If you applied to Summer Rising 2026 by the March 27 deadline, your offer arrived around April 21 — and the deadline to accept is Tuesday, May 5, 2026. That is in two days. If your child has an offer and you have not clicked accept, this is your reminder. If you missed the application window entirely, the path forward is the waitlist, and we walk through exactly how to get on it below.
Summer Rising is the free, full-day summer program run jointly by NYC Public Schools and the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). It serves students in grades K through 8 who reside in and attend school in New York City. For grades K–5, the 2026 program runs July 1 through August 14. For grades 6–8, it runs July 1 through August 7.
Who This Helps
NYC parents and caregivers of any K–8 student. Whether you have a confirmed offer, a pending decision, or no application at all, there is a step you should take this week.
If You Got an Offer — Accept by May 5
Offers were released on April 21, 2026. The acceptance deadline is Tuesday, May 5. If you do not accept by that date, your seat is released back to the waitlist pool and another family receives it. There is no extension and no informal grace period — once May 5 passes, you are starting over.
To accept, log into your MySchools account at schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/summer-rising and confirm the seat. If you cannot log in, call 718-935-2009 or visit any Family Welcome Center for help.
If You Missed the Application — The Waitlist Is Open
The application closed March 27 and is not reopening. But the waitlist is open right now and seats do move — every family that does not accept by May 5 frees up a spot. Realistic? Honestly, yes. Hundreds of waitlist seats clear in the first week of May every year as families who applied to multiple programs make their final picks.
Add your child to the waitlist through MySchools. You can waitlist multiple programs to maximize your odds. Updates flow throughout May and June, and some movement continues into late June as DOE confirms final enrollments.
Free NYC Family Activities This Sunday, May 3
While you are sorting out summer plans, here are no-cost ways to actually enjoy today with your kids. Every option below is verified free and open to the public.
- NYC Parks Kids in Motion: Free organized play, sports, games, and water-based activities led by NYC Parks staff at playgrounds across the five boroughs. Schedule and locations: nycgovparks.org/events/kids.
- Always-free museums: MoMA PS1 in Long Island City, the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the Skyscraper Museum in Battery Park City, and the Museum at FIT in Chelsea are all free admission, every day they are open.
- Culture Pass with your library card: A free NYPL, Brooklyn Public Library, or Queens Public Library card gets you free admission to dozens of NYC museums and cultural institutions through Culture Pass. Reserve passes at culturepass.nyc.
- Battery Park playground: The SeaGlass Carousel area and the adventure playground at Battery Park feature granite slides, an elevated treehouse, and sand and water zones. Free, open every day.
- Heckscher and Ancient Playgrounds in Central Park: Both have spray features that turn on in warm weather — call the Central Park Conservancy at 212-310-6600 to confirm spray status before you go.
Other Summer Programs Worth Knowing About
Summer Rising is the largest free option, but it is not the only one. While you wait on the waitlist, also check:
- SYEP (Summer Youth Employment Program): For ages 14 and up, SYEP provides paid summer work experience. Run by DYCD: nyc.gov/site/dycd.
- NYC Parks summer day camps: Recreation Center day camps run on a reduced-cost or free basis depending on income. Search by borough at nycgovparks.org/programs/recreation.
- YMCA summer day camp: Multiple locations offer financial assistance — some families qualify for full coverage. Apply at ymcanyc.org.
How to Take Action
- Today (Sunday, May 3): If you have a Summer Rising offer, log into MySchools and accept it. Do not wait until Tuesday.
- If you missed the application: Add your child to the Summer Rising waitlist through MySchools. Waitlist multiple programs.
- Need help with MySchools or have no internet: Call 718-935-2009 or visit any Family Welcome Center. Locations: schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/family-welcome-centers.
- This Sunday afternoon: Pick one free activity above and go. The kids will not remember the screen time.
- This week: Apply to a backup program — SYEP for teens, Parks day camp for younger kids, or a YMCA camp with financial assistance.
The Bottom Line
The May 5 acceptance deadline is real and it is not flexible. If your family has an offer, this is the most consequential 48 hours of your summer planning. If you missed the application, the waitlist is your real path — and seats will move starting May 6 as unaccepted offers cycle back into the pool. Either way: log in, take the action, and then go enjoy a free Sunday with your kids.
