NYC Specialized High Schools That Require the SHSAT
New York City’s Specialized High Schools are among the most competitive public schools in the nation. Admission to eight of them is based solely on a student’s performance on the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT). Below is a quick-reference table with each school’s borough, focus, and admission type.
| School | Borough | Focus / Strengths | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stuyvesant High School | Manhattan | Rigorous academics, STEM, wide extracurriculars | SHSAT |
| Bronx High School of Science | Bronx | Math and science excellence, Nobel Prize alumni, research opportunities | SHSAT |
| Brooklyn Technical High School | Brooklyn | Engineering and technical majors, hands-on learning | SHSAT |
| Brooklyn Latin School | Brooklyn | Liberal arts, International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, emphasis on writing and presentations | SHSAT |
| High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at City College (HSMSE) | Manhattan | Advanced math, science, and engineering in a small-school setting, access to City College resources | SHSAT |
| High School of American Studies at Lehman College (HSAS) | Bronx | Strong in American history, humanities, math, and science, college campus environment | SHSAT |
| Queens High School for the Sciences at York College (QHSSYC) | Queens | STEM-focused, small-school setting, access to York College labs and resources | SHSAT |
| Staten Island Technical High School | Staten Island | Balanced STEM and humanities, modern facilities, required Russian language study | SHSAT |
A Note About LaGuardia
There are nine specialized high schools in total, but Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts does not require the SHSAT.
- Borough: Manhattan
- Focus / Strengths: Music, art, drama, dance, technical theater
- Admission: Audition + academic review
For families preparing: admission to these eight schools is 100% determined by SHSAT scores. A high score is the only way in.