Living
Education
The educational system in the United States is quite good, and free public education is available to legal residents between the ages of 5 and 21. Non-resident enrolment in public schools is subject to school district approval and may require the payment of annual tuition. Public schools designed for the ‘gifted and talented’ present a challenging alternative for students who can satisfy rigorous standards of admission. For those with money to spare, New York City’s competitive private school system offers excellent single sex and co-educational schooling.
If you plan to move to New York City with school-age children, you will need to supply your child’s school with immunisation records, proof of your child’s age, and proof of legal residency. Assuming you can provide the first two, your child will be admitted to school immediately, even if you cannot demonstrate legal residency. You are not required to provide proof of your own immigration status or that of your child. If your child does not speak English, he or she still has the legal right to attend public school and may have the option of attending free bilingual education courses or English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
Local public schools are required to accept all students who reside within their neighbourhood zones, as determined by the city government, but private schools and selective public magnet schools are not required to admit all students and often maintain ‘wait lists’ of students not initially admitted. Average public school class sizes range from 20 to 30, while private or selective public school classes tend to be smaller. Mandatory education begins at age 6 and lasts until age 16 or 17. New York City public schools adhere to state-wide curriculum standards that require students to receive instruction in language arts (reading and writing), social studies (history, geography, economics, civics, citizenship, and government), mathematics, science, technology, and physical education. Initial diagnostic testing is used to place students within appropriate levels of instruction, and city-wide and state-wide standardised assessment tests are administered periodically throughout a student’s academic career. In high school (grades 9-12), students must pass New York State Regent exams in various subjects in order to graduate. For a complete schedule of required exams, see http://schools.nyc.gov.
If you plan to move to New York City with school-age children, you will need to supply your child’s school with immunisation records, proof of your child’s age, and proof of legal residency. Assuming you can provide the first two, your child will be admitted to school immediately, even if you cannot demonstrate legal residency. You are not required to provide proof of your own immigration status or that of your child. If your child does not speak English, he or she still has the legal right to attend public school and may have the option of attending free bilingual education courses or English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
Local public schools are required to accept all students who reside within their neighbourhood zones, as determined by the city government, but private schools and selective public magnet schools are not required to admit all students and often maintain ‘wait lists’ of students not initially admitted. Average public school class sizes range from 20 to 30, while private or selective public school classes tend to be smaller. Mandatory education begins at age 6 and lasts until age 16 or 17. New York City public schools adhere to state-wide curriculum standards that require students to receive instruction in language arts (reading and writing), social studies (history, geography, economics, civics, citizenship, and government), mathematics, science, technology, and physical education. Initial diagnostic testing is used to place students within appropriate levels of instruction, and city-wide and state-wide standardised assessment tests are administered periodically throughout a student’s academic career. In high school (grades 9-12), students must pass New York State Regent exams in various subjects in order to graduate. For a complete schedule of required exams, see http://schools.nyc.gov.
