High School for Contemporary Arts

The High School for Contemporary Arts (HSCA) is a small school housed in the Evander Childs Educational Campus with separate programs for performing arts and visual arts. The performing arts program emphasizes creative writing but also offers courses in dance, stage and film, and music. The visual arts program has technology and design coursework, along with traditional fine arts.

Students at HSCA may complete in internships at museums, universities or art firms. They may also receive college credit through the school’s CUNY College Now partnership with Lehman College and Hostos Community College. The school also offers iLearnNYC courses online.  

Students generally agree that the school environment is inclusive and safe. Teachers are generally happy with school leadership and would recommend the school to families, according to results of the NYC School Survey. Attendance at the school has also improved in recent years. However, many students enter the school with weak academic skills, and not many students are prepared for college when they graduate.

Students may take part in the many sports teams on the Evander Childs campus, and share facilities like the library, gym and cafeteria with other schools in the building.  

Admissions:  Educational option. The school seeks a range of low-, middle- and high-performing students.In recent years, the school has had room for every student that wants to attend. (Melanie Quiroz, web reports and DOE data, November 2018)