What are the main stages of the U.S. education system?

Preschool (before age 5), K–12 (elementary, middle, and high school), and higher education. K–12 covers Kindergarten through Grade 12.

Is preschool (pre-K) free in New York City?

Some NYC districts offer free pre-K seats but availability is limited and often assigned by lottery. Many daycares and preschools are private and charge tuition.

How are grades divided in K–12?

Typical divisions: Elementary K–5 (sometimes K–6), Middle 6–8 (some 7–9), High 9–12. Enrollment ages vary by state; in New York, compulsory schooling begins at age 5.

What is a charter school?

Publicly funded but independently operated schools working under a state or district charter. Usually tuition-free and open to all, with more flexibility than traditional public schools.

Which are NYC’s specialized high schools and how do you get in?

Admission to eight specialized high schools (e.g., Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech) is primarily based on the SHSAT exam.

How can parents research school ratings?

Compare multiple sources such as GreatSchools, Niche, and SchoolDigger, and review metrics like test scores, teaching quality, diversity, and inclusivity.

Does owning property guarantee a specific school district?

No. Actual residency is required. Families usually need to provide proof such as utility bills or a lease agreement for school assignment.

Introduction to School Districts and Education Situation in the New York Area

The U.S. education system is divided into preschool education, K-12 (middle and high school) education, and higher education. In the New York area, especially in Long Island and Westchester, there are some top school districts, such as Jericho and Great Neck, providing excellent K-12 education. New York City also offers a variety of educational options, including public schools, charter schools, and "Gifted and Talented Programs". When choosing a school district, parents usually refer to school ratings and other resources to ensure the best educational environment for their children.

The U.S. education system is typically divided into three main stages: preschool education, elementary & secondary education (K–12), and higher education.

The basic public education provided in the U.S. is known as “K–12 education”, which covers 13 years of free schoolingfrom kindergarten through 12th grade, provided by local school districts.

Preschool Education

（1）Definition & Age Range

Preschool education refers to programs for children before age 5, including daycare, preschool, and pre-kindergarten (pre-K).

（2）Cost & Accessibility

The U.S. government does not universally fund preschool education.
Most daycares and preschools are privately operated and require tuition.
However, some cities (such as New York City) offer free pre-K programs in public schools.

（3）NYC Pre-K Policy

Free pre-K seats are limited and often filled via lottery.
Priority is given to students with siblings already enrolled.
Others may be placed in government-funded private centers to ensure availability.

Elementary, Middle & High School (K–12 Education)

（1）Overview
K–12 education covers kindergarten through 12th grade.

（2）Parents can choose among:

Public schools (free, funded by taxes)
Private schools (tuition-based)
Homeschooling

（3）Enrollment Ages & State Variations

Each U.S. state sets its own compulsory education laws.
Most states require enrollment between ages 5 and 8.
In New York, the mandatory age is 5.

（4）Grade Divisions

Elementary school: Kindergarten – Grade 5 (sometimes Grade 6)
Middle school: Grades 6–8 (some are 7–9)
High school: Grades 9–12

Understanding Early Childhood Terms

To avoid confusion:

Pre-K = Preschool, often similar to daycare but more structured.
Daycare: Ages 6 weeks – 3 years
Preschool: Ages 3 – 5
Kindergarten: Ages 5 – 6 (start of formal schooling)

Charter Schools

A charter school is a publicly funded but independently operated school.
It functions outside the traditional public school system and has more flexibility but less funding.

Key Features:

Operate under a “charter” approved by the state or district.
Can be founded by individuals, organizations, or communities.
Tuition-free and open to all students.
May be for-profit or non-profit.
Vary in teacher qualifications and resources.

Statistics (2016–2017):

6,900 charter schools in 42 states + D.C.
3.1 million enrolled students
Enrollment increased sixfold in 15 years

New York City School District Overview

（1）Size & Structure

NYC has 32 school districts, with 1,500+ public schools and over 1 million students.
Children aged 5–21 residing in NYC are entitled to free public education.

（2）School Assignment

Students usually attend schools based on home address.
If a district school is full, students may be assigned to another school.
Many schools have open enrollment or lottery admissions.
Early application is essential for competitive schools.

（3）Eligibility for Non-Residents

Children of F-1, H1B, or other visa holders can attend public schools.
Tourist visa holders are not eligible.

（4）Proof of Residency

Owning property does not guarantee school eligibility — actual residency is required.
Parents must provide utility bills or lease agreements as proof.

Gifted and Talented Program (G&T)

（1）Open to students from all 32 NYC school districts (K–3).

（2）Evaluated by two tests:

Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (75%)
Bracken School Readiness Assessment (25%)

（3）Top 10% → guaranteed G&T placement within district

（4）Top 3% → eligible for the Top 5 G&T schools citywide:

Nest + M
Brooklyn School of Inquiry
TAG (Talented and Gifted) Scholars STEM Academy
Anderson School
Key High Schools

Specialized High Schools in NYC

There are 8 specialized high schools in New York City. Admission is based on the SHSAT (Specialized High Schools Admissions Test):

Stuyvesant High School
Bronx High School of Science
Brooklyn Technical High School
High School for Math, Science, and Engineering @ CCNY
High School of American Studies @ Lehman College
Queens High School for the Sciences @ York College
Staten Island Technical High School
The Brooklyn Latin School

Top 5 School Districts in Greater New York

（1）Jericho, NY

Location: Long Island (45 minutes from Manhattan)
Population: Affluent professionals
Rankings: #1 on Long Island, #13 in NYS, #71 nationally
Home Price: Median $878,600 | $471 per sq. ft

（2）Great Neck, NY

Location: Western Long Island (North Shore)
Convenient 30-min train to NYC
Rankings: #21 in NYS, #115 nationally
Median Rent: $4,300 | Median Home Price: $1,000,000

（3）Syosset, NY

Location: Eastern Long Island (Port Jefferson LIRR line)
Rankings: #32 in NYS, #158 nationally
Median Sale Price: $713,600 | Median Rent: $3,537

（4）Scarsdale, NY

Location: Westchester County (“Old Money” suburb)
Elite public schools, wealthy families
Ranking: #21 in NYS
Home Prices: $500,000 – $2.8 million

（5） New Hyde Park, NY

Diverse suburban area near Queens/Long Island border
Median Sale Price: $692,100 | Median Rent: $3,207

Checking School Ratings

（1）Common websites for school ratings:

（2）Rating Criteria Include:

Teaching quality
Test scores
Student diversity
Equity and inclusivity

📊 Note:
Each website uses different evaluation standards, so families should compare multiple sources and consider their own priorities (e.g., academic rigor vs. extracurricular offerings).

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