Our Insights
What’s Special
Daily arts instruction for all students
The Downside
Low attendance rates remain a struggle for the school
Lower Manhattan Arts Academy (LoMA) opened in 2005 with the mission of promoting academics through daily immersion in the arts. Located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the school has developed strong partnerships with local arts and social service organizations to help provide students with lots of arts enrichment and academic support. Every student takes part in several performances and gallery exhibits prior to graduation. These have taken place at the Whitney, Metropolitan Opera House, on Broadway stages and in professional recording studios. LoMA is an unscreened school and does not require auditions or portfolios for admission.
Academics & Instruction: Students take a regular academic program that includes four years of English, history, science and math. In recent years, the school has added an intensive reading and math support program for grades 9-11, including designated reading periods each day. Daily tutoring is available in all major subject areas.
The school's focus on arts increases in each grade. Ninth graders rotate through 10 weeks each of drama, music, dance and visual arts. Students then choose an arts major to pursue in grades 10 through 12. The Henry Street Settlement offers an after school arts program. Students perform in a play in the fall and a musical in the spring. Seniors have a double art period every day.
The school has a rich selection of extracurricular and after school activities that are focused on, but not limited to the arts. Their competitive dance team ‘Chimera Concepts’, has competed in city- and state-wide competitions. Other clubs include photography club, step and cheer teams, games club, Girls Who Code, crafts, student council, and a glow up club, which works to beautify the school with student artwork.
One downside here is attendance: a large number of students miss a month or more of school a year. Adding more clubs and activities is intended to increase the attendance rate, according to the administration. An attendance team also keeps close tabs on chronically absent students.
Culture & Environment: LoMA has four counselors, a very high number for a small school. In 2023, the school introduced a new arts-focused advisory program aimed at affirming students' personal and cultural identities and helping develop professional networks. Students attend an advisory period at least once a week. The school puts on a multicultural performance each year that all students across the disciplines may participate in.
Special Education & English as a New Language: Almost one-third of the students have special needs. Nearly half the classes are team-taught ICT (Integrated Co-Teaching) classes, with two teachers. The school also offers Engligh as a Second Language support with a number of bilingual teachers.
Building & Facilities: LoMA is one of five small high schools housed in the Seward Park Campus building. All the schools share use of the auditorium, gymnasium, cardio and weight room, cafeteria, swimming pool and library. There are no metal detectors.
College & Career: LoMA offers college and career preparation throughout all four years of high school, including college visits and professional networking with local companies and institutions, with a special emphasis on careers in the arts. (Paul Rochford, web reports and interview, May 2024)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Not offered in 2021-21Computer Science
Not offered in 2021-21Physics
Not offered in 2021-21Advanced Foreign Language
Not offered in 2021-21AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Music
College Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLower Manhattan Arts Academy (M05R)
Program Description:
All freshmen complete a one year rotation of the four arts before choosing a major that they focus on for their final three years. As a major of visual arts, dance, drama or music they study the technique and history of their art in social context before participating in a senior internship. Every student takes part in several performances/gallery exhibits prior to graduation. These have taken place at the Whitney, Metropolitan Opera House, Broadway stages and professional recording studios.
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Statistics, Chemistry (Advanced Science), Social Studies (Advanced Placement), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Handball, Volleyball, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
350 Grand Street
Manhattan
NY
10002
Trains: , to Grand St; , , , to Delancey St
Buses: B39, M1, M103, M14A-SBS, M14D-SBS, M15, M15-SBS, M21, M22, M9
Contact
Other Details
This school shares the Seward Park Educational Campus with four other schools
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