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Special Music School

Public, Magnet, Alternative Grades K-12

1^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,445 New York Alternative Schools

Better than 100% of New York alternative schools

Summary

The Special Music School is a public magnet school located in New York City's District #3, serving 299 students from kindergarten through 12th grade with a strong focus on music education.

The school consistently achieves 100% proficiency in New York State Assessments for English Language Arts and Mathematics, and its Regents exam performance is outstanding, with high proficiency rates in subjects like Common Core English Language Arts, Global History and Geography, and Algebra I. The school's four-year graduation rate is consistently above 84%, significantly higher than the district and state averages, and it maintains very low dropout rates, ranging from 0% to 4.9% over the past few years. While the school's chronic absenteeism rates are still relatively high, they are lower than the district average. The school also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 10.3 to 10.5 students per teacher, which is lower than the district average, and its spending per student is higher than the district and state averages, ranging from $15,416 to $27,191 per student over the past few years.

When compared to nearby schools, the Special Music School stands out for its exceptional academic performance and lower dropout rates. Nearby charter schools, such as Success Academy Charter School-Harlem 1 and Harlem Village Academy East Charter School, also demonstrate strong academic results, particularly in certain grade levels and subject areas. The nearby District 75 schools, which serve students with special needs, have significantly higher spending per student and lower student-teacher ratios, reflecting the specialized resources required to support their student population.

305

Students ?

10.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$29,559

Per pupil spending ?

24.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

129 W 67th St
New York, NY 10023

(212) 501-3318

District: New York City Geographic District # 3

Racial breakdown:

White:

38.4%

Asian:

19.7%

Two or more races:

19.7%

See top rated New York elementary schools

Compare Special Music School to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 85th percentile in 2022 → 83rd in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the New York average (88% vs 59% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 1% of New York alternative schools

✓100% graduate in 4 years — above the New York average (83%)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Physics scores 28 pts below the New York average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school88%

District avg65%

New York avg59%

Elementary school

1^st of 2,445

New York public elementary schools ?

Top 1%▬ steady since 2015

See the entire ranking list of New York Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

4^th of 1,500

New York public middle schools ?

Top 1%▲ up 1 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of New York Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

211^th of 1,234

New York public high schools ?

Top 17%▲ up 12 pts since 2015

From top 29% (2015) to top 17% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of New York High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

507^th of 874New York City Geographic District # 3 among New York districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	98.5	1 of 2445	100.0%	★★★★★
2024	99.0	1 of 2445	100.0%	★★★★★
2023	98.5	6 of 2439	99.8%	★★★★★
2022	97.8	11 of 2434	99.5%	★★★★★
2021	96.0	8 of 2201	99.6%	★★★★★
2019	98.8	12 of 2413	99.5%	★★★★★
2018	97.3	4 of 2395	99.8%	★★★★★
2017	97.6	6 of 2386	99.7%	★★★★★
2016	97.1	5 of 2366	99.8%	★★★★★
2015	97.4	4 of 2352	99.8%	★★★★★
2014	97.9	3 of 2345	99.9%	★★★★★
2013	97.5	4 of 2325	99.8%	★★★★★
2012	95.6	2 of 2320	99.9%	★★★★★
2011	95.9	2 of 2286	99.9%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	98.1	1 of 2409	100.0%	★★★★★
2024	98.8	2 of 2413	99.9%	★★★★★
2023	97.2	18 of 2403	99.3%	★★★★★
2022	96.3	25 of 2401	99.0%	★★★★★
2018	96.4	6 of 2338	99.7%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	98.4	1 of 2407	100.0%	★★★★★
2024	98.8	2 of 2411	99.9%	★★★★★
2023	98.6	4 of 2400	99.8%	★★★★★
2022	97.2	13 of 2400	99.5%	★★★★★
2018	97.3	2 of 2340	99.9%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	97.0	1 of 1402	99.9%	★★★★★
2024	96.9	12 of 1392	99.1%	★★★★★
2023	97.5	1 of 1337	99.9%	★★★★★
2022	94.6	16 of 1399	98.9%	★★★★★
2018	92.2	19 of 1408	98.7%	★★★★★

