New York’s first new high school in decades debuts

New York City’s first new public high school in 60 years opened to students on September 19.

Designed by Ennead Architects, East Harlem Scholars Academy High School aligns with the East Harlem Tutorial Program’s (EHTP) goal to familiarize its students with a collegiate-like environment in preparation for their future academic transition.

“We hope this serves as a model for future public schools throughout the city for years to come,” said Steven Chu, a design partner at Ennead, in a prepared statement.

High school encourages study and research

The 70,000-sf building provides students with spaces needed to support a flexible, enhanced academic schedule, and to accommodate programming across all EHTP schools. The building’s six stories include 25 classrooms, an art and music room, and fully equipped labs for biology, chemistry, and physics.

The school also features a college access suite that encourages study and research, and provides college counseling, SAT and Regents test prep, and EHTP’s flagship College Mentoring Program. The building’s design includes break-out and small-group study areas.

To fit the needs of all students, including those who are neurodivergent, the design team incorporated special lighting and sound, as well as ample acoustical absorption within the walls of the school’s lobby and cafeteria. The design of the classrooms and stairwells lets in natural light and takes into account visibility to reinforce openness and transparency.

School features sustainable design

The school’s amenities include a full-sized gym, a Black Box Theater, and cafeteria, with an eye toward making the school a community hub. To the right of the cafeteria is a backyard terrace. And the building’s glass façade offers generous views of the city.

Sustainability is also on display. To mitigate the effects of flooding, the high school, located on 104th Street and First Avenue, is in a designated flood zone. The lobby is lifted three feet above ground level. And a blue roof captures stormwater for easier drainage.

East Harlem Scholars Academy High School consolidates the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades, which had been operating out of temporary buildings at 96th and 106th streets on Second Avenue. The new school serves 326 students, 67% of whom are Hispanic, and 28% are Black.