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/03M859/
Quality Snapshot: View snapshot
Building Access Profile: View profile
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.

School Budget: View financial budget

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
  • Guidance Counselors, Social Workers, Bilingual Social Workers

Upcoming Events

AP Courses, Languages, Sports, Art
AP Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Music Theory, AP Physics 1, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, Chemistry (Advanced Science), 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
Clubs
Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA)
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) Continuing 8th graders
  • (Group 2) New York City residents
Student & Admissions Statistics
School Year
2023-24
2022-23
2021-22
Total Students Across All Grades
176
170
177
    Grade 12 Students
47
36
41
    Grade 11 Students
49
48
42
    Grade 10 Students
45
45
50
    Grade 9 Students
35
41
44
Avg. Class Size
22.0
17.6
Complaints / Suspensions
0 / 0
0 / 17
0 / 17
Attendance %
94%
94%
Graduation %
100%
100%
100%
College %
81%
93%
79%
Total Applicants / Seats
Total Offers
482 (165) / 50
64
391 (151) / 50
52
405 / 508
59
Voice, Instrument, and Composition (A85A)
GE applicants/seats:
SWD applicants/seats:
151 / 39 (3.87)
14 / 11 (1.27)
Offers
138 / 39 (3.54)
14 / 11 (1.27)
Offers - Waitlist
145 / 39 (3.72)
11 / 11 (1.00)
Offers
Survey Summary & Data (2023-24)
Student Responses
Academic Rigor 
  82.71%
Academic Engagement 
  70.08%
Safety 
  85.63%
Bully Prevention 
  78.50%
Inclusivity 
  89.40%
Mental Support 
  73.56%
Environment 
  65.13%
Post-School Support 
  83.22%
Teacher Responses
Academic Rigor 
  81.60%
School Satisfaction 
  88.92%
Student Behavior 
  81.75%
Student Support 
  96.81%
School Leadership 
  82.31%
Instructional Clarity 
  89.00%
Instructional Development 
  91.20%
Post-School Support 
  0.00%
Family Responses
Education 
  91.22%
Teacher Support 
  87.29%
Safety 
  92.00%
School Community 
  73.44%
School Leadership 
  87.13%
Post-School Support 
  100.00%
IEP Support 
  88.00%

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%
CC Regents
  79
Non-CC Regents
  78
Impact Score
  0.75
Performance Score
  0.84
College Aptitude
CCPC Index
  100.00%
SAT Math
  580
SAT R/W
  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 (2023-24)
Student Population:
Male 48.50%
Female 51.50%
English Language Learners:
  2.00%
Students with Disabilities:
  13.30%
Economic Need Index: 
  31.50%
Student Ethnicity:
Asian 21.30%
Black 6.60%
Hispanic 16.90%
White 41.50%
Other 13.70%
Teacher Ethnicity:
White 56.50%
Other 43.50%
IEP Statistics (2022-23)
IEP Services
Students with IEPs
  17.10%
Students with SETSS
  0.60%
Students with ICT
  10.00%
Students with SC
  0.00%
Has all programs
  33.00%
Has all services
  90.00%
IEP Student Performance
IEP Movement
2.02
IEP Support 
  88.00%
Special Education Programs & Services (2023-24)
ProgramFully ReceivingPartially ReceivingNot Receiving
Integrated Co-Teaching Services27 (100%)0 (0%)0 (0%)
SETSS<=5 (?)<=5 (?)0 (0%)
ServiceFully ReceivingPartially ReceivingNot Receiving
Counseling Services20 (100%)N/A (N/A)0 (0%)
Occupational Therapy<=5 (100%)N/A (N/A)0 (0%)
Speech-Language Therapy7 (100%)N/A (N/A)0 (0%)

This data was gathered from the NYC DOE's Special Education Reports: https://infohub.nyced.org/reports/government-reports/special-education-reports

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