Bard High School Early College

Bard High School Early College Manhattan (BHSEC Manhattan) offers a distinctive program where students can earn both a high school diploma and an Associate in Arts (AA) degree from Bard College, tuition-free, by completing college-level coursework during their junior and senior years. The school is widely recognized as a top public high school in New York, consistently ranking highly for its college preparatory environment. Graduates demonstrate exceptional outcomes, with a 97% graduation rate and 76.7% enrolling in college, both well above citywide medians. Regents pass rates are strong in English and Global History, though the Chemistry Regents pass rate is a notable concern. Parents highly praise the school's challenging curriculum and its effectiveness in preparing students for higher education, reflected in overwhelmingly positive survey responses. Students describe the academic environment as rigorous and demanding, sometimes stressful, but ultimately beneficial for developing discipline and critical thinking. While the community is often seen as close-knit, some students have expressed concerns about social cliques and feelings of exclusion. The school also implements a Diversity in Admissions initiative, prioritizing applicants eligible for free or reduced-price lunch for half of its seats.