Types of High Schools

Career and Technical Education Schools and Programs

New York City offers over 300 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs to choose from at over 135 high schools, including some of our Specialized High Schools! These programs connect students to a wide range of industry options leading to more than 79 specific postsecondary options, career pathways.

All CTE programs fall into one of 16 categories:

• Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
• Architecture & Construction Human Services
• Arts, A/V Technology & Communications Information Technology
• Business Management Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
• Education & Training Manufacturing
• Finance Marketing
• Government & Public Administration
• Health Science Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
• Hospitality & Tourism
• Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Career and Technical (CTE) programs offer you:

• The opportunity to earn college credits, advancing standing, or reduced tuition in a related college/university program upon graduation
• Opportunities to earn stackable industry-recognized certifications that can help you prepare for internships, college, and in-demand careers
• Opportunities to participate in work-based learning experiences like career mentoring, workplace tours, job shadowing, and paid internships
• Empowerment to master 21st century skills such as planning for success, collaboration, problem solving, social awareness, and professional attitude
• A CTE Endorsement on your high school diploma

Interested in exploring CTE options? Attend the CTE High School Fairs and visit the CTE website.

Community Schools

Community Schools help students find their passion by integrating academics, health, youth development, expanded learning (such as after school and summer programs), and family engagement. By bringing schools, families, and community partners together to create new opportunities, community schools foster collaboration within a community so that students are ready and able to learn, and graduate high school prepared for college and success.

In MySchools, use the search term "community school" to find schools that offer these services.

Early College Schools

Early College high schools blend a rigorous college-prep curriculum with the opportunity to earn up to two years of college credit toward a liberal arts Associate's degree while in grades 9-12 at the high school level at no cost to students. These schools maintain a partnership with a college to provide academic and social supports to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in college.

Find more information on a school’s early college degree course offerings on its MySchools page, or contact the school directly. In MySchools use the search term "Early College" for a list of these school.

Early College and Career Schools

Early college and career schools, also called NYC P-TECH Grades 9-14 schools (Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools), offer a six-year program where students can earn a high school diploma and a no-cost, career-specific Associate’s degree (or up to two years of transferable college credits), plus gain valuable workplace skills.

As both an early college and a Career and Technical Education (CTE) school, each school has a specific science, technology, engineering, or math-based career theme for its rigorous academic and CTE program. Students participate in career exploration activities with the school’s lead industry partners, including work-based projects and internships. Students may also begin taking tuition-free college classes as early as tenth grade at the partnering college and have until the fourteenth grade to complete the college credits towards an Associate degree. Through these partnerships, graduates are prepared to begin their careers and continue their postsecondary education.

Find more information on a school’s career theme and early college degree pathway on its school page in this directory, or contact the school directly. In MySchools, use the search term "9-14" for a list of these schools.

Performance Assessment Schools

Instead of requiring that students pass certain Regents exams, these schools’ graduation requirements include performance assessments in major subject areas. Assessments involve extensive research projects, presentations, and defense of your work. These schools have a waiver from the New York State Education Department permitting them to award diplomas to students who pass all required courses and performance assessments, in addition to the following:

• New York Performance Standards Consortium schools require you to pass the English Language Arts Regents and complete performance assessments in science, social studies, and math.
• Other performance assessment schools require you to pass the ELA and math Regents.

In MySchools, use the search term "performance assessment" for a list of these schools.

Schools for New Arrivals

Schools for newly arrived students serve students who are new to the country. All have requirements regarding home language, English proficiency, and/or the amount of time a student has lived in the United States.

In MySchools, filter for "Schools for New Arrivals" to get a list of these schools. Before you apply to a school for new arrivals, review any program requirements under Eligibility Description (if applicable), Admissions Priorities (if applicable), Admissions Method, and Selection Criteria (if applicable).