Gramercy Arts High School
Grades: 9-12Our 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
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity
College and Career Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryCapstone Scholars (M66I)
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)
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)
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 DirectoryLanguage 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
Contact & Location
Location
40 Irving Place
Manhattan
NY
10003
Trains:
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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
Other Details
This school shares the Washington Irving Educational Campus with five other schools
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