Essex Street Academy

Essex Street Academy is a small public high school in New York, NY, located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The school serves a diverse student body of approximately 350 students from all five boroughs, offering a personalized education that emphasizes academic achievement and emotional support. Students engage in project-based learning and complete Performance Based Assessment Tasks as their graduation requirement, with core courses in literature, mathematics, science, social studies, and languages. The school maintains an average class size of 22 students, enabling teachers to build individual relationships with each learner. With open admissions and no screening for grades or attendance, Essex Street Academy welcomes all students regardless of background or academic history.

The school fosters a supportive and inclusive community where students feel safe and connected. Teachers and staff work closely with students to address both academic and personal challenges, ensuring that each student has the tools and encouragement needed to succeed. Academic programming centers on critical thinking, evidence-based argumentation, and real-world problem solving, with opportunities for students to design experiments, develop historical theses, analyze literature, and create mathematical proofs. The school also offers strong college guidance and support services, helping students prepare for higher education and life beyond high school.

Located at 350 Grand Street, Essex Street Academy sits just a short walk from Seward Park High School’s community playground and the International Center of Photography, both within a quarter mile. It is also near Grand Street and Allen Street, key thoroughfares in the neighborhood, and adjacent to other educational institutions like The Urban Assembly Academy of Government and Law and the Lower Manhattan Arts Academy. These nearby landmarks reflect the school’s integration into a vibrant, education-focused district.

Essex Street Academy stands out as a community-centered institution committed to empowering students through individualized learning and strong support systems. Its focus on student well-being, intellectual growth, and college readiness makes it a vital part of the Lower East Side’s educational landscape.

Services:

• Career Readiness Programs
• College Preparation
• High School Education
• School-Based Health Care
• Student Life Support Services