How do NYC school zones work?
Every NYC address is assigned to a zoned elementary school based on geographic boundaries set by the DOE. Your child has priority enrollment at their zoned school for kindergarten through 5th grade. For 3K and Pre-K, zones work differently — you can apply to programs across the city, though proximity and siblings give priority.
Can I send my child to a school outside our zone?
Yes, but it's difficult. Out-of-zone students are only accepted if there are seats remaining after all zoned students enroll. For popular schools like PS 6, PS 290, and PS 158, out-of-zone acceptance hasn't happened in recent years. G&T programs and charter schools are not zone-restricted.
Do zones change from year to year?
Rarely, but it does happen. The DOE can redraw zone boundaries, especially when new schools open or existing schools merge. Always verify your zone for the current year using this tool or by calling the school directly.
What about middle school and high school zones?
Middle schools in some districts use zones, while others use choice-based admissions. High schools are entirely choice-based citywide — there are no zoned high schools. This tool currently covers elementary school zones.
Is this tool accurate?
This tool uses official zone boundary data from the NYC DOE published on NYC Open Data (dataset: School Zones 2024-2025 Elementary). For final confirmation, always contact the school's parent coordinator directly.