High School

In New York City, students apply to high school during their 8th grade year. Current first-time 9th grade students can also apply to programs with 10th grade seats. Learn more by watching our video series, and scroll down for the latest information and updates.

Happening Now! Apply to High School by February 23

The application for students entering high school in fall 2021 is open, and the deadline to apply is February 23, 2021. You can apply to 12 programs with your personalized high school application.

• Visit MySchools.nyc

• (Open external link)

• to access your MySchools account, explore high school program options, build your application, and apply online.

  • Our MySchools tutorials, "How to Create Your MySchools Account"

  • (Open external link)

  • and "How to Apply to Middle or High School,"

  • (Open external link)

  • will walk you through the process.

  • To access your MySchools account and application you'll need both of the following:

    • Your unique MySchools account creation code, included in your high school welcome letter; these letters were mailed to all current 5th grade public DOE and charter school families in mid-December

    • Your student ID number (OSIS number).

  • Learn more about high school admissions in the video playlist above and in the updated digital version of the High School Admissions Guide at schools.nyc.gov/HSGuide.

• You can also still register to participate in Specialized High Schools admissions—learn more at schools.nyc.gov/SHS.

• Sign up for the high school admissions email list. We'll send you admissions updates, key date reminders, and tips about high school admissions.

Have questions or need support?

• Talk to your current school counselor. They will be your guide throughout the admissions process.

• If you attend a private or parochial school or are currently homeschooled, contact a Family Welcome Center.

• Need a high school now? Learn what to do on the New Students page.

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Latest Information about the High School Application Process 11/6/2020

In past years, open houses and high school fairs have helped families learn about high school options and the admissions process. Due to the ongoing public health crisis, in-person events are not safe for students, their families, or school staff. The dates and format of the high school fairs, as listed in the 2021 NYC High School and Specialized High Schools Admissions Guide, are changing.

NYC CTE Virtual High School Fairs will take place November 16 - December 5.

These virtual events are open to all NYC students and their families to learn about Career and Technical Education (CTE) high schools.

Learn more and register here: http://cte.nyc/web/

Virtual Open Houses and Virtual Tours: all high schools are encouraged to offer virtual opportunities for families to learn about their schools. High schools are asked to post the following information on their own school website starting in November:

Schedule and links to any live or recorded events (or links where families can register for the events)

Videos and/or other media

Contact information for families who want to speak or write directly to school staff.

Families can access each high school’s website on the school page ofthe searchable online directory in MySchools: https://www.myschools.nyc/en/schools/high-school/. High schools are submitting their updated website information on a rolling basis, and we are updating their page in MySchools over the next several weeks. For any high schools who have not yet posted their link to their virtual tours and open houses, please contact the high school directly. Contact information is on each high school’s page in MySchools.

Here are some reminders from previous communications:

The high school application is not yet open and no longer closes on December 4, 2020. Families will have additional time to apply.

Registration for the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) and LaGuardia High School auditions is not yet open, and no longer closed on October 21, 2020. Families will have additional time to register.

The dates and locations for the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) and for LaGuardia High School auditions, as listed in the 2021 NYC High School and Specialized High Schools Admissions Guide, will also change.

Decisions regarding how the “Screened” and “Educational Option (Ed. Opt)” admissions methods will operate this school year are forthcoming, and will be shared with schools and families later this fall.

Account Creation Codes (PINs):

As of today (November 6), this year’s high school admissions process has not yet opened. Please do not distribute account creation codes (PINs) or Welcome Letters to students until later in the fall, after we have notified you that the admissions process has opened.

Thank you,

The High School Admissions Team

Office of Student Enrollment

Message for 8th grade parents/students. This information was uploaded to Jupiter on October 20. Please contact the school if you need assistance activating your Jupiter account.

Good Afternoon FALCONS,

The High School Books have finally arrived. Please contact Ms. J'kara Collins at jcollins24@schools.nyc.gov or by calling 7186423007 ask for extension 1031 to arrange for a time to pick up the directory. In person students will receive the book on their respective day.

Please note the following from the NYC High School Admission

COVID-19 has had a profound impact across every aspect of our school system, including the admissions process. As a result, we’re updating our pre-pandemic admissions timeline to ensure ample time for families to explore schools and apply once the application launches. Please note:

• The high school application is not yet open, and no longer closes on December 4, 2020. You will have additional time to apply.

• Registration for Specialized High Schools admissions is not yet open, and no longer closes on October 21, 2020. You will have additional time to register.

• Dates and locations for the high school fairs, the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT), and LaGuardia High School auditions—as listed in the 2021 NYC High School and Specialized High Schools Admissions Guide—will also change.

Most up to date information regarding the high school application process.

Learn about high school and Specialized High Schools admissions! Get the latest updates on our website.

Watch our new video series and stay tuned for future videos.

Read our 2021 NYC High School and Specialized High Schools Admissions Guide online. Printed copies will be available at middle schools by early November. Please note that some information in this guide—such as dates, deadlines, and event information—was accurate at the time of publication but is now being adjusted due to the impact of COVID-19.

Make an appointment with their current school counselor to discuss your plans for high school. School counselors are families’ best resource and guide throughout the admissions process.

Explore schools and programs

Browse options by borough in the admissions guide.

Learn about programs in detail and search for schools by course offerings, location, sports, and more in the MySchools high school directory.

Make a list of programs of interest.

DOE Links:

www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/high-school

www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/high-school/high-school-admissions-video-series

www.myschools.nyc/en/schools/high-school/

www.schools.nyc.gov/sign-up

CREATION CODES:

Many are asking about creation codes. This will be mailed directly to your home (please make sure your address is current in the main office) when they are available.

