⚠️ Application deadline: February 27, 2026
📬 Offers released: May 12, 2026
If your child was born in 2022, the NYC Pre-K application is open now. It's free, not first-come-first-served, and no, your child doesn't need to be toilet trained. Once you've researched the schools you're interested in, the application itself is very quick and straightforward. I've been through it myself — here's what actually matters.
How the Application Works
You apply through MySchools. Add your child, browse Pre-K programs, and rank schools in order of preference. You can rank as many schools as you want.
One thing I didn't realize at first:
👉 You can update your application anytime until February 27 — reorder schools, add new ones, or remove some as you learn more.
Sibling, Zoned & District Priority (Important)
- Sibling priority plays a big role
- If you live within a school's zone, your child has priority
- You can apply outside your zone or district, but local families are considered first
You can apply to any school across NYC, but in-district and zoned families are considered first — so knowing your district helps you set realistic expectations.
What School District Do I Belong To?
Check your school district by entering your address on the NYC school search map.
- District 2: Midtown, Clinton, Gramercy, Upper East Side, Financial District, Tribeca, West Village
- District 3: Upper West Side, Lincoln Square
To help you research schools beyond Pre-K, I've also put together detailed rankings based on public data and parent feedback:
These are especially helpful if you're thinking ahead to kindergarten and beyond.
My Personal Experience (Reality Check)
Two years ago for 3K, I only applied to two schools in District 3. I got an offer — but it was for a school in Chinatown, nowhere near what I'd ranked. That taught me to cast a wider net.
For Pre-K, I applied to three schools in District 3 — PS 452, PS 9, and PS 87. They're all excellent schools, but I didn't get into any of them. They're highly competitive, and most seats go to siblings of current students because there are so few spots. I also don't live in District 3, so I was at a disadvantage from the start.
I then applied to two schools in District 2 (where I live) and got into one. My biggest takeaways:
- 👉 List all the schools you like — including backups
- 👉 Rank them honestly, in true order of preference
Visit Schools & Check for Special Programs
If you can, visit the schools. Tours usually happen in January–February, but always double-check — schedules change. You can see which schools offer tours directly on MySchools.
Also, check whether a school offers a Dual Language program. These are available at select schools only, and in some cases, attending a Dual Language Pre-K may give priority for kindergarten at the same school.
Touring The Anderson School was an eye-opener for me and shifted my mindset away from reputation and rankings and toward one simple question:
Will my child be happy here?
After Offers Come Out
Accept your offer even if it's not your first choice. Here's the thing most people don't realize: your child is automatically waitlisted at every school you ranked higher than the one you got. You don't have to do anything — it just happens.
You can also add your child to waitlists at other programs you didn't originally rank, if you want to keep your options open. And if a seat opens up, the school will reach out to you directly.
Waitlists do move through the summer — I've heard from parents who got calls as late as August. If you're waitlisted somewhere you really love, politely calling the school can sometimes help. No guarantees, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
Final Thoughts
The Pre-K process can feel like a big deal — and it is — but try not to overthink it. The application is free, the research is the hard part, and once you've done that, submitting takes minutes. Rank more schools than you think you need, use MySchools to check tours and School Quality Snapshots, and remember that Pre-K does not guarantee kindergarten enrollment (you'll reapply when the time comes). At the end of the day, the best school is the one where your child will be happy. You've got this.
And if you want to connect with other parents navigating NYC Pre-K, join our WhatsApp community.