If you just woke up and the first thing you did was grab your phone to check are schools closed in New York City today, you’re definitely not alone. It’s that classic NYC morning ritual. You look out the window, see a dusting of snow or a torrential downpour, and immediately wonder if you've got an extra few hours of sleep coming your way or if it's time to find the matching mitten.
Honestly, as of today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, New York City public schools are open.
There are no scheduled holidays or breaks for this specific Thursday. While some districts further upstate, like Greece Central or Lockport, have called for closures due to localized winter weather, the five boroughs are currently operating on a normal schedule. It’s a standard instructional day for the roughly 1.1 million students in the system.
The January Schedule Maze
January is always a weird month in the NYC Department of Education (DOE) calendar. We just got back from the long winter break, and we’re already staring down several upcoming "no school" days. Even though schools are open right now, the rhythm of the month is about to change significantly.
First off, keep Monday, January 19, 2026, on your radar. That is Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and all NYC public schools and offices will be closed. It’s a hard stop for the entire city. No remote learning, no "optional" days—just a full citywide closure.
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Then things get a bit more technical for the older kids. Starting Tuesday, January 20, through Friday, January 23, the NYS Regents Exams take center stage. For high schoolers, this usually means their daily schedule looks a lot different than a typical week. Some might only need to show up for their specific exams, while others might have regular classes depending on how their specific school handles "Regents Week."
It’s always a good idea to have your kid check with their guidance counselor this week. You don’t want them trekking to school on a Tuesday only to realize their exam isn't until Thursday.
Wait, Is There a Snow Day Coming?
Every time the temperature drops, the "snow day" rumors start flying around the cafeteria and the WhatsApp parent groups. We've all been there. But New York City has changed how it handles weather.
Gone are the days when a foot of snow meant a total day off to go sledding in Prospect Park. The city has leaned heavily into remote learning capabilities. Basically, if the roads are too dangerous for yellow buses, the DOE's default move now is often to pivot to a "Remote Learning Day."
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It’s controversial. Teachers hate it because it’s hard to pivot on six hours' notice. Parents hate it because they suddenly have to become IT tech support while trying to do their own jobs. Students hate it because, well, they want to go outside. But for now, that's the policy.
How to Check for Emergency Closures
If you see the weather taking a turn for the worse later this afternoon, don’t rely on a "hunch." The city usually makes the call by 6:00 AM at the latest, though they try to do it the night before if they can.
- The "Notify NYC" App: This is the fastest way. It’s the city’s official emergency alert system.
- The Morning Bell: The DOE’s official blog and news feed.
- Local News: NY1 is still the gold standard for that "scrolling ticker" at the bottom of the screen.
Important Deadlines Today
While classes are in session, today is actually a huge day for paperwork—specifically for the 14- to 18-year-olds.
Today, January 15, 2026, is the final deadline for the New York City Center Externship Program. If you have a teenager interested in musical theater, directing, or choreography, they need to get that application in before the clock strikes midnight. The program happens during the Midwinter Recess in February, but the gate closes today.
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Also, for the parents of the littlest New Yorkers: the application window for 3-K and Pre-K for the Fall 2026 school year just opened yesterday, January 14. You have some time, but it’s best to start looking at your "MySchools" account now rather than waiting for the spring rush.
What’s Next on the Horizon?
After we get through the MLK holiday and Regents week, there is one more "gotcha" day this month.
Monday, January 26, is a Professional Development Day. Here’s the catch: it only applies to high schools and 6–12 schools. If your kid is in elementary or a standard middle school (6–8), they do have school that day. It’s one of those split days that always catches parents off guard.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Double-check the backpack: Ensure your high schooler knows their specific Regents exam schedule for next week.
- Set an alert: Mark Monday, January 19, on your calendar as a full closure.
- Apply now: If you have a child born in 2022 or 2023, log into your MySchools account this evening to start the Pre-K/3-K application process.
- Verify for Jan 26: If your child is in a 6–12 school, confirm with the school office today whether they are expected to attend on the upcoming Professional Development Day.
The city is moving fast, and the school calendar is even faster. For this morning, though, get the kids out the door—school is on.