In recent years, the number of students in New York City’s public schools has been steadily declining. Currently, the student population has decreased by 11% compared to before the pandemic. Statistics show that the main reasons for students leaving include seeking better education and concerns about school safety.
Prior to the pandemic, the student population was already on the decline, and this trend has continued post-pandemic. Currently, there are only about 815,000 students from kindergarten to 12th grade (K-12) in the city.
City officials have stated that reversing this trend is a top priority. They predict that this downward trend will continue over the next decade.
The New York City Department of Education conducted a survey of 1,600 families who left public schools between September 2022 and December 2023. 41% of the families cited a desire for more rigorous academics as the primary reason for leaving, 40% moved out of the city, and 25% expressed concerns about school safety.
Among the families who left the city, 50% listed “concerns about the school” as one of the top five reasons for leaving. Nearly two-thirds stated they were seeking a better environment to raise their families, 42% were worried about crime, 36% were seeking affordable housing, and 50% wanted more living space.
Parents prioritized factors such as 74% valuing schools that support strong academics and have a friendly environment, while 41% emphasized career readiness programs (such as internships). Only about one-third of families considered “school diversity” or “culturally relevant courses” as important factors.
Education director Melissa Aviles-Ramos stated, “I am committed to listening to parents’ voices and building schools according to their wishes to better serve our children. Understanding the reasons why families choose to leave New York City public schools is an important part of this work.”
To address the continued decrease in student numbers, the Department of Education has taken several measures, including a thorough reform of reading and math curricula, recruiting parent volunteers to help address chronic absenteeism among students, and establishing elite high schools in high-demand communities.