40 of the BEST
13Manhattan Village Academy 43 W. 22ND ST., MANHATTAN ADMISSION: OPEN TO NYC; GRADES 75-100; STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 2.0-4.5; ATTENDANCE; SCHOOL VISIT ENROLLMENT ............................ 432 GRADUATION RATE .............. 100% COLLEGE READY .................. 92.6% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 90.1% % TAKING SAT ...................... 95.8% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE 1545 AP PASS RATE ...................... 33.7%
This demanding Chelsea school draws kids who benefit from its structured support and imaginative teaching. More than half of all students take advantage of 16 AP courses, starting in ninth grade, and honors classes are open to all. Everyone takes four years of lab-based science courses and an intensive math curriculum. Five subject-specific portfolios – which include term papers, oral presentations, and projects – are required for graduation. Sophomores and juniors take overnight trips to visit colleges. 14Millennium Brooklyn High School 237 SEVENTH AVE., BROOKLYN ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO BROOKLYN; GRADES 86-100; STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 3.1-4.5; ATTENDANCE ENROLLMENT ............................ 654 GRADUATION RATE ............. 97.5% COLLEGE READY .................. 77.3% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 89.4% % TAKING SAT ...................... 59.7% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1605 AP PASS RATE ...................... 41.2%
This Park Slope sister school to Manhattan’s Millennium HS shares an emphasis on writing, reading, and research, and a curriculum driven by experiential learning. Inclusive teaching helps kids with special needs master the college-prep academics.
The two Millennium schools share sports teams, giving their students plenty of options — but they don’t play with three other high schools that share the John Jay Educational Campus, creating friction and complaints of “separate and unequal” treatment. 15Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics 280 PLEASANT AVENUE, MANHATTAN ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO ISAAC NEWTON MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS; GRADES 80-100; STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 2.5-4.5; ATTENDANCE ENROLLMENT ......................... 1,604 GRADUATION RATE ............. 95.8% COLLEGE READY .................. 80.3% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 80.7% % TAKING SAT ...................... 88.7%
AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1492 AP PASS RATE ...................... 40.2%
This rigorous East Harlem school requires four years of science and math for all students, plus an extensive liberal arts program — including a full-year writing intensive for freshmen. More than half take advantage of the 14 AP classes offered. The wide range of electives includes horticulture and robotics. Zealous college guidance, with campus visits and a new SAT/ACT tutoring program within regular school hours is offered. 16Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School 160-20 GOETHALS AVENUE, QUEENS ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO CONTINUING EIGHTH GRADERS; GRADES 70-100; STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 2.0-4.5; ATTENDANCE ENROLLMENT ...... 704 ( GRADES 6-12) GRADUATION RATE ............. 96.8% COLLEGE READY .................. 74.2% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ......... 91% % TAKING SAT ....................... 100% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE 1537 AP PASS RATE ...................... 38.7%
Located on the Queens Hospital Center campus in Jamaica, this 6-12 school makes it possible for future medical professionals to volunteer and take internships. The high-performing student body excels in math, but kids complain about a lack of extracurriculars and high-level science courses. Four years of science and math are required for all in the bright seven-year-old building, which boasts 11 lab classrooms. 17NYC iSchool 131 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, MANHATTAN
ADMISSION: OPEN TO NYC; GRADES 86-100; STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 2.9-4.5; ATTENDANCE; ONLINE ADMISSIONS ACTIVITY ENROLLMENT ............................ 449 GRADUATION RATE ............. 97.2% COLLEGE READY .................. 81.3% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ......... 89% % TAKING SAT ...................... 91.6% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE..... 1515 AP PASS RATE ....................... 31.8%
Student choice rules in this SoHo school, where kids pursue academic interests through traditional and online classes. With most courses open to all grades, cooperative learning is prized. Seniors complete a final research project.
