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Special Music School
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Special Music School

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Grades K-12 · 129 WEST 67 STREET · Manhattan

KATHERINE BANUCCI-SMITH, Principal · 212-501-3318

kaufmanmusiccenter.org

About

Special Music School is a highly selective K-12 public school in Manhattan, renowned for its unique integration of rigorous academics with world-class, pre-professional music training. Operating as a partnership between the Kaufman Music Center, which funds the extensive music program, and the NYC Department of Education, the school offers free private lessons with professional musicians, alongside a comprehensive curriculum in music theory, history, technology, and performance. Students consistently achieve exceptional academic results, with ELA and Math proficiency rates at 100%, well above citywide medians, and 100% of students participating in accelerated coursework. The high school boasts a 100% graduation rate and a college enrollment rate significantly above the city median. Parents and students describe a supportive, close-knit community with caring teachers and a strong sense of safety. While the K-8 division is located at the Kaufman Music Center, the high school is housed in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Educational Complex, near Lincoln Center. Parents note that some high school classrooms are on a lower floor without windows. Parents praise the dedicated teachers and the school's ability to foster both academic and musical excellence, though some older feedback noted concerns about administrative communication.

Sources (16)

Where graduates go next[2]

  • · Special Music School
  • · Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

High schools this school’s graduates most commonly attend.

Academics

State test proficiency rates and acceleration.

ELA proficiency

100%

Math proficiency

100%

Kindergarten (03M859)High-pushhigh confidence
Voice, Instrument, and CompositionBalancedlow confidence
Special Music SchoolBalancedlow confidence

Proficiency rates are from the Grade 3–8 NYS state test (school-level).

Attendance rate

99%

Avg class size (general ed)

—

Avg class size (ICT)

13.44

Average class size by classroom setting: general education vs. ICT (Integrated Co-Teaching, where general- and special-education students learn together with two teachers). NYC DOE Class Size Report, 2021–22.

Accelerated & honors courses[1]

  • Algebra II (Advanced Math)
  • AP Biology
  • AP Calculus AB
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP English Language and Composition
  • AP English Literature and Composition
  • AP Music Theory
  • AP Physics 1
  • AP Spanish Language and Culture
  • AP United States Government and Politics
  • AP United States History
  • Chemistry (Advanced Science)
  • Physics (Advanced Science)
  • World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

High-school-credit or accelerated coursework offered.

Electives, clubs & activities[1]

Clubs & activities
Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA)

Offerings vary year to year.

Arts offerings[1]

  • Orchestra/Strings
  • Music Industry & Contemporary Music
  • Exploring Music
  • Chorus/Singing
  • Band/Brass/Percussion/Woodwinds

Arts and music courses offered.

Community & climate

Demographics, attendance, school survey results, and DOE quality ratings.

Quality signals

FacultyExcellentAI-estimated
InstructionExcellent
Safety & climateExcellent
Family tiesExcellent

DOE quality-rating labels are skewed across the system; read them relative to the citywide distribution in our methodology.

Parent survey · overall positive

86%54% response rate

Teacher survey · overall positive

87%33% response rate

Student survey · overall positive

76%90% response rate

Survey topics

Safety86%city 76%
  • Conflicts are resolved fairly in this school.70%
  • I feel safe…outside around this school.87%
  • I feel safe…traveling between home and this school.81%
  • I feel safe…in the hallways, bathrooms, locker rooms, and cafeteria of this school.92%
  • I feel safe…in my classes at this school.96%
  • Conflicts are resolved fairly in my school.100%
  • School Safety Agents promote a safe and respectful environment.77%
  • At this school students drink alcohol, use illegal drugs, or abuse prescription drugs.68%
  • At this school students get into physical fights.91%
  • At this school there is gang activity.93%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (86%) is their average, vs 76% citywide.

