NYC Education News

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NYU Langone Named No. 1 U.S. Health System Again

NYU Langone Health has earned the top position in Vizient's national health system rankings for the fifth consecutive year, becoming the first system to hold the organization's No. 1 ranking for five straight years. Its Manhattan campus also ranked first among 122 comprehensive academic medical centers, while NYU Langone's network of more than 400 outpatient practices placed first among 70 participating physician networks. Other facilities across the New York region also appeared in the rankings, with NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island placing No. 3 and NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn reaching No. 6 in their cohort. Vizient evaluates healthcare organizations using measures including safety, mortality, effectiveness, efficiency and patient experience.

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Nearly 10,000 CUNY Adults Enroll in Free College Program

Nearly 10,000 adult learners are attending CUNY through New York's Reconnect program, which provides free community college education for eligible adults pursuing degrees in high-demand fields. Preliminary CUNY data show enrollment in the program increased nearly 50% between fall 2025 and fall 2026, reaching 9,786 students across the university system. More than 1,200 participants attend Queensborough Community College, where students are pursuing fields including nursing, computer science, cybersecurity and engineering technology. The program covers tuition and provides assistance for books and supplies for eligible adults ages 25 to 55. This fall, Reconnect also expanded to additional CUNY campuses, while eligibility was broadened to include certain students pursuing nursing degrees.

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Fordham Receives $9.2M Gift for NYC Student Programs

Fordham University has received a $9.2 million gift from trustee Rose DiMartino and Karen Sue Smith that will expand student financial support, social work initiatives and community-focused programs in New York City. Roughly two-thirds of the funding will support Fordham's Graduate School of Social Service, including stipends for students completing practicum internships and a new academy focused on suicide prevention training and education. The gift will also increase paid internship opportunities through Fordham's Serving the City program by at least 50%. Additional funding will expand entrepreneurship education through the Gabelli School of Business, including programs serving Bronx residents and high school students, as well as support research and initiatives involving human rights and global justice.

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Baruch Ranks No. 1 Public College in New York for 4th Year

Baruch College has been named the top public college in New York State for the fourth consecutive year in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Colleges rankings. The Manhattan-based CUNY college earned four No. 1 distinctions, including top placements for public colleges in New York, value for in-state students, social mobility and innovation among public institutions. Baruch also ranked No. 2 among public schools in the North and No. 9 when public and private institutions in the region were combined. The college made one of its largest gains in the Best Value Schools category, moving up 28 positions to No. 37 overall and No. 3 among public institutions in the region.

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NYC Health + Hospitals Wins Top Dental Education Award

NYC Health + Hospitals has received national recognition for its system-wide dental residency programs, earning the 2027 William J. Gies Award for Eminence in Achievement from the American Dental Education Association. The health system operates 19 graduate dental education programs spanning general dentistry and specialties including pediatric dentistry, dental public health, dental anesthesiology and oral and maxillofacial surgery. More than 200 dental residents graduate from the programs annually while training across NYC Health + Hospitals facilities. The system also provides more than 225,000 dental visits each year. NYC Health + Hospitals will formally receive the award during the ADEA Gies Foundation's awards celebration in March 2027.

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CUNY Waives $65 Fee for NYC High School Seniors

New York City public high school seniors can apply to CUNY without paying the university’s $65 freshman application fee during an expanded two-month waiver period running from September 15 through November 16. The initiative is designed to reduce an upfront barrier for students considering college and will be promoted directly to seniors and their families, as well as through advertising across the NYC subway system. The program has particular significance for the city’s public schools because more than 80% of CUNY freshmen come from the New York City Public Schools system. CUNY introduced the broader fee-waiver initiative in 2023 and has extended this year’s application window by a month, giving graduating seniors additional time to submit applications without the usual fee.

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NYC Teacher Awards Open With $400K in Prizes

Nominations are now open for the 2026-2027 FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence, a citywide program recognizing exceptional New York City public school educators from 3-K through 12th grade. The program will distribute $400,000 in prizes to winning teachers, finalists and their schools, with six grand-prize educators each receiving $25,000 and additional funding going toward school arts initiatives. Students, families, educators and other members of school communities can submit nominations through November 29, 2026. Eligible nominees must be full-time NYC public school teachers with at least five years of classroom experience. Finalists will be selected through an independent review process, with the 2026-2027 winners scheduled to be announced in June 2027.

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NYC Schools Procurement Reform to Save Over $100M

New York City is overhauling how its public school system purchases goods and services, with officials projecting more than $100 million in savings during the current and next fiscal years. The initiative targets longstanding problems involving outdated technology, contract oversight, administrative delays and inconsistent procurement procedures across the nation’s largest school district. Under Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels, NYC Public Schools plans to eliminate unnecessary contracts, increase competitive bidding, improve staff training and establish clearer timelines for vendors. Procurement responsibilities will also be consolidated under the Division of Finance, Administration and Human Resources. The administration says the changes are designed to reduce costs for taxpayers while helping schools obtain classroom resources and services more efficiently.

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Bronx School of Hip Hop Gets $350K From Gibson

The Bronx School of Hip Hop is beginning its first academic year with a major technology investment designed to connect traditional education with the culture and creative industries that originated in the borough. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson allocated $350,000 for media and classroom equipment, including computers, tablets and cameras. The new public high school at 1600 Webster Avenue launches with ninth grade and is expected to expand to grades 9–12, ultimately serving about 500 students. Its academic model incorporates hip hop across subjects while exposing students to areas such as audio engineering, media production and other career-oriented skills.