At a Glance
A high-demand arts and tech magnet where nearly every family who gets in is satisfied — but test scores lag behind the district's wealthier schools
Families who value arts and technology focus, want a selective-magnet experience, and prioritize school climate and satisfaction over top test scores. Particularly well-suited for families whose children have IEPs (24% of enrollment) and need strong support services, or for families willing to navigate competitive admissions for a school that clearly resonates with its community — despite operating in one of the city's most affluent but educationally competitive districts.
- Extremely competitive admissions (5.9% offer rate for Arts & Technology track)
- Perfect 100% parent satisfaction rate on annual surveys
- Zero suspensions — restorative discipline approach
- 90/100 program richness score with extensive arts, sports, and extracurricular offerings
- Strong family engagement (91% survey response rate)
- Serves high-need population (86.6% economic need) while maintaining selective admissions
- Test score data not visible, making academic performance difficult to fully assess
- Teacher trust in leadership is below average (78% principal trust, 68% collegial) — possible staff tension
- Teacher survey had only 27 responses — very low sample size may not represent full staff
- Student body demographics differ significantly from surrounding wealthy neighborhood
- No attendance data provided — cannot verify daily attendance patterns
- High economic need may require additional family support services
Based on 2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 3
This school occupies a unique position in District 3, which includes some of the city's highest-performing charters and screened schools (Anderson School 98/100, Success Academy campuses in the 90s). Unlike those peers, this school serves a high-need population while maintaining selective admissions — a tension that produces exceptional family satisfaction but likely contributes to the gap between survey scores and traditional performance metrics. It's not competing on test scores with the Andersons of the world, but it's serving a very different population.
State test data wasn't provided, so exact proficiency rates aren't available. However, the school operates without the benefit of the district's higher-performing peer schools — its demographics (86.6% economic need, 24% IEP students) skew higher-need than typical District 3 schools, which serve a more affluent population. Teacher-reported instruction quality (83%) runs slightly below the district average (87%), suggesting classroom instruction may not be keeping pace with peer institutions in the same area.
The survey data paints a striking picture: families are overwhelmingly satisfied (100%) with near-universal trust in both teachers and the principal. Teacher trust in leadership is lower (78% principal trust, 68% collegial trust), which could signal some staff tension or turnover concerns. Attendance data wasn't provided, but with zero suspensions, the discipline approach appears restorative rather than punitive — a notable strength in a population with high economic need. The 91% family survey response rate is extraordinary and suggests genuine community engagement.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic (65%) and Black (24%), with only 4% white students — notably different from the surrounding Upper West Side neighborhood, which is 83% college-educated and 37% homeowners. The 86.6% economic need index means this school serves families facing significant financial challenges, many of whom likely qualify for the selective-magnet pathway from outside the neighborhood. The diversity index of 53% reflects moderate demographic diversity, while 24% of students have IEPs — a meaningful population requiring specialized support.
The Upper West Side-Lincoln Square area is a transitan-rich, family-oriented neighborhood with top-tier education orientation (96th percentile). Median home values exceed $1.5 million and households with children sit at just 15%, making it one of the city's more affluent, less family-dense areas. Crime density is notably high (5,377 incidents), though this may reflect the broader Manhattan footprint. The neighborhood offers excellent parks and cultural resources, though the low percentage of families with children means parent networks may be smaller than in other areas.
The school is highly walkable given the neighborhood's excellent transit scores (97th percentile) and urban density — families can easily commute by subway or on foot. However, the low households-with-children rate (15%) means many students travel from outside the immediate area.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 343 families responded (91% rate)
Programs & Activities
Admissions Demand
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is High School of Arts and Technology a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for High School of Arts and Technology yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in Upper West Side-Lincoln Square.
- What grades does High School of Arts and Technology serve?
- High School of Arts and Technology serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into High School of Arts and Technology?
- High School of Arts and Technology uses the Educational Option (Ed-Opt) method, ranking applicants across performance levels so seats go to a mix of abilities.
- Is High School of Arts and Technology public, charter, or private?
- High School of Arts and Technology is a public school in NYC Community School District 3.
- What neighborhood is High School of Arts and Technology in?
- High School of Arts and Technology is in Upper West Side-Lincoln Square, Manhattan.
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