Bullying prevention71%city 57%
  • At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate other students.72%
  • At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate each other because of their race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, language/accent, or citizenship/immigration status.86%
  • At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate each other because of their gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.86%
  • At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate each other because of other differences, like different body type or disability.85%
  • At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate each other online (through mobile phones, social media, email, or other forms of electronic communication).73%
  • At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate other students.22%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (71%) is their average, vs 57% citywide.

Emotional support70%city 69%
  • I know where to go at my school if I need additional support with my mental-health.78%
  • During this school year, most days I have felt happy when at school.74%
  • During this school year, most days I have felt safe when at school.86%
  • During this school year, most days I have felt optimistic when at school.69%
  • During this school year, most days I have felt bored when at school.18%
  • During this school year, most days I have felt stressed when at school.16%
  • During this school year, most days I have felt worried when at school.39%
  • There is time at school to talk about feelings and emotions.71%
  • How many adults at this school…help students develop the skills they need to complete challenging coursework despite obstacles?.100%
  • How many adults at this school…tell their students they believe they can achieve high academic standards?.100%
  • How many adults at this school…teach students how to advocate for themselves?.100%
  • How many adults at this school…recognize disruptive behavior as social-emotional learning opportunities?.88%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (70%) is their average, vs 69% citywide.

Personal attention69%city 67%
  • In how many of your classes, this school year, do YOU feel the following statement is true? My teachers…ask if I have everything that I need to succeed in their class.62%
  • In how many of your classes, this school year, do YOU feel the following statement is true? My teachers…give me specific suggestions about how I can improve my work in class.70%
  • In how many of your classes, this school year, do YOU feel the following statement is true? My teachers…explain things a different way if I don't understand something in class.73%
  • In how many of your classes, this school year, do YOU feel the following statement is true? My teachers…support me when I am upset.55%
  • Adults at this school check in with me frequently about how I’m doing personally.64%
  • Adults at this school check in with me frequently about how I’m doing academically.77%
  • I feel like I belong at this school.80%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (69%) is their average, vs 67% citywide.

Academic expectations75%city 71%
  • The classes at this school prepare me for the next step in my education.85%
  • In how many of your classes …are you challenged?.63%
  • In how many of your classes …do your teachers have high expectations for you?.79%
  • In how many of your classes …are you encouraged to work in small groups?.76%
  • In how many of your classes …do your teachers want you to become better thinkers, not just memorize things?.77%
  • In how many of your classes …do you get so focused on learning during class activities that you lose track of time?.35%
  • In this school, the staff believes that all students can learn, including English language learners (ELLs), Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLLs), and students with disabilities.100%
  • How many students in your classes…have to work hard to do well?.86%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (75%) is their average, vs 71% citywide.

Clear instruction81%city 73%
  • In how many of your classes, this school year, do YOU feel the following statement is true? My teachers make learning expectations clear.85%
  • In how many of your classes, this school year, do YOU feel the following statement is true? Class assignments are purposeful in learning the course content.84%
  • In how many of your classes, this school year, do YOU feel the following statement is true? The work I do in class is good preparation for class assignments, projects, and assessments.85%
  • In how many of your classes, this school year, do YOU feel the following statement is true? I learn a lot from feedback on my work.69%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (81%) is their average, vs 73% citywide.

College & career guidance83%city 81%
  • This school provides me with guidance on the high school application process.63%
  • This school provides my family with guidance on the high school application process.71%
  • Adults at this school (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and the principal)… meet with me to discuss what I plan to do after high school. [Grades 9-12].75%
  • Adults at this school (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and the principal)… encourage me to continue my education after high school. [Grades 9-12].90%
  • Adults at this school (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and the principal)… provide me with information about the college application process. [Grades 9-12].94%
  • Adults at this school (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and the principal)… help me plan for how to meet my future career goals. [Grades 9-12].83%
  • Adults at this school (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and the principal)… encourage students of all races, ethnicities, genders, cultures, and backgrounds to take challenging classes. [Grades 9-12].94%
  • Adults at this school (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and the principal)… advise me to take advanced courses. [Grades 9-12].89%
  • Adults at this school (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and the principal)… help me consider which colleges to apply to. [Grades 9-12].91%
  • Adults at this school (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and the principal)… show me options for how to pay for college (scholarship, grants, loans, work study programs, etc.). [Grades 9-12].84%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (83%) is their average, vs 81% citywide.