Weight room, but no gym in the building. A new slate of clubs forms each year to reflect student interests; 2016’s included Chemistry Club and Rock Band. 18Francis Lewis High School 58-20 UTOPIA PARKWAY, QUEENS ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO QUEENS; FOR SCREENED PROGRAMS, GRADES 87-100; STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 3.0-4.5; ATTENDANCE ENROLLMENT ......................... 4,463 GRADUATION RATE ............. 87.5% COLLEGE READY .................. 72.9% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 74.6% % TAKING SAT ...................... 79.5% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1541 AP PASS RATE ...................... 38.2%
This large, bustling — and overcrowded — neighborhood school in Fresh Meadows has a zoned program along with specialized institutes devoted to law, engineering, science research, and the humanities. Its range results in wide appeal — 9,890 eighth-graders applied in 2016, more than any other school in the city.
Ten languages including Arabic and Japanese, and 15 APs, plus 18 PSAL sports and dozens of clubs, from anime to improv. Huge junior ROTC program boasts a national-champion drill team. 19The Beacon School 522 W. 44TH ST., MANHATTAN ADMISSION: OPEN TO NYC; GRADES 90-100; STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 3.3-4.5; INTERVIEW, PORTFOLIO ENROLLMENT ......................... 1,304 GRADUATION RATE ............. 99.4% COLLEGE READY .................. 92.8% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 84.5% % TAKING SAT ...................... 78.8% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1738 AP PASS RATE ...................... 35.5%
Progressive, humanities-focused program uses projectbased assessments — not state Regents tests — to gauge student achievement. Housed in a twoyear-old, $88 million building in Hell’s Kitchen, Beacon boasts a black-box theater, dance studio, film lab, and art studios, and offers advanced electives like data modeling and engineering. Kids can take free college classes at NYU and Fordham. Tons of clubs, 20 bands, and 17 PSAL teams. 20All City Leadership Secondary School 321 PALMETTO ST., BROOKLYN ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO CONTINUING 8TH GRADERS ENROLLMENT .... 413 (GRADES 6-12) GRADUATION RATE .............. 100%
COLLEGE READY .................. 56.8% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 72.5% % TAKING SAT ...................... 97.3% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE 1418 AP PASS RATE ...................... 37.8%
With small class sizes, high standards, and lots of individual attention, this 6-12 Bushwick school sets students up for long-term success. Friday night Leadership Cadet meetings, which cultivate college and career goals, and Saturday electives in video and photography extend learning beyond regular school hours. Three languages – German, Mandarin, and Spanish – and five APs. 21Maspeth High School 54-40 74TH ST., QUEENS ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO DISTRICT 24 ENROLLMENT ......................... 1,046 GRADUATION RATE ............. 99.2% COLLEGE READY .................. 62.9% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 78.7% % TAKING SAT .......................... 89% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1488 AP PASS RATE ...................... 41.4%
Central Queens students receive a classical liberal arts education at this young school — established in 2011 — rooted in ancient learning principles. Everyone takes four years of Latin or Mandarin, as well as classes in performing or visual arts. A new black-box theater enriches the drama program this year. Top sports, including softball and tennis, and high-ranked debate and mock trial teams. 22Midwood High School 2839 BEDFORD AVE., BROOKLYN ADMISSION: ZONED; FOR SCREENED PROGRAMS, GRADES 85100; STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 3.0-4.5
ENROLLMENT ......................... 4,017 GRADUATION RATE ............. 90.5% COLLEGE READY .................. 71.6% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 79.8% % TAKING SAT ...................... 83.3% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE 1570 AP PASS RATE ...................... 37.5%
The wide range of academic and extracurricular options at this lively – but crowded – school keeps kids engaged. Competitive screened institutes for humanities and medical science, along with a zoned program, makes for a diverse student body involved in more than 50 clubs and 40 sports. Macroeconomics and European history are among the 20 AP
