Many Bronx students will have to stay at their failing public schools after the city denied more than 4,000 transfer requests.

Under federal law, students can apply for emergency transfers if they attend an under-performing school. However, the city officials say only about 60 percent of the students in Bronx and city schools that applied for a transfer will be able to do so. They cite space as an issue, saying desirable schools suffer from overcrowding.

A Department of Education spokesperson says about half of the students are using the transfers to register at new schools.