Call 718-246-7900 ext. 343 for more information on the high school selection process and to find out about schools that may interest you or your student!

There are many things to consider when choosing a high school. Below is a list of the different types of high schools available to New York City students. A few things to consider are number of students, academic themes offered, graduation rate, after-school programs, and academic admission requirements. Before you begin, it is a good idea to come up with a list of qualities that are important to you in a high school. Keep this list in mind as you begin your high school search, and make adjustments to the list as you see what is available.

New York City Department of Education High Schools:

Comprehensive High Schools
These are high schools that offer a wide variety of academic programs, with different themes and concentrations, many support services, and extracurricular activities. Most large high schools have a full range of required and elective courses in different subject areas. Many of these schools are neighborhood high schools.

Specialized High Schools
There are now nine specialized high schools. Eight of these high schools grant admission based on a student’s score on the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT). The ninth school, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, grants admission based on auditions. The SHSAT is a competitive exam that has a verbal and a math section and is administered at the end of October and beginning of November. The auditions for LaGuardia High School take place during November and December. Please see the Specialized High Schools and SHSAT section of this website for a list of the Specialized High Schools and information on auditions and taking the SHSAT.

Small High Schools
New small schools offer safe, personalized learning environments (most will enroll approximately 500 students or fewer) and provide classes designed to help all students meet high academic standards and graduate. Small schools also partner with non-profit organizations, cultural institutions, and businesses that provide additional resources to enhance learning. Some of the small schools have a theme, such as science, law, business, or the arts, which enables students to connect what they learn in the classroom to the world beyond.

Audition and Performing/Visual Arts High Schools
Students must audition to these schools, which offer academic programs as well as programs in performing and visual arts. Please see the High School Directory for information on portfolio and/or audition requirements, as they vary by school. Note: One of the Specialized High Schools, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Peforming Arts, also requires an audition for admission. Information about this school can be found on page 324 of the 2006-2007 Directory of the New York City Public High Schools or in the 2006-2007 Specialized High Schools Student Handbook.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) High Schools
Career and Technical Education high schools provide students with dual preparation. Working in close collaboration with colleges, businesses and industries, these schools offer a strong academic program which is integrated with skills, knowledge and career preparation required by high-tech industries and various career fields. Students in CTE schools may also be eligible for State-approved and industry-sponsored career and technical education endorsements.

Other High School Options:

Charter High Schools

Charter High Schools are created through the collaboration of parents, teachers, and/or community members. They are not required to follow the same regulations as other public schools, but must prove their success every 5 years to remain open. Admission to charter schools is open to all New York City residents and is done by a lottery process.

• Charter schools are autonomous public schools, “chartered” by the New York State Board of Regents. Charter schools are governed by a Board of Trustees independent from the New York City Department of Education.
• Charter schools are created to address the issues of students at risk of academic failure and to improve their learning experience.
• Charter high schools are created by parents, teachers, and/or community members, often with the goal of bringing new and innovative forms of education into the classroom.
• Though charter schools are not required to follow the same academic policies as schools run by the NYC DOE, they must prove their success every 5 years in order to remain open. These outcomes are determined by a performance contract which states student performance goals that must be met.
• Charter schools admit students from all over the city through a random lottery process.

  For more information call the Office of Charter Schools at 212-374-5419.

Private Schools
Private Schools are an alternative educational option for high school students. Please see the tab titled "Private School Information" under "Types of High Schools" on the left hand side of this page for more information.

Additional Options for Students Already Enrolled in High School:

Transfer Schools
Transfer schools offer students who are at risk of not graduating from a traditional high school diverse learning methods and strategies in a supportive environment. Students must pass the Regents Requirements to receive a high school diploma.

Alternative Programs
Alternative Programs provide instruction in High School Equivalency (GED) Preparation Courses outside of the conventional high school setting to students who are not on track to graduate from traditional high schools. While students won't receive High School Diplomas, they are able to earn credits towards their GED diploma and take necessary standarized exams.

For a list of Special Education District 75 Public Schools click here

To visit the New York City Department of Education click here

Sections of this website have been taken directly from the New York City Department of Education website*