Manhattan Hunter Science High School

Manhattan Hunter Science High School (MHSHS)
opened in September 2003 with a focus on
preparing students for college who are especially
interested in science. The school, a collaboration
between Hunter College and the New York City
Department of Education, is funded by the DOE.
The school received a $400,000 grant from the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation, administered
through the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship
Foundation.

In June 2007, MHSHS celebrated the graduation of its
first class, with 77 students and a 100 percent graduation rate. Among the colleges where members of the MHSHS class of 2007 are headed include UCLA, the University of Michigan, Columbia, and Vanderbilt. All students have earned a body of college credits;seventeen percent of the class has already earned between 20 – 30 college credits.

MHSHS students benefit from Hunter College’s expertise in the sciences, mathematics, education, social work and other fields, which are being integrated into all aspects of the high school. The collaboration between MHSHS and Hunter College extends from sharing best instructional practices to developing afterschool programs. Hunter College is an integral part of the high school and is committed to helping students make successful transitions from the world of high school to the very different world of college.

The high school curriculum is built with attention to New York State standards and the expectations of colleges. All students pursue Advanced Regents Diplomas. In addition, many courses are dual-credited. They have been designed to prepare students for Regents examinations and also satisfy the rigorous expectations of parallel college courses. This includes subjects such as Spanish, Chemistry and Physics. English and social studies are delivered through a humanities curriculum as well, which allows students to view several different aspects of literature and history simultaneously. Students also participate in a research skills class where they learn how to conduct research and apply logical methods to get answers to their questions. The curriculum also boasts an advisory program, which covers topics such as health, study skills and nutrition throughout the year. The culmination of the high school experience is senior year where students spend their year on the Hunter College campus, taking college courses and learning to be self-directed, successful college students.