With over 1 million students in New York City public schools and over 500,000 university students, the educational system in New York City is the largest in the country. Considering the sheer size of the city, it’s unsurprising that the largest schools in New York City are massive.
New York City is a unique place to live and raise a family. Whether you’re looking for a school or university or are just curious about education in New York, keep reading to find out more about some of New York’s largest schools.
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New York University
50 West 4th Street, New York, NY, 10012
New York University, or NYU, is the largest university in New York City with 58,226 students. Founded in 1831, the educational program at NYU spans across 20 schools and colleges. New York University is a private college that offers over 400 programs of study.
Annual tuition for in-state students is $53,770 excluding room and board as well as any extra fees. NYU was ranked as the 6th best college in New York for best private colleges and best colleges overall.
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Notable New York University Alumni
As one of the largest and oldest colleges in the United States, NYU has a long list of notable alumni. These alumni include:
- Robert Mueller III, former Director of the FBI and a critical figure in the investigation of the 2016 presidential election
- Suzanne Collins, bestselling author of The Hunger Games
- Alec Baldwin, actor
- Spike Lee, director and producer
- Angelina Jolie, actress and humanitarian (non-degree seeking)
- Ang Lee, award-winning Taiwanese filmmaker
- Donald Glover, actor and rapper under the name Childish Gambino
- Mahershala Ali, actor
- Jonas Salk, biologist who came up with the polio vaccine
- Martin Scorsese, director
Columbia University in the City of New York
630 W. 168th St. New York, NY 10032
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private college with 33,776 students. Excluding room and board, in-state tuition for Columbia University is $60,514 annually. Columbia University ranked as the 2nd best college in New York for both private colleges and overall colleges in the state.
This private university in New York offers a wide range of academic programs that include three undergraduate schools, thirteen graduate schools, four affiliated colleges and seminaries, and a world-renowned medical center. Columbia University also has an active campus life that includes arts programs, athletics, and numerous communities students can join.
Brooklyn Technical High School
29 Fort Greene Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Brooklyn Technical High School is a top-rated school in Brooklyn with 5,943 students. This public school was rated the 2nd best standout high school in New York and ranked in the top 15 public high schools and college prep schools in the state.
The mission of Brooklyn Technical High School is to inspire and challenge students so they can reach their full potential for the benefit of society. At Brooklyn Technical High School, the staff combines academic and technical disciplines to prepare students for the future.
Notable Brooklyn Technical High Alumni
As one of New York City's best schools, it's no surprise that Brooklyn Technical High has some notable alumni. These alumni include:
- Kim Coles, actress
- Turk Lown, former pitcher who played with multiple MLB teams over 11 seasons
- Tommy Holmes, right and center infielder who played with the Boston Braves
- Jerry Landauer, investigative journalist for The Wall Street Journal
- David Groh, actor
- Henry L. Bachman, vice president of BAE Systems
- Barry Mayo, radio executive
- Tom Chapin, entertainer and humanitarian
- Cordell Cleare, New York State Senator
- Karol J. Bobko, NASA astronaut
Fort Hamilton High School
8301 Shore Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11209
Fort Hamilton High School is a public high school with a student population of 4,644. Part of the mission of Fort Hamilton High School is to meet the academic and social/emotional challenges of the 21st century. Students at Fort Hamilton High are part of a safe and diverse community where they can apply learning to real-life experiences.
In addition to their rigorous academic program, they have an expansive list of extra-curricular activities. Each activity is meant to help students prepare for college, careers, and becoming responsible citizens.
Notable Fort Hamilton Alumni
Fort Hamilton High has a number of notable alumni, including:
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- Paul Jabara, actor and Academy Award-winning songwriter
- Letitia James, current Attorney General of New York
- Bernard King, retired NBA All-Star
- Frank Layden, retired executive and coach of the Utah Jazz
- Janet Yellen, current Secretary of the Treasury and former Chair of the Federal Reserve
- Vincent J. Gentile, former New York City Councilman and former State Senator
- George Preti, chemist who made significant contributions to research on human odors
- Neil M. Stevenson, former Chief of U.S. Navy Chaplains
Francis Lewis High School
58-20 Utopia Pkwy, Queens, NY 11365
Francis Lewis High School is a public school in Queens with 4,404 students. This highly-rated school has ranked as one of the best high schools according to U.S. News and World Report and their student population represents over 55 countries.
