Thank you for your interest in BUGS!
Thank you for considering Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter School (BUGS) for middle school (grades 6-8). Our hands-on approach with a focus on real-world problem-solving and exploration of environmental, social, and economic sustainability prepares our students for success in high school and to become thoughtful designers of a more sustainable world.
Applying to BUGS is completely separate from the MySchools/NYC Department of Education application process, and applying to BUGS is not part of the DOE ranking process. Seats can be offered to charter schools and NYC DOE schools at the same time.
Learn more about BUGS! Check out our Virtual Info Session for Prospective Families.
Click here to view the session I Click here to view the slidedeck
CLICK APPLY HERE! TO SUBMIT YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION FOR 2025-26.
¡HAGA CLIC EN APLICAR AQUÍ! PARA ENVIAR SU SOLICITUD EN LÍNEA
PARA 2025-26.
BUGS school leaders, teachers, and students describe what makes BUGS a special middle school. Click HERE for the session slide deck.
CLICK here for FAQ in English and Spanish.
BUGS is an inclusive community and we welcome students from diverse ethnic, racial, economic, religious backgrounds, and gender identities, including students with disabilities or who haven't yet learned English. In addition to the preferences outlined below, BUGS offers a preference in the lottery for English Language Learners (ELLs) and Free and Reduced Price Lunch (FRPL) students.
There is no interview or selection criteria, including review of a student's prior record, to apply. Attendance at a virtual Open House is not required to apply, although we will plan to offer several programs throughout the year, to which all interested families are invited.
Admission to all New York State charter schools is by random lottery. The deadline to apply for the BUGS lottery is April 1, 2025. Applications received after April 1 will be added to the waitlist in the order in which they are received.
Applying to BUGS is completely separate from the NYC Department of Education (DOE) middle school admissions process, and applying to BUGS is not part of the DOE ranking process. Seats can be offered from both charter schools and the NYC DOE at the same time.
Take a tour along with our students as they highlight the BUGS curriculum and core values.
BUGS is an inclusive school and welcomes all students. BUGS provides equal educational opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex) or weight and maintains an environment free of harassment on the basis of any of these grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation.
We are a tuition-free public school open to all NYC residents.
Best of luck to you and your child(ren) in your middle school search process! We hope to be of help on your journey ahead and to have you join the BUGS community as we focus on sustainability, student achievement, community, and educating the whole child.
- The BUGS Admissions Team
For our complete Admissions and Enrollment Policy click here.
Apply Now
APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR.
Families should apply online here (we strongly recommend applying online), or download and print a paper application, found below, and mail to or drop off at: BUGS Brooklyn Admissions, 500 19th St. Brooklyn, NY 11215.
English, Spanish, and many other language applications are available when applying online.
Online applications are due (and paper applications must be post-marked by April 1, 2025 to be included in the lottery for the 2025-2026 school year. Applications submitted after April 1 will be put on our post-lottery waiting list in the order they are received.
The lottery for the 2025-26 school year will be held on April 3 at BUGS.
We will notify all families with results 24-48 hours after the lottery by text and email.
PREFER A PAPER APPLICATION?
Families who would like to apply for the 2025-26 school year can download and print a paper application below, and mail to or drop off at: BUGSbrooklyn Admissions, 500 19th St. Brooklyn, NY 11215
If you have questions, please contact us at admissions@BUGSbrooklyn.org, or 929-487-9927.
virtual OPEN HOUSE EVENTS
We are excited to introduce you to BUGS! We will be holding our second fall Virtual Info Session on Wednesday, November 20 from 5:30-6:45pm. There will also be an opportunity to visit BUGS on December 11. Click here for more information and to RSVP.
Click here to watch a recording of the October 24 Virtual Info Session and here for the slide deck.
BUGS Application FAQ'S
How many seats will you be offering?
We expect to offer approximately 120 seats for 6th grade. The number of 7th and 8th grade seats is to be determined.
How do I apply?
Apply online by clicking here, or submit a paper application (see above).
What is the deadline to apply?