Family outreach94%city 94%
  • At this school…teachers understand families' challenges and concerns.100%
  • At this school…teachers work closely with families to meet students' needs.100%
  • At this school…staff regularly communicate with families about how they can help students learn.89%
  • At this school…school staff value families' race, ethnicity, culture, family structure, and background.100%
  • School staff regularly communicate with me about how I can help my child learn.92%
  • Teachers work closely with me to meet my child's needs.88%
  • My child's school communicates with me in a language that I can understand.98%
  • I am greeted warmly when I contact or visit the school.89%
  • My child's school will make me aware if there are any concerns about my child’s social or emotional well-being.90%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (94%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.

Student–teacher trust84%city 82%
  • There is at least one adult at my school that I can confide in.85%
  • My teachers are open to students' ideas, suggestions, and comments.87%
  • My teachers always do what they say they will do.67%
  • My teachers treat me with respect.97%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (84%) is their average, vs 82% citywide.

Parent–teacher trust90%city 95%
  • I feel respected by my child's teachers.91%
  • Staff at this school work hard to build trusting relationships with parents/guardians like me.88%
  • My child's teachers treat me as a partner in educating my child.90%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (90%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.

Show all survey topics

Rigorous Instruction

Quality of Student Discussion80%city 67%
  • How many students in your classes…build on each other’s ideas during class discussions?.78%
  • How many students in your classes…use data or text references to support their ideas?.89%
  • How many students in your classes…show that they respect each other’s ideas?.89%
  • How many students in your classes…provide constructive feedback to their peers/teachers?.67%
  • How many students in your classes…participate in class discussions at some point?.78%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (80%) is their average, vs 67% citywide.

Collaborative Teachers

Cultural Awareness and Inclusive Classroom Instruction94%city 89%
  • My teachers use examples of students’ different races and cultures in their lessons to make learning more meaningful for me.83%
  • My teachers use examples of students’ different backgrounds and families in their lessons to make learning more meaningful for me.79%
  • I see a variety of races, ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds positively represented in the curriculum.92%
  • I see a variety of genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations positively represented in the curriculum.86%
  • At this school, we have productive conversations about race and racism where I feel my voice is heard.81%
  • My teachers treat students of different races, cultures, or backgrounds equally.94%
  • My teachers treat students of different genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations equally.97%
  • I feel that my teachers respect my culture, background, and identity.95%
  • I am able to...receive support around how to incorporate students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds in my practice.100%
  • I am able to...modify instructional activities and materials to meet the developmental needs and learning interests of all my students.100%
  • I am able to...ensure instruction represents multiple perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds.100%
  • I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations.100%
  • I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple races and ethnicities.100%
  • I am able to...design appropriate instruction that is matched to students' need (e.g. English language learners (ELLs) or Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLLs) proficiency and students with disabilities).100%
  • I am able to...apply my knowledge of parents' various cultural backgrounds when collaborating with them regarding their child's educational progress.100%
  • I am able to...develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs for my students with disabilities.100%
  • I am able to...monitor progress on Individualized Education Program goals for my students with disabilities.89%
  • I am able to...distinguish linguistic/cultural differences from learning difficulties.100%
  • I have conversations about race and racism at my school that help me examine my own beliefs around identity.89%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (94%) is their average, vs 89% citywide.

School Commitment93%city 83%
  • I usually look forward to each working day at this school.100%
  • I would recommend this school to parents/guardians seeking a place for their child.100%
  • I would recommend this school to other teachers as a place to work.78%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (93%) is their average, vs 83% citywide.

