Essex Street Academy
Essex Street Academy, at 350 Grand Street, is an open-admissions college-prep high school where students graduate through project-based assessments in place of most Regents exams.
| Address | 350 Grand Street (enter on Grand or Ludlow), New York, NY 10002 |
|---|---|
| Grades | 9 to 12 |
| Admissions | Open: no screening, no essay; about 90 9th-grade seats |
| Students | 367 |
| Main office | (212) 475-4773 |
| Principal | Wallace Simpson |
| Website | essexstreetacademy.org |
Key dates
- Wednesday, October 21, 9:30 amStudent-led tour
- Tuesday, October 27, 6–7 pmOpen house
- Wednesdays Oct 28, Nov 4 and Nov 18, 9:30 amStudent-led tours
- Tuesday, November 17, 6–7 pmOpen house
- October 6 to December 4, 2026High school applications for fall 2027 are open on MySchools. Students list up to 12 programs.
- Spring 2027High school offers are released.
About the school
- Member of the New York Performance Standards Consortium: students take the English Regents and complete four Performance-Based Assessment Tasks (PBATs) instead of most other Regents
- Spanish or French, with spring trips to Spain or France
- College classes at CUNY or NYU
- Calculus, chemistry, physics and world languages
- Studio art, music, theater and swim in the campus pool
- ICT classes and SETSS special education support
The school is one of five in the Seward Park Campus at 350 Grand Street, between Essex and Ludlow Streets. Students across the campus share PSAL sports teams, the pool and some clubs. Nearest subway: F, M, J or Z to Delancey Street–Essex Street.
Open houses and tours, fall 2026
Open houses (6 to 7 pm; meet administrators, teachers and the college counselor): Tuesday, October 27 and Tuesday, November 17.
Student-led tours (Wednesdays 9:30 to 10:30 am, see classes in session): October 21, October 28, November 4 and November 18.
RSVP on the school's admissions page.
Parent Association
The Parent Association meets monthly, usually Thursdays 6:15 to 7:15 pm, and runs a spring gala. Email paboard@essexstreetacademy.org. Parent Association page.
How to apply
Students apply in 8th grade (or as first-time 9th graders) on MySchools, listing up to 12 programs in order of preference. NYC Public Schools' announcement has tips for choosing. Families new to the city after the deadline enroll through a Family Welcome Center.
Questions parents ask
Is Essex Street Academy screened?
No. Admissions are open, with no screening for grades or attendance and no essay.
Do Essex Street Academy students take Regents exams?
Students take the English Regents and complete four Performance-Based Assessment Tasks in place of most other Regents, as a Consortium school.
When are Essex Street Academy open houses?
Fall 2026 open houses are Tuesday, October 27 and Tuesday, November 17, 6 to 7 pm. RSVP on the school's admissions page.
Official links
Last checked October 15, 2026. We re-check this page every week against Essex Street Academy's own website and NYC sources. Details change, so confirm anything important directly. Something to add or correct? Tell us.