ACADEMICS / PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM

The administration hierarchy for Ithaca school districts is anchored by county-level associations called BOCES, which stands for Board of Cooperative Educational Services. BOCES function as an extension of local school districts, providing a wide spectrum of instructional and administrative services at the request of local districts. Administered by a superintendent, the BOCES assists and empowers individual school districts by orchestrating the regional sharing of resources. For information on special programs in your local BOCES, contact the appropriate office.

Board of Cooperative Educational Services

Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES
555 Warren Road
Ithaca 607-257-1551
https://tstboces.org

Broome-Tioga BOCES
435 Glenwood Road
Binghamton 607-763-3300
www.btboces.org

Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES
1879 West Genesee Street Road
Auburn 315-253-0361
http://cayboces.org

Greater South Tier BOCES
Bush Campus
459 Philo Road
Elmira 607-739-3581
Coopers Campus
9579 Vocational Drive
Painted Post 607-962-3175
Wildwood Campus
1126 Bald Hill Road
Hornell 607-324-7880
www.gstboces.org/index.cfm

Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES
315-433-2600
www.ocmboces.org

Registration Requirements

Enrollment and transfer requirements for all public school students are as follows: birth certificate, last report card and transcripts from previous schools. Physician-signed immunization proof in the proper doses for DPT, polio, rubella, measles, mumps, hepatitis B, Hib, and varicella is necessary. A tuberculin skin test is also required for new students entering the public school system on the middle level. New students registering in New York for the first time must also have a physical exam including a blood lead test.

The New York State Department of Education mandate for youngsters beginning public school instruction is five years of age by December 31 of the current school year. However, the cut-off deadline may vary with individual school districts. Contact the specific school district where your child will be attending school for detailed information.

A wealth of information about public education in New York is available from the State Education Department. Select from the most appropriate office:

University of the State of New York
State Education Department
Elementary, Middle, Secondary, and Continuing Education
Albany 518-474-3852
www.p12.nysed.gov

Public School Choice Programs
Albany
www.p12.nysed.gov/psc

School Improvement & Community Services
Albany 518-474-4798
www.p12.nysed.gov/accountability/School_Improvement

Standards, Assessment & Reporting
Albany
www.p12.nysed.gov