Manhattan Village Academy
Grades: 9-12Our Insights
What’s Special
Stellar college-prep curriculum
The Downside
Not all students can keep up with the workload
Manhattan Village Academy offers a demanding college-preparatory curriculum that emphasizes strong writing skills, collaborative learning, and rigorous academics. The school combines traditional expectations—including a required uniform and structured academic environment—with project-based, hands-on lessons.
The school strives to make sure students get the breadth that traditional schools offer and the depth of progressive schools. Students complete a demanding curriculum that goes well beyond state graduation requirements. In addition, they must complete five "portfolios," which may consist of hefty term papers, projects and oral presentations. Twelfth-graders are expected to write 10- to 15-page term papers on topics like global trade agreements.
Everyone takes four to five years of science, including physics. Ninth- and 11th-graders take two hours of math a day, so by the end of four years everyone has had the equivalent of five years of high school math.
The workload is heavy, and not all students can manage it. In past years some students transfer to less demanding high schools after 9th grade. (The school accepts a similar number of incoming 10th-graders.) But for those who can do the work, the rewards are great. Graduates have been admitted to top private colleges, including Harvard, Yale, Brown, Columbia and Cornell.
The tone of the school is serious but not oppressive. Class changes are orderly. Eleventh- and 12th-graders may leave the building for lunch, although many choose to eat in the pleasant cafeteria.
Students say they typically do two to three hours of homework a night, but teachers are available to help during the day and after school.
Students who need extra academic support work with teachers during lunchtime or after school. Teachers have incorporated SAT prep into all grades. The school offers 17 Advanced Placement classes. Teachers are expected to give extra time.
It is a small school, with only 100 students in each grade. Manhattan Village seems to have a knack for taking kids who were only average or even below-average students in middle school and helping them succeed in high school. Students are held to strict attendance guidelines.
Manhattan Village Academy draws students from across Manhattan and other boroughs, including the Bronx. Although the school is located in Manhattan's District 2, admissions are not limited to or prioritized for District 2 residents. The school provides dedicated college advising and posts a strong four-year graduation rate.
SPECIAL EDUCATION: In addition to team-teaching classes, students with special needs often stay later for extra help. (Lydie Raschka, official reports, June, 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 DirectoryManhattan Village Academy (M94A)
Program Description:
Rigorous core curriculum based on the equivalent of five years of Math, four-five years of Science, five-six years of English, and five-six years of History. The curriculum consists of two strands: Regents-based and Portfolio/Performance-Based Assessments. All students are expected to choose and enroll in our extensive menu of 17 AP courses.
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryAdvanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP African American Studies, AP Art History, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science A, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Microeconomics, AP Psychology, AP Seminar, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Statistics, AP United States History, AP World History: Modern, Calculus (College Course [Uncredited]), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Comp Sci/Math Tech (College Course [Credited]), Econ/Gov (College Course [Credited]), Math (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Science), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Table Tennis
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Soccer, Softball, Table Tennis
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
43 West 22 Street
Manhattan
NY
10010
Trains:
to 18th St;
,
,
to 14th St;
,
,
,
to Union Square;
,
to 23rd St;
,
to 28th St
Buses: BM1, BM2, BM3, BM4, BxM10, BxM11, BxM18, BxM3, BxM4, BxM6, BxM7, BxM8, BxM9, M1, M101, M102, M103, M14A-SBS, M14D-SBS, M2, M20, M23-SBS, M3, M4, M5, M55, M7, Q32, QM21, QM63, QM64, QM68, SIM10, SIM11, SIM1C, SIM3, SIM31, SIM33, SIM33C, SIM3C, SIM4C, SIM6, SIM7, SIM9, X27, X28, X37, X38
Contact
Other Details
This school is in its own building.
Was this information helpful?
Get more from InsideSchools
You may also like …
47 The American Sign Language and English Secondary School
Manhattan, NY 10010
Baruch College Campus High School
Manhattan, NY 10010
Comments