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Our Insights

What’s Special

Visual and performing arts

The Downside

Concerns about discipline and order

On the seventh floor of the Washington Irving Educational Campus, Gramercy Arts High School offers a four-year studio arts major, in Visual or Performing Arts, and a screened humanities and arts program for students who want to earn college credits.

The school day runs from 8:20 to 3:30 to accommodate the arts. Each studio has at least one residency each semester. For Visual Arts, residencies are in partnership with The New Museum, School of Visual Arts and Fashion Institute of Technology. Performing Arts students works with New York Theatre Workshop, Manhattan Theatre Club and the Vineyard Theatre.

After school, children work on performances or may join the dance club, Model United Nations, chess club, yoga club, sisters who code, anime or yearbook.

The school has a newspaper, The New Gramercy Times, with articles titled “Trump vs. Twitter” and “Transphobia,” as well as music and theater reviews.

The city’s 2017 Quality Review praised the school for its inclusive environment; it has a gay-straight alliance, and kids study African American artists like August Wilson and Alvin Ailey. Families and students enjoy field day, career day, talent shows, dances and potlucks.

The school also faces challenges. On school surveys more than half the students report that they do not feel challenged. This is the area in need of most improvement on the Quality Review. 

Susan DiCicco, formerly the assistant principal of social studies and language at LaGuardia High School, became principal in 2014. School surveys also show friction between her and the teachers; fewer than half the teachers think the principal is an effective manager. About two-thirds of the teachers do not think discipline and order are maintained at school.

Gramercy Arts shares the building with Academy for Software Engineering, Success Academy Union Square Charter, International High School at Union Square, The High School for Language and Diplomacy and Union Square Academy for Health Sciences.  (Lydie Raschka, web reports, April 2018)

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School Stats

Academics

School
Citywide
How many students graduate in 4 years?
 
98%
How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
 
93%
Average daily attendance
 
88%
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
 
40%
From the 2024-25 School Quality Guide and 2024-25 NYC School Survey

Students

421
Number of students
Citywide Average is 608

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
71%
Students with disabilities
 
16%
Multilingual learners
 
2%
From the 2024-25 Demographic Snapshot

Safety & Vibe

School
Citywide
How many students were suspended?
 
1%
How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
 
93%
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
 
36%
How many students say that some are bullied at their school because of their gender or sexual orientation?
 
25%
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
 
72%
From the 2024-25 NYC School Survey and 2023-24 NY State Report Card

Faculty & Staff

School
Citywide
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
 
60%
6.1
Years of principal experience at this school
Citywide Average is 8
125
Number of students for each guidance counselor or social worker
Citywide Average is 119

Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity


How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
 
71%
Are teachers effective?
From the 2024-25 NYC School Survey, 2024-25 School Quality Guide, 2022-23 Report on School-Based Staff Demographics, 2025 Guidance Counselor Report, and this school's most recent Quality Review Report

College and Career Readiness

School
Citywide
How well are students prepared for college and careers after four years at this school? What is a College and Career Readiness (CCR) Score?
 
59
How many students take a college-level course or earn a professional certificate?
 
80%
How many students who have graduated from this high school stay in college for at least 3 semesters?
 
79%
From the 2024-25 School Quality Guide
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Programs & Admissions

From the 2024 High School Directory

Capstone Scholars (M66I)

Admissions Method: Screened With Assessment

Requirements:

  • Average Course Grades - 75%
  • Essay - 25%

Program Description:

Our rigorous Capstone Scholars program provides a supportive academic experience designed to prepare students for college and career success. Students gain early access to AP classes starting as early as 9th grade, personalized 1:1 advising, and comprehensive SAT prep. They receive dedicated support throughout the college application process and can earn early college credits. Career exploration includes internships, mentored opportunities, and work-based learning. Scholars also choose between creative tracks in Visual Arts or Theater Arts, fostering both academic excellence and artistic growth.

Theater Arts (M66B)

Admissions Method: Audition

Program Description:

Our Theater Arts program invites students to experience the magic of the stage through collaborative projects, improvisation, and original ethno-drama creation. They develop performance skills, theatrical vocabulary, and directing techniques while exploring character development, script analysis, and vocal ensemble singing. Students gain practical experience in acting, directing, and technical theater, with opportunities to be cast or work behind the scenes in our Fall Play and Spring Musical. Industry insights and audition preparation prepare students for future success in theater arts. All of this is in addition to the rigorous academic preparation, four years of support around college and career readiness, and valuable internships and work-based learning opportunities.

Visual Arts (M66A)

Admissions Method: Audition

Program Description:

Our Visual Arts and Design program immerses students in both traditional and digital media, including charcoal, watercolor, and Adobe Creative Suite, while integrating design techniques used in professional spaces. Students build physical and digital portfolios mastering key concepts like typography, composition, and branding, with real-world applications in advertising and marketing. They develop critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and professional skills essential for careers in graphic design, illustration, and branding. This program also offers valuable work-based learning opportunities in these dynamic industries. All of this is in addition to rigorous academics, college and career readiness support, and internships.

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP African American Studies, AP Art History, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP English Language and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Psychology, AP Seminar, AP Statistics, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, AP World History: Modern, Arts (Advanced Placement), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Physics (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

Boys PSAL teams

Baseball, Basketball, Handball, Soccer, Volleyball

Girls PSAL teams

Basketball, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball

Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

40 Irving Place
Manhattan NY 10003

Trains: 4 Line, 5 Line, 6 Line, L Line, N Line, Q Line, R Line to 14th St-Union Square

Buses: BM1, BM2, BM3, BM4, BxM10, BxM6, BxM7, BxM8, BxM9, M1, M101, M102, M103, M14A-SBS, M14D-SBS, M15, M15-SBS, M2, M23-SBS, M3, M34-SBS, M34A-SBS, M55, M8, M9, QM21, QM63, QM64, QM68, SIM10, SIM11, SIM1C, SIM3, SIM31, SIM33, SIM33C, SIM3C, SIM4C, SIM6, SIM7, SIM9, X27, X28, X37, X38


Contact

Principal: Pamela Mudzingwa Makin

Parent Coordinator: Malik Mcalpine

Phone: 212-253-7076

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the Washington Irving Educational Campus with five other schools

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? Yes

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