John Dewey High School: admissions and school facts
John Dewey High School (DBN 21K540) is a New York City public high school in Gravesend, Brooklyn with 9 admissions programs. Admission: Educational Option (Ed. Opt.), Language criteria, Open, Screened, District 75 inclusive services, ASD or ACES program. Its average SAT is 956 (2024-25), against a median of 871.5 across NYC high schools. 83% of students graduate in four years.
- Programs
- 9
- Average SAT
- 956
- NYC median 871.5
- 4-year graduation
- 83%
- College and career rate
- 60%
- Students
- 2122
- Applicants per seat
- 0–3
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.)K56A
Focus: Business, Culinary Arts
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.
89 seats · 126 applicants · 1 per seat
Language criteriaK56B
Focus: Humanities & Interdisciplinary
Admits by program criteria: home language, English level, years in the US and similar.
16 seats · 31 applicants · 2 per seat
Who can apply: Open only to students whose home language is Chinese.
OpenK56C
Focus: Teaching
No screening by grades or tests: seats are offered by priority (borough, zone, language) and a random number.
55 seats · 20 applicants · under 1 per seat
ScreenedK56J
Focus: Science & Math, Computer Science & Technology
The school ranks students by its own criteria (usually grades, sometimes attendance and tests). Seats are offered by rank within each priority group.
55 seats · 104 applicants · 2 per seat
ScreenedK56L
Focus: Health Professions, 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.
55 seats · 157 applicants · 3 per seat
Educational Option (Ed. Opt.)K56M
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.
89 seats · 82 applicants · 1 per seat
Educational Option (Ed. Opt.)K56T
Focus: Visual Art & Design, Performing Arts
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.
89 seats · 64 applicants · 1 per seat
District 75 inclusive servicesK56U
For students whose IEP recommends District 75 inclusive services. Your child’s IEP team can explain eligibility and how to apply.
3 seats · 4 applicants · 1 per seat
Who can apply: The Inclusion Program is a partnership between a District 75 school and District 1-32 community school. This program is open to students currently recommended for an Inclusion program.
ASD or ACES programK56Y
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 · 1 applicants · under 1 per seat
Who can apply: Open to students currently enrolled in the ACES (Academics, Career, and Essential Skills) program. If applying for the first time, discuss with your IEP team, visit schools.nyc.gov/SpecializedPrograms, and contact ACESprograms@schools.nyc.gov.
About the school
We offer an innovative form of education that empowers students to make responsible decisions. Our school is comprised of small learning communities. Our small learning communities allow teachers, school counselors and assistant principals to work with students for enrichment, remediation, and social engagement. Students receive the individualized attention found in a small school within the setting of a comprehensive high school. Our small learning communities prepare students for a variety of career pathways and college-readiness programs in core subject areas including the arts, business, STEM, law, teaching and heath professions.
Courses and languages
Languages: Mandarin, Spanish
AP courses (22): Biology, Calculus AB, Chemistry, Chinese Language and Culture, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, European History, Macroeconomics, Physics 1, Physics 2, Pre-Calculus, Psychology, Seminar, Spanish Language and Culture, Studio Art - 2D, Studio Art - Drawing, United States Government and Politics, United States History, World History: Modern
Sports and clubs
Girls: Badminton, Basketball, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball
Boys: Badminton, Basketball, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Co-ed: Double Dutch
Clubs: Art Club, Arts Beautification Club, Beauty Club, Careers in the Arts Club, Cheerleading, Chess Club, The Classic Rock Club, Council for Unity, Dance Team, Educators Rising, ELL Science Club, Girls Who Code, International Culinary Club, Japanese Language and Culture Club, Key Club, Knitting Club, Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Marine Biology Underwater Robotics Club, Mindfulness, Mock Trial, Moot Court, My Brother's Keeper, MSAC, National Honor Society, ONE Goal, Peer Group Connection, Recycling / Green Team, Robotics, Senior Committee, Step Team Club, Stock Market Club, Student Council, Sweatbox Club, Table Tennis/Ping Pong Club, Technical Theatre Club, Theatre Club, Track Club, Video Game Club, Volleyball Club, Women's Alliance/Women of Color Alliance (WOCA), Yoga/Fitness, Project Pivot, Podcasting, Makerspace, JROTC
Students
- Girls
- 51%
- English language learners
- 19%
- Students with disabilities
- 15%
- Economic need index
- 85%
- Asian
- 29%
- Black
- 15%
- Hispanic
- 27%
- White
- 25%
- Multi-racial
- 1%
- 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
- 82%
- Rigorous instruction
- 58%
- Supportive environment
- 60%
- Family and community ties
- 77%
Location and getting there
- Address
- 50 Avenue X, Brooklyn, NY 11223
- Neighborhood
- Gravesend
- Subway
- D to Bay 50th St; F to Av X; N to 86th St
- Bus
- B1, B4, B64, B82, X28, X38
- School hours
- 8:05 AM – 3:40 PM
- Building access
- Not Accessible
Where to check and ask
Common questions
How do you get into John Dewey High School?
John Dewey High School admits students through: Educational Option (Ed. Opt.), Language criteria, Open, Screened, District 75 inclusive services, ASD or ACES program. Families apply by ranking programs on one MySchools application; the application closes December 4, 2026 for fall 2027 entry.
How competitive is John Dewey High School?
In the Fall 2025 round the school’s programs had from 0 to 3 applicants per seat. Your real chance also depends on your priority group and admissions method.
What is the average SAT at John Dewey High School?
The average SAT was 956 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 John Dewey High School?
83% of students graduate in four years, and the college and career rate is 60% (DOE Fall 2025 directory).
Where is John Dewey High School and how do you get there?
The school is at 50 Avenue X, Brooklyn. Subway: D to Bay 50th St; F to Av X; N to 86th St. Bus: B1, B4, B64, B82, X28, X38.
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