Motley
District 3131
PublicDistrict 31Unscreened

CSI High School for International Studies

100 ESSEX DRIVE

At a Glance

A highly sought-after, diverse Staten Island high school where families accept a less convenient commute for strong trust scores and zero suspensions

Best suited for

Families who prioritize a safe, high-trust school environment over convenient transit access and are comfortable with a competitive application process. This works well for students who thrive in a academically-motivated peer group with diverse representation — and for parents who value the school's clean discipline record and rich program offerings over PTA fundraising or citywide test score prestige. If you need subway access or want easily accessible academic benchmarks, look elsewhere.

What stands out
  • Zero suspensions — a clean discipline record that outperforms the district average
  • 100% program richness score with unusual offerings like Dragon Dance, Taiko Drumming, and Mandarin
  • Highly competitive admissions (5.9% offer rate) creating a self-selected motivated student body
  • Perfect teacher-reported instruction quality (100%)
  • 93-95% trust scores across parent surveys — families feel heard and valued
Things to consider
  • No academic proficiency data provided — parents can't benchmark raw test performance against district or city averages
  • Below-average PTA fundraising ($13/student vs. $141 district average) may limit extracurricular budget
  • Low transit accessibility means families need reliable transportation
  • Teacher trust in leadership (88%) runs lower than parent trust — worth asking about during visits
  • The 47.5% economic need index means this isn't a universal neighborhood school — nearly half the student body faces financial challenges that can affect resources

Based on 2024-2025 data

School SummaryDistrict 31

Among Staten Island's District 31 schools, CSI stands out for its competitive admissions and exceptional family satisfaction — two factors that don't always correlate in education. Without published test scores, it's hard to rank academically against peer schools like P.S. 35 (99/100) or P.S. 005 Huguenot (97/100), which are elementary feeders. But in the high school landscape, CSI's 5.9% acceptance rate signals it functions as an elite option within the borough's limited public school portfolio.

AcademicsSteady

Academic performance data wasn't provided, but the district averages (61% ELA, 61% Math) offer context: CSI operates in District 31, where Staten Island schools historically trail citywide averages. The lack of published proficiency scores means families can't easily compare this school's raw academic output against peers — a notable gap for data-driven parents.

Culturestrong

This is a school where trust runs unusually high: parents rate satisfaction at 94%, with nearly equal confidence in both teachers (93%) and the principal (95%). Teachers report 100% instruction quality — a perfect score — though their trust in leadership sits lower at 88%, suggesting some behind-the-scenes tension that doesn't spill into the classroom. The discipline record is clean: zero suspensions in the most recent data, which is meaningfully better than the district average of 0.44%. The day-to-day feel appears collaborative and low-conflict, though the 46% family survey response rate means not every household is engaged with the school's feedback mechanisms.

Community

With a diversity index of 74% and enrollment that's 46% White, 23% Asian, 22% Hispanic, and 7% Black, CSI is notably more diverse than its surrounding neighborhood (where BA+ education rates hit 34% and homeownership dominates). The student body skews slightly more multicultural than the family-dense, suburban area around it — a draw for parents who want their kids in a mixed peer group. Economic need sits at 47.5%, meaning nearly half the students qualify for free or reduced lunch, suggesting the school serves a broader economic range than the affluent neighborhood might suggest.

NeighborhoodNew Springville-Willowbrook-Bulls Head-Travis

The New Springville-Willowbrook-Bulls Head-Travis area reads as classic Staten Island suburban — high stability (86.59 score), strong safety (85.06), and nearly zero transit access (18.39). This is a car-dependent pocket where families pile into SUVs for every errand. The poverty rate sits low at 10.5%, and median household income approaches $100K, creating an environment where schools face fewer systemic challenges around housing instability or neighborhood violence. There's little foot traffic or urban texture — this is a driving school in a driving neighborhood.

Families will need a car. Transit access scores just 18.39 — among the lowest in the city — meaning this school draws students willing to commute significant distances, often from other parts of Staten Island or even Brooklyn via the Staten Island Expressway.

Survey Results

Family Feedback
Satisfaction
94%
Teacher Trust
93%
Principal Trust
95%
Teacher Perspective
Instruction
100%
Principal Trust
88%
Collegial Trust
88%

NYC School Survey (2025) · 233 families responded (46% rate)

Programs & Activities

Academic(4)
AP CoursesHumanitiesMathScience
Arts(4)
Activities: Digital PhotographyDragon DanceDramaMusic Percussion
Sports(13)
BaseballBasketballCheerleadingCross CountryFencingFlag FootballIndoor TrackOutdoor TrackSoccerSoftballTennisVolleyballWrestling
STEM(1)
Media Tech
Language(3)
ELL SupportMandarinSpanish
Clubs & Activities(13)
Clubs: BookDrum CircleGender & Sexuality Alliance- Gsa (Lgbtq)GleeGuitarInternationalJournalismNational Honor SocietyPeer Leaders And TutoringSat PrepSenior LeadershipTaiko Drumming & UkuleleYearbook And Key

Admissions Demand

CSI High School for International StudiesHighly Competitive

CSI s rated a Well Developed school (NYCDOE Quality Review) featured on the prestigious 2016 Newsweek America's Top High Schools listings, NY Post's 2017 TOP 25 Best High Schools, and 2017/18 Blue Ribbon Nominated School. Accountability to quality of work, class participation, and sharp communication skills is heavily emphasized across the curriculum. Students have access to honors, AP class offerings, and college classes as they progress. All student work is carefully graded and assessed.

Seats76
Applicants1,326
Apps/Seat17.4
Offer Rate5.9%

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Diverse
22%Hispanic/Latino
7%Black
46%White
23%Asian
1%Multi-Racial
1%Native American

NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23

PTA Fundraising

2024-25
$6,696total raised
$13per student

Source: DOE Local Law 171 disclosure

Economic Need & Special Populations

Economic Need Index
47.5%
IEP Students
18.2%

Discipline

0suspensions

NYSED Student & Educator Database

Frequently Asked Questions
Is CSI High School for International Studies a good school?
Published quality ratings aren't available for CSI High School for International Studies yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in New Springville-Willowbrook-Bulls Head-Travis.
What grades does CSI High School for International Studies serve?
CSI High School for International Studies serves grades 9 to 12.
How do students get into CSI High School for International Studies?
CSI High School for International Studies admits by application through a random lottery, with no academic screen.
Is CSI High School for International Studies public, charter, or private?
CSI High School for International Studies is a public school in NYC Community School District 31.
What neighborhood is CSI High School for International Studies in?
CSI High School for International Studies is in New Springville-Willowbrook-Bulls Head-Travis, Staten Island.
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