Townsend Harris High School: admissions and school facts
Townsend Harris High School (DBN 25Q525) is a New York City public high school in Kew Gardens Hills, Queens with one admissions program. Admission: Screened with assessment. Its average SAT is 1294 (2024-25), against a median of 871.5 across NYC high schools. 100% of students graduate in four years.
- Programs
- 1
- Average SAT
- 1294
- NYC median 871.5
- 4-year graduation
- 100%
- College and career rate
- 89%
- Students
- 1323
- Applicants per seat
- 20
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 assessmentQ37J
Focus: Humanities & Interdisciplinary
The school runs its own assessment (essay, test or interview), scores it and ranks students. Each school's format is different.
243 seats · 4782 applicants · 20 per seat
- Average Course Grades60%
- Essay20%
- Video20%
About the school
Townsend Harris is an academically selective high school that is recognized nationally as a model of secondary education. The culturally diverse student body comprises approximately 1,300 individuals who have demonstrated evidence of high academic motivation and achievement. Our program emphasizes mastery in the humanities, mathematics, science, and classics, and requires of our students the leadership skills, discipline, and work ethic expected by the most demanding colleges and careers. Diversity in Admissions (DIA): Priority to applicants eligible for free or reduced price lunch for 50% of seats
Courses and languages
Languages: Japanese, Latin, Spanish
AP courses (24): Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, Japanese Language and Culture, Latin, Macroeconomics, Physics 1, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Pre-Calculus, Psychology, Research, Seminar, Spanish Language and Culture, Spanish Literature and Culture, Statistics, United States Government and Politics, United States History, World History: Modern
Sports and clubs
Girls: Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Fencing, Flag Football, Handball, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball
Boys: Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Fencing, Handball, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Clubs: No Buddy Left Behind, Student Union, Senate, Freshman Grade Leaders, Sophomore Grade Leaders, Junior Grade Leaders, Senior Council, Amnesty International, Art Club, Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Get Your Life Together (GYLT), Habitat for Humanity, Jewish Club, Junior State of America (JSA), Mock Trial/Moot Court Team, ModIT, Neuroscience Club, SING, Festival of Nations, Tech Crew, Trivia and Knowledge Club, UNICEF, Zumba Club, Black Excellence Club, Chess Club, The Classic, The Creative Writer's Association, Glamour Gals and Gallants, Latin Dance Club, Math Team, Mock Trial/Moot Court, Muslim Student Association, Philosophy, Red Cross Club, Robotics (Steel Hawks), Young America's Foundation (YAF), Save Planet Earth (SPE), Big Sib, Little Sib, Drama Club, The Geo Dudes, Hawkappella, Model United Nations, rhyTHm KPop Dance, Science Olympiad, Student Wellness Team, THHS Film Society, Yoga in Action!, American Sign Language, (E)STE(E)M, Expression, Fiber Arts Club, Girl Up, Health Professionals Society, Entrepreneurs, Latin League, Key Club, Life After Loss, Period Poverty Awareness, The Phoenix, Table Tennis Club, Anime Club, Book Club, Seekers, Uplift, Arts for Generations, Chinese Immersion Club, Makeup Club, La Herencia Hispana, Caribbean Club, School play, Archon Honor Society, Arista Honor Society, NYS Science Honor Society, Equity & Access Student Team
Students
- Girls
- 61%
- English language learners
- 0%
- Students with disabilities
- 15%
- Economic need index
- 45%
- Asian
- 56%
- Black
- 5%
- Hispanic
- 16%
- White
- 17%
- 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
- 96%
- Rigorous instruction
- 71%
- Supportive environment
- 64%
- Family and community ties
- 83%
Location and getting there
- Address
- 149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Queens, NY 11367
- Neighborhood
- Kew Gardens Hills
- School hours
- 8:00 AM – 3:02 PM
- Building access
- Fully Accessible
Where to check and ask
Common questions
How do you get into Townsend Harris High School?
Townsend Harris 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 Townsend Harris High School?
In the Fall 2025 round the school’s programs had 20 applicants per seat. Your real chance also depends on your priority group and admissions method.
What is the average SAT at Townsend Harris High School?
The average SAT was 1294 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 Townsend Harris High School?
100% of students graduate in four years, and the college and career rate is 89% (DOE Fall 2025 directory).
Where is Townsend Harris High School and how do you get there?
The school is at 149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Queens.
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