classes offered. A Python-based computer programming class is new this year. 23Bedford Academy High School 1119 BEDFORD AVE., BROOKLYN ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO DISTRICT 13; GRADES 64-100; STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 2.4-4.5; ATTENDANCE; INTERVIEW, MATH/ WRITING ASSIGNMENT ENROLLMENT ............................ 358 GRADUATION RATE ............. 97.7% COLLEGE READY .................. 66.3% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 84.8% % TAKING SAT ...................... 88.4% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1420 AP PASS RATE ...................... 20.9%
Rigorous academic standards and close personal attention in a structured environment where students thrive. An extended school day and Saturday classes are part of a well-planned system of scholastic support. Kids get into a college mindset by choosing a “major” — pre-engineering, pre-med, pre-law, pre-education, or liberal arts. Nine APs, including calculus and biology. 24East- West School of International Studies 46-21 COLDEN ST., QUEENS
ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO CONTINUING EIGHTH GRADERS; SCHOOL VISIT, ONLINE ADMISSIONS ACTIVITY ENROLLMENT .... 685 (GRADES 6-12) GRADUATION RATE ............. 96.5% COLLEGE READY .................. 66.3% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 79.8% % TAKING SAT ...................... 88.4% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1438 AP PASS RATE ...................... 31.4%
Asian history, language, and culture form the unifying theme of this 6-12 Flushing campus where high schoolers commit to three years of Korean, Japanese, or Mandarin. Creative instructors go the extra mile to bring topics to life — such as inviting a Vietnam War refugee to guest-teach a class on the era. Morning and afternoon activities and sports like video-game club, ultimate Frisbee, judo, and K-Pop Club. 25CSI High School for International Studies 100 ESSEX DR., STATEN ISLAND ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO DISTRICTS 20, 21, 31; SCHOOL VISIT ENROLLMENT ............................ 491 GRADUATION RATE .............. 100% COLLEGE READY ...................... 77% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 84.3% % TAKING SAT ...................... 87.3% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1527 AP PASS RATE ...................... 24.6%
New Springville school fulfills its global-studies mission with a four-year language requirement – Mandarin, Spanish, or Japanese – and frequent foreign trips that will send students to South Africa and Japan this year. Required summer research projects and annual portfolios. Clubs like taiko drumming extend the international theme after hours; 19 PSAL sports. 26Academy of American Studies 28-04 41ST AVE., QUEENS ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO QUEENS; FOR SCREENED PROGRAM, GRADES 80-100; STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 2.8-4.5; ATTENDANCE; SCHOOL VISIT ENROLLMENT ............................ 999 GRADUATION RATE ............. 91.1% COLLEGE READY ...................... 64% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 73.6% % TAKING SAT ...................... 78.0% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1453 AP PASS RATE ...................... 37.4%
An emphasis on American history and culture makes this Astoria school stand out. The curriculum features an extra class in that subject area for all four years and travel to sites like Boston, Gettysburg, and Washington D.C. Top-notch sports program produced last year’s city champion
stunt team. Partnerships with the Metropolitan Opera and other arts organizations. 27Young Women’s Leadership School 105 E. 106TH ST., E. HARLEM, MANHATTAN ADMISSION: FEMALE STUDENTS ONLY, PRIORITY TO CONTINUING EIGHTH GRADERS; GRADES 82100; STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 2.3-4.5; GROUP INTERVIEW, WRITING EXERCISE ENROLLMENT .... 482 (GRADES 6-12) GRADUATION RATE .............. 100% COLLEGE READY .................. 76.1% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 91.5% % TAKING SAT ...................... 95.8% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE 1395 AP PASS RATE ...................... 29.6%
Cozy, supportive all-girls school for grades 6-12, this was the first of a now-national network, with four sister schools in NYC. College prep curriculum includes four years of science; with in-school SAT instruction, regular college campus visits for all grades, and a full-time college counselor, nearly all graduates pursue higher education.
