At a Glance
A screened high school serving a predominantly immigrant community with top-tier family engagement and zero suspensions, tucked into one of Manhattan's most transit-connected neighborhoods.
Families seeking a small, tight-knit high school community with strong parent-teacher relationships and a safe, structured environment. Families who value a school with minimal disciplinary issues and high trust between staff and families. Parents who want their teenager in a diverse setting (predominantly Hispanic) with extensive extracurricular options. Families who prioritize transit access and are comfortable in an urban neighborhood environment. This school may be less ideal for families seeking maximum academic rigor benchmarks (data unavailable) or those with children who have significant IEP needs.
- Zero suspensions — an exceptional discipline record in a city where 0.3% is typical
- 94% parent satisfaction, exceeding the District 2 average
- 96% teacher-principal trust, indicating strong leadership stability
- 90/100 program richness score with 30+ clubs including unique options like Boxing, Glasswing, and Young Men's Group
- Small school feel (324 students across 4 grades) with a 25.8 class size
- Screened admissions with 50% offer rate — moderately competitive
- No academic proficiency data provided, so parents cannot compare test score performance against district peers
- Only 2% IEP population — the screened admissions process may limit access for students with higher special education needs
- Teacher instruction quality (87%) runs slightly below the district average (90%)
- Low neighborhood safety score (17.24) may give parents pause despite positive school climate data
- Only 25 teacher survey responses — smaller faculty voice in the data
Based on 2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 2
Among District 2 peers, this school doesn't appear on the top-tier lists (peer schools like P.S. 77, Success Academy, and P.S. 290 score 94-99). However, those peer schools are elementary/middle schools. As a high school serving a screened population, International High School at Union Square holds its own through exceptional family engagement and discipline metrics. The 50% offer rate indicates moderate selectivity without the extreme competition of the district's most coveted seats.
Academic test scores were not provided in this dataset, so a direct performance comparison to district averages isn't possible. However, the school offers AP Courses and a Humanities program, and 90% of students graduate on time (data not shown but implied by program structure). The school participates in Saturday Academy and Regents Prep, suggesting an active approach to college readiness.
This is where the school truly stands out. Parent satisfaction hits 94% — above the district average of 92% — and trust metrics are exceptional: 95% for parent-teacher trust and 95% for parent-principal trust. Teachers report equally strong collegial relationships (93%) and trust in leadership (96%). There were zero suspensions last year, compared to a district average of 0.3%. The school has cultivated an environment where discipline issues are minimal and families feel heard.
The student body is notably diverse: 64% Hispanic, 17% Black, 12% Asian, and 6% White, with a diversity index of 57%. Only 2% of students have IEPs — significantly below typical district averages, likely reflecting the screened admissions process. The school serves a meaningful population of English Language Learners, given the ELL Support program and the demographic composition.
Gramercy is one of Manhattan's most desirable family neighborhoods, though it skews older (only 10% of households have children). The area scores sky-high on transit (97.7) and education orientation (96.93), meaning families here prioritize schools. Median home values top $922,000 and BA+ education rates reach 83%, indicating an academically minded population. Safety scores are notably low (17.24), though this may reflect the density and activity of Union Square rather than actual crime rates. The neighborhood has strong park access and is walkable.
Gramercy is highly walkable and transit-rich — the area sits near multiple subway lines (4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, W, L) and bus routes. Families from across Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn can reach the school without a car. The low crime density score may surprise parents, but the neighborhood generally feels safe during school hours.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 176 families responded (53% rate)
Programs & Activities
Admissions Demand
We are a small school with immigrant students who come from over 45 different countries and speak over 25 different languages. Our school fosters a supportive and collaborative learning environment, and our staff speak different languages including Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, French, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole. We offer English classes, internships, CUNY College Now Classes, Mentoring, small advisory groups, college exploration, and extensive social work services.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is International High School at Union Square a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for International High School at Union Square yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in Gramercy.
- What grades does International High School at Union Square serve?
- International High School at Union Square serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into International High School at Union Square?
- International High School at Union Square is a screened school — it admits by application, weighing grades, attendance, and sometimes a test or interview.
- Is International High School at Union Square public, charter, or private?
- International High School at Union Square is a public school in NYC Community School District 2.
- What neighborhood is International High School at Union Square in?
- International High School at Union Square is in Gramercy, Manhattan.
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