As New York City gears up for its 2025 mayoral election, education has undeniably become a central point of debate for voters, especially families with school-aged children. Despite being home to some of the country’s most celebrated schools, NYC has experienced a noticeable dip in public school enrollment recently. This trend signals deeper concerns about safety, the quality of teaching, and the overall learning environment, as revealed by a survey from the NYC Department of Education.
The mayoral race has largely distilled down to three main contenders: Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Each candidate presents a distinct blueprint for tackling the pressing issues within the city’s public school system.
Zohran Mamdani: Championing Equity and Early Learning
Mamdani’s vision frames education as a holistic system, addressing everything from funding and student support services to classroom conditions. He is committed to ensuring public schools receive full and equitable funding, providing robust after-school programs, mental health counselors, and nurses. His plan also emphasizes maintaining appropriate class sizes and fostering integrated student bodies.
Among his key proposals is the expansion of the “Open Streets for Schools” initiative, which would transform city streets into outdoor spaces for learning and recreation. Furthermore, Mamdani is focused on supporting students experiencing homelessness through the Bronx pilot Every Child and Family Is Known, which builds vital mentorship networks and inter-agency assistance.
Early childhood education is a cornerstone of his platform. He advocates for universal free childcare for children from six weeks to five years old, with compensation for childcare workers mirroring that of public school teachers. New parents would also receive “NYC Baby Baskets” filled with essential items and information on postpartum care, breastfeeding, and home visits for newborns.
Mamdani also intends to invest heavily in higher education, promising substantial funding for CUNY and an annual recruitment of 1,000 new teachers to alleviate classroom overcrowding. While he initially supported phasing out gifted programs, his stance has evolved to endorse a modified approach that allows for their continued operation.
Andrew Cuomo: Advocating Stability and High Standards
Andrew Cuomo places education at the forefront of his agenda, emphasizing the delivery of top-tier instruction to the city’s more than 900,000 public school students. His platform aims to reduce class sizes, expand after-school programs, combat chronic absenteeism, and promote career and technical education. Cuomo stresses that retaining dedicated teachers requires better working conditions, enhanced safety measures, and comprehensive mentoring programs.
Additionally, Cuomo plans to broaden the reach of School-Based Health Centers, offering essential preventive and wellness services through Grade 12. He remains a strong proponent of gifted and talented programs, cautioning that their elimination could close a crucial pathway for high-achieving students to flourish.
Curtis Sliwa: Reforming Systems and Restoring Safety
Curtis Sliwa offers a sharp critique of the public school system, arguing that it underperforms despite significant financial investment. His campaign contends that bureaucratic inefficiencies hinder classroom success and calls for a complete overhaul that prioritizes clear goals and measurable outcomes.
Central to Sliwa’s platform are safety and proven instructional methods. He supports bringing back NYPD school safety agents and maintaining structured approaches to reading and mathematics. He also champions expanding gifted programs across the city and increasing opportunities for vocational training. To combat truancy, Sliwa proposes initiatives focused on targeted counseling and mentorship.
Education: A Defining Issue for New York City’s Future
The distinct proposals from these three mayoral candidates underscore the critical issues confronting New York City’s public schools: adequate funding, exceptional classroom quality, teacher retention, robust student support, and a safe learning environment. While their approaches differ, they collectively acknowledge that the city’s educational system stands at a pivotal juncture. As New Yorkers prepare to choose their next mayor, these varied policy positions offer a vital framework for understanding and shaping the future of learning in the city.