Peer Collaboration89%city 87%
  • At this school…the principal/school leader, teachers, and staff collaborate to make this school run effectively.78%
  • At this school…teachers design instructional programs (e.g. lessons, units) together.89%
  • At this school…teachers make a conscious effort to coordinate their teaching with instruction at other grade levels.100%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (89%) is their average, vs 87% citywide.

Innovation and Collective Responsibility87%city 79%
  • How many teachers at this school…help build a welcoming school environment in the entire school, not just their classroom?.78%
  • How many teachers at this school…are actively trying to improve their teaching?.89%
  • How many teachers at this school…take responsibility for improving the school?.89%
  • How many teachers at this school…are eager to try new ideas?.89%
  • How many teachers at this school…feel responsible that all students learn?.89%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (87%) is their average, vs 79% citywide.

Quality of Professional Development78%city 82%
  • Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...included enough time to think carefully about, try, and evaluate new ideas.89%
  • Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...Included opportunities to engage in inquiry-based, professional collaboration with peers and/or mentors from other schools.67%
  • Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...directly related to my students’ needs.78%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (78%) is their average, vs 82% citywide.

Supportive Environment

Classroom Behavior77%city 66%
  • How many students in your classes…listen carefully when the teacher gives directions?.78%
  • How many students in your classes…follow the rules in class?.100%
  • How many students in your classes…respond to challenging questions in class?.44%
  • How many students in your classes…do their work when they are supposed to?.86%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (77%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.

Conflict Resolution75%city 79%
  • When a conflict arises, school staff use questions to encourage reflection and resolve it.75%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (75%) is their average, vs 79% citywide.

Effective School Leadership

Inclusive Leadership88%city 93%
  • The principal/school leader at this school…puts decisions made with families into action.86%
  • The principal/school leader at this school…works to create a sense of community in the school.94%
  • The principal/school leader at this school…ensures families are comfortable communicating with the school.85%
  • I have the opportunity to work with adults at this school to make decisions in important areas that impact my life (e.g. instruction, safety, conflict resolution, etc.).87%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (88%) is their average, vs 93% citywide.

Program Coherence85%city 83%
  • At this school…once we start a new program, we follow up to make sure that it’s working.88%
  • At this school…it is clear how all of the programs offered are connected to our school’s instructional vision.88%
  • At this school…curriculum, instruction, and learning materials are well coordinated across the different grade levels at this school.78%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (85%) is their average, vs 83% citywide.

Teacher Influence84%city 66%
  • At this school…the principal/school leader encourages feedback through regular meetings with families and teacher leaders.78%
  • How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...hiring new professional personnel?.88%
  • How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...planning how discretionary school funds should be used?.75%
  • How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...selecting instructional materials and/or curriculum used in classrooms?.89%
  • How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...setting standards for student behavior?.89%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (84%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.

Instructional Leadership82%city 86%
  • The principal/school leader at this school...makes clear to the staff their expectations for meeting instructional goals.89%
  • The principal/school leader at this school...understands how children learn.89%
  • The principal/school leader at this school...sets high standards for student learning.100%
  • The principal/school leader at this school...participates in instructional planning with teams of teachers.67%
  • The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…supports teachers in implementing what they have learned in professional development.89%
  • The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…carefully tracks student academic progress.78%
  • The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…knows what’s going on in my classes.62%
  • The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…provides teachers with formative feedback to improve practice.75%
  • How many adults at this school…have access to school-based supports to assist in behavioral/emotional escalations?.88%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (82%) is their average, vs 86% citywide.

Strong Family-Community Ties

Strong Relationships91%city 90%
  • At this school, my child receives what they need to achieve their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goal(s). [Families of students with IEPs].91%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (91%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.

