Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS): admissions and school facts
Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS) (DBN 06M348) is a New York City public high school in Washington Heights N., Manhattan with one admissions program. Admission: Educational Option (Ed. Opt.). Its average SAT is 905 (2024-25), against a median of 871.5 across NYC high schools. 93% of students graduate in four years.
- Programs
- 1
- Average SAT
- 905
- NYC median 871.5
- 4-year graduation
- 93%
- College and career rate
- 65%
- Students
- 857
- Applicants per seat
- 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.)M88A
Focus: Humanities & Interdisciplinary
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.
78 seats · 136 applicants · 2 per seat
About the school
As a pre-K-12 school, our mission is to work with families to prepare each student academically, emotionally, intellectually, and socially to succeed in a college or career of their choice. At WHEELS, we provide students with a strong academic foundation, teach socio-emotional skills and habits of work and learning, and work to actively build a strong community. As an Expeditionary Learning/Outward Bound school we utilize interdisciplinary learning units that begin with compelling questions and employ authentic learning experiences (through fieldwork and experts) that culminate in students creating authentic products in real world formats. There are numerous opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities; we have a strong music program, offer a number of sports clubs, and put on a school musical each year (Broadway Jr/ Broadway Arts). Student interest drives...
Courses and languages
Languages: Spanish
AP courses (4): Environmental Science, Research, Seminar, Spanish Language and Culture
Sports and clubs
Girls: Basketball, Flag Football, Soccer
Boys: Baseball, Basketball, Soccer
Clubs: Theater, Student Government, Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Stoked Skateboarding Club, CryptoClub, CareerReady SYEP and Work-Based Learning
Students
- Girls
- 50%
- English language learners
- 22%
- Students with disabilities
- 25%
- Economic need index
- 88%
- Asian
- 1%
- Black
- 4%
- Hispanic
- 92%
- White
- 2%
- Multi-racial
- 1%
- Native American
- 0%
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
- 63%
- Supportive environment
- 65%
- Family and community ties
- 96%
Location and getting there
- Address
- 511 West 182 Street, New York, NY 10033
- Neighborhood
- Washington Heights N.
- Subway
- 1 to 181st St; A to 175th St
- Bus
- Bx11, Bx13, Bx18A, Bx18B, Bx3, Bx35, Bx36, Bx7, M100, M101, M3, M4, M5, M98
- School hours
- 8:19 AM – 2:39 PM
- Building access
- Partially Accessible
Where to check and ask
Common questions
How do you get into Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS)?
Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS) admits students through: Educational Option (Ed. Opt.). Families apply by ranking programs on one MySchools application; the application closes December 4, 2026 for fall 2027 entry.
How competitive is Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS)?
In the Fall 2025 round the school’s programs had 2 applicants per seat. Your real chance also depends on your priority group and admissions method.
What is the average SAT at Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS)?
The average SAT was 905 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 Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS)?
93% of students graduate in four years, and the college and career rate is 65% (DOE Fall 2025 directory).
Where is Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS) and how do you get there?
The school is at 511 West 182 Street, Manhattan. Subway: 1 to 181st St; A to 175th St. Bus: Bx11, Bx13, Bx18A, Bx18B, Bx3, Bx35, Bx36, Bx7, M100, M101, M3, M4, M5, M98.
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