The High School for Math, Science and Engineering

What The High School for Math, Science and Engineering does

The High School for Math, Science and Engineering (HSMSE) is a specialized four-year public high school operated by the New York City Department of Education and co-located with the City College of New York (CCNY) at 240 Convent Avenue in Manhattan's Baskerville Hall. Founded as a collaboration between NYC DOE and CCNY (firmographic metadata indicates 2002; company history cites 2008), the school admits students solely through the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT), serving NYC 8th and 9th graders seeking rigorous STEM-focused college preparatory education. The school offers concentrations in Engineering, Science, and Mathematics, supported by Advanced Placement and Regents coursework.

HSMSE's curriculum is differentiated by a portfolio of institutional partnerships: a two-year Biomedical Research Program developed with Mount Sinai School of Medicine (providing hospital unit internships in cardiology, oncology, obstetrics, and autopsy), engineering coursework through Project Lead the Way, a German language program via the Goethe-Institut PASCH initiative (one of only 9 FIT-Schulen partners in the US), SAT test prep with Ivy Key ($399 per 9-week program), and a Health and Wellness Center staffed by New York Foundling clinicians. The technology stack includes Google Classroom, Jupiter Ed for grading, Naviance/Overgrad for college application management, and the NYC DOE FAM parent portal. Students must complete 200 hours of community service for the HSMSE-endorsed diploma, and college placement outcomes span 200+ institutions including Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Ivy League schools (per 2008–2023 data).

The school is funded primarily through NYC DOE government appropriations; no commercial revenue model exists. Auxiliary funding flows through the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), which approved a $444,000 operating budget for 2026-27, sourced from voluntary family donations ($750 suggested per family) and modest student fees ($270 senior dues mandatory; $460 senior trip, $40 prom optional). The entity has no venture capital, private equity, or public market ownership; it operates as a government state entity under NYC DOE oversight. U.S. News & World Report has ranked HSMSE in the top 5 of NYC public high schools for five consecutive years and 26th nationally.

Name

The High School for Math, Science and Engineering

Legal name

The High School for Math, Science and Engineering

Website

https://hsmse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The High School for Math, Science and Engineering is a NYC DOE specialized public high school co-located on the City College of New York campus, admitting students via the SHSAT and offering STEM-focused college preparatory education with concentrations in Engineering, Science, and Mathematics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialized STEM Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public High Schools (EDAJAAAD)

Keywords

• Specialized secondary education
• STEM curriculum programs
• College preparatory schools
• Public high school education
• Engineering science mathematics

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. NYC Department of Education Funding: As a public NYC DOE school, HSMSE receives government funding for basic educational operations, teacher salaries, and standard school resources.
2. PTA Fundraising and Donations: The PTA raises funds to supplement DOE funding, covering sports programs, college counseling support, the Wellness Center, staff development, and extracurricular activities. The 2026-27 operating budget is $444,000. Direct appeal suggests $750 per family donation, and the PTA has raised $158K+ in previous campaigns.
3. Student Activity Fees: Mandatory and optional fees from students including senior dues ($270 mandatory), senior trip ($460 optional), and prom ($40 optional, subsidized by PTA from $120 actual cost).
4. Test Preparation Programs: Partnership with Ivy Key for SAT test prep courses priced at $399 for a 9-week program, conducted on HSMSE campus.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HSMSE is a public NYC specialized high school offering a four-year college-preparatory program centered on mathematics, science, and engineering, with formal concentrations in Engineering, Science, and Mathematics. Students take Advanced Placement and Regents courses and select from signature programs including a two-year Biomedical Research Program developed with Mount Sinai School of Medicine and engineering coursework built on Project Lead the Way, preparing them for admission to top-tier colleges and STEM careers.

