If you’re the parent of a current or incoming New York City public school high schooler, this return from spring recess may feel disorienting. Suddenly, the end of the school year is around the corner, with deadlines that are tough to keep track of, leaving you not sure how to prepare for next year. Here’s your cheat sheet of some relevant deadlines and opportunities to pursue.
Applications for brand-new creative high schools
When: April 17
High school applications are closing soon, but before you wrap up the process, have you heard of these two high schools that caught our eye? One is set to open in the 2026-2027 academic year, while the other aims to open in Sept. but requires approval from the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP). Like other public high schools, their curriculum is aligned with Regents and the AP core curriculum. And as with other high school applications, you can apply through MySchools.
New Generation Technology High School
Address: 26 Broadway in Manhattan
This high school is not yet approved to open in the 2026-2027 year — but if it does and you’re interested, you should still apply by the April 17 deadline. It’s designed for students interested in STEM subjects and problem-solving. They will learn how to tackle real-world challenges in their community at the intersections of ethics, technology and civic action, all while still completing a Regents- and AP-aligned academic program.
Students can take advanced coursework in subjects such as computer science and cybersecurity while studying languages including Japanese and Mandarin. They can earn technical certifications such as Python and Google Cloud.
Learn more and apply in MySchools.
The Bronx School of Hip Hop (09X657)
Address: 1600 Webster Ave.
This high school is rooted in the five elements of its namesake culture: emceeing, DJing, graffiti, breaking and knowledge of self. But it’s not just about a musical genre and style: The school delivers the city’s core curriculum through hip-hop pedagogy and project-based learning.
Standout course offerings include: Spanish in the Cypher, where students learn world language through raggaetón and cultural analysis; and Hip-Hop Enterprise Lab, where they cultivate practical skills such as entrepreneurship, financial literacy and brand development. They can also earn industry certifications in topics such as Adobe Creative Suite, audio production and digital media.
And if they can’t get enough of the school’s hallmark trifecta — production, presentation and public performance — they can join extracurricular activities such as a dance and breaking crew, a fashion collective or volunteering on the Bronx Beautification Mural Project.
Learn more and apply in MySchools.
Civics deadlines
Racial equity plan feedback
Deadline: May 6
New Yorkers can submit feedback on the city’s preliminary racial equity plan by May 6.While this 375-page report outlining the plan is plenty hefty, families can skip to the sections most relevant to them: Those might include NYC Public Schools and Department of Youth and Community Development.
NYC schools AI guidance feedback
Deadline: May 8
Families have until May 8 to weigh in on New York City Public Schools’ preliminary artificial intelligence guidelines before the city releases a final playbook in June. You can comment in this public survey or make your voice heard with Community Education Councils (CECs), Citywide Councils, PEPs and School Leadership Teams (SLTs) at any of the public events on the topic.
Issues families have raised in conversations with Epicenter NYC include how AI should be used for writing support and brainstorming, whether it could weaken students’ critical-thinking skills and how AI-powered assistive technology should be handled for students with disabilities. Learn more.
Summer teen opportunities still open
Youth Talk Democracy Summer Think Tank
Deadline: April 17 (Extended!)
Who can apply: Rising 8th graders through high school seniors
Dates: July 16 to Aug. 20
Schedule: Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Locations: Queens College and the Forest Hills Library
Organized by the nonpartisan civic advocacy group Let’s Talk Democracy, the Youth Talk Democracy Summer Think Tank invites teens to research policy issues and develop proposals about the future of democracy.
The program builds on the group’s partnership with students in Forest Hills who launched a political awareness club.
Participants analyze local, state and national policy issues, hear from guest speakers and take part in weekly community service projects. They also will collaborate with peers to develop a written policy proposal outlining a vision for the country. Students will present their final proposals at a fall youth summit at Queens College. More information here.
Deadline: April 17
Who can apply: Rising 10th to 12th grade young women under age 20 in NYC
Dates: June 29 to Aug. 8
Schedule: Three mornings per week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays) 8 to 10 a.m. or 9 to 11 a.m.
