The High School for Environmental Studies is a public high school in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City that serves over 1,300 students in grades nine through 12. Opened in 1993, the school’s red brick school building with its ornate front entrance was once a prominent movie studio for the Fox Film Corporation in the early 20th century.
The school focuses on curating a collaborative learning environment that promotes leadership among students and active, welcoming school community. The educational mission and philosophy of the High School for Environmental Studies is organized into the “Three Roots”—"Knowing Every Student Well, Equity and Rigor in the Classroom, and Environmental and Climate Justice."
The school's academic focus is a STEM-based curriculum that prepares students to be college-bound and career-ready upon high school graduation. Guidance counselors work with the same group of students for all four years of high school to give them stability and individualized attention as they navigate their coursework and prepare for the future.
Among the amenities at the High School of Environmental Studies is a student rooftop garden with chickens and a broadcast media center donated by CBS. Student also enjoy a range of extracurricular activities, including an award-winning robotics program, National Honor Society, various special interest clubs and athletics. Admission to The High School of Environmental Studies is conducted through the New York City school lottery system, which students apply to after middle school.
High School for Environmental Studies
Public High School
|
Grade 9-12
444 W 56th St,
New York, NY
New York City Geographic District No. 2
School Details
Head of School
Principal - Ms. Amber Najmi Shadid
Student Teacher Ratio
14:1
Average SAT Score
1130
Average ACT Score
22
Math Proficiency
77%
Reading Proficiency
42%
Average GPA
3.44
Graduation Rate
92%
Niche Grade
B-
A-
B+
B
B
B+
B-
B-
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
Average GPA
3.44
Reading Proficiency
42%
Math Proficiency
77%
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers
76
Full Time Teachers
76
Teachers in First or Second Year
11.9%
College Prep
Average SAT
1130
Math
570
Verbal
570
Average ACT
22
Math
21
English
23
Reading
24
Science
21
Number of AP Courses
12
AP Pass Rate
39.3%
AP Math Enrollment
High
AP Science Enrollment
Very High
Other AP Enrollment
High
Clubs and Activities
Girls Athletic Participation
Very Low
Boys Athletic Participation
Very Low
GreatSchools Rating
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating Details
Teachers and Staff
Students Per Counselor
218:1
Student Diversity
Female
52.5%
Male
47.3%
Hispanic
54.8%
White
13.7%
Black
12.7%
Asian or Pacific Islander
11.6%
Two or more races
5.9%
Native American
<1%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
<1%
Specialty School Programs
AP Programs Offered
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered
Athletics Program
Colleges Students are Considering
Students are most interested in or go on to attend these colleges.
New York University
251 Students
CUNY Hunter College
211 Students
Stony Brook University
191 Students
Binghamton University, SUNY
171 Students
Fordham University
158 Students
Pace University
143 Students
Syracuse University
128 Students
Cornell University
124 Students
CUNY City College of New York
119 Students
Boston University
111 Students
What Students Want to Study
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Business
132 Students
Psychology
129 Students
Biology
108 Students
Nursing
80 Students
Computer Science
80 Students
Pre-Medicine Studies
51 Students
Accounting
43 Students
Finance
41 Students
Political Science and Government
40 Students
Economics
35 Students
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
3/6/2025
It was an ok school environment. I wished there were some better teachers who could teach instead of reading from the slides. The food suck since it was always frozen. However, the academics, clubs and sport organizations were top notch.
2/26/2025
I love my school so much my school is the best ever I so luck to be in the school my school is so happy and fun have a good day.
6/23/2023
my experience so far has been the best and will continue doing so. i started attending hses online during quarantine as my first year of highschool even though the transition from online to inperson was kinda weird i still have and continue to have people by my side supporting me such as my guidance counselor, staff, friends and family. my experience in hses has been the best the last 3 years and i cant wait to make more meaningful memories
GreatSchools Reviews
3/10/2022
This school is very great all the teacher's are excellent. The students are good as well I loved it here at hses THEY GOT GREAT CLUBS TOO! All the teacher's are very nice and funny and comfortable to be around amazing school!
2/20/2019
It’s ok it’s not a bad school we just have some problems.
11/2/2018
I wish I could go to another school but I cant and I'm stuck here.
10/27/2018
I just started but it’s been the best
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Map
List Price Range
$375K - $14.1M
Homes For Sale
265
Average Home Value
$1,148,386
% Renters
88%
Average Household Income
$126,135
% of College Grads
72%
Median Age
40
Average House Size
1,647 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
91.7%
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Additional Schools in the Area
Public Schools shown may be Choice Schools
Choice Schools
Choice schools may not serve this home. Please check the school district website to see all schools serving this home.
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 9th to 12th
- Public
Parks in this Area
Clinton Cove at Hudson River Park
- Boating
- Picnic Area
- Kayak/Canoe
Tom Otterness Playground
Hell's Kitchen Park
- Basketball
- Tennis
- Trails
Matthews-Palmer Playground
- Basketball
- Playground
Hudson River Park
- Bike Trails
- Dog Park
- Trails
Ramon Aponte Park
- Playground
- Waterpark
DeWitt Clinton Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Bike Trails
McCaffrey Playground
- Basketball
- Playground
- Waterpark
Additional Neighborhoods in this Area
Garment District
Urban energy and history in the heart of Manhattan
Hudson Yards
Luxury high-rise living near the Hudson River
Times Square
Vibrant and iconic district known as a tourist hotspot
Lincoln Square
Convenient cosmopolitan living rich with culture
Midtown
Supertall towers, global headquarters and world-class institutions
Chelsea
A vibrant Manhattan neighborhood offering something for everyone.
High School for Environmental Studies is a public school for students in grades 9-12 in New York, NY and is served by the New York City Geographic District No. 2 in New York. The school has a total enrollment of 1,103 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. Academic records show that 77% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 42% are proficient in reading. High School for Environmental Studies has received feedback and ratings, with a Niche grade of B+ and a GreatSchools Rating of 5 out of 10. The average GPA is 3.44, the graduation rate is 92%, and average standardized test scores include an SAT score of 1130 and an ACT score of 22. The average home value in this area is $1,148,386. Discover additional schools in the area, like The Beacon School, Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis High School, Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts, and more. Learn more about what New York has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near High School for Environmental Studies.