Introduction
Quick overview
- District size
- ~30,000 students
- Schools
- ~39 public schools (elementary, middle, and high schools)
- Governance
- Jersey City Board of Education (JCBOE)
School types
- Early childhood: Free universal Pre-K (PK3 & PK4) through district classrooms and partner centers
- Neighborhood (zoned) schools: PK–5 or PK–8 schools assigned by home address
- Spanish/English lottery-based dual language program
- Magnet middle schools: Citywide, application-based options for grades 6–8
- Comprehensive high schools: Large public high schools serving assigned or choice-based students
- Selective / magnet high schools: Academically focused programs with competitive admissions
Strengths
- Universal Pre-K access
- Highly regarded selective high school options
- Increasing investment in facilities and programs
- Diverse student population
Common parent concerns
- School quality and resources vary by neighborhood
- Magnet and selective schools are competitive with limited seats
- Families often need to plan ahead for middle and high school transitions
Find your zoned public schools
Enter your Jersey City street address to see the assigned elementary, middle, and high schools based on the latest JCPS zoning data.
Zoning data last updated on 2025-03-05. This tool is informational only. Confirm enrollment assignments with Jersey City Public Schools on the official zoning page.
PreK
Dual Language Program (English/Spanish) — Jersey City Public Schools
Jersey City Public Schools offers a English/Spanish Dual Language program designed to help children become bilingual and build early reading and writing skills in both languages. Classrooms integrate English-speaking and Spanish-speaking students with instruction conducted in both languages. This program starts at pre-K4 and goes through second or fifth grade depending on the school.
Who it’s for
- Starts in Pre-K4: children must be 4 years old on or before October 1 of the school year.
- Students must be Jersey City residents.
Where it’s offered
The program is available at:
- PS #3: pre-K4 through fifth grade
- PS #5: pre-K4 through fifth grade
- PS #6: pre-K4 through second grade
After completing the dual language program, students can remain at the same school for the rest of their elementary grades.
How to apply
- Register your child for Pre-K (district Pre-K registration).
- Submit the Dual Language application online.
- 2025–2026 application window: March 3 – March 31, 2025.
- 2026–2027 dates: not yet published by the district.
- If applications exceed available seats, placement is determined by a lottery (with a posted recording). Applications are usually submitted for pre-K4, but schools may also accept new students in kindergarten and beyond.
Official JCPS Dual Language Program page | Program Guidelines (PDF)
Magnet & application-based options
In addition to neighborhood schools, Jersey City offers several citywide magnet options for middle and high school. These schools require an application and have limited seats. Most families apply to multiple programs and keep a zoned or comprehensive school as a backup option. There are also magnet programs in comprehensive schools like Dickinson High. Check with your zoned high school for more information.