Navigating the NYC School System as an International

If you’re a parent moving abroad, one of the most important questions you’ll face may also be one of the most difficult: Where should you send your kids to school?Understanding any foreign country’s school system is certainly a challenge, and this being New York, things don’t get any easier here. As a densely populated metropolitan city, New York offers a range of education opportunities and experiences perhaps unparalleled anywhere else, but its sheer size can be daunting:

• The New York public education system (administered by the New York City Department of Education) is the largest in the world, with over 1.1 million students.
• The five boroughs of New York City are divided into a total of 32 districts.
• There are over 1,700 public schools in the city, and an additional 900 private and independent schools.
• There are over 75,000 teachers.

With such a vast system, a lot of the power is decentralized. Thus, the districts (and zones within them) play a major role in the education of their students. It seems complicated, but taking things slowly and making sure you’re informed will help make your school choices less stressful and more fulfilling in the long run.So how does it work?New York schools tend to be grouped into the following:

• Pre-kindergarten
• Elementary school (kindergarden through fifth grade (K-5), including 140 kindergarden through eighth grade (K-8) schools in New York City)
• Middle school (sixth through eighth grade)
• High school (9th through 12th grade)

On top of these are plenty of private and gifted-and-talented school options, which operate on a slightly different system.First, though:Public School OptionsThe public school(s) that your children are allowed to attend vary depending on the area you live in. The city is divided into districts, similarly to other U.S. states, but the big difference is the sheer number of schools here.Whereas less populated states might have a school or two in each district, New York can easily have dozens of schools per district. In addition, within these districts are zones (or catchment areas) that help determine which school your child should attend.If you know your address, go to the NYC Department of Education's School Search to get information about the nearest schools as well as school districts.There are good books available to help you navigate the system, such as New York City’s Best Public Elementary Schools, New York City’s Best Public High Schools, and the Manhattan Family Guide to Private Schools. It’s also worth checking out various newspapers’ websites for school listings and reviews.It’s a confusing system at times, so do take heart: It’s not hard because you’re an international; it’s hard because it’s hard. Native New York parents often struggle themselves, and some choose to hire professional services to guide them through choosing, registering, and placing their child in the right school.For free resources on the education system, check out Insideschools.org and the New York Times’ Schoolbook. The later also provides a great searchable list of schools by type, level, and location. And of course, be sure to check out New York International’s guide to registering for elementary, middle, and high schools.There are also some paid services to assist you with the difficult tasks at hand. SchoolSearchSolutions, for example, specializes in school placement, application assistance, and simply helping you learn about the numerous options available.Private and Independent OptionsFor parents who can afford it, private or independent schools can be great investments that help guarantee closer attention and better amenities for students. New York City and the surrounding area are lucky to be home to some of the very best private schools in the country.But what’s the difference between public and private?Private or independent schools are private, non-profit organizations with membership in the Independent School Association (ISAAGNY). These schools accept students based on their performance on a test run by the Educational Records Bureau. The schools charge tuition, and it’s important to know that you’re realistically looking at about $30,000 - $40,000 per year per child. A tidy sum, but many New Yorkers feel it’s worth it. Above all, it’s important to research the curriculum and philosophy practiced at the school to make sure it’s what you want – if you can get in, that is.The admission process for kindergarten (the normal starting point) can take as long as 9 - 12 months. For a lot of internationals moving to the city, the long administration process can be prohibitive.Some independent schools cater specifically to international children moving to New York City – namely theUnited Nations International School, the French École Internationale de New York, and Italian La Scuola D’Italia. Avenues, a new private school opening on 10th Avenue this fall, also looks set to bring an international approach to independent schooling.If you are planning on applying for private school, make sure to plan ahead. The applications can be tough and they require dedication and commitment from your entire family. Private schools remain very popular in New York, with many parents eager to assure their children get the very best in a crowded market. The World Class Learning Academy, New York, Blue School, Avenues, and The British International School of New York, which all opened within the last 10 years, have eased (slightly) the strain some parents feel. But regardless the demand seems to have remained strong overall and, for now, recession-proof.There are plenty of good resources on the private school options available. The American School Directory has a database of more than 105,000 schools both public and private for you to search through. The Handbook of Private Schools, published since 1914, also includes listings of more than 1,600 private and boarding schools, including up-to-date tuition information for private schools in NYC. The Private School Review has good comparative listings for private schools in the area and School Choice International is a great resource on the different schools and their application procedures. See its list of Greater NY private schools or its explanation of private school admissions. The whole site is worth a look, especially considering its focus on international schools and its great resources for children with special needs.In the end, with care, research, and time dedicated to the job at hand, you should be able to understand and get the best out of your child’s school choice.Article updated November 25, 2014