High School of Fashion Industries, The
Grades: 9-12Our Insights
What’s Special
Hands-on training in fashion, design, marketing, photography, graphics, business, and technology
The Downside
The school’s size is a strength, but may overwhelm students who prefer a smaller setting
Founded in 1926, the High School for Fashion Industries prepares students for careers in business, fashion, and design. The school has come a long way since its founding mission of preparing garment factory workers. Today, students have access to a broad range of academic and career-focused classes taught by professionals in their fields. Most students graduate on time and are prepared for college as well as jobs in the fashion industry.
Academics & Instruction: In 9th grade, teachers use the Writing Revolution, a structured approach especially helpful for struggling writers. Teachers across subjects use shared vocabulary and approaches, whether it’s a math teacher discussing how students should explain their process or a history teacher critiquing an essay.
The dual focus on academics and real-world training in core majors can require students to juggle multiple demands. To minimize stress, the school has adopted a compassionate grading policy. Students may resubmit work after receiving feedback and learning from mistakes to try for a higher grade. Every two weeks, all classes hold a “no new work day” so students can catch up on assignments, review material, or tackle challenging enrichment activities.
Advanced and college-level courses are open to students seeking a rigorous educational track. A parent said her daughter “has been academically challenged along with her creative challenges through her major.” The school offers in-person tutoring and an online program for students needing extra help in algebra and geometry. “It’s a school for ALL kids,” the parent added.
Themes & Programs: Fashion Industries offers programs in three key areas: fashion, visual and digital art, and business. Students choose a major in fashion design, photography, visual and digital art, fashion marketing and management, visual presentation and design, or web and software development.
An advisory board of established art and fashion industry professionals helps students network and secure internships and jobs.
Culture & Environment: Teachers take care to pronounce students’ names correctly and use their preferred pronouns. Every 9th-grader takes a class to help them adjust to high school, with upper grade student mentors.
Each grade has a wellness team with at least two guidance counselors, a social worker and an attendance teacher who monitor students’ social and academic needs.
The school celebrates Black History, Women’s History and Hispanic and Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Months. Students may participate in Asian Culture, Black and Latina Empowerment, Black Student Union, Intersectional Feminist, Muslim Students Association and Rainbow Project clubs.
More than 100 clubs, organizations, and service groups are offered. The school’s step and other dance teams are strong and have been featured on network television. Most students are female, and the school is LGBTQ+ supportive.
Special Education & English as a New Language (ENL): The school offers ENL classes and after- school support. Students with disabilities are served in small classes and ICT (integrated co-teaching) classes staffed by two teachers—one specializing in the subject and the other in special education—alongside on-site psychologists and social workers.
Building & Facilities: The school is housed in a 10-story building, which can be hectic to navigate. Students use elevators and stairs. All classrooms have high ceilings and air conditioning. There’s a fashion design lab and a photography dark room. The 1600-seat auditorium has a fashion show runway. An on-site health clinic provides free medical, dental and mental health services.
College & Career: Every 11th-grader takes a class focused on career planning and college admissions. Twelfth-graders take a class to complete college and financial aid applications. Students may seek individual support from the school’s college and career office. Some students secure jobs after graduation, but most graduates pursue high education from traditional colleges to art-based schools such as the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.IT.), Parsons, and the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Georgia. (Laura Zingmond, official reports, interviews, October 2026).
Get more from InsideSchools
School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity
College and Career Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School Directory75M751 D75 Inclusion Program at High School of Fashion Industries, The (M68U)
Art, Photography, and Graphic Design (M68J)
Program Description:
This program exposes students to computer graphics, painting, digital and black and white photography, illustration, graphic design and video production. Students are prepared for internships and the skills needed for completing a college admissions portfolio. There is a photography lab on school premises. Students collaborate with professional artists, exhibit their work at museums and attend workshops at FIT, Parsons, Copper Union, PRATT, School of Visual Arts, and New York City Tech.
Business Marketing and Visual Merchandising (M68M)
Program Description:
This program is designed to develop student skills in visual display, store planning, marketing and software development with a focus on computer science and web application. Classes include: Foundations of Art, Design and Business, Color Theory and Aesthetics, Introduction to Business Marketing, Introduction to Visual Merchandising, Beginner & Advanced Computer Applications, AP Computer Science, Financial literacy, Communication and Public Presentation, Business Marketing Tools, Techniques, & Lab, Window Display and Exhibition Design, Fashion Buying & Marketing, Virtual Enterprise, and Entrepreneurship.
Fashion Design and Accessories (M68L)
Program Description:
A comprehensive course of study where students are offered hands-on instruction in the process, skills, and language of Fashion Design and Accessories from concept through production. Students collaborate with industry partners who help guide them. Classes in the program include Beginner & Advanced Fashion Illustration, Beginner & Advanced Garment Construction, Draping, Pattern Making, Accessories Design & Portfolio Development. Students will be able to produce a college admission portfolio.
Software Development (M68A)
Program Description:
The Software Development program at the High School of Fashion Industries is our only STEM-focused major that exposes students to industry-level computer science, programming, and software development curriculum. Students in this major will learn various coding languages, develop the skills to create software and have opportunities to engage with industry professionals through the Work Based Learning internship and Apprenticeship programs. pending
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryAdvanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Art History, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Pre-Calculus, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, AP World History: Modern, Arts (Advanced Placement), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Global History (College Course [Credited]), Math (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Science), Science (College Course [Credited])
Boys PSAL teams
Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Volleyball
Girls PSAL teams
Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Fencing, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Volleyball, Wrestling
Coed PSAL teams
Stunt
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
225 West 24 Street
New York
NY
10011
Trains:
to 28th St;
,
to 34th St;
,
to 14th St;
,
to 23rd St
Buses: BM1, BM2, BM3, BM4, BxM11, BxM18, BxM2, BxM3, BxM4, M1, M11, M12, M14D-SBS, M2, M20, M23-SBS, M3, M34-SBS, M34A-SBS, M5, M55, M7, Q32, SIM10, SIM1C, SIM23, SIM24, SIM3, SIM3C, X27, X28
Contact
Other Details
This school is in its own building.
Was this information helpful?
Get more from InsideSchools
You may also like …
Landmark High School
New York, NY 10011
Liberty High School Academy for Newcomers
New York, NY 10011
Comments