NYC Public Schools Create New Language App to Enhance Communication with Families

The New York City public school system is set to introduce a new language translation application aimed at fostering better communication between families and educational staff. This initiative, announced by Mayor Eric Adams and Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, is designed to address the needs of the diverse student population that the city accommodates. The app, titled “Hello,” will leverage advanced speech-to-text and text-to-speech functions to support communication in the 12 most-spoken languages within the school system. The anticipated rollout is scheduled for Spring 2026.

According to a recent report from the multilingual advisory council, over 44% of public school students speak a language other than English at home, leading to a linguistic landscape in which at least 156 different languages are represented across the city’s educational institutions. This diversity underscores the necessity for effective communication tools that can bridge language gaps between families and school personnel.

Advocates for educational equity have persistently raised concerns regarding the challenges faced by non-English speaking families, who often receive important school documents solely in English or must rely on their children to interpret during parent-teacher meetings. This dynamic not only complicates the educational experience for families but may also hinder student success by limiting parental engagement in the educational process.

Chancellor Aviles-Ramos, who is fluent in Spanish, recognized the complexities involved in translating specialized educational terminology, noting that even native speakers can face difficulties conveying technical terms in other languages. This new application aims to rectify this issue by providing a relevant and accessible resource for families, highlighting the administration’s commitment to inclusivity.

In her statements during the press conference, Aviles-Ramos emphasized the importance of including families in discussions concerning their children’s education, asserting that tools like the translation app are essential to ensuring that language diversity does not obstruct access to educational opportunities. The development of the “Hello” app will be conducted in-house in collaboration with a vendor, ensuring that it functions independently of the current messaging system utilized by the school district.

This innovative initiative represents an important step toward inclusivity in New York City’s educational framework, reflecting a recognition of the city’s diverse linguistic landscape and the need for enhanced communication tools in public schools.