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	99.0	4 of 1500	99.7%	★★★★★
2024	99.1	2 of 1504	99.9%	★★★★★
2023	99.3	1 of 1500	99.9%	★★★★★
2022	99.5	2 of 1479	99.9%	★★★★★
2019	99.2	13 of 1439	99.1%	★★★★★
2018	98.8	15 of 1438	99.0%	★★★★★
2017	99.0	16 of 1455	98.9%	★★★★★
2016	98.7	15 of 1429	99.0%	★★★★★
2015	98.7	14 of 1407	99.0%	★★★★★
2014	98.9	11 of 1401	99.2%	★★★★★
2013	98.7	9 of 1373	99.3%	★★★★★
2012	96.1	8 of 1337	99.4%	★★★★★
2011	96.7	6 of 1295	99.5%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	98.3	5 of 1457	99.7%	★★★★★
2024	98.6	2 of 1465	99.9%	★★★★★
2018	97.7	23 of 1353	98.3%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	98.9	8 of 1455	99.5%	★★★★★
2024	98.9	10 of 1464	99.3%	★★★★★
2018	98.4	22 of 1352	98.4%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	97.1	3 of 775	99.6%	★★★★★
2024	97.3	5 of 778	99.4%	★★★★★
2018	96.5	17 of 763	97.8%	★★★★★

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	76.5	211 of 1234	82.9%	★★★★☆
2024	78.4	161 of 1242	87.0%	★★★★☆
2023	78.3	146 of 1228	88.1%	★★★★☆
2022	76.6	175 of 1190	85.3%	★★★★☆
2019	66.3	415 of 1207	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	60.5	519 of 1210	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	56.6	541 of 1221	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2016	51.7	618 of 1255	50.8%	★★★☆☆
2015	64.2	362 of 1255	71.2%	★★★★☆
2014	67.7	314 of 1237	74.6%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2024	70.7	142 of 690	79.4%	★★★★☆
2018	64.9	190 of 679	72.0%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	67.6	136 of 413	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	73.9	83 of 426	80.5%	★★★★☆
2023	59.5	187 of 424	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	62.6	193 of 447	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	56.8	210 of 426	50.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	74.9	239 of 1206	80.2%	★★★★☆
2024	76.7	198 of 1219	83.8%	★★★★☆
2023	76.5	201 of 1197	83.2%	★★★★☆
2022	77.5	157 of 1155	86.4%	★★★★☆
2019	63.6	467 of 1193	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	49.8	653 of 1176	44.5%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	69.0	208 of 885	76.5%	★★★★☆
2024	83.5	67 of 865	92.3%	★★★★★
2023	79.1	109 of 851	87.2%	★★★★☆
2022	71.0	170 of 760	77.6%	★★★★☆
2019	84.1	53 of 815	93.5%	★★★★★
2018	66.3	221 of 791	72.1%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	75.1	141 of 1179	88.0%	★★★★☆
2024	75.1	142 of 1170	87.9%	★★★★☆
2023	75.9	124 of 1155	89.3%	★★★★☆
2022	85.4	29 of 1101	97.4%	★★★★★
2019	66.0	304 of 1179	74.2%	★★★★☆
2018	60.3	396 of 1154	65.7%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	76.6	186 of 1201	84.5%	★★★★☆
2024	77.9	159 of 1211	86.9%	★★★★☆
2023	79.6	118 of 1191	90.1%	★★★★★
2022	79.6	104 of 1154	91.0%	★★★★★
2019	67.2	358 of 1190	69.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	71.2	268 of 1176	77.2%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	79.8	40 of 328	87.8%	★★★★☆
2024	52.7	144 of 306	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	72.1	60 of 272	77.9%	★★★★☆
2019	58.4	72 of 165	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	38.2	108 of 157	31.2%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	80.6	133 of 1149	88.4%	★★★★☆
2024	86.4	84 of 1144	92.7%	★★★★★
2023	89.6	51 of 1130	95.5%	★★★★★
2022	78.8	126 of 1038	87.9%	★★★★☆
2019	89.5	56 of 1132	95.1%	★★★★★
2018	78.1	162 of 1095	85.2%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	69.7	170 of 788	78.4%	★★★★☆
2024	70.5	152 of 781	80.5%	★★★★☆
2023	72.9	121 of 776	84.4%	★★★★☆
2022	77.3	61 of 738	91.7%	★★★★★
2019	57.3	332 of 793	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	55.3	351 of 765	54.1%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Female (2025)100th percentile~ school

