Special Music School is a K-12 public school that teaches music as a core subject on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City. The school is run as a public/private partnership between the New York City Department of Education and Kaufman Music Center, a not-for-profit, multi-arts organization.
Serving 299 students in grades Kindergarten-12, Special Music School ranks in the top 1% of all schools in New York for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 1%, and reading proficiency is top 1%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≥95% (which is higher than the New York state average of 52%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 90-94% (which is higher than the New York state average of 49%).
The student-teacher ratio of 10:1 is lower than the New York state level of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is lower than the New York state average of 60% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (2025-26)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: Kindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 299 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1
- Minority Enrollment: 59%
- Graduation Rate: ≥90% (Top 50% in NY)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 1%
- Math Proficiency: ≥95% (Top 1%)
- Reading Proficiency: 90-94% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: ≥95% (Top 5%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Special Music School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New York for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Diversity
School Overview
Special Music School's student population of 299 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 29 teachers has grown by 20% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
299 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
29 teachers
Year Founded
1996
School Rankings
Special Music School ranks within the top 1% of all 4,346 schools in New York (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Special Music School is 0.74, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#12 out of 4346 schools
(Top 1%)
(Top 1%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥95%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
90-94%
49%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥95%
78%
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
11:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
21%
10%
Hispanic
17%
30%
Black
7%
16%
White
41%
40%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
14%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥90%
87%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
25%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
3%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Special Music School's ranking?
Special Music School is ranked #12 out of 4,346 schools, which ranks it among the top 1% of public schools in New York.
What schools are Special Music School often compared to?
Special Music Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Anderson School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≥95% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 52% NY state average), while 90-94% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 49% NY state average).
What is the graduation rate of Special Music School?
The graduation rate of Special Music School is 90%, which is higher than the New York state average of 87%.
How many students attend Special Music School?
299 students attend Special Music School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
41% of Special Music School students are White, 21% of students are Asian, 17% of students are Hispanic, 14% of students are Two or more races, and 7% of students are Black.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Special Music School?
Special Music School has a student ration of 10:1, which is lower than the New York state average of 11:1.
What grades does Special Music School offer ?
Special Music School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Special Music School part of?
Special Music School is part of New York City Geographic District # 3.
School Reviews
Review Special Music School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
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