Attending one of New York City’s nine public Specialized High Schools requires students to go through rigorous test-taking or competitive auditions. Those who earn a seat can access advanced coursework and specialized learning opportunities for free for the next four years.
If you are considering sending your child to one of the elite high schools in New York City, here’s what you need to know about the application process and free test prep sessions available through the DREAM program.
What are Specialized High Schools?
Specialized High Schools are for students “who excel academically or artistically.”
Eight of the schools require the SHSAT test
Eight schools require a Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) to determine admission based on their scores. The test measures math and English Language Arts. Learn more about how to prepare for the SHSAT and get ready for test day.
A student will rank their school preferences during the registration period for the SHSAT. Here’s the list of eight schools:
- The Bronx High School of Science
- The Brooklyn Latin School
- Brooklyn Technical High School
- High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at City College of New York
- 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
You can view last year’s lowest qualifying score for each school here.
Starting in fall 2026, students will take a computer adaptive SHSAT, which adjusts the difficulty of the testing content based on students’ responses.
One Specialized High School is audition-only
The Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts admits students by an audition, rather than the SHSAT.
The school ensures that students complete college preparatory academics along with conservatory-level pre-professional training in the arts. A student can submit a portfolio or audition for up to six different studios. Those studios are: Dance, Drama, Fine and Visual Art, Instrumental Music, Technical Theater, and Vocal Music.
More information about the LaGuardia High School audition process can be found on the school’s audition page. Visit LaGuardia High School’s website to learn more about the school.
Who can apply to the Specialized High Schools?
Anyone who is a resident of New York City and is currently an eighth grade student, or a first-time ninth grader, can apply.
Students’ current school and immigration status doesn’t matter. For English Language Learners (ELL), students can request accommodations, such as extended testing time, breaks and translation help during the test day. You can find more information on accommodations here.
What does the Specialized High School application process look like?
Everything is run through MySchools, the city’s public school portal. After creating an account, students must:
- Register for the SHSAT in October online or with students’ school counselors.
- Rank the eight specialized high schools by preference.
- Take the SHSAT test in November.
For LaGuardia High School, students instead send in portfolios and attend auditions as part of their applications They can audition for up to six different artistic disciplines, and LaGuardia High School will then send offers based on the student’s audition score. A student can receive up to six offers.
LaGuardia applicants must also have a documented final grade from their last school year of at least 65 (or the equivalent) in each core subject (English Language arts, math, science, and social studies).
Students applying to a Specialized High School can also apply to other high schools as a backup plan. A student can list 12 or more programs.
Application season begins in October and results come in March through MySchools. A student can receive offers from both a specialized high school and a regular high school.
If the student is unable to register through MySchools, they can also apply and get their results through the student’s school counselor or at a Family Welcome Center.
According to Chalkbeat, MySchools further offers insights for students to assess which school to attend, such as applicant-to-offer ratio for general students and students with disabilities, and the chances of getting into a particular program.
What are the key dates for a 2026 application?
- October 6: Registration for the SHSAT opens in MySchools
- October 30: Registration closes
- November 14 or 15: Weekend SHSAT testing
Registered eighth graders who attend 6-12, K-12, charter, private, parochial, or independent schools, or who are homeschooled, will test at a central NYC public school location. Find testing locations here.
November 18: The SHSAT School Day
Eighth Grade students in NYC public schools will take the SHSAT at their school.
November 21: Additional weekend SHSAT testing
All registered ninth grade students will test at a central NYCPS location. Find testing locations here.
Where can I find free test-preparation programs?
The city’s DREAM-Specialized High School Institute is a SHSAT tutoring program to help eligible public school seventh-grade students. There are two in-person programs; the spring session runs from March to May, while the summer/fall session runs from July until the SHSAT takes place. Schools will contact eligible students through mailed letters starting in mid-December, when the DREAM program application opens. Learn more about eligibility for the free test prep program here.
Other low-cost test preparation resources can be found at the community level. Helicon, a non-profit organization, aims to help Black and Latina girls to gain access to math resources, and provides free preparation courses.
Are there any initiatives for disadvantaged students?
The Discovery Program is another way to get into the eight specialized High Schools. It’s a three-to-five-week summer program aimed to help low-income rising ninth-grade students who scored below the cutoff gain admission.
This program is invitation only, and available to students regardless of immigration background. Click here to know more about eligibility.
