Beacon High School: admissions and school facts
Beacon High School (DBN 03M479) is a New York City public high school in Clinton, Manhattan with one admissions program. Admission: Screened with assessment. Its average SAT is 1145 (2024-25), against a median of 871.5 across NYC high schools. 97% of students graduate in four years.
- Programs
- 1
- Average SAT
- 1145
- NYC median 871.5
- 4-year graduation
- 97%
- College and career rate
- 86%
- Students
- 1423
- Applicants per seat
- 15
Free. Enter your academic group and borough, and the estimate takes your priorities into account.
How to get in
Seats and applicants are from the DOE directory for the Fall 2025 admissions round. Rules can change: confirm them on MySchools.
Screened with assessmentM71A
Focus: Project-Based Learning, Performing Arts/Visual Art & Design
The school runs its own assessment (essay, test or interview), scores it and ranks students. Each school's format is different.
282 seats · 4210 applicants · 15 per seat
- Average Course Grades50%
- Essay50%
About the school
Beacon High School offers an inquiry-based program with technology and arts infused throughout the curriculum. We emphasize a challenging, well-rounded liberal arts education based on the principle of shared exploration and problem-solving. In assessments for graduation, students present performance-based projects to panels of teachers. Beacon offers extensive opportunities to participate in clubs, sports, community service, and international travel.
Courses and languages
Languages: French, Spanish
AP courses (6): Biology, Calculus AB, Environmental Science, French Language and Culture, Physics 1, Spanish Language and Culture
Sports and clubs
Girls: Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Fencing, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball
Boys: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Tennis
Clubs: Africana, Art Club, Asian Student Union, B'DAT Choir, B'DAT Freshman Project, B'DAT Mainstage Theatre, B'DAT Tech Teams, Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Beacon Beat (School Newspaper), Beacon Ink (School Magazine), Marine Biology Club, Mock Trial, Pan-Asian 'Anime' Club, Current Events, Debate Team, Dungeons and Dragons, Entrepreneurship Club, Environment Club, Film Club, French Club, Game Makers Club, Girl Up, Girls in Government, Girls Who Code, Integrate Beacon (desegregation & inclusion work), Jewish Student Alliance, Key Club, Korean and Chinese Language Culture Club, Latinx Student Union, Live Poets Society, Math Club, Medical Club, Model Congress, Photography, Podcast Club, Policy and Philosophical Journal, Project ABLE (raises funds to promote literacy and education, SAT Math Prep, Spanish Club, Stock Market Club, Student Government, Students Demand Action for Gun Safety, Stylemakers Fashion Club, Sunshine Society (Wellness Club), The Moth (Storytelling Club), Upcycling Club (Recycling Art Club), Young Democrats
Students
- Girls
- 63%
- English language learners
- 1%
- Students with disabilities
- 19%
- Economic need index
- 56%
- Asian
- 15%
- Black
- 12%
- Hispanic
- 34%
- White
- 31%
- Multi-racial
- 4%
- Native American
- 1%
What the school community says
Share of positive answers in the 2026 NYC School Survey. This is a DOE survey, not a rating from us.
- Students feel safe
- 87%
- Rigorous instruction
- 71%
- Supportive environment
- 62%
- Family and community ties
- 79%
Location and getting there
- Address
- 522 West 44Th Street, New York, NY 10036
- Neighborhood
- Clinton
- Subway
- 1, 2, 3, 7, A, C, E, N, Q, R, S to 42nd St
- Bus
- M104, M11, M12, M20, M34-SBS, M34A-SBS, M42, M50, SIM22, SIM23, SIM24, SIM25, SIM26, SIM30, SIM8, SIM8X
- School hours
- 8:00 AM – 2:20 PM
- Building access
- Fully Accessible
Where to check and ask
Common questions
How do you get into Beacon High School?
Beacon High School admits students through: Screened with assessment. Families apply by ranking programs on one MySchools application; the application closes December 4, 2026 for fall 2027 entry.
How competitive is Beacon High School?
In the Fall 2025 round the school’s programs had 15 applicants per seat. Your real chance also depends on your priority group and admissions method.
What is the average SAT at Beacon High School?
The average SAT was 1145 in 2024-25, compared with a median of 871.5 across NYC high schools (DOE data, students who took the test).
What is the graduation rate at Beacon High School?
97% of students graduate in four years, and the college and career rate is 86% (DOE Fall 2025 directory).
Where is Beacon High School and how do you get there?
The school is at 522 West 44Th Street, Manhattan. Subway: 1, 2, 3, 7, A, C, E, N, Q, R, S to 42nd St. Bus: M104, M11, M12, M20, M34-SBS, M34A-SBS, M42, M50, SIM22, SIM23, SIM24, SIM25, SIM26, SIM30, SIM8, SIM8X.
Other high schools nearby
Sources: NYC DOE Fall 2025 admissions directory, DOE InfoHub demographics 2025-26, SAT 2024-25, NYC School Survey. School Match is not affiliated with NYC Public Schools. How we calculate chances, and how accurate they are