Close-up of a student's hands connecting jumper wires to a small circuit board resting on a laptop keyboard, while another student works at a second laptop across the table

Apply

Please read this page carefully before applying. We encourage all interested families to reach out — we're always happy to let you know whether space may be available.

We require prospective students to visit Urban Academy before applying. We believe the best way to know whether a school is the right fit is to experience it while classes are in session.

Students are eligible to apply during 8th grade (see process below) or as transfer students looking for a new high school.

A Note on Our Program

For students entering 11th or 12th grade, please note that Urban Academy is not a credit recovery school. Students are expected to remain at Urban for a minimum of two years in order to complete graduation requirements.

Application Steps

1. Watch Our Documentary

Start by watching our 32-minute documentary about Urban Academy and our discussion-based classrooms, featuring footage from a variety of classes in action. If you're still interested after watching, move on to the next step.

2. Schedule a Visit

Student visits are required as part of the application process. (Parent information sessions are described below.)

During the School Year, prospective students will:
- Observe two classes
- Participate in a brief interview
- Complete an application which requires writing an essay along with other writing components.
To schedule a visit, fill out the form below. We will respond with available visit dates.
During the Summer, students may attend one of our summer open houses, where they will:
- Participate in a debate-style discussion with current students
- Tour the school
- Have an opportunity to ask questions
We have an open house coming up on September 2nd. To register, fill out the form below.

If the form doesn't work or if you'd rather email us, do so at urban@urbanacademy.org. Be sure to include the following information:

Subject Line: ADMISSIONS
Please include: Child's name, current grade, and current school.
Please make sure to provide us with a copy of a recent transcript, and if you have any additional learning accommodations such as an IEP or 504 Plan, we will need those documents as well.

Information for 8th Grade Applicants

Although Urban Academy is listed on the NYC MySchools High School application, our admissions process is completely separate.

We offer a longer admissions timeline, giving 8th grade students more flexibility to explore and apply — including during the spring semester of 8th grade. Students interested in applying during the fall of 8th grade may begin visiting and applying in November. Applications remain open throughout the entire 8th grade year, including through June.

To get started, follow the steps above to inquire and apply.

3. Application Review

Once your visit and application are complete, we will review your materials and follow up with next steps.

The Decision Process

Applications are reviewed in admission cycles throughout the semester. Once a decision has been made, applicants will be notified of their admission status via email. We appreciate your patience throughout the process.
Accepted students: Accepted students have a week to decide whether they will attend.
Waitlist: During the first two weeks of each semester, we open the process for any remaining spots.

Parent & Guardian Participation

Parent Tours are held one morning a month during the school year. Tours last for about one hour and include peeking into a class or two and background on the school. Tours also include a Q&A session.

Upcoming Tours: See our calendar for upcoming tour dates.
To Register: Fill out the form above.

Parents of students who have just begun at Urban are welcome to join as well.

Parents and guardians who want more information can contact our co-directors Christine or Terri, or Rachel Santiago (Director of Admissions).