Special Music School is a K-12 public school that teaches music as a core subject on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City. The school is run as a public/private partnership between the New York City Department of Education and Kaufman Music Center, a not-for-profit, multi-arts organization.
Serving 305 students in grades Kindergarten-12, Special Music School ranks in the top 1% of all schools in New York for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 1%, and reading proficiency is top 1%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≥95% (which is higher than the New York state average of 52%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 90-94% (which is higher than the New York state average of 49%).
The student-teacher ratio of 10:1 is lower than the New York state level of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is higher than the New York state average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: Kindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 305 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1
- Minority Enrollment: 62%
- Graduation Rate: ≥90% (Top 50% in NY)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 1%
- Math Proficiency: ≥95% (Top 1%)
- Reading Proficiency: 90-94% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: ≥95% (Top 5%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Special Music School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New York for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Diversity
School Overview
Special Music School's student population of 305 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 30 teachers has grown by 11% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
305 students
Total Classroom Teachers
30 teachers
Year Founded
1996
School Rankings
Special Music School ranks within the top 1% of all 4,346 schools in New York (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Special Music School is 0.75, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.73. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#12 out of 4346 schools
(Top 1%)
(Top 1%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥95%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
90-94%
49%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥95%
78%
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
11:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
20%
10%
Hispanic
16%
31%
Black
5%
15%
White
38%
39%
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
20%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥90%
87%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
24%
55%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
3%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Special Music School's ranking?
Special Music School is ranked #12 out of 4,346 schools, which ranks it among the top 1% of public schools in New York.
What schools are Special Music School often compared to?
Special Music Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Anderson School, P.s. 199 Jessie Isador Straus by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≥95% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 52% NY state average), while 90-94% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 49% NY state average).
What is the graduation rate of Special Music School?
The graduation rate of Special Music School is 90%, which is higher than the New York state average of 87%.
How many students attend Special Music School?
305 students attend Special Music School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
38% of Special Music School students are White, 20% of students are Asian, 20% of students are Two or more races, 16% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Special Music School?
Special Music School has a student ration of 10:1, which is lower than the New York state average of 11:1.
What grades does Special Music School offer ?
Special Music School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Special Music School part of?
Special Music School is part of New York City Geographic District # 3.
School Reviews
Review Special Music School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
