Hillcrest High School: admissions and school facts
Hillcrest High School (DBN 28Q505) is a New York City public high school in Briarwood-Jamaica Hills, Queens with 8 admissions programs. Admission: Educational Option (Ed. Opt.), Screened, Audition, ASD or ACES program, Zoned guarantee. Its average SAT is 899 (2024-25), against a median of 871.5 across NYC high schools. 85% of students graduate in four years.
- Programs
- 8
- Average SAT
- 899
- NYC median 871.5
- 4-year graduation
- 85%
- College and career rate
- 62%
- Students
- 2262
- Applicants per seat
- 0–2
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.
Educational Option (Ed. Opt.)Q24A
Educational Option: the school takes students of mixed levels. About 16% of seats go to high-scoring students, 68% to mid-range and 16% to lower-scoring; a random number decides within each category.
85 seats · 144 applicants · 2 per seat
Educational Option (Ed. Opt.)Q24B
Focus: Teaching
Educational Option: the school takes students of mixed levels. About 16% of seats go to high-scoring students, 68% to mid-range and 16% to lower-scoring; a random number decides within each category.
50 seats · 7 applicants · under 1 per seat
ScreenedQ24H
Focus: Communications, Humanities & Interdisciplinary
The school ranks students by its own criteria (usually grades, sometimes attendance and tests). Seats are offered by rank within each priority group.
85 seats · 26 applicants · under 1 per seat
ScreenedQ24J
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.
114 seats · 100 applicants · 1 per seat
AuditionQ24L
Focus: Visual Art & Design, Performing Arts/Visual Art & Design
Admission is by audition or portfolio: the school reviews the child's work and ranks applications. Grades and test scores usually count for less.
84 seats · 77 applicants · 1 per seat
Audition or portfolio: Students are ranked by the school based on their auditions. Offers are made in priority group and rank order.
Educational Option (Ed. Opt.)Q24P
Focus: Law & Government
Educational Option: the school takes students of mixed levels. About 16% of seats go to high-scoring students, 68% to mid-range and 16% to lower-scoring; a random number decides within each category.
84 seats · 69 applicants · 1 per seat
ASD or ACES programQ24Y
A specialized program for students with an IEP (ASD Nest, ASD Horizon or ACES). Eligibility depends on the IEP: ask the school or your IEP team.
0 seats · 0 applicants · under 1 per seat
Who can apply: Open to students currently enrolled in the ACES (Academics, Career, and Essential Skills) program. If you are applying to ACES programs for the first time, please discuss with your IEP team, visit schools.nyc.gov/SpecializedPrograms for the application, and contact ACESprograms@schools.nyc.gov with questions.
Zoned guaranteeQ24Z
Priority or a guarantee for students who live in the school's zone.
96 seats · 25 applicants · under 1 per seat
About the school
Hillcrest is a Career and Tech Ed (CTE) and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) focused school. We proudly offer students a world-class education with a dynamic faculty and challenging curriculum. We have four NYS approved CTE programs to help our students prepare for college and career. Our CTE programs include: Certified Nursing Assistant, Computer Assisted Design, Software Engineering, and Virtual Enterprise (entrepreneurship). Our students get the benefits of a small school setting with our seven Small Learning Communities (SLC) in a large comprehensive high school. Every SLC is run by one teacher-leader, one school counselor, an administrator and teachers who use rigorous instruction to ensure student success. Each SLC has connections to the professional world with various partnerships and internships with elite organizations in NYC. Hillcrest offers...
Upcoming open houses and tours
- Saturday, November 7 · Other
- Friday, November 20 · Open house
Courses and languages
Languages: Spanish
AP courses (19): Biology, Calculus AB, Chemistry, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, European History, Physics 1, Psychology, Research, Seminar, Spanish Language and Culture, Statistics, Studio Art - 2D, United States Government and Politics, United States History, World History: Modern
Sports and clubs
Girls: Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Gymnastics, Handball, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball
Boys: Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Co-ed: Cricket, Golf
Clubs: My Brother's Keeper, My Sister's Keeper, Yoga And Meditation Club, Book Club, NYPD Explorers Club, Cheerleading Club, Health Sciences Club, Anime Club, FDNY Explorers Club, Dungeons & Dragons Club, Glee Club, Guitar Club, K-Pop Club, Teens On Point, Photography Club, French Club, Ping Pong Club, Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Debate Team, Mock Trail/Moot Court, Student Council, National Honor Society, Weight Lifting, Governing Club, Coding Club, Green Team, Wellness Club, Students Unmuted, Skateboard Club, South Asian Student Alliance
Students
- Girls
- 51%
- English language learners
- 25%
- Students with disabilities
- 11%
- Economic need index
- 81%
- Asian
- 28%
- Black
- 24%
- Hispanic
- 38%
- White
- 3%
- Multi-racial
- 1%
- Native American
- 6%
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
- 76%
- Rigorous instruction
- 58%
- Supportive environment
- 65%
- Family and community ties
- 65%
Location and getting there
- Address
- 160-05 Highland Avenue, Queens, NY 11432
- Neighborhood
- Briarwood-Jamaica Hills
- Subway
- F to Parsons Blvd (0.2 mi); F to 169 St (0.4 mi); E, J, Z to Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer (0.5 mi)
- School hours
- 8:00 AM – 3:45 PM
- Building access
- Fully Accessible
Where to check and ask
Common questions
How do you get into Hillcrest High School?
Hillcrest High School admits students through: Educational Option (Ed. Opt.), Screened, Audition, ASD or ACES program, Zoned guarantee. Families apply by ranking programs on one MySchools application; the application closes December 4, 2026 for fall 2027 entry.
How competitive is Hillcrest High School?
In the Fall 2025 round the school’s programs had from 0 to 2 applicants per seat. Your real chance also depends on your priority group and admissions method.
What is the average SAT at Hillcrest High School?
The average SAT was 899 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 Hillcrest High School?
85% of students graduate in four years, and the college and career rate is 62% (DOE Fall 2025 directory).
Where is Hillcrest High School and how do you get there?
The school is at 160-05 Highland Avenue, Queens. Subway: F to Parsons Blvd (0.2 mi); F to 169 St (0.4 mi); E, J, Z to Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer (0.5 mi).
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