Special Music School (03M859)

129 West 67 Street, Manhattan, NY 10023, Manhattan
Phone: 212-501-3318
Email: hsadmissions@specialmusicschool.org
Hours: 8:00am - 3:05pm
Principal: Katherine Banucci-smith
School Website: https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/sms/
NYCDOE Website: https://www.myschools.nyc/en/schools/high-school/48558
Admissions Information: https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/sms/high-school/admissions/
Quality Snapshot: https://tools.nycenet.edu/snapshot/2022/03M859/HS/
Subway: 1 to 66th St-Lincoln Center; 2, 3 to 72nd St; A, B, C, D to 59th St
Bus: BxM2, M10, M104, M11, M20, M5, M57, M66, M7, M72
Show commute
My info

About

SMS is a public school for musically gifted students. The school admits 50 students per grade and combines rigorous academics with intensive music study. The school is a partnership between Kaufman Music Center and the NYCDOE. Our mission is to develop students who have the skills, competencies, and knowledge necessary for successful 21st Century music careers. The 21st Century musician can analyze, compose, and perform music at the highest level, has a strong sense of one's own artistic voice, and is fluent in current music technologies. They possess strong academic knowledge, skills, and habits, and is also community-minded, inventive, and resourceful. Special Music School has two campuses. The HS is located at 122 Amsterdam Avenue.

Other Features: 10th Grade Seats Available, College Trips, Community Service Expected, Health Center, Online Grading System, Program(s) with 1 SWD Applicant Per Seat, Program(s) with 3+ GE Applicants Per Seat

School Features:

  • Offers 10th Grade Seats
  • School whose primary location is co-located with another school

AP Courses, Languages & Sports
AP Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Calculus AB, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Music Theory, AP Psychology, AP Statistics, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, Chemistry (Advanced Science), Physics (Advanced Placement), Physics (Advanced Science)
Languages Offered
Spanish
Diploma Endorsements
Arts
Boys PSAL Sports
Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Handball, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Volleyball, Wrestling
Girls PSAL Sports
Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Flag Football, Handball, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball, Wrestling
Programs
Voice, Instrument, and Composition(A85A)
Performing Arts

We offer students the opportunity to major in Instrumental Music, Voice, or Composition. Students receive approximately 10 hours of music instruction throughout the week. Professional musicians lead large ensembles, chamber groups, and private study. Students work with visiting artists through master classes. Upperclassmen choose from a variety of interest-based electives including Orchestral Conducting, Entrepreneurship, Recording and Production, Jazz History and Theory.

Method:
Requirement:
Students are ranked by the school based on their auditions. Offers are made in priority group and rank order.
Priority:
  • (Group 1) Priority to continuing 8th graders
  • (Group 2) Then to New York City residents
Student & Admissions Statistics
School Year
2022-23
2021-22
Total Students Across All Grades
170
177
    Grade 12 Students
36
41
    Grade 11 Students
48
42
    Grade 10 Students
45
50
    Grade 9 Students
41
44
Avg. Class Size
17.6
Complaints / Suspensions
0 / 17
0 / 17
Attendance %
94%
94%
Graduation %
100%
100%
College %
93%
79%
Total Applicants / Seats
Total Offers
391 (151) / 50
52
405 / 508
59
Voice, Instrument, and Composition (A85A)
GE Applicants / Seats:
SWD Applicants / Seats:

138 / 39 (3.54)
14 / 11 (1.27)
Offers - Waitlist
Survey Summary & Data (2022-23)
Student Responses - 84% responded
Academic Rigor 
  83.43%
Academic Engagement 
  70.17%
Safety 
  85.33%
Bully Prevention 
  80.00%
Inclusivity 
  89.40%
Mental Support 
  77.90%
Environment 
  73.45%
Post-School Support 
  84.45%
Teacher Responses - 81% responded
Academic Rigor 
  97.33%
School Satisfaction 
  95.00%
Student Behavior 
  88.11%
Student Support 
  96.47%
School Leadership 
  87.67%
Instructional Clarity 
  83.60%
Instructional Development 
  89.47%
Post-School Support 
  97.30%
Family Responses - 60% responded
Education 
  92.50%
Teacher Support 
  89.67%
Safety 
  90.60%
School Community 
  82.78%
School Leadership 
  87.55%
Post-School Support 
  94.00%

Note: Yellow bars indicate city-wide averages for the associated category

View Full NYC DOE Survey Results:

This data was gathered from the NYC DOE's yearly school surveys: https://infohub.nyced.org/reports/students-and-schools/school-quality/nyc-school-survey

Academic Summary & Data (2022-23)
Academic Proficiency
4-Year Grad. %
  100.00%
Avg. CC Regents Score
  79
Avg. Non-CC Regents Score
  56
College Aptitude
CCPC Index
  100.00%
Avg. SAT Math Score
  580
Avg. SAT Read/Write Score
  592
Postsecondary
4-Year College 81.00%
Unknown 19.00%

View Full Academic Data:

This data was gathered from the NYC DOE's yearly quality reports: https://infohub.nyced.org/reports/students-and-schools/school-quality/school-quality-reports-and-resources

School Demographics (2022-23)
Student Population:
Male 49.40%
Female 50.60%
English Language Learners:
  1.80%
Students with IEPs:
  17.10%
Economic Need Index: 
  32.40%
Student Ethnicity:
Asian 12.40%
Black 10.00%
Hispanic 21.20%
White 43.50%
Other 12.90%
Teacher Ethnicity:
White 56.50%
Other 43.50%

This data was gathered from the NYC DOE's demographic snapshots: https://infohub.nyced.org/reports/students-and-schools/school-quality/information-and-data-overview

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