Mott Hall High School
Grades: 9-12Our Insights
What’s Special
Close-knit and supportive; cybersecurity program
The Downside
Attendance is a work in progress
Mott Hall High School is a small, close-knit school in Harlem that values both academics and student well-being. Over recent years, the school has grown by more than 100 students and doubled its staff, with graduation and college readiness steadily improving thanks to strong student support and community outreach.
Academics & Instruction: In all classes, from science to art, teachers include stories, examples, and ideas from various cultures so that students feel welcome in the classroom. Lessons often involve small-group work where students become experts on parts of a topic and teach each other. All 9th graders take a reading test, and students who need more help get extra reading classes and small-group support.
Themes & Programs: Students can take free college-credit cybersecurity courses through Bronx Community College. Mott Hall has a modern computer science lab, a dance studio where Dance Theater of Harlem teaches lessons, and programs in mixed media and studio art.
Culture & Environment: Every student joins a small support group with the same advisor for all four years. Groups meet daily to discuss friendships, challenges, and college preparation. Restorative practices help them talk through conflicts. Families are free to call or text staff. Several staff members grew up in Harlem and maintain strong ties to the community. While most students say they feel safe in school, some complain of bullying on the NYC School Survey. Most teachers would recommend the school to other families.
Special Education & English as a New Language: Students learning English are taught by two teachers — their regular English teacher and an English support teacher who joins the class every day to help. Students also have a separate English class each week, and those in the bilingual program take a class in their home language. Teachers use pictures, videos, and objects to illustrate concepts. For example, in math, a teacher showed how to find the distance between numbers by drawing a number line, modeling each “jump,” and teaching the key words in English and the students’ home language.
Teachers choose books students can connect with. For example, The Last Storyteller is about families who keep their culture alive through storytelling. The school works with local groups to help families with immigration, healthcare, and mental health.
About one-third of students have learning differences. In co-teaching classes, about 8 to 12 of these students learn alongside their general education classmates. Two teachers–one trained in special education–offer extra help as needed.
Attendance is a work in progress: many teens miss a month or more of school. Some travel long distances, while others stay home to care for family or handle challenges. Advisors check in daily and call families, and free overnight trips encourage regular attendance.
College & Career: The school offers college visits and career fairs with firefighters, health workers, and more. Staff help families apply to college and financial aid. Each year, students take free overnight trips, for example, to Washington, D.C., or Boston, to visit museums, colleges, and local sites.
In 2025, about three-quarters of seniors went on to CUNY schools, and a few to colleges such as NYU and Baruch. A small number pursued trade programs like Co-op Tech and Apex Plumbing or entered the workforce. (Lydie Raschka, web reports and Interview, October 2025)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity
College and Career Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryMott Hall High School (M49X)
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, Physics (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Volleyball
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Volleyball
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
6 Edgecombe Avenue
Manhattan
NY
10030
Trains:
to 137th St-City College;
,
to 135th St
Buses: Bx19, Bx33, M1, M10, M100, M101, M102, M104, M11, M2, M3, M4, M5, M7
Contact
Other Details
This school shares the building with Eagle Academy for Young Men of Harlem
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