Elementary Application Process

Buffalo Public Schools is a district of "Choice" with 42 elementary schools that offer families a wide variety of educational programs designed to meet the academic interest and needs of students. The Schools of Choice process maximizes choices for parents and their children by enabling them to choose from any school in the District. Families have the option to apply to a school down the street from their home or anywhere in the city that they are eligible for and where seats are available.

Uniform List by School

2023-2024 Elementary Application Process

Who Should Apply?

* New students to the district
* Returning to Buffalo students after being withdrawn
* The window for Current BPS students is September 30-December 6th, 2024.

Steps to the Elementary Application Process

Step 1

Application Information

In this section you will learn:

  • Application Guidelines

  • Age Requirements

  • Preferences: Sibling, Proximity Community Schools, and Attendance Boundary

2025-2026 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL APPLICATION

Step 2

Learn about BPS Elementary Schools and Programs:

  • Schools and Program Codes to which your child is eligible to apply

  • School's address

  • Uniform Policy

  • School's start and end times

  • Program Code Glossary

BPS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 2024-2025

Step 3

Apply for school year 2025-2026:

  • Apply In Person or Online

  • New or Returning Students Only 

The window for current BPS students closes on December 6th, 2024.

Complete an Elementary Application in person at:
Student Placement & Registration
33 Ash St.
Buffalo, NY 14204 

Application Download

Student Placement & Registration will run random computerized lotteries to fill seats in grades 3Y - 8.

Assignments and wait pool letters will be mailed to families in Spring for applications submitted on or before December 6th.

 NOTE: If you are interested in applying to a Charter School, please contact the specific school directly. 

What Happens Next?

Result letters will be mailed to families Spring 2025 for applications submitted on or before December 6th, 2024.

NOTE: ALL ASSIGNMENTS CARRY A ONE-YEAR COMMITMENT