Locations: 156 W 56th St. (NYRR office); Central Park
The Run for the Future program from New York Road Runners helps high school girls build confidence through running.
Participants train together over the summer to complete their first 5K race. They learn running techniques, goal setting and strategies for maintaining an active lifestyle. The program is designed for students with little or no experience in sports or organized physical activity.
Runners are expected to attend at least 80% of practices. Students who finish the program join an alumnae network with invitations to races and other events. The program will provide New Balance running gear and sneakers, OMNY cards, healthy snacks, a fitness kit and a wellness kit. More information here, and families can apply here.
Timbuctoo Climate Science and Careers Institute
Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Session 1: July 6 to 17, session 2: July 20 to 31, session 3: Aug. 3 to 14
Who can apply: High school sophomores and juniors ages 15 through 17 who are prepared to be away from home.
Schedule: To be announced
Locations: Brooklyn and upstate New York
The Timbuctoo Climate Science and Careers Institute, run by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in partnership with Medgar Evers College, introduces students to careers in climate science and environmental justice.
Students in the Adirondack program begin at a Brooklyn site before traveling upstate to Kingston and Syracuse and then spending the second week in the Adirondack Mountains.
Participants in the five-day Brooklyn program, led by Medgar Evers College faculty and staff, explore the topics locally by visiting organizations and institutions across the city.
Through lectures and field trips, students gain hands-on experience while learning about academic and professional careers at the intersection of climate, environment and justice.
Participants attending the Brooklyn program will receive travel expenses and lunches and $640 upon successful completion of the program. Participants in the two-week program that includes travel upstate will additionally receive lodging and $1,280 upon successful completion of the program. More information here and apply here.
Deadline: May 1; priority given to those received by April 1
Who can apply: Teens ages 16 through 18
Dates: July 7 to Aug. 14
Locations: 758 Enright Rd. on Governors Island (Compost Learning Center); various sites around Governors Island
This internship run by Earth Matter NY teaches teens about composting, farming and sustainability. Interns gain hands-on experience in composting, animal care, farming, resource recovery and conservation. Participants also build leadership skills and learn about environmental stewardship.
The internship takes place primarily at Earth Matter’s Compost Learning Center, Soil Start Farm and Lavender Field on Governors Island, with additional field trips to partner compost and farm sites across New York City. The program will provide participants with a ferry pass. More information here and apply here.
Deadline: May 8
Who can apply: Rising 11th through 12th graders and graduating seniors
Dates: July 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 4 p.m.
Locations: 2 Lincoln Square in Manhattan (American Folk Art Museum); museum’s administrative offices in Long Island City; other arts institutions across NYC
This six-week program from the American Folk Art Museum introduces teens to museum careers and contemporary art. Priority is given to applicants who live in or attend school in Queens.
Participants visit cultural institutions across New York City and meet weekly in locations in Queens and Manhattan. Students are expected to travel independently to meeting sites. The program will provide OMNY cards, art supplies and snacks. More information here and apply here.
CS4CS Cybersecurity Program at New York University
Deadline: May 15
Who can apply: Current 10th and 11th graders who live in NYC, or in Long Island near the Babylon, Ronkonkoma or Huntington LIRR lines, or in New Jersey in Richmond, Hudson, Essex, Union, Middlesex, Bergen, Passaic, Morris counties, or in Rockland or Westchester counties.
Dates: July 13 to Aug. 7
Schedule: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: 6 MetroTech Center in Brooklyn (NYU Tandon School of Engineering)
The CS4CS program at New York University Tandon School of Engineering offers hands-on training in cybersecurity. Students participate in capture-the-flag competitions and real-world security challenges while learning skills such as security-focused scripting, cryptography and digital forensics. They also conduct academic research and present their work at conferences. Throughout the program, participants build professional networks and connect with mentors. More information here and apply here.