Male (2025)100th percentile~ school

White (2025)100th percentile~ school

Middle school

Female (2025)100th percentile~ school

White (2025)100th percentile~ school

Male (2025)99th percentile~ school

High school

Special Education (2025)88th percentile+6 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)88th percentile+5 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)88th percentile+5 vs school

Male (2025)85th percentile~ school

Female (2025)80th percentile-3 vs school

African American (2024)79th percentile-8 vs school

White (2025)78th percentile-4 vs school

Hispanic (2025)76th percentile-6 vs school

Asian (2025)67th percentile-16 vs school

By subject vs New York (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts100%+47 vs state

Math100%+44 vs state

Science100%+55 vs state

Common Core English Language Arts100%+25 vs state

Global History and Geography100%+24 vs state

U.S. History and Government95%+20 vs state

Common Core Algebra II92%+17 vs state

Algebra I91%+35 vs state

Life Science Biology84%+25 vs state

Common Core Geometry80%+56 vs state

Chemistry74%+9 vs state

Geometry70%+10 vs state

Physics41%-28 vs state

5.0

3 ratings · 2 written reviews

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What people are saying

by a parent
Saturday, September 29, 2018

This school is a gem. Not only due to the fact that the kids get the unique opportunity to learn an instrument but also because of its diverse wonderful community: staff, faculty, teachers, principal, parents and students are all just incredible! Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, April 7, 2017