28Academy of Finance and Enterprise 30-20 THOMSON AVE., QUEENS ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO QUEENS; SCHOOL VISIT ENROLLMENT ............................ 567 GRADUATION RATE ............. 91.1% COLLEGE READY .................. 77.4% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 87.8% % TAKING SAT ...................... 84.7% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE.... 1397 AP PASS RATE ...................... 26.6%
Long Island City school with a business focus offers realworld learning opportunities like paid internships, industry mentoring, and job-shadowing trips, along with a traditional academic curriculum. The virtual enterprise program, housed in a freshly renovated computer lab, provides a simulated global business experience where students develop, produce, distribute, and market fictitious products. 29Forest Hills High School 67-01 110 ST., QUEENS ADMISSION: QUEENS-ONLY ZONED AND SCREENED PROGRAMS, OTHERS OPEN TO NYC; FOR STEM ACADEMY, GRADES 87-100, STATE
EXAMS: LEVELS 3.0-4.5; FOR DRAMA AND MUSIC ACADEMIES: AUDITION ENROLLMENT ......................... 3,903 GRADUATION RATE ............. 88.9% COLLEGE READY ...................... 59% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 71.6% % TAKING SAT ...................... 74.9% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1478 AP PASS RATE ...................... 31.1%
Teeming Queens zoned school draws talented performers to its drama and music academies and science-minded kids to the Carl Sagan Science/ Math Honors Academy. Multiple honors-level classes and 16 APs offer options for top students; dozens of clubs and 22 PSAL teams keep them busy after school. 30 School of the Future High School 127 E. 22ND ST., MANHATTAN ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO CONTINUING EIGHTH GRADERS; GRADES 74-100; STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 2.1-4.5; ATTENDANCE; INTERVIEW ENROLLMENT .... 763 (GRADES 6-12) GRADUATION RATE ............. 86.7% COLLEGE READY .................. 80.6% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 75.3% % TAKING SAT ...................... 71.4% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1556 AP PASS RATE ...................... 30.6%
Instead of taking state Regents exams, students in this 6-12 Gramercy school develop “exhibitions” – lengthy research
projectsand history.in English,A new music science, room math, was added this year. Socially conscious curriculum features a multi-year Restorative Justice program focusing on conflict resolution. 31Marble Hill High School for International Studies 99 TERRACE VIEW AVE., BRONX ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO BRONX; SCHOOL VISIT, INTERVIEW, WRITING EXERCISE ENROLLMENT ............................ 429 GRADUATION RATE ............. 92.9% COLLEGE READY .................. 67.3% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 79.6% % TAKING SAT ...................... 93.8% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1318 AP PASS RATE ...................... 38.1%
The focus on global issues attracts a diverse array of ambitious learners – more than 40 languages are spoken by the students here. Extended learning blocks allow for in-depth study. Schoolassigned community service for juniors; four languages, eight APs. 32BenjaminN. Cardozo High School 57-00 223RD ST., QUEENS ADMISSION: QUEENS ONLY; FOR STEM PROGRAM, MATH/SCIENCE GRADES 90-100, STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 2.9-4.5; FOR DANCE PROGRAM: AUDITION ENROLLMENT ......................... 3,744 GRADUATION RATE ............. 89.3% COLLEGE READY .................. 59.5% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 78.4% % TAKING SAT ...................... 75.1% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1527 AP PASS RATE ...................... 26.3%
Surburban-style campus in residential Bayside offers the renowned DaVinci Research program in science and math, and a full range of fields and facilities for its 27 sports teams. Six languages, 17 APs, and dozens of clubs. 33Medgar Evers College Preparatory School 1186 CARROLL ST., BROOKLYN ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO CONTINUING EIGHTH GRADERS; GRADES 75-100; STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 2.7-4.5; ATTENDANCE ENROLLMENT .. 1252 (GRADES 6-12) GRADUATION RATE ............. 95.3% COLLEGE READY .................. 66.5% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 77.6% % TAKING SAT ...................... 86.9% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1492 AP PASS RATE ...................... 22.9% Everyone completes at least one AP course in English, math,
science, and social studies at this Crown Heights 6-12 school, where Mandarin is the most popular foreign language. A vibrant arts program offers ceramics, ballet, drama, and more.
A STEAM program lets students gain CTE certification or state licenses in welding, culinary arts, multimedia tech, engineering, and other fields. 34Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics 1363 FULTON AVE., BRONX ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO BRONX; SCHOOL VISIT ENROLLMENT ............................ 458 GRADUATION RATE ............. 89.8% COLLEGE READY .................. 76.9% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 74.8% % TAKING SAT ...................... 82.4% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1419 AP PASS RATE ...................... 25.9%
Students get personal attention at this intimate, unscreened school in Claremont Village, where a Mac Lab provides coding and robotics experience and professional tutors offer free, in-school SAT and ACT prep. Enriching mentorship and research opportunities abound. 35Riverdale/
Kingsbridge Academy (Middle School/High School 141) 660 W. 236TH ST., BRONX ADMISSION: BRONX ONLY, PRIORITY TO CONTINUING EIGHTH GRADERS; GRADES, STATE EXAMS, ATTENDANCE ENROLLMENT... 1,459 (GRADES 6-12) GRADUATION RATE ............. 87.2% COLLEGE READY .................. 54.7% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 70.6% % TAKING SAT ...................... 73.6% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1430 AP PASS RATE ...................... 24.3%
Crowded but cohesive 6-12 school encourages community service and parent participation. Strong arts program has expanded into moviemaking, capped by a new school film festival and a new literary magazine.
