Columbia Secondary School
Grades: 6-12Our Insights
What’s Special
Free Columbia University classes; engineering and philosophy classes
The Downside
More applicants than seats
Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science and Engineering (CSS) offers an academically challenging program for grades 6 to 12. Founded with the backing of Columbia University, it allows eligible students to take Columbia University courses for free. Core features are a seven-year philosophy sequence and a multi-year engineering program.
Students follow the philosophy sequence from middle through high school, including works by Plato, Aristotle, and Eastern thinkers. Lessons focus on critical thinking, exploring ideas, and respectful debate. Engineering is required all but in 8th grade. Students build technical skills in classes like 3D printing and industrial design. Some join the Harlem Rails robotics team.
Teachers and students get to know each other well. Older students support younger ones through peer mentoring, tutoring, and during book talks and community activities. The annual musical is a big deal that brings middle and high school students together. The school has active cultural and identity clubs including Black Student Union, Pride, Muslim, Jewish, Latinx, and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander groups.
In classrooms we observed, students sat in rows or in pairs. Sometimes they sit in circles for Socratic Seminars. During lessons, they were polite and engaged.
Lessons are designed to connect learning across subjects and to real-world situations. In math, for example, students explore patterns by creating Fibonacci spirals as part of an art project. In geography and science, they study real-world issues, such as the shrinking Aral Sea. Students read full novels like Animal Farm, and shorter texts. All middle schoolers study Spanish. By the end of 8th grade, most complete Regents courses in earth science and algebra.
A three-day 8th-grade trip to Frost Valley is a highlight. This visit to the Catskills allows students to see where New York City’s water comes from. They use maps to study watersheds, and debate real government decisions. The trip supports lessons in history, science, and water, cities, and the environment.
High school students study marine biology in a classroom with fish tanks—and labs include a squid dissection. In English, students debate current issues such as the opioid crisis and corporate responsibility. In 9th grade, students combine engineering and art by building castles to explore historic materials, color, and structure. Other engineering courses include hands-on projects using 3D printing and design tools.
Eligible students take Advanced Placement courses in biology, English, and other subjects. More than 100 students also take college-level courses at Columbia University, including calculus, psychology, and a history class on the Roman Empire.
After-school clubs such as performing arts, music, and gardening give students experiences beyond core classes. Visual arts is limited.
For many years, the younger students took classes together, but with the arrival of new leadership in 2023, changes were made to address a widening range in students’ academic needs. This has led to more class choice and more Advanced Placement courses. As a result, some middle schoolers now take different classes from their peers.
This shift caused friction, raising concerns about losing the close-knit school culture. The school has worked to improve communication through a weekly newsletter and parent feedback.
The school has also strengthened its relationship with Columbia University with more students taking classes there each year. Columbia professors also teach 11th grade engineering on the high school campus.
The high school's college office is well staffed, with two full-time counselors offering individual guidance. Graduates attend a wide range of strong colleges and universities.
CSS occupies the top three floors of a five-story building, a full connected annex, and science labs in the basement. The school shares the gym, two cafeterias, auditorium, indoor pool, and outdoor yard with PS 125. CSS students have lockers and wear uniforms.
The school offers Integrated Co‑Teaching (ICT). Some parents and students have raised online concerns that choosing advanced courses may limit access to ICT support if students opt out. School leadership reports full compliance with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and other special education requirements. (Lydie Raschka, January 2026)
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School Stats
Is this school safe and well-run?
From the 2024-2025 NYC School Survey
From this school's most recent Quality Review Report
From the 2023-24 School Quality Report
How do students perform academically?
From the New York State 2023-2024 Assessment Database
From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide
Who does this school serve?
From the 2024-25 Demographic Snapshot
From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide
How does this school serve special populations?
From the 2023-24 School Quality Report
From the New York State 2023-2024 Assessment Database
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryColumbia Secondary School (A15A)
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Physics 2, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Spanish Literature and Culture, AP Statistics, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, Calculus (Advanced Math), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Math (College Course [Uncredited]), Physics (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Basketball, Cross Country, Rugby, Soccer, Volleyball
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Cross Country, Rugby, Soccer, Volleyball
Coed PSAL teams
Golf
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
425 West 123 Street
Manhattan
NY
10027
Buses: M10, M100, M101, M104, M11, M116, M125, M2, M3, M4, M5, M60-SBS, M7
Contact
Other Details
This school shares its building with PS 125 and KIPP STAR Charter Middle School
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