Parent Involvement in School55%city 63%
  • Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…communicated with your child's teachers about your child's performance?.81%
  • Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…seen your child’s projects, artwork, homework, tests, or quizzes?.81%
  • I know how to contact the Parent Coordinator at my child’s school.2%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (55%) is their average, vs 63% citywide.

Trust

Parent-Principal Trust89%city 94%
  • I feel respected by my child's principal/school leader.90%
  • I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).90%
  • The principal/school leader is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.88%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (89%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.

Teacher-Teacher Trust89%city 86%
  • Teachers in this school trust each other.89%
  • It's OK in this school to discuss feelings, worries, and frustrations with other teachers.89%
  • I feel respected by other teachers at this school.89%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (89%) is their average, vs 86% citywide.

Teacher-Principal Trust87%city 84%
  • I feel respected by the principal/school leader at this school.89%
  • The principal/school leader at this school is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.89%
  • The principal/school leader has confidence in the expertise of the teachers at this school.78%
  • I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).89%
  • The principal/school leader looks out for the personal welfare of the staff members.78%
  • The principal/school leader places the needs of children ahead of personal interests.100%
  • The principal and assistant principals function as a cohesive unit.89%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (87%) is their average, vs 84% citywide.

Student-Student Trust87%city 70%
  • Most students at this school treat each other with respect.81%
  • Most students treat students from different cultures or backgrounds equally.93%

Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (87%) is their average, vs 70% citywide.

Overall positive % is averaged across every Pos/Neg survey question per respondent group (school year 2023-2024). Survey topics are the DOE’s framework measures (each the average favorable response across its questions; expand a topic to see them and the citywide average); the dimension scores themselves are no longer in the public data file.[3]

Operational health

Attendance

99%

Chronic absenteeism

7%

Suspension rate

0%

Teachers[7]

Teachers with 4+ years' experience

65%

Students per teacher

4:1

Teaching out of certification

23%

Teacher experience and certification from the NYSED School Report Card (2024–25); students per teacher = enrollment ÷ reported teachers. Fewer than 4 years counts as inexperienced.

Student body

Race / ethnicity[4]

  • Asian 24%
  • Black 2%
  • Hispanic 13%
  • White 32%
  • Multiracial 20%

School-level totals; may not sum to 100% due to rounding and small subgroup suppression.

Gender[4]

  • Female 49%
  • Male 51%

Female / male shares as published by the DOE; other gender identities aren’t reported in the source data.

Enrollment

130

Economic Need Index

30%

Free / reduced lunch

24%

English learners

2%

Students with IEPs

10%

Admissions

Seats, applicants, and admissions method from the most recent cycle. Where the school enrolls separate tracks (general ed, students with disabilities, specialized education), each track is shown on its own row, with its priority order beneath it.

Kindergarten (03M859)

Program code 03M859KG · Cycle 2024-2025

Open enrollmentDanceInstrumental musicScience & mathTheaterVisual artsVocal music

212 applicants · 0 seats last year; every priority group with applicants received offers.

priority groupSeatsApplicantsApps / seat
General education0212—
↳ This school requires an audition as a part of its admissions process. Please call the school to learn more.
1021021.00

Last year’s published figures. Schools make more offers than seats because not everyone enrolls, so offers can exceed seats. Counts under 10 are suppressed (shown as “<10”).

Apply on MySchools →

How to read Apps / seat and where the outlook buckets come from is explained in our methodology.

Location & commute

Where the school is and how to get there.

Get directions ↗
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Data sources

  1. 1.MySchools / NYC DOE: Program descriptions, course, club, and arts offerings.
  2. 2.NYC DOE: Frequently-attended high schools.
  3. 3.NYC DOE School Survey: Parent, teacher, and student survey results.
  4. 4.NYC DOE Demographic Snapshot: Enrollment and demographic breakdowns.
  5. 6.NYC School Quality Report (high school edition): Graduation rate, Regents pass rates, and college enrollment.
  6. 7.NYSED School Report Card: Teacher experience, certification, and pupil-teacher ratio.