There’s also a full slate of 14 varsity sports, with lacrosse, golf, and volleyball. 36Benjamin Banneker Academy 71-77 CLINTON AVE., BROOKLYN ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO DISTRICTS 13, 14, 15, 16; GRADES 65-100; STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 1.94.5; ATTENDANCE; INTERVIEW ENROLLMENT ............................ 896 GRADUATION RATE ............. 97.3% COLLEGE READY .................. 48.7%
COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ......... 72% % TAKING SAT ...................... 91.1% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1412 AP PASS RATE ...................... 16.5%
Screened programs in medicine, humanities, engineering, and communications enrich the curriculum in this Clinton Hill school, and partnerships with neighbors like the Brooklyn Navy Yard provide further opportunities. Activities include marching band and the AfroBeats Dance Team. 37Edward R. Murrow High School 1600 AVENUE L, BROOKLYN ADMISSION: BROOKLYN ONLY; SCREENED PROGRAMS FOR NATIVE CHINESE AND SPANISH SPEAKERS; FOR ARTS PROGRAMS, AUDITION ENROLLMENT ......................... 3,894 GRADUATION RATE ................. 82% COLLEGE READY .................. 50.1% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 71.4% % TAKING SAT ...................... 72.9% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE ..... 1442 AP PASS RATE .......................... 25%
Big and bustling Midwood school keeps Brooklyn students busy with top-notch arts and academics.
A new music production class uses the million-dollar MusicX recording studio, and new Mindfulness and Big Sibs programs nurture kids’ social and emotional development. 38High School for Environmental Studies 444 W. 56TH ST., MANHATTAN ADMISSION: OPEN TO NYC; FOR HONORS ACADEMY, GRADES 83-100; STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 2.54.5; ATTENDANCE ENROLLMENT ......................... 1,227 GRADUATION RATE ............. 81.4% COLLEGE READY .................. 38.3% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 70.6% % TAKING SAT ...................... 69.1%
AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE .... 1363 AP PASS RATE ...................... 33.8%
A focus on environmental science at this Hell’s Kitchen school means hands-on programs in a rooftop garden and molecular biology lab with DNA-extracting equipment that students use in original research. Senior thesis, 12 APs, plus SUNY-affiliated environment courses. 39World Journalism Preparatory: A College Board School 34-65 192ND ST., QUEENS ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO CONTINUING EIGHTH GRADERS ENROLLMENT... 566 (GRADES 6-12) GRADUATION RATE .............. 94.1%
COLLEGE COLLEGE READY ENROLLMENT ............................. 82.8% 51% % TAKING SAT....................... 82.4% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE ..... 1458 AP PASS RATE ...................... 18.6%
Students produce video segments at an in-school studio and maintain a news website. Franklin Center STEM program fosters research to publish in the school scientific journal.
No sports; kids can join teams at Francis Lewis HS. 40Tottenville High School 100 LUTEN AVE., STATEN ISLAND ADMISSION: PRIORITY TO STATEN ISLAND; FOR SCREENED PROGRAMS, GRADES 92-100; STATE EXAMS: LEVELS 3.2-4.5; ATTENDANCE ENROLLMENT.......................... 3,911 GRADUATION RATE ............. 88.3% COLLEGE READY .................. 51.8% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT ..... 64.8% % TAKING SAT ...................... 74.7% AVERAGE TOTAL SAT SCORE...... 1476 AP PASS RATE ...................... 18.7%
An athletics dynamo, Tottenville’s two competitive academic programs draw students who aim high in scholarship.
The rigorous Classics Institute emphasizes humanities and requires Latin. Science Institute students must take two collegelevel science classes and a year of advanced math.