Apply to High School

Apply to high school by the deadline. When your personalized high school application is available, you can access it online with MySchools or through your school counselor. Here’s how to apply:

1.) Discuss your options with your parent(s)/guardian(s). Save or list programs of interest.

Make an appointment with your school counselor Ms. Amy Cohen - acohen5@schools.nyc.gov to talk about and review your application choices before you apply!

2.) Apply to high school one of three ways by the deadline:

* Online with MySchools (see link below). During the application period, this option will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in Arabic, Bengali/Bangla, Chinese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu. Don’t forget to click the Submit Application button!

* Through your school counselor. Speak to your counselor this fall about submitting your high school application through the school.

* With support from Family Welcome Center (see link below) staff. Find locations and hours on our website. You can apply in person in over 200 languages. If you speak a language other than English, ask for an interpreter.

2021 NYC HIGH SCHOOL and Specialized High Schools ADMISSIONS GUIDE

VERY IMPORTANT LINK....High School Admissions Guides 2021

PLEASE REVIEW AND START MAKING A LIST OF SCHOOLS YOU WOULD LIKE TO TOUR AND APPLY FOR ADMISSION.

Keep in Mind...

1.) You can only apply to each program once but some schools have multiple programs. If you feel comfortable and safe attending that school, you should apply to all possible programs.

2.) Make sure you know where the school is located. How will you get to High School?

3.) Everyone must complete a NYC DOE High School Application. Some may choose to take the Specialized High School Test (SHSAT), some may choose to take the TACHS exam, but every student MUST complete a High School Application in MySchools.

Applying to Specialized High Schools

Specialized HS Page

Register by the deadline to audition and/or take the SHSAT.

WHAT ARE THE SPECIALIZED HIGH SCHOOLS?

There are nine Specialized High Schools in New York City (The Specialized High Schools were established under New York State Law 2590-Section H). These schools have a separate admissions process from the high school application. You can apply to one Specialized High School by audition and up to eight of these schools by taking a test.

The Nine Specialized High Schools

Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts -Audition to apply

The Bronx High School of Science-Take the SHSAT to Apply

The Brooklyn Latin School-Take the SHSAT to Apply

Brooklyn Technical High School-Take the SHSAT to Apply

High School for Math, Science, and Engineering at City College of New York-Take the SHSAT to Apply

High School of American Studies at Lehman College-Take the SHSAT to Apply

Queens High School for the Sciences at York College-Take the SHSAT to Apply

Staten Island Technical High School-Take the SHSAT to Apply

Stuyvesant High School-Take the SHSAT to Apply

REGISTER TO AUDITION

When the registration period opens, register to audition for any/all of the programs at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. The six programs are Dance, Fine Arts, Instrumental Music, Technical Theater, and Vocal Music. Your audition is your application. Learn more about how to register and preparing for this process under the tab "Audition for Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School".

Tip: If Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Performing Arts is the only Specialized High School you're interested in, you don't have to take the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT). Your audition is how you apply.

REGISTER TO TEST

When the registration period opens, register to take the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT). Taking the test is how you apply to any/all of the eight testing Specialized High Schools:

You can register to audition or take the SHSAT in your MySchools (Open external link)account or through your school counselor.

Tip: Read more about the process of applying to the testing Specialized High School under the tab "Take the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test". You can learn more about each of these schools in the MySchools directory(Open external link). We also encourage you to attend tours or open houses at schools of interest.

Audition for Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (LaGuardiaida) has a separate admissions process. To apply for this specialized high school, first register by the deadline for auditions to any/all of its six studios: Dance, Drama, Fine Arts, Instrumental Music, Technical Theater, and/or Vocal Music. Registered students will then be assigned audition dates. For LaGuardia High School, your audition is your application.

To ensure success in the school’s demanding studio work and challenging academic program, admission to LaGuardia is based on two factors:

Your performance on the competitive audition

Meeting a satisfactory screen of grades and attendance

A total of approximately 7,100 eighth grade students auditioned for one or more of the studios at LaGuardia High School for the 2020-2021 school year. Approximately 740 of these students received offers to one or more programs at LaGuardia.

REGISTER

Interested in LaGuardia High School? When registration opens, register one of three ways by the deadline:

1.) Online with MySchools(Open external link). During the application period, this option will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in Arabic, Bengali/Bangla, Chinese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu. Don’t forget to click the Submit Application button!

2.) Through your school counselor. Speak to your counselor this fall about submitting your high school application through the school.

3.) Through a Family Welcome Center . Find locations and hours on our website. Support is available in over 200 languages – ask for an interpreter.

When you register for your audition, be sure to get a digital or print receipt.

Tip: If Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts is the only Specialized High School you're interested in, you don't have to take the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT). Your audition is how you apply.

FOR ONLY STUDENT INTERESTED IN CATHOLIC/PRIVATE SCHOOLS:

In order to apply for Catholic Schools, you must take the Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools, also known as TACHS. Admission to the Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens, the Archdiocese of New York, and the Diocese of Rockville Centre (Long Island) in 2021-2022 is determined in part by the results of the TACHS exam administered in November of 2020.

This fall, the TACHS exam will be administered as an online, remote, at-home test. As Covid-19 continues, there may be updates to Fairs, Open Houses, or testing information. Please visist the webite below and click on the "Registration and testing updates related to COVID-19" link often.

TACHS Home Page

Please Note:

This is a separate process from the New York City High School application process. Not all students take this exam, however, every student must submit a NYC High School application.