Apply to Growing Up Green Today!

Application: 2026-2027

Application: 2025-2026

Applying to Growing Up Green is free, easy, and only takes a few minutes.
Need help submitting your application?  Please reach out to Janna Lunetta (Director of Enrollment & Data Operations) at lunetta@gugcs.org. A member of our team will walk you through the process.

 

The Application Process is simple!

Complete the online application today and click submit.

Steps to Enroll

Apply

(October – March)

Lottery

(April)

Register

(April – June)

1st Day of School

(September)

Enrollment FAQs

When must my application be submitted?

To be included in the lottery, your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM on April 1st. All applications submitted after that date will automatically be added to the waitlist.

What if am looking to apply to Kindergarten?

Please note, if your child was born in 2021 and lives in New York City, they are eligible to attend kindergarten in fall 2026!

Is Growing Up Green (GUG) free?

Yes, GUG is a FREE public school.

I thought this was a public charter school. Why do I have to apply?

According to NY State law, students must apply to attend a charter school. Charter schools serve students in the NYC DOE Community School District they are located in. Search for your school district with the DOE School Search tool.

How does a lottery work?

As per NY State law, once we receive more applications than seats we have available for a given grade, we must hold a public lottery. GUG’s lottery takes place each year in April. The school enters each child’s application into Random.org. You do not need to be present to be part of the lottery, but you are welcome to attend.

Community School District preferences

First preference goes to siblings of students already enrolled at the school (all siblings must fill out an application and submit it by April 1st). Second preference to families in the DOE Community School District of each school (GUG I = CSD 30 Northwest Queens | GUG II = CSD 28 Central Queens). In addition, a select number of GUG I seats are set aside for New York Public Housing Residents in District 30. Finally, the lottery is open to all NYC residents.

Can I apply in person?

Yes! Paper applications are available in the main offices and at the security desks at all school buildings.

Does one application apply for all four schools?

Yes, we are using the NYC Charter Center Common Application. You may apply to multiple schools at one time.

I have more than one kid, how do I apply?

You must fill out a separate application for each child.

I have a child already in the school. How do I apply?

Students who are currently enrolled do not need to reapply. Siblings who are not enrolled MUST apply (they will be given first preference in the lottery).

Do I need to attend the lottery?

It is not a requirement to join us, but you are welcome to attend.

When will I find out if I “won the lottery?”

Notices to families about their acceptance or waitlist number will be sent home by mid May. We will not be able to share lottery results by phone.