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DOE contacts

Contacting the Department of Education is hit-or-miss: some people who answer the telephones are knowledgeable and helpful while others are really not. Expect confusing and contradictory information. Our advice: pleasant persistence. Keep trying and you will eventually get the information you need. We've compiled a list of telephone number and emails that may be useful.

Parent support line

We have found this to be the most helpful number to call for general information about your school zone, enrollment, pre-kindergarten registration and gifted and talented programs. The operators are unfailingly polite and try their best to answer your questions. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., phone: (718) 935-2009 or (212) 374-2363.

Main switchboard

This is the main switchboard for the Department of Education. If you have the name of someone you want to reach, but not his telephone number, the operators may be able to connect you. Phone: (718) 935-2000.

Office of Pupil Transportation

For questions about school buses and Metrocards. The Office of Pupil Transportation has a particularly good website. Hours: Monday–Friday, 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., phone: (718) 392-8855.

Office of School Food

The Office of School Food provides menus and applications for free and reduced-price meals.

Department of Academic Support and Performance Service Desk

For questions about ARIS and ARIS Parent Link, periodic assessments, New York State Standardized Tests, contact the Department of Academic Support and Performance Service Desk. Phone: (212) 374-6646.

Enrollment

Routine enrollment issues should be resolved at one of the city’s 14 enrollment centers in the city. However, if you have a problem that the enrollment center can’t solve—and many people do--try these people:

Director of elementary enrollment: Gentian Falstrom

Director of middle school enrollment: Sandy Ferguson

Executive directors of enrollment:

  • Bronx: Margaret Rogers, (718) 741-8073
  • Brooklyn: Judith Butcher, (917) 847-6563
  • Manhattan: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , (212) 342-8300
  • Queens: Bonnie Gross, (718) 935-2009
  • Staten Island: Judith Butcher, (212) 374-6811

If none of these people can help, try the Office of Student Enrollment, 52 Chambers Street, NY NY. The director is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Pre-kindergarten

For information about pre-kindergarten, contact the following borough directors:

Gifted and talented

Most questions about Gifted and talented programs can be answered by the staff at the parent support line: (718) 935-2009. Another contact in the office of gifted and talented programs is Grace Gonzales, (212) 374-7693.

Special education

Your child’s teacher or principal should be able to answer most questions about special education. If you are new to New York City, or if your child attends a private or parochial school, contact one of the city’s 10 Committees on Special Education. Parents of children with serious disabilities may contact the superintendent of District 75, Gary Hecht, (212) 802-1503.

The deputy chancellor in charge of the Office of Special Education and English Language Learners is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Call (212) 374-5766 for special education and (212) 374-6072 for English Language Learners. 

To view the special eduation enrollment data for all NYC schools, the School Demographics and Accountability Snapshot on the DOE website can help.

English language learners

The Division of Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners has information on programs for ELLs. The deputy chancellor in charge of both English Language Learners and special education is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (212) 374-6072 in the Office of Special Education and English Language Learners.

View the DOE's 2011 report on ELLs. To view ELL enrollment data for all NYC schools, the School Demographics and Accountability Snapshot on the DOE website can help.

District offices

Each district has a superintendent, a family advocate, and elected members of a Community Education Council who may be able to help you with any problem you may have. Click on your district on the homepage for contact information.

We have found this to be the most helpful number to call for general information about your school zone, enrollment, pre-kindergarten registration and gifted and talented programs. The operators are unfailingly polite and try their best to answer your questions. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., phone: (718) 935-2009 or (212) 374-2363.

Last modified on Wednesday, 01 May 2013 11:27
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