Central Park East High School: Top Public High School in New York NY (2026 List)

About Central Park East High School

Central Park East High School is a public high school in New York City Public Schools serving grades 9-12. The school has an enrollment of about 489 students with a student-teacher ratio of about 12:1. Central Park East High School operates on a model of progressive education. It emphasizes inquiry-based learning, performance assessments and portfolio development in the core subjects. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement course work and exams. The AP participation rate is 83%. Minorities make up 93% of the total enrollment and 79% of the students are economically disadvantaged. Mathematics proficiency level is 60% and for Reading it is 93%. The amount spent per pupil is commensurate with the district’s level of funding. Located in East Harlem, the school has a strong community reputation for its academic rigor, arts integration, and collaborative culture. The college access program has an integrated SAT and ACT prep program. Central Park East High School has been recognized as one of the best schools for college readiness and student-centered learning, and it is one of the best high school in New York.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 60%

Reading 93%

State average proficiency is 60% in Math and 93% in Reading.

41

Full-time Teachers

12 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

489

Total Students

$82249

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 6.95%

Asian 13.29%

Hispanic 53.99%

Black 22.7%

Two+ Races 1.02%

Native Am. 0.82%

White

6.95%

Asian

13.29%

Hispanic

53.99%

Black

22.7%

Two+ Races

1.02%

Native Am.

0.82%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 489

57.26%

280 Female

42.54%

208 Male

Student Population

489 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 12 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

236 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Central Park East High School Contact Information

Address

1573 MADISON AVE-RM 321, NEW YORK, NY, 10029

View on Map

Phone

(212) 860-5929

Call Now

Website

http://www.centralparkeasths.org

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 8:50 AM to 3:25 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 8:35 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

Students at Central Park East High School recently took part in extended interdisciplinary learning projects and college preparation activities that are linked to the school’s progressive academic program. The school has continued to support students through advisory programs, advanced elective courses, and student-led research presentations in both humanities and science subjects. Recent cultural events, arts showcases and community-based learning experiences have showcased student creativity and collaboration. These programs are helping students to think analytically, to communicate and to be ready for college.

FAQ

Q1. Does Central Park East High School support learning through practical activities?

Ans. Yes, students work on projects and do things that help them learn skills they can use in the real world.

Q2. What does Central Park East High School do to make the learning environment better?

Ans. Respect, working together, and being responsible make sure that the school culture is safe, welcoming, and open to everyone.

Q3. Does Central Park East High School help students think of new things?

Ans. Yes, students can find out more about art, music, and new projects that will help them be more creative.

Q4. Are college entrance exams conducted here?

Ans. Students can take the SAT and ACT tests on-site or through programs that work together.

Q5. What does Central Park East High School teach?

Ans. Central Park East High School has a college-preparatory curriculum and gives students chances to learn through practical activities and improve their skills.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

Local kids are transforming ideas into real-world.

See the projects happening right in your neighborhood

What Parents Say