New York City Charter Schools Accepting Applications for 2025-26 School Year
New York City charter schools are now accepting applications through April 1 for the 2025-26 school year.
How to Apply
Through the NYC Charter Schools website, nyccharterschools.schoolmint.net, one can apply to multiple charter schools in their neighborhood and find available virtual open house dates and times through the NYC virtual visits calendar.
Ease of Use
NYC’s charter school website is easy for anyone to navigate, and applicants can apply in 10 different languages.
If you scroll down slightly on the home page, you will see four different options: Find a school, apply, parent info, and virtual school.
Find a School
The Find a School section on schools.nyccharterschools.org will lead you to a page with a searchable map. Here, you can see a schools list as well as options to refine your search by neighborhood, community school district (CSD), borough, and grade level.
Parent Information
The Parent Info section contains answers to frequently asked questions such as “What makes charter schools different from traditional district schools?” and “What are the benefits of enrolling my child in a charter school?” It also contains tips for applying.
Virtual Schools
The Virtual Schools section will open up to a calendar containing the dates and times in which you can visit any school of your interest. They have dates available all the way up to April. If you click a school, a page will pop up that shows you what grade levels the school contains, where the school is located, what time the virtual event will be held, and a Zoom link you can use to join the meeting. There is also an option to add this event to your calendar, which will remind you of the event closer to the date by sending you a notification.
Submission and Lottery Process
To apply, you can visit nyccharterschools.schoolmint.net. This will take you to the login page, where you can create an account and start the application process.
Once you create an account, the online application form will ask you to create your profile in three steps. The first step will ask you for parent/guardian information such as your address, relationship to the student, etc. The second step will ask you for information regarding the student, such as their name, date of birth, etc. The final step asks you to choose preferred schools, fill out an application, and confirm said application.
Applications must be submitted by the midnight April 1 deadline. After you have completed your application, you may log in to make changes to your family profile if needed or add school selections. Some charter schools may continue to accept applications after April 1. In that case, a parent or guardian is advised to contact the school directly to find exact dates.
Lottery and Enrollment Process
If there are more student applications than seats available at a given school, charter schools are required to hold lotteries to randomly select students for admission. Those students who aren’t selected in the lottery process will be put on the school’s waitlist and may be chosen for admission if a seat becomes available in the future.
Each charter school runs its own lottery and enrollment process. Families should expect to hear back from schools after the application deadline.
Conclusion
New York City charter schools offer a unique educational experience for students, and the application process is easy to navigate. By applying by April 1, students can secure a spot in one of the many excellent charter schools in the city.
FAQs
Q: How do I apply to a charter school?
A: You can apply through the NYC Charter Schools website, nyccharterschools.schoolmint.net, and follow the online application process.
Q: How do I find a charter school near my neighborhood?
A: Use the searchable map on the NYC Charter Schools website to find a list of schools near your neighborhood, along with options to refine your search by neighborhood, community school district (CSD), borough, and grade level.
Q: What if I miss the April 1 deadline?
A: Some charter schools may continue to accept applications after April 1, but it is recommended to contact the school directly to find out their specific application deadlines and procedures.
Q: What happens if more students apply than there are seats available?
A: Charter schools are required to hold lotteries to randomly select students for admission, and those who aren’t selected will be placed on the school’s waitlist.
