Specialized High Schools

New York City public high schools include nine Specialized High Schools for students who excel academically or artistically.

These schools are:

Bronx High School of Science
Brooklyn Latin School
Brooklyn Technical High School
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts
High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College
High School of American Studies at Lehman College
Queens High School for the Sciences at York College
Staten Island Technical High School
Stuyvesant High School

Under New York State law, admission to these schools is based on the results of a competitive test or audition. Students must be residents of New York City and be current 8th or first-time 9th graders to apply.

Onine

Learn more about Specialized High Schools.

By Phone

Call 311 for assistance.

To apply to a specialized high school other than LaGuardia High School, you must take the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT).

Students currently in the 8th grade and first time 9th grade students are eligible to register. Students who are in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades are not eligible to take the exam.

NYC public school students who want to take the fall exam must register with their guidance counselor. After registering, your school counselor will give you an SHSAT Test Ticket with the specific date, time, and location for your test.

Students attending non-public schools should speak to their schools directly about registering for the SHSAT.

Online

Learn more about the specialized high school admissions test (SHSAT).

By Phone

Call 311 if you need more help.

Key Dates

October 10: Deadline to register for the SHSAT
Mid-October: Test Ticket distribution
October 26 and 27: 8th and 9th grade students take the test
October 30: SHSAT testing pilot program students take the test in their school
November 2 and November 17: students with IEPs, testing accommodations, and English Language Learners(ELL) take the test
March 2020: High School Admissions Round One results

You can sign up to receive emails with the latest updates on specialized high school admissions, including deadlines and events.

Summer SHSAT

For eligible students who did not participate in the Fall Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT), a summer SHSAT is offered in August.

You can register for the summer SHSAT in July and August at a Family Welcome Center. For locations, visit the School Enrollment Centers page.

Admission to LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts is based in part on a competitive audition. The SHSAT is not considered for admission to LaGuardia High School.

Students can register for an audition to LaGuardia High School through their school counselor in the fall.

After registering, your school counselor will give you an Audition Ticket with the specific date, time, and location for your test. All auditions are held at LaGuardia High School.

Key Dates

October 10: Deadline to schedule an audition
Mid-October: Audition Ticket distribution
November 2 to December 1: Scheduled auditions take place
March 2020: High School Admissions Round One results

You can sign up to receive emails with the latest updates on specialized high school admissions, including deadlines and events.

The DREAM program helps eligible students get ready for the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT). There are two DREAM programs.

The Specialized High Schools Institute (DREAM-SHSI) is an extracurricular program of rigorous coursework. To be accepted into the Institute, the student must commit to participating for the full program, which spans 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade.

The Summer/Fall Intensive test-prep program runs during the summer and fall before students plan to take the SHSAT.

If your child is eligible, an invitation letter and a pre-populated application will be delivered to your child’s school.

You can get more information about DREAM online or by email.

Online

Get information about preparing for the SHSAT through the DREAM program.

By Email

SHSI@schools.nyc.gov

At High School Admissions Fairs, you can speak with representatives from all of the City's public high schools, including specialized schools, and participate in workshops related to the high school admissions process.

You can also get copies of publications, including the Directory of the New York City Public High Schools.

This year, the fairs will be held on September 21, September 22, October 5, and October 6.

You can sign up to receive emails with the latest updates on high school admissions, including events.

Specialized High Schools

Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT)

LaGuardia High School Auditions

DREAM Program

High School Fairs

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