A jewel in the NYC public school system! Close Quote

Schools Near Special Music School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				Regents Chemistry (2025)	Regents Common Core Algebra II (2025)	Regents Common Core English Language Arts (2025)	Regents Common Core Geometry (2025)	Regents Global History and Geography (2025)	Regents Living Environment (2025)	Regents Physics (2025)	Regents U.S. History and Government (2025)	Regents Algebra I (2025)	Regents Life Science Biology (2025)	Regents Geometry (2025)	NY State Assessments English Language Arts (2025)						NY State Assessments Math (2025)						NY State Assessments Science (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	Regents Chemistry End of Course	Regents Common Core Algebra II End of Course	Regents Common Core English Language Arts End of Course	Regents Common Core Geometry End of Course	Regents Global History and Geography End of Course	Regents Living Environment End of Course	Regents Physics End of Course	Regents U.S. History and Government End of Course	Regents Algebra I End of Course	Regents Life Science Biology End of Course	Regents Geometry End of Course	NY State Assessments English Language Arts 3rd Grade	NY State Assessments English Language Arts 4th Grade	NY State Assessments English Language Arts 5th Grade	NY State Assessments English Language Arts 6th Grade	NY State Assessments English Language Arts 7th Grade	NY State Assessments English Language Arts 8th Grade	NY State Assessments Math 3rd Grade	NY State Assessments Math 4th Grade	NY State Assessments Math 5th Grade	NY State Assessments Math 6th Grade	NY State Assessments Math 7th Grade	NY State Assessments Math 8th Grade	NY State Assessments Science 5th Grade	NY State Assessments Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Special Music School	Public, Magnet, Alternative	K-12	129 W 67th St	New York	10023	New York County	New York City Geographic District # 3	No	Yes	No	No	(212) 501-3318	305	30	10.2	24.3%	117 (38.4%)	17 (5.6%)	49 (16.1%)	60 (19.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)	60 (19.7%)								(n/a)	73.8	91.9	100.0	80.0	100.0		40.5	94.6	91.1	83.7	70.2	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0		100.0		$29,559	$1,282	$28,277
Ps 811 Mickey Mantle School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	466 W End Ave	New York	10024	New York County	Nyc Special Schools - District 75	No	No	No	No	(212) 579-3788	508	94	5.3	92.5%	27 (5.3%)	188 (37.0%)	270 (53.1%)	12 (2.4%)	6 (1.2%)	2 (0.4%)	3 (0.6%)								(n/a)																										$108,394	$1,667	$106,728
Ps 35	Public, Alternative	1-12	317 W 52nd St	New York	10019	New York County	Nyc Special Schools - District 75	No	No	No	No	(212) 247-4307	250	49	5.0	88.4%	24 (9.6%)	105 (42.0%)	109 (43.6%)	8 (3.2%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.8%)								(n/a)																										$86,147	$2,044	$84,104
Ps 169 Robert F Kennedy	Public, Alternative	K-12	110 E 88th St	New York	10128	New York County	Nyc Special Schools - District 75	No	No	No	No	(212) 348-6140	383	90	4.2	90.6%	12 (3.1%)	144 (37.6%)	200 (52.2%)	11 (2.9%)	12 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.0%)								(n/a)																										$111,908	$1,833	$110,075
Ps 183 Robert L Stevenson	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	419 E 66th St	New York	10065	New York County	New York City Geographic District # 2	No	No	No	No	(212) 734-7719	541	36	15.0	11.6%	312 (57.7%)	10 (1.8%)	68 (12.6%)	117 (21.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	33 (6.1%)								(n/a)												91.9	94.3	91.5				95.5	94.4	96.8				72.6		$27,080	$1,534	$25,546
East Harlem Scholars Academy Charter School	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	2050 2nd Ave	New York	10026	New York County	East Harlem Scholars Academy Charter School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(212) 348-2518	922	51	18.0	89.3%	20 (2.2%)	228 (24.7%)	634 (68.8%)	14 (1.5%)	9 (1.0%)	2 (0.2%)	15 (1.6%)								(n/a)		10.0	41.3		53.8	20.5		43.3	21.9			31.5	35.2	35.3	52.4	43.9	52.9	43.6	52.8	24.5	29.0	35.2	31.6	19.2	19.5	$33,266	$00	$33,266
Harbor Science And Arts Charter School	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-9	132-142 E 111th St	New York	10029	New York County	Harbor Science And Arts Charter School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(917) 261-2700	244	22	10.8	86.9%	0 (0.0%)	90 (36.9%)	150 (61.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.8%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)								(n/a)												60.0	16.7	50.0	65.0	46.7	60.0	50.0	16.7	33.3	26.3	46.7	61.9	20.0	11.1	$20,403	$1,421	$18,982
Success Academy Charter School-Harlem 1	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	34 W 118th St-2nd Fl	New York	10026	New York County	Success Academy Charter School-Harlem 1	Yes	No	No	Yes	(646) 277-7170	1,520			67.8%	71 (4.7%)	914 (60.1%)	434 (28.6%)	59 (3.9%)	13 (0.9%)	6 (0.4%)	21 (1.4%)								(n/a)			92.3		100.0	62.5	46.9		94.0			98.8	92.1	76.3	92.7	98.3		100.0	96.6	80.3	81.8	98.3		59.2		$18,819	$00	$18,819
Gotham Technical High School	Public, Alternative	9-11	28-04 41st Ave	Long Island City	11101	Queens County	New York City Geographic District #30	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(718) 937-3893	266	22	11.9	81.2%	32 (12.0%)	20 (7.5%)	165 (62.0%)	35 (13.2%)	7 (2.6%)	1 (0.4%)	6 (2.3%)								(n/a)	29.2	41.5	64.8	9.5	76.5	14.8	19.2	64.0	19.8		14.7															$26,606	$2,052	$24,554
Ps 226	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	345 E 15th St	New York	10003	New York County	Nyc Special Schools - District 75	No	No	No	No	(212) 477-5017	274	51	5.4	93.1%	16 (5.8%)	97 (35.4%)	143 (52.2%)	11 (4.0%)	3 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.1%)								(n/a)																										$118,755	$1,627	$117,128

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Special Music School

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Asian

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Low Socio Economic Status

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Special Education

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