New York City has more than 270 charter schools educating over 130,000 students. Charter schools are public schools — free, non-religious, open to all NYC students — but they operate with more autonomy than traditional public schools and are not bound by school zone assignments. Getting into most charter schools requires entering a lottery. This guide explains how the NYC charter school lottery works, how to apply, and how to improve your family’s chances.
What Are Charter Schools?
Charter schools are publicly funded schools that operate under a charter — a contract with an authorizing agency (usually SUNY, the NYC Department of Education, or the Board of Regents) that grants them flexibility in curriculum, staffing, and operations in exchange for accountability for student outcomes. Key facts:
- Free: No tuition, fees, or uniforms charges (uniforms themselves may be required but can’t be a condition of enrollment)
- Open to all NYC students: No academic, disability, or income requirements to apply
- Not zoned: Students can apply to charter schools anywhere in NYC, not just their neighborhood
- Lottery-based: When applications exceed spots, admission is determined by a random lottery that is legally required to be blind to academic ability, disability, behavior history, or other factors
How the Charter School Lottery Works
Application Period
Most NYC charter schools accept applications in January and February for seats starting the following September. Some schools have rolling admissions for mid-year openings or upper grades. Each school sets its own application timeline — check the school’s website or contact them directly for exact dates.
The Lottery
Schools with more applicants than seats must conduct a random lottery in the presence of a public official. The lottery is required by New York law to be random and cannot consider:
- Academic performance or grades
- Test scores
- Disability status or IEP
- Behavior or discipline history
- Immigration status
- Language background
Preferences That Are Allowed
While lotteries must be random, schools can legally give preference to:
- Siblings of currently enrolled students
- Children of school employees (limited by law)
- Students who live in the school’s community school district (for up to 50% of seats in some cases)
- Students in the geographic area the school is designed to serve
Waitlists
Students not selected in the initial lottery are placed on a waitlist in lottery order. Seats open throughout the year as enrolled students withdraw. Staying on the waitlist is important — many families receive offers from the waitlist between March and August. Contact the school to confirm your child remains on the waitlist and ask where they rank.
How to Apply to NYC Charter Schools
Apply to Multiple Schools
There is no limit on how many charter schools you can apply to simultaneously, and applying to one school does not affect your chances at another. Most education advocates recommend applying to 3–5 schools whose missions, models, and cultures align with your child’s needs.
Application Process
- Most schools use their own online application portal — go directly to each school’s website
- Some NYC charter networks (KIPP, Success Academy, Achievement First, Uncommon Schools) have centralized applications for all schools in their network
- Applications typically require: child’s name and date of birth, parent/guardian contact information, current grade and school, and residential address
- Do not provide information that is not required — schools should not be asking for grades, test scores, or discipline records for lottery admission
Charter School Finder Tools
- NYC DOE School Finder: myschools.nyc — includes charter school listings with application information
- New York Charter Schools Association: nycsa.org — find schools by neighborhood and grade
- Individual school websites — most have the most current application information
Charter Schools and Students with Disabilities
Charter schools must serve students with disabilities and cannot use disability status as a lottery factor. However, the range of special education services available at charter schools varies significantly — some have robust special education programs; others have more limited services. Before applying:
- Ask specifically what special education services the school provides and how they are delivered
- Ask about the school’s experience serving students with your child’s specific disability
- Know that if a charter school cannot provide the services in your child’s IEP, the NYC DOE may need to supplement or provide services
If Your Child Isn’t Selected: Your Options
- Stay on every waitlist you were placed on — offers come throughout the summer
- Apply to additional charter schools that may have later application windows or rolling admissions
- Apply to the traditional public school that best fits your child through myschools.nyc
- Explore NYC’s magnet and choice programs (Gifted and Talented, middle school screened programs) as alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Are charter school lotteries really random?
Yes — by law. NY Education Law requires charter school lotteries to be conducted randomly in the presence of a public official. Schools that have been found to illegally screen applicants face serious consequences including loss of their charter. If you believe a school used non-lottery criteria to exclude your child, contact the charter authorizer or the NYS Education Department.
Can a charter school expel or push out a student for poor grades or behavior?
Charter schools must follow NYC DOE discipline protocols and cannot push out students for academic performance. If a charter school is pressuring you to withdraw your child, contact Advocates for Children at (212) 947-9779. Practices like excessive suspensions or pressure to leave are sometimes called “counseling out” and may be illegal.
My child has an IEP. Will a charter school have to follow it?
Yes. Charter schools must implement IEPs and provide appropriate special education services. However, if the school cannot provide required services, the NYC DOE must ensure those services are delivered. Contact the NYC DOE’s Office of Special Education at (718) 935-3000 if a charter school is not implementing your child’s IEP.
When should I apply to maximize my chances?
Apply in January or early February for the most popular schools. Missing the deadline is the most common way families lose their chance. Set calendar reminders, apply to multiple schools simultaneously, and check each school’s website for its specific deadline. Applying to 3–5 schools significantly increases your chances of receiving at least one offer.
