programs such as career and technical training, special education classes, adult education and technology support. Most families reach BOCES through their home district. For example, a high school student might spend part of the day at a BOCES campus learning a trade. To enroll, ask your school counselor, since the district usually handles the application and transportation.