Don’t look now, but things are finally starting to bloom(Open external link) here in the Big Apple…
May’s here, and with the arrival of the fifth month of the year comes the stark realization that we’ve officially made it to the last full month of the 2024–25 school year!
Over the next few weeks, City classrooms will be ramping up their end-of-year lessons, tests, and activities while also laying the groundwork for the upcoming 2025–26 school year(Open external link). Many students will be using this time to complete extra credit work, catch up on missed assignments, and wrap up any long-term projects that they’ve been working on throughout the school year.
May is also a month of celebration and remembrance—this month, our schools will be commemorating the history and heritage of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders(Open external link), and Jewish Americans(Open external link) in the United States. We’re also celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week(Open external link) this month in support of our City’s hardworking educators. And who could forget Mother’s Day this month—certainly not you, right?
Beyond that, May has a few dates for public school families to keep in mind, including Parent-Teacher Conference days, State exam testing periods, the last days of upper G&T admissions and Citywide Education Council Elections (CCEC), this year’s release dates for 2025 3-K and Pre-K offers, and of course, Memorial Day.
With all that said, May the Fourth be with you(Open external link), and let’s take a look and see what else is happening this month in NYC Public Schools, courtesy of our official 2024–25 NYC Public Schools calendar(Open external link).
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NYC Schools Calendar — May 2025
| Date | Details |
|---|---|
| All Month Long | Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month & Jewish American Heritage Month |
| Thursday, May 1 | Parent-Teacher Conferences (Elementary Schools and Pre-K Centers)
Evening conferences for students in grades K–5 as well as students attending K–8 schools and Pre-K Centers. |
| Monday, May 5–Friday, May 9 | Teacher Appreciation Week
Join us as we celebrate our hardworking educators all week long! |
| Tuesday, May 6–Friday, May 16 | NY State Mathematics Assessments for Students in Grades 3–8
Please check with teachers and school staff members at your child’s school to learn your child’s exact examination dates. |
| Thursday, May 8 | Parent-Teacher Conferences (Middle Schools and District 75 programs)
Evening conferences for students attending junior high schools (grades 6–8) and District 75 programs. |
| Friday, May 9 | G&T Upper Grade Admissions Closes
For current K–3 families who are interested in applying for Gifted & Talented (G&T) programs for fall 2024 placement. |
| Sunday, May 11 | Mother’s Day |
| Monday, May 12–Friday, May 23 | NY State English as a Second Language Assessment Tests (NYSESLAT) Administered
For students in grades K–12 who are identified as English language learners or multilingual learners; please speak with your child’s teachers or counselors to learn more. |
| Tuesday, May 13 | 2025 Pre-K Application Offers Released
Families who applied for fall 2024 admissions to City Pre-K programs can access their offers on MySchools beginning on this date. |
| Tuesday, May 13 | Last Day to Cast Your Vote in the 2025 CCEC Elections
Log into your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA)(Open external link) and vote for your preferred candidates for the 2025 Community and Citywide Education Council(Open external link) (CCEC) Elections before 11:59 P.M. |
| Tuesday, May 13–Friday, May 16 | NY State Science Examinations for Students in Grades 5 and 8
Please check with teachers and school staff members at your child’s school to learn your child’s exact examination dates. |
| Thursday, May 15 | Parent-Teacher Conferences (High Schools)
Evening conferences for students attending high schools (grades 9–12) as well as those attending school buildings with grades K–12 and buildings with grades 6–12 only. |
| Tuesday, May 20 | 2025 3-K Application Offers Released
Families who applied for fall 2025 admissions to City 3-K programs can access their offers on MySchools beginning on this date. |
| Wednesday, May 21 | Climate Action Day #4: Water
Schools across the City are celebrating our fourth Climate Action Day with outdoor activities that promote water conservation. Speak with your child’s teachers to learn more! |
| Monday, May 26 | Memorial Day (observed)
All NYC public schools and NYCPS offices closed. |
Some notes about this month’s schedule:
May is Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Throughout the month, NYC Public Schools are celebrating Asian American/Pacific Islander history and heritage by highlighting books, events, and outstanding learning resources(Open external link). Join in on the celebration throughout May by checking our coverage on social media (X(Open external link), Facebook(Open external link), Instagram(Open external link)) and our main website(Open external link).
Celebrate Jewish American Heritage in May
This month, NYC Public Schools are celebrating Jewish American history and heritage by hosting events, providing classroom discussions, and highlighting outstanding books and other great learning resources(Open external link). Check in with your teachers to learn how Jewish American Heritage Month is being commemorated at your school!
May’s Parent-Teacher Conferences
On May 1, 8, and 15, City public school teachers will be hosting another round of Parent-Teacher Conferences(Open external link) for City families. Speak with your child’s teachers to set up mutually convenient virtual meeting times, and take the opportunity to learn more about your child’s current progress and overall readiness for the upcoming 2025–26 school year.
Thank Your Favorite Educators During Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5–9)
Celebrate New York City’s incredible teachers by thanking your favorites all week long(Open external link) with our official NYCPS All Stars webpage(Open external link)!
New York State Mathematics Exams for Students in Grades 3–8
From May 6–16, NYC public schools throughout the City will be administering New York State Mathematics Tests to students in grades 3–8(Open external link).
If your child is slated to take these exams, please speak with staff members at your child’s school for more information. You may also learn more about the exam by reviewing the Parent Resources page(Open external link) on the New York State Education Department’s website or by visiting our “NY State Math Test(Open external link)” page.
G&T Upper Grade Application Closes May 9
Families of students currently in grades K–3 who are interested in placing their children into New York City’s Gifted & Talented programs and are eligible to apply can submit an application via MySchools until Friday, May 9, 2025. Eligibility will be based on report card grades.
Learn more on our official Gifted & Talented (G&T) webpage(Open external link).
ESL and MLL Students Take the NYSELAT Throughout May
From May 12–23, NYC public school students in grades K–12 who are identified as English language learners (ELLs) or multilingual learners (MLL)(Open external link) will be required to take the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSELAT)(Open external link).
If your child is slated to take this test, please speak with staff members at your child’s school for more information.
2025 CCEC Elections End on May 13
Time is running out to cast your vote in the 2025 Community and Citywide Education Council (CCEC) Elections(Open external link)! Parents or legal guardians of current New York City public school students can vote online in this year’s CCEC elections with their NYC Schools Accounts(Open external link) until Tuesday, May 13.
Learn more about this year’s elections in our official “Vote in the 2025 Community and Citywide Education Council Elections(Open external link)” post right here on The Morning Bell.
New York State Science Examinations for Students in Grades 5 and 8
On May 13–16, NYC public school students in grades 5 and 8 will be given the New York State Science Examination(Open external link).
If your child is slated to take this test, please speak with staff members at your child’s school for more information.
May’s Climate Action Day: “Water” (May 21)
On Wednesday, May 21, NYC Public Schools across the five boroughs are celebrating this year’s fourth official Climate Action Day(Open external link), a fun, environmentally-themed, creative learning opportunity for entire school communities. This month’s Climate Action Day theme is “Water,” and participating schools will be hosting activities that promote water conservation and stewardship for freshwater sources.
Check in with your/your child’s school to see if they will be celebrating May’s Climate Action Day.
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And that’s pretty much it for May! For the latest news and happenings about NYC Public Schools, bookmark us right here on The Morning Bell(Open external link), and follow us on our social media channels on X(Open external link), Instagram(Open external link), and Facebook(Open external link)!
On behalf of NYC Public Schools, we wish all City families, educators, and students an outstanding and memorable month!
