New York City's Specialized High Schools are selective public schools for students who excel artistically and academically. These nine schools have a separate (optional) admissions process from the general High School Admissions process. 

You don’t “apply” to these schools in the sense of submitting an application with your grades and interests. If you want to attend one of these prestigious high schools, you must take the Specialized High Schools Admission Test (SHSAT). For 8 out of 9 schools, your SHSAT scores are the only admission factor.

Full List of Specialized High Schools

NeighborhoodEnrollmentKnown forAdmission Criteria

Van Cortlandt Village 2,997 A rigorous STEM curriculum SHSAT scores

East Williamsburg 681 A liberal arts curriculum with an emphasis on the classics and Latin language instruction. SHSAT scores

Fort Greene 5,837 STEM-based curriculum with university-level labs and tech classrooms. Students take courses in one of 19 different “majors.” SHSAT scores

Lincoln Square 2,819 Dedication to the arts. Students receive conservatory-style training in art, dance, music, and theater, along with rigorous college prep. Competitive audition process and a review of academic records

Manhattanville 463 Academic focus on mathematics, science, and engineering with an emphasis on civic responsibility SHSAT scores

Van Cortlandt Village 377 Part of the curriculum is a three-year chronological study of American History. Students have access to library, athletic facilities, and classes at Lehman College SHSAT scores

Jamaica 474 Curriculum is in collaboration with York College/CUNY and emphasizes mathematics and the sciences SHSAT Scores

New Dorp 1,320 Emphasis is placed on mathematics, science, engineering, humanities, health, fitness and the performing arts.  All students take 3 years of Russian SHSAT scores

Lower Manhattan 3,335 Liberal arts high school that is historically strong in mathematics, science and technology SHSAT scores

How to Apply to a Specialized High School

Feel confident this high school admissions season by knowing what to expect. Here’s an overview of the Specialized High School admission process. (View all important SHSAT dates and deadlines here).

Admission Timeline
Summer before 8th Grade
  • Learn more about each Specialized High School using NYC's .
  • Prep for the SHSAT. You won’t register with your high school counselor until September, but summer break is a prime time to study.
September
  • Register for the SHSAT through your high school counselor.
  • Research academics, language programs, AP offerings and student organizations at each of your prospective schools
  • Attend high school fairs
October
  • Attend Specialized High School open houses
  • Receive your SHSAT admission ticket (or audition ticket for LaGuardia High School) from your high school counselor.
  • Rank up to 8 Specialized High Schools in priority order and list on your admission ticket.* On test day, you’ll copy this list onto your SHSAT answer sheet.
  • Double-check that all the info on your admission ticket is accurate! Sign the ticket and ask your parent or guardian to sign as well.
  • Take the SHSAT and/or complete your LaGuardia High School audition
November
  • Take the SHSAT and/or complete your LaGuardia High School audition
March
  • Receive your SHSAT results. You’ll get a letter letting you know whether or not you received an offer to a Specialized High School.

*You don’t have to apply to all eight Specialized High Schools, but some students choose to rank more schools to increase their chances of being offered a seat.