High schools

Located in the heart of Manhattan, this specialized high school offers a more intimate option than most other specialized high schools. Students looking for an elite STEM education in Manhattan, with a significantly smaller and more diverse student body than Stuyvesant may find HSMSE ideal.

Equally famous for its well-known alumni as it is for its academic rigor, Stuyvesant is not only the most prestigious public high school in the specialized high school system, but possibly all of the United States. With large grade sizes and a competitive environment, Stuy is often the most represented high school across all Universities in the Ivy League.

Since its founding in 1939, students from Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan have flocked to this larger STEM focused school. Generations of alumni have reached the height of fields across the sciences. Eight alumni have even received Nobel prizes – the most of any high school in the world! Students who want a demanding education full of elective options excel at Bronx Science.

Anchored by its 99.9% college matriculation rate and a large selection of AP classes, High School of American studies boasts a #1 ranking for public high schools across New York State. As the only specialized high school specializing in the social sciences, High School of American Studies is ideal for the high achiever whos interests lie in history, journalism, sociology, political science, or any other social studies field. With the smallest grade sizes of any specialized high school, High School of American Studies often has the greatest fluctuation in the SHSAT cutoff score.

Have you dreamed of attending a large, elite public research university? If nearly limitless class options excite you, and a massive student body doesn’t intimidate you, then Brooklyn Tech may be the school for you. Brooklyn tech has classes, clubs, and teams for every type of student, but is best for students who are independent and not afraid of large groups.

Students who visit Brooklyn Latin are often impressed with the eloquence of the student body. Brooklyn Latin is the only specialized high school with a focus on the humanities and persuasive communication. Brooklyn Latin bolsters this classical curriculum with a full International Baccalaureate program, ensuring every student has access to elite classes in all disciplines.

Students outside New York’s fifth largest borough are increasingly becoming aware of what Staten Island residents have long known: Staten Island Tech is an elite school that offers a friendly, intimate learning environment. Staten Island Tech’s principle has been known to respond to student and parent emails nearly automatically at all time of the day – and even at night!

One of three specialized high schools located on a college campus, Queens high school for the Sciences offers a small intimate learning environment. Students here take two classes of science at a time and are able to work on science projects with faculty at York College. If you live in Queens and want a smaller STEM focused high school, then visiting Queens High School for the Sciences should be a priority!