Welcome to Admissions at Central Synagogue’s May Family Nursery School

We hope that you enjoy watching the video describing our school and synagogue community.

Our 2026-27 application is live!

Once we have received your completed application, we will invite you to join us at an admissions open house for prospective parents with representatives from our school.

During the open house, held on selected Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10:00–11:30 am beginning in October and continuing through December, you will take a tour of our school and get to hear from us about our educational philosophy, synagogue community, parent involvement, and next steps in the admissions process. We also will answer your questions, ranging from curriculum to separation, Jewish values and celebration, the admissions process, toilet training, and everything in between! Following the tour, which is required, you will be contacted to schedule a group play visit for your child and a one-on-one conversation with you.

Our school has classes for children from two to five years old. Children must turn two by September 30, 2026 in order to be eligible for admissions to the Nursery School for the 2026-27 school year. For younger children who just miss the September 30^th age cutoff, we offer Turning Twos, a Nursery School class for children who turn two between October 1, 2026, and January 31, 2027, and attend school with a trusted grown-up until their second birthday, when full separation begins on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. 

We encourage you to join us for Shabbat Central, our Shabbat program for families with young children. No registration is required to participate, and it is a great way to get to know the community. Click here to see the Shabbat Central schedule for the year.

If you have any questions about our school or the admissions process, please contact Sue Stiner, Admissions Coordinator, at admissions@censyn.org or (212) 838-5122 x4050, or Jordana Kristel, Associate Early Childhood Director, at kristelj@censyn.org or (212) 838-5122 x4006.

We look forward to meeting you!

Please note: Once children are enrolled in the May Family Nursery School, membership in Central Synagogue is required. While it is not necessary to be a Central Synagogue member to apply to the Nursery School, as a member school of the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY), our school offers early notification to current Central Synagogue members in good standing. Every year a mix of current and new families apply to and enroll their children in our school.

The May Family Nursery School is a proud member of the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY). Founded in 1965, ISAAGNY aims to ensure orderly, professional, and equitable admissions processes at member schools: we do so by observing a shared admissions timeline, engaging in professional development to hone our collective craft, exchanging resources and best practices, and more. The resulting spirit of cooperation serves schools, families, and nearly 30,000 students across greater New York.

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