Francis Lewis High School offers 16 academic programs for students and they’re recognized as one of the most elite schools in New York City. They aim to prepare students for college and to become 21st-century leaders. Additionally, they have 35 athletic teams and numerous student activities.
Midwood High School at Brooklyn College
2839 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11210
Midwood High School is a top-rated public school with 4,117 students. Located in the center of Brooklyn, Midwood High School has a diverse community and strict academic program. Students at Midwood High School can choose between three academic programs: Medical Science, Humanities, and Liberal Arts.
As a college prep institution, the staff at Midwood High School aims to prepare students to thrive in a challenging academic environment and work toward reaching their full potential. Students at Midwood High School are also able to participate in numerous student activities such as athletic teams, peer mediation, theater, and social science research.
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James Madison High School
3787 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11229
James Madison High School is a public high school in Brooklyn with 3,836 students. The mission of this highly-rated school is to engage, challenge, and educate students within the school community.
As part of their academic program, students can choose from 24 AP courses. Students are also split into eight different houses or communities based on their goals and interests. Some of the houses include the Law Institute, Medical/Health Sciences, and the Academy of Finance. James Madison High School also encourages community activities through 46 diverse student clubs.
Forest Hills High School
67-01 110th St, Queens, NY 11375
Forest Hills High School in Queens serves 3,766 students in grades 9-12. They aim to provide opportunities for students to learn and engage through meaningful classroom materials and outside of the classroom through numerous programs. The academic program at Forest Hills High School includes departments such as Business, Visual Arts, and World Languages.
Students at Forest Hills High School can get involved in a wide range of activities on campus, such as Student Government or the Rangers Sports Program. All of the athletic teams and student activities at the school are meant to help students take ownership of their learning and become connected to the diverse school community.
Tottenville High School
100 Luten Ave, Staten Island, NY 10312
Tottenville High School is a public high school in Staten Island that serves 3,717 students. Part of the vision of this school is to provide a safe and supportive environment where all students can learn. With a specially designed curriculum and high-quality teaching, students at Tottenville High School are able to excel in a number of academic programs and grow to become responsible citizens.
As part of their diverse community, Tottenville High School offers a wide range of student clubs and activities such as the Business Achievers Club, Greenery Club, and Creative Writing Club. No matter what students are interested in, they can join a club to connect with students who share similar interests.
Edward R. Murrow High School
1600 Avenue L, Brooklyn, NY 11230
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- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
Edward R. Murrow High School is a high school in Brooklyn with 3,693 students. This highly-rated school ranked as the 4th most diverse public high school in New York. They focus on helping students become college-ready, career-ready, and life-ready.
The mission of Edward R. Murrow High School is to ensure students of all identities can feel included and welcome as a part of the school community. The staff challenges students through rigorous academic programs and constructive conversations in the classroom. Part of the academic program at this school is CTE, Business Education, as well as a Fine Arts program.
New Utrecht High School
1601 80th St, Brooklyn, NY 11214
New Utrecht High School is a high school in Brooklyn with 3,553 students. The mission of this school is to help students reach their highest potential through exceptional education. They achieve this by holding students to the highest standards and offering a rigorous academic program that exceeds the educational standards set by the state.
The academic programs at New Utrecht High School include a CTE program, Academy of Art & Design, Academic Honors Academy, and AP Courses. Students can also choose from a number of elective courses for enrichment and growth. New Utrecht High School also has over 30 clubs students can join to build community and connect with others.
Finding a School in New York
New York City is an enormous city with over 8 million residents. In the New York City School District alone, there are over a million students. Undoubtedly, New York City is a diverse and unique place for families to live and there is no shortage of schools to choose from.
Whether your child is going into high school or looking for the right college, the largest schools in New York City offer exceptional academic programs and a myriad of student activities. If you’re considering a school in the area, consider the resources available at some of the largest schools in New York City.
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