At a Glance
A sought-after screened school where academic rigor meets near-zero discipline — with 3.6% admission odds
Families who value academic rigor and a disciplined environment, have children who test well, and can navigate a highly competitive admissions process. Best suited for families comfortable with the reality that most applicants won't receive an offer — and who aren't relying on high parent satisfaction scores or teacher-rated instruction quality as primary decision factors.
- Zero suspensions in recent years — an unusually clean discipline record
- Screened admissions with only 3.6% offer rate (90 seats from 2,500 applicants)
- Strong middle school math performance, particularly 7th grade (88.7%)
- Full K-12 continuum in a single building
- 100/100 program richness with IB, arts, and extensive extracurriculars
- Parent satisfaction (85%) runs below the district average (92%) — some families may have expectations that aren't met
- Teacher-rated instruction quality (72%) is notably lower than the district average (~90%) — a potential disconnect between teacher and parent perceptions
- Very low acceptance rate means this isn't a realistic option for most families applying
- Only 23% of families responded to surveys — parent voice may not be fully represented
- The neighborhood has few families with children, which may affect the community feel outside school hours
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 2
Among District 2 peer schools, The Clinton School holds its own with a 3.33/4 overall score compared to the district average of 2.91. However, it's not among the top-tier District 2 elementary schools like P.S. 77 Lower Lab (99/100) or P.S. 290 Manhattan New School (95/100). The school's strength lies in its screened admissions model and middle school performance, positioning it as a competitive option for families seeking a rigorous, well-behaved environment.
Test scores here are strong — 86.2% ELA and 80.4% math proficiency compare favorably to district averages of 73.2% and 72.5% respectively. The school's trajectory shows impressive growth from 2016 to 2019, when both subjects hit the low-90s, followed by a COVID dip and recovery to a stable, elevated plateau. Grade-level data shows consistent performance across middle school, with 7th grade math (88.7%) standing out as a particular strength.
The school reports zero suspensions across recent years — a rare finding that suggests either exceptionally strong behavior management or a particularly self-selecting student body. Parent satisfaction and trust scores (85-87%) are positive but notably trail behind the district average for parent satisfaction (92%). Teachers give lower marks on instruction quality (72%) compared to the district average of nearly 90%, though their trust in leadership (81%) and each other (82%) remains solid. Attendance is strong at 95.1%, well above the district average.
The student body is predominantly white (61%), with Asian students comprising 15%, Hispanic 12%, and Black students just 3%. This differs notably from the district's broader diversity but aligns with the neighborhood's demographics — high-income, highly educated, and relatively few children in the area (only 9.2% of households have kids). The economic need index of 20.6% is low, indicating most families here have significant resources.
This neighborhood offers exceptional transit access (99.62 percentile) and strong education orientation (90.42), but it's not particularly family-oriented — only 9.2% of households have children. The area is affluent, with a median household income of $171K and high homeownership costs (median home value $1.66M). Families should know the neighborhood is commercially vibrant but may feel less like a traditional kid-friendly enclave.
The area is highly walkable and transit-rich, making commutes from across the city feasible — many students travel from outside the immediate neighborhood to attend
Academic Performance
ELA Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State ELA exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Math Proficiency
Students scoring proficient or above on the NY State Math exam.
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 191 families responded (23% rate)
Programs & Activities
Admissions Demand
We are an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, offering the Diploma Programme (DP). Clinton students become active, compassionate and lifelong learners. We pair the DP with The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence to develop global citizens. Our program is an "IB for ALL." Students complete NYS Regents by the end of 10th grade. All IB DP candidates complete a 4,000 word research essay, a theory of knowledge course (ToK), and engage in creativity, action, and service projects (CAS).
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database (2023-24)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is The Clinton School a good school?
- On Motley, The Clinton School earns an overall quality score of 83/100 — a blend of New York State ELA and math results, attendance, and the school-climate survey. Its state test results run above the District 2 average.
- What grades does The Clinton School serve?
- The Clinton School serves grades 6 to 12.
- How do students get into The Clinton School?
- The Clinton School is a screened school — it admits by application, weighing grades, attendance, and sometimes a test or interview.
- Is The Clinton School public, charter, or private?
- The Clinton School is a public school in NYC Community School District 2.
- What neighborhood is The Clinton School in?
- The Clinton School is in Midtown South-Flatiron-Union Square, Manhattan.
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Admissions Demand
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Economic Need & Special Populations
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Discipline
One bad year doesn’t tell you much. Three years of state-verified suspension data shows whether things are getting better or worse.