Product overview

The High School for Math, Science and Engineering (HSMSE) is a specialized public high school operating within the NYC Department of Education. The school offers a unified college-preparatory educational program structured around STEM-focused academics, with specialized concentrations in Engineering, Science, and Mathematics. Core offerings include Advanced Placement and Regents courses, a two-year Biomedical Research Program developed with Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and engineering courses developed with Project Lead the Way. The school's educational program is delivered through its Edlio-powered website and encompasses academic instruction, college counseling, athletics, extracurricular clubs, and a Wellness Center. HSMSE does not offer products or services for external customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• STEM College-Preparatory High School Program A four-year public high school program for admitted NYC students offering Advanced Placement and Regents courses with formal concentrations in Engineering, Science, and Mathematics, culminating in an HSMSE-endorsed diploma and 200 hours of community service.
• Biomedical Research Program A two-year biomedical research track designed with Mount Sinai School of Medicine, providing advanced lab work and hospital-unit internships in cardiology, oncology, obstetrics, and the autopsy suite for HSMSE students.
• Project Lead the Way Engineering Curriculum HSMSE engineering courses developed with Project Lead the Way, providing hands-on, project-based engineering coursework for students exploring engineering-related careers.
• Goethe-Institut German Language Program A partner-school German language immersion program delivered via the Goethe-Institut PASCH initiative, offering HSMSE students and faculty summer study trips and international cultural exchange opportunities.
• College Counseling and Application Support College Office services for HSMSE students spanning individual counseling sessions, college visits, application management via Naviance/Overgrad, essay workshops, financial aid guidance, and SAT/ACT test preparation coordination, supporting graduates admitted to 200+ colleges including Ivy League institutions.
• Ivy Key SAT Test Preparation Program An on-campus, 9-week SAT test prep course for HSMSE juniors priced at $399, delivered in partnership with Ivy Key on Thursdays from 3:30-5:30pm.
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program CTE programming offered through HSMSE's Partnerships & Programs portfolio, providing career-connected learning pathways alongside the academic curriculum.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates accepted to 200+ colleges and universities including Ivy League schools, MIT, Stanford, and top-tier institutions worldwide (2008-2023 data)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• City College of New York (CCNY)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSMSE was founded as a collaboration between the NYC Department of Education and CCNY. The school is located on CCNY's campus in Baskerville Hall. CCNY is the City University of New York's flagship college in science, engineering, and architecture, noted for excellence in social sciences, arts, and humanities. Students benefit from access to college facilities and exposure to higher education.
• Goethe-InstitutflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSMSE is a partner school of the Goethe-Institut, one of only 9 FIT-Schulen partners in the US. Through the 'Schools: Partners for the Future' (PASCH) initiative, HSMSE receives benefits including summer study trips for students and faculty members. The partnership promotes knowledge of the German language and international cultural cooperation.
• Mount Sinai School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSMSE's Biomedical Research Program was designed and implemented in collaboration with scientists and physicians at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The two-year program consists of advanced laboratory experiences and a research internship in hospital units such as cardiology, oncology, obstetrics, and the autopsy suite.
• Project Lead the WaycoreTechnology or IntegrationHSMSE's engineering courses were developed with Project Lead the Way, a national program aimed at increasing the quantity and quality of engineers and engineering technologists. Taking PLTW courses helps students decide whether an engineering-related career is right for them.
• National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (NCSSS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSMSE is a member of NCSSS, which has over 100 member schools. The goal of NCSSS is to advance the efforts of specialized schools whose primary purpose is to academically prepare students for leadership in mathematics, science, and technology.
• New York Foundling HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew York Foundling Hospital provides staff for HSMSE's Wellness Center, which offers mental health and wellness support services to students. The Wellness Center is located in Room 111 and operates Monday-Friday 8am-4pm.
• Ivy KeyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSMSE partnered with Ivy Key to offer SAT test prep to the junior class. This 9-week program begins in January and runs weekly on the HSMSE campus from 3:30-5:30pm, priced at $399.
• PENCIL and Highbridge CapitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1995, PENCIL in collaboration with Highbridge Capital pioneered the idea of improving student achievement by developing and supporting long-term partnerships between businesses and public schools.
• Khan AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSMSE has partnered with Khan Academy to provide free online SAT test prep for students, available anytime.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stuyvesant High School: NYC specialized public high school admitting students via SHSAT, with a STEM-heavy college-preparatory curriculum. Direct functional peer — both schools compete for the same SHSAT top-scorers and serve NYC students seeking elite STEM college-prep.
• Brooklyn Technical High School: One of the original NYC specialized high schools, SHSAT-admitted, with engineering and science majors. Direct peer competing for the same applicant pool and offering parallel STEM concentrations.
• High School of American Studies at Lehman College: NYC specialized public high school admitting via SHSAT, co-located on a CUNY campus (Lehman College). Direct peer sharing both the SHSAT admissions mechanism and the college-campus co-location model used by HSMSE at CCNY.
• Staten Island Technical High School: NYC specialized public high school admitting via SHSAT with a STEM-focused college-preparatory program. Direct peer operating under identical NYC DOE specialized-high-school framework.
• Queens High School for the Sciences at York College: NYC specialized public high school admitting via SHSAT, co-located on a CUNY campus, with a STEM focus parallel to HSMSE. Direct peer sharing the SHSAT admissions pipeline and the college-campus co-location model.
• The Bronx High School of Science: NYC specialized public high school admitting via SHSAT, founded on a math/science/engineering mission closely aligned with HSMSE's. Direct peer with overlapping admissions pool and similar STEM college-prep outcomes.
• The Brooklyn Latin School: NYC specialized public high school admitting via SHSAT, offering a college-preparatory curriculum with selective admissions. Direct peer in the SHSAT cohort, though with a humanities-flavored rather than STEM-specific mission.

Broad incumbents

• Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology: Virginia's top STEM public magnet high school and one of the most cited specialized STEM schools nationally. Broad incumbent comparable on mission (rigorous STEM college-prep) and outcomes, but with regional magnet-school admissions rather than a single standardized test.
• Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy: State-funded residential STEM public school widely regarded as one of the top STEM secondary programs in the U.S. Broad incumbent comparable on STEM mission and elite college outcomes, though residential and state-funded rather than a city specialized school.
• Montgomery Blair High School (Magnet Program): Maryland public magnet program (Science/Mathematics/Computer Science Magnet) with selective admissions and a STEM focus. Broad incumbent comparable on selective STEM public-secondary mission and strong college outcomes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ptahsmse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/hsmse

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The High School for Math, Science and Engineering