School MatchNYCAccountРусский

How NYC high school admissions work

  1. You submit one application in MySchools and rank your school and program choices in order of preference. There is no limit on the number of choices; DOE recommends at least 12.
  2. Seats go first by priority (for example, whether you live in the school's zone), then by the program's admissions method: a lottery for some, grades or an audition for others.
  3. If more students want a program than it has seats, a random number settles the tie. From this list your child gets one offer: the highest-ranked program they qualify for. Specialized High Schools (SHSAT) and LaGuardia are decided separately, so a child who also applies to those can end up with one, two or three offers: at most one from the main list, one from the specialized schools and one from LaGuardia. You may also be waitlisted at programs ranked above your offer, and a waitlist offer can come later.
  4. Charter, private and Catholic schools are not part of this application: each has its own separate process and deadlines, and they are not covered on this site.

Three numbers that decide a lot

Plus one category. All are visible in MySchools once you start an application.

RAN: random number

A long code of digits and letters that MySchools gives every child when you start the application.

Where it comes from

It is generated at random and does not depend on grades, income or address. Find it in MySchools under "Edit profile" above your child's name. Siblings with linked applications (twins, for example) share one, the best, number.

Why it matters

Numbers sort 0-9, then A-F, and earlier means better: a code starting with 5 ranks above one starting with B. A number alone does not tell you your chances: it depends on who else applied.

What it affects

Open, Ed. Opt., zoned programs, and ties within a group in Screened. On a waitlist you get a new number.

SAG: Screened Admissions Group

The group (Group 1, 2, 3...) you are placed in based on final 7th-grade grades: the average of English, math, science and social studies.

Where it comes from

Calculated centrally. DOE's citywide cutoffs for Fall 2027: top 15% (Group 1) at 94.67 or higher; top 30% (Group 2) 90.33; top 50% (Group 3) 84.00; top 70% (Group 4) 77.25. There are also minimums: 90, 80, 75 and 65. Your group is also figured within your own school, so ask the school for its cutoffs once applications open. DOE's table does not list a Group 5 (to be confirmed).

Why it matters

Programs admit by group order: Group 1 first, then Group 2, and so on. Within a group, if seats run out, the random number decides.

What it affects

Screened programs only. Your group shows in MySchools under "Edit profile".

DIA: Diversity in Admissions

A priority at schools that take part in the diversity initiative. These schools set aside a share of seats for certain groups of children.

Where it comes from

Priority goes to children from low-income families (eligible for free or reduced-price meals), English language learners (ELL), children in the child welfare system and those in temporary housing. Each school lists its own groups and its own share of seats.

Why it matters

If you qualify, you land in the first priority group at those schools. That improves your chances noticeably but does not guarantee an offer.

What it affects

Any admissions method. In Screened without an assessment, DIA seats are filled in group order. The school list and rules are on DOE's "Diversity in Admissions" page. How eligibility is confirmed (usually through the school meals form) is to be confirmed: ask the school.

Ed. Opt. category (High / Middle / Low)

For Educational Option programs, a child's grades in the four core subjects place them in a "high", "middle" or "low" category.

Where it comes from

Based on the same four subjects: English, math, science and social studies.

Why it matters

Ed. Opt. programs are meant to serve students at a range of levels, so seats are shared between categories and a lottery runs inside each. DOE's pages we checked do not state the seat shares (to be confirmed): see the Ed. Opt. page.

What it affects

Ed. Opt. programs only. If a program also has priorities, its first priority group gets offers first.

Admissions methods

The method is shown on each school's card in Match. To compare schools with different methods, open Compare. Where to look

Open

How it is decided

Grades are not looked at. Offers follow priority groups and random numbers.

What matters for you

Just add the program to your list.

Ed. Opt.

How it is decided

Grades do not select, but they place the child in a category (high, middle, low). Then a lottery by number.

What matters for you

Just add the program to your list. A good middle option alongside Screened and Audition.

Screened

How it is decided

Admits by 7th-grade grades: Group 1 first, then 2 and on; if seats run out, the number decides.

What matters for you

Find your group in MySchools. If the program has extra steps (essay, interview), complete them.

Screened with Assessment

How it is decided

You complete a task (such as an essay). The school scores it, the score is combined with grades, and offers go in order of the combined score.

What matters for you

Read the program's "Selection Criteria" in MySchools and do not miss the task deadline.

Audition

How it is decided

The audition is the only criterion (except at LaGuardia). The school scores it and admits from the top score down.

What matters for you

You must audition. LaGuardia has its own application and audition; same deadline, December 4.

Test (SHSAT)

How it is decided

The eight specialized high schools admit by SHSAT score. It is a separate path: your MySchools list does not affect it.

What matters for you

Test registration closed October 30. This season's dates: November 14-15, November 21, and school day November 18. Results come in spring (to be confirmed, usually March).

Zoned

How it is decided

Priority or a guarantee for students who live in the school's zone.

What matters for you

Check your address. You do not have to list it first; the priority stays.

Language-based (brief)

How it is decided

Admits by program criteria: home language, English level, years in the US and similar.

What matters for you

Check that you meet the program's conditions.

The method is on the school card; compare schools side by side on the Compare page.

What it looks like on a calendar

Season 2026-27 (entry to 9th grade in fall 2027). Dates may change; DOE will tell families directly.

  1. October 6, 2026

    The MySchools application and SHSAT registration opened.

  2. October 30

    SHSAT registration closed.

  3. November 14, 15, 18 and 21

    SHSAT dates: weekends of November 14-15 and 21, and school day November 18.

  4. December 4, 2026

    Applications close, including the LaGuardia application. This is the key deadline: after it the list cannot change.

  5. March 3, 2027, after 3 pm

    Offers are released. Check MySchools or ask your school counselor. For waitlists, see the DOE page.

Common mistakes

  • Backup schools at the top of the list

    Your order must be your true order of preference. The system tries your first choice first, then the second. If a backup is first, your child gets it even if they could have got the dream school. DOE says there is no better strategy.

  • Not filing the meals paperwork

    DIA priority depends on eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. If your family qualifies but it is not on file, the school may not know about the priority. Ask the school how it is confirmed.

  • Skipping the open house for schools with extra steps

    Screened with Assessment and Audition programs have extra steps: an essay, interview or portfolio. Find them under "Selection Criteria" and ask at the school's open house. A missed step can drop you from the running.

  • Mixing up the seat group and the academic group

    GE and SWD are seat categories; they come from the IEP and you do not choose them. Groups 1-4 (SAG) are your academic group by grades. They are two different things.

  • A list that is too short or too ambitious

    Fewer than 12 programs lowers your chances. If you list only very popular schools (3 or more applicants per seat) and only Screened and Audition, you may end up with no offer. Add Open and Ed. Opt.

What next

Profile: where to find it in MySchools

Where to get your data: grades, group and number in MySchools.

Prep

Preparing for the test and Screened: DOE's free materials.

DOE sources

Checked 2026-11-04.

This page retells DOE rules in plain words and does not replace them. If in doubt, trust MySchools and your school counselor.