Columbia Secondary School: admissions and school facts
Columbia Secondary School (DBN 05M362) is a New York City public high school in Morningside Heights, Manhattan with one admissions program. Admission: Screened. Its average SAT is 1301 (2024-25), against a median of 871.5 across NYC high schools. 97% of students graduate in four years.
- Programs
- 1
- Average SAT
- 1301
- NYC median 871.5
- 4-year graduation
- 97%
- College and career rate
- 99%
- Students
- 711
- Applicants per seat
- 19
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.
ScreenedA15A
Focus: Science & Math
The school ranks students by its own criteria (usually grades, sometimes attendance and tests). Seats are offered by rank within each priority group.
88 seats · 1684 applicants · 19 per seat
About the school
Columbia Secondary School (CSS) is a school serving grades six through twelve which specializes in academically talented students who have an interest in a selective and demanding program focusing on math, science, and engineering. CSS immerses students in science and math as a way of making sense of the world. Learning experiences focus on active exploration of major concepts, ideas, and theories that respond to life's big questions. Our students become aware of their responsibilities to their communities and to the world. At CSS, students engage in their own explorations so that they may experience the excitement of discovery.
Courses and languages
Languages: Spanish
AP courses (13): Biology, Calculus AB, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Physics 2, Psychology, Spanish Language and Culture, Spanish Literature and Culture, Statistics, United States Government and Politics, United States History
Sports and clubs
Girls: Basketball, Cross Country, Rugby, Soccer, Volleyball
Boys: Basketball, Cross Country, Rugby, Soccer, Volleyball
Co-ed: Golf
Clubs: Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA)
Students
- Girls
- 46%
- English language learners
- 1%
- Students with disabilities
- 24%
- Economic need index
- 51%
- Asian
- 11%
- Black
- 21%
- Hispanic
- 34%
- White
- 25%
- Multi-racial
- 8%
- 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
- 86%
- Rigorous instruction
- 57%
- Supportive environment
- 49%
- Family and community ties
- 81%
Location and getting there
- Address
- 425 West 123 Street, New York, NY 10027
- Neighborhood
- Morningside Heights
- Subway
- 1 to 116th St-Columbia University; A, B, C, D to 125th St
- Bus
- M10, M100, M101, M104, M11, M116, M125, M2, M3, M4, M5, M60-SBS, M7
- School hours
- 8:00 AM – 2:26 PM
- Building access
- Partially Accessible
Where to check and ask
Common questions
How do you get into Columbia Secondary School?
Columbia Secondary School admits students through: Screened. Families apply by ranking programs on one MySchools application; the application closes December 4, 2026 for fall 2027 entry.
How competitive is Columbia Secondary School?
In the Fall 2025 round the school’s programs had 19 applicants per seat. Your real chance also depends on your priority group and admissions method.
What is the average SAT at Columbia Secondary School?
The average SAT was 1301 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 Columbia Secondary School?
97% of students graduate in four years, and the college and career rate is 99% (DOE Fall 2025 directory).
Where is Columbia Secondary School and how do you get there?
The school is at 425 West 123 Street, Manhattan. Subway: 1 to 116th St-Columbia University; A, B, C, D to 125th St. Bus: M10, M100, M101, M104, M11, M116, M125, M2, M3, M4, M5, M60-SBS, M7.
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