New York City's specialized high schools are among the most sought-after public schools in the country. Here's a family-friendly guide to what they are, the nine schools, how admission works, and the key dates and steps for the 2026–2027 process.
What are the specialized high schools?
The specialized high schools are a group of nine highly selective NYC public high schools known for rigorous academics and strong outcomes. Eight of them admit students solely on the basis of the SHSAT (the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test). The ninth, LaGuardia, admits students through auditions and academic review for arts programs.
The nine specialized high schools
| School | Borough |
|---|---|
| Stuyvesant High School | Manhattan |
| The Bronx High School of Science | Bronx |
| Brooklyn Technical High School | Brooklyn |
| The Brooklyn Latin School | Brooklyn |
| High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at City College | Manhattan |
| High School of American Studies at Lehman College | Bronx |
| Queens High School for the Sciences at York College | Queens |
| Staten Island Technical High School | Staten Island |
| Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School (arts — audition-based) | Manhattan |
How admission works
For the eight SHSAT schools, admission is refreshingly straightforward — and famously demanding:
- Your child takes the SHSAT in the fall of 8th grade (or as a first-time 9th grader).
- On the registration form, families rank the specialized high schools in order of preference.
- Scores and rankings are used together to make offers: higher scores get first pick of their ranked schools, until each school's seats are filled.
- Offers are released the following spring.
Ranking strategy matters. Because offers are based on your score plus your ranked preferences, thinking carefully about the order you list schools is part of the process — not an afterthought. Rank schools in the genuine order your family prefers them.
Key dates for the 2026–2027 process
NYC Public Schools publishes exact dates each year, and they can shift — but the general rhythm for students testing in fall 2026 (for fall 2027 admission) looks like this:
| Milestone | Approximate timing |
|---|---|
| High school application & SHSAT registration opens | Early October 2026 |
| SHSAT registration closes | Late October 2026 |
| SHSAT testing window | Fall 2026 (Oct–Dec, by grade/site) |
| Specialized high school offers released | March 2027 |
Always confirm the current year's exact dates on the official NYC Public Schools site before registering — these are set by the DOE and subject to change.
How competitive is admission?
Very. Each year roughly 25,000–29,000 students take the SHSAT, and only about 4,000–5,000 receive an offer. Cutoff scores differ by school and by year, with Stuyvesant historically requiring the highest scores, followed by Bronx Science and Staten Island Tech. Because a single test score drives admission, thorough preparation is one of the most important things a family can control.
The Discovery Program
The Discovery Program offers a path to admission for a number of eligible students from lower-income backgrounds who score just below the cutoff, through a summer program. Eligibility criteria are set by NYC Public Schools and are worth reviewing if they may apply to your family.
Preparing your child for the SHSAT
Since the score is the deciding factor, preparation is where families can make the biggest difference. That means building strong ELA and math fundamentals, practicing under the new digital, computer-adaptive format, and starting early enough to prepare calmly rather than cramming. Our guide on when to start SHSAT prep walks through a grade-by-grade timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Can we visit the schools before ranking them?
Yes. Many families attend open houses and school tours in the fall to inform their ranking. Check each school's website and the NYC Public Schools calendar for events.
Does my child have to rank all the schools?
Families rank the schools they're interested in, in order of preference. Ranking more schools can increase the chances of an offer, but the order should reflect genuine preference.
What if my child doesn't get an offer?
NYC has a large main high school admissions process running in parallel, with many excellent options. A first-time 9th-grade SHSAT opportunity also exists. And strong SHSAT preparation builds skills that pay off well beyond this one test.
Preparing for the SHSAT in Times Square
Top Score Prep offers SHSAT preparation for Grades 6–9 — small groups and 1-on-1, weekday and Saturday, right in the heart of NYC.
Book a Free Consultation →This article is for general informational purposes. SHSAT dates, format, and policies are set by NYC Public Schools and may change — always confirm current details on the official NYC Public Schools SHSAT page before making decisions: schools.nyc.gov/learning/testing/specialized-high-school-admissions-test.