These rigorous high schools combine a college-prep curriculum and college-level (instead of AP) classes. Students can earn up to two years of college credits or an associate degree — free of charge.
1. Bard High School Early College Queens
30-20 Thomson Ave., Queens
Admission: Open to NYC; grades 86-100; attendance; interview, on-site math/writing test
Enrollment: 623
Graduation rate: 96.5%
College ready: 97.6%
College enrollment: 92.3%
% Taking SAT: 94.1
Average total SAT score: 1839
College-class pass rate: 100%
Bright students from all five boroughs get a jump on higher education at this intense Long Island City school under the auspices of Bard College in Dutchess County. They take a complete high-school curriculum in their first two years, then earn a 60-credit associate degree — free of charge — in the next two.
The school’s outstanding theater program won a mention at the 2016 Tony Awards. Arabic, Latin, Mandarin, Japanese, Hebrew and Spanish are taught. Seniors do science research with college professors. The school is set in a repurposed office building with dance studios, an art room, theater and exercise rooms. Activities include 3-D printing, cooking and chemistry, plus sports and clubs.
2. Bard High School Early College
525 E. Houston St., Manhattan
Admission: Open to NYC; grades 85-100; attendance; interview, on-site math/writing test
Enrollment: 545
Graduation rate: 96.1%
College ready: 97.4%
College enrollment: 95.8%
% Taking SAT: 70.8
Average total SAT score: 1914
College-class pass rate: 100%
Grads receive both a high-school diploma and an associate degree — free of charge — from Bard College. Like peers at their Queens sister school, students enjoy small classes and accelerated programs in the humanities and sciences.
Each fall begins with a writing workshop. Four-semester interdisciplinary seminars expose students to influential texts from Plato’s “The Last Days of Socrates” to Kafka’s “The Trial.” No gym, but students use Chelsea Piers or a nearby park. Step team, karaoke and the Bardvark newspaper are some of the 29 student-led clubs.
3. Brooklyn College Academy
350 Coney Island Ave., Brooklyn
Admission: priority to Brooklyn; grades 75-100; state exams: Levels 2.0-4.5; attendance; on-site test
Enrollment: 605
Graduation rate: 97.4%
College ready: 61%
College enrollment: 89.1%
% Taking SAT: 98.1
Average total SAT score: 1490
College-class pass rate: 99%
Students at this Windsor Terrace school get focused attention and take credit-bearing classes at Brooklyn College in their junior and senior year. Music instruction includes the multicultural World Ensemble.
A strong guidance program helps students complete the demanding curriculum, and two peer mentoring groups — SWAGG for boys, SmHEAR Girls for girls — form a network beyond graduation to help alumni navigate college. Art classes include a stained-glass course; PSAL sport is basketball.
4. Kingsborough Early College School
2630 Benson Ave., Brooklyn
Admission: Priority to continuing EIGHth-graders; grades 70-100; state exams: Levels 2.0-4.5; attendance; interview
Enrollment: 564
Graduation rate: 93.7%
College ready: 73.4%
College enrollment: 81.3%
% Taking SAT: 65.8
Average total SAT score: 1385
College-class pass rate: 99%
College prep begins in the middle grades at this Gravesend sixth-through-12th-grade school, and students take their first college-level courses in the summer before they enter ninth grade. Upperclassmen can commute to Kingsborough Community College in Manhattan Beach.Everyone participates in schoolwide “enrichment clusters” on topics like sports management and urban farming. Tae kwon do is a popular activity; PSAL sports range from football to cricket.
5. The Queens School of Inquiry
158-40 76th Road., Queens
Admission: Priority to continuing eighth-graders; grades 79-100; state exams: Levels 2.6-4.5; attendance
Enrollment: 557
Graduation rate: 92.6%
College ready: 64.7%
College enrollment: 90.4%
% Taking SAT: 88.2
Average total SAT score: 1495
College-class pass rate: 96%
Starting as freshmen, kids in this sixth-through-12th-grade school in Flushing begin taking college-credit courses. By junior and senior year, many spend two mornings each week attending classes at Queens College a mile away, where college IDs give them access to all campus facilities.
High school classes emphasize research and writing in keeping with the college-prep theme. “Mathletes” and drama are popular activities, and new sports teams include softball, soccer and tennis.
6. Science, Technology and Research Early College High School at Erasmus
911 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn
Admission: Priority to continuing eighth-graders; grades 71-100; state exam: Levels 2.3-4.5; attendance; interview, writing exercise
Enrollment: 516
Graduation rate: 95.8%
College ready: 66.2%
College enrollment: 80.0%
% Taking SAT: 91.5
Average total SAT score: 1471
College-class pass rate: 90%
A partnership with Brooklyn College gives students at this Flatbush sixth-through-12th-grade school the chance to complete 30 to 60 free college credits before graduation. An accelerated, no-nonsense curriculum speeds kids along so that they complete their state-required Regents courses by the end of sophomore year. Most then take classes at the nearby Brooklyn College campus in 11th and 12th grades.
Some take advantage of the school’s own CTE program in electrical installation in its up-to-date labs. With few electives, many upperclassmen choose to take courses like theater and psychology at the college level.
7. Manhattan/Hunter Science High School
122 Amsterdam Ave., Manhattan
Admission: Open to NYC; grades 84-100; state exams: Levels 3.2-4.5; attendance
Enrollment: 451
Graduation rate: 99.1%
College ready: 89.7%
College enrollment: 91.5%
% Taking SAT: 97.2
Average total SAT score: 1647
College-class pass rate: 88%
In this rigorous program, students spend three years on the top floor of the renovated MLK Jr. complex near Lincoln Center, and seniors take classes at Hunter College and perform community service. A new three-year computer -cience program with a nine-college-credit component has just launched. All write extensively and conduct independent research. Most kids graduate with at least 12 college credits. The school has expanded its hydroponics lab.
The music program includes orchestra and rock band; students enjoy activities like robotics, outdoor club, and double Dutch.
8. Hostos-Lincoln Academy of Science
600 St. Ann’s Ave., Bronx
Admission: Priority to continuing eighth-graders; grades 75-100; state exams: Levels 2.0-4.5; attendance
Enrollment: 544
Graduation rate: 78.9%
College ready: 52%
College enrollment: 59.5%
% Taking SAT: 80
Average total SAT score: 1349
College-class pass rate: 69%
Students aim to graduate with both a Regents diploma and an associate degree from Hostos Community College at this Mott Haven sixth-through-12th-grade school. Most kids take their classes at the college campus, one mile away, in their senior year.
Students get after-school and weekend tutorial programs, as well as extensive support from social workers and guidance counselors. Electives include drama, poetry and photography. Sports include track, cross-country and volleyball.