By James Merriman

Each year, thousands of New York City parents ponder school choices for their children. In addition to traditional public schools, there are now 136 charter schools operating in NYC, educating more than 45,000 students.

Charter schools are free public schools that are open to all city students. They operate independently of the NYC Department of Education. Because they are separate from the district system, charter schools have greater flexibility in the way they function. They can develop their own academic program, choose staff and set their own educational goals and standards for student behavior. Many also have longer school days and a longer school year, and they tend to be smaller, providing a more intimate atmosphere for learning.

Most importantly, charter schools have enrollment structures that are different from district schools. The following information will help clarify the admissions process.

1. All students must fill out an application.

Since charter schools are independently managed, parents must fill out an application for each charter school to which their child applies. Parents should contact each school to inquire about their admissions’ process. Each school sets its own application deadline—a majority of charter schools require that applications be in before April 1 for placement in August/September. Keep in mind that there may not be a charter school in your area, and if there is, it may not serve your child’s grade.

2. Charter schools run lotteries for admission.

The lottery is an admissions process required by New York State law that is held when there are more student applications to a charter school than seats available. Students who are not selected in the lottery will be placed on a waiting list for spaces that may become available in the future.

Students who are accepted through a lottery will be enrolled in the school and be able to remain there in future years. Parents cannot transfer their child from one charter school to another without going through the application process for the school that they would wish to move to. However, if a school provides elementary grades at one site and middle school grades at another site, that child will have the right to move to the middle school from the elementary school.

3. Charter schools are required to give preferences in their lotteries.

The law requires charter schools in NYC to give preference to returning students, siblings of students already enrolled in the school and students who reside in the Community School District in which the charter school is located. (Visit nyccharterschools.org/school-search to identify your CSD.) In addition, charter schools are permitted to give preference to students at risk of academic failure.

4. There are several ways to apply to charter schools.

There are typically several ways in which families can acquire an application. Visit the school’s website and download an application. Or call the school and ask them to mail you an application. Otherwise, visit the Charter Center’s website, nyccharterschools.org, to search for schools and apply online through a common charter school application offered in multiple languages.

To learn more about charter schools’ accomplishments, you can view their report cards from the state at schools.nyc.gov.