The deadline to submit an application for the lottery is April 1, 2025. However, we will continue to accept applications after that deadline. These applications will be placed on the waiting list in the order in which they are received.
How are admissions determined?
Admissions are determined via random lottery, with preference given to siblings of current BUGS students, children of current employees of BUGS at the time of lottery, ELLs (English Language Learner) students, students who qualify for free and reduced price meals, and District 15 residents. To check if you are in District 15, click HERE. ELLs are students who are unable to communicate fluently or learn effectively in English, who typically require specialized or modified instruction in both the English language and in their academic courses.
Please visit the New York City Charter School Center's site for more general information on charter schools and their admissions and enrollment processes. For specific questions on the details of our policy, please download the BUGS Enrollment Policy, approved by the New York State Educational Department, or contact us at admissions@BUGSbrooklyn.org.
What do the lottery preferences mean?
Sibling preference: Applicants who are siblings of a current BUGS student are automatically offered a seat for the upcoming school year. If one twin is offered a seat from the lottery, his or her sibling will be offered a seat as well, regardless of lottery number.
District 15 residents preference: Applicants who RESIDE in District 15 are offered seats at BUGS first via random lottery.
Staff preference: Children of current employees of BUGS at the time of lottery.
English Language Learner preference: BUGS defines “ELL” as a student who:
(1) Is classified as an English Language Learner -or-
(2) If a student is new to the New York City public schools: Indicates that they (the student) speaks a language other than English most of the time or that English was NOT the first language the student learned to speak.
Free and Reduced Price Lunch preference: BUGS defines “FRPL” as a student who:
(1) Qualifies for free and reduced price lunch (see chart) -or-
(2) Lives in New York City public housing -or-
(3) Student’s household qualifies for SNAP or TANF benefits
Random Lottery and Preferences: Taking into account these preferences, the random lottery is drawn in the following order:
(1) Siblings of current BUGS students residing in CSD 15;
(2) Siblings of current BUGS students who reside out of CSD 15;
(3) Students who are children of current employees at BUGS, not to exceed 15% of BUGS’s total projected enrollment;
(4) ELL (English Language Learner) students;
(5) Students who qualify for free and reduced price meals;
(6) Students who reside in CSD 15, and
(7) Students who reside out of CSD 15.
How is one's Community School District (CSD) determined?
Community School District is determined by residence only. The preference does not apply to students who attend elementary school in CSD 15 but live in another district. To check if you are in CSD 15, click HERE.
When will BUGS hold its lottery for the 2025-2026 school year?
The BUGS public lottery will be held on April 3. Check back for updates about the date and time. Families who submit applications by the lottery deadline of April 1 will receive results by email and text 24-48 hours after the lottery. If you have any questions, please email admissions@BUGSbrooklyn.org.
Can I still apply after the lottery has been held?
Yes. All applications received after the application deadline will be added to the bottom of the waiting list in the order in which they are received according to enrollment preferences.
When will families receive the results of the lottery?
Families who submitted applications by the lottery deadline of April 1 will receive results by email and text 24-48 hours after the lottery. If you have any questions, please email admissions@BUGSbrooklyn.org.
How long do we have to accept a seat once it’s offered to us?
The deadline for notification to BUGS will be approximately two weeks following notification of the lottery results.
Do District 15 residents who apply after the lottery get priority on the wait list?
All applications received post-lottery will be seated in the order applications are received according to enrollment preferences.
Is there a chance my child will be offered a seat at BUGS if he or she is on the waiting list created by the lottery?
Yes. Every year we admit students off of the waitlist.
Does my child stand a chance of getting a seat at BUGS if we do not live in Community School District (CSD) 15?
Yes. We encourage all interested applicants to apply, regardless of district of residence. Every year we have admitted students from outside of CSD 15. If BUGS is the school for you, hang in there!
Do you only accept applications for 6th grade?
No. We we accept applications for 6th, 7th and 8th grade.
Have Questions? Email admissions@BUGSbrooklyn.org or call/text 929-487-9927.