With students heading back to school campuses this past week, BEAM is reflecting on the success of our rising high school freshman class in New York. We’re so proud of the achievements of these students:

• 64% received offers from high schools that we rank as “Tier 1”; these schools offer AP calculus or an equivalent and more than 85% of graduates are college ready — fewer than 10% of schools qualify;

• 90% received offers from “Trusted” schools with good course offerings and support;

• 12 students were admitted to specialized high schools including Brooklyn Latin; Brooklyn Technical High School; High School for Math, Science, and Engineering; and Stuyvesant.

Each year, New York City’s rising freshman apply to high school, and last year was a year unlike any other.

The high school admissions process in New York City marks a pivotal step in students’ academic careers. Unlike in most other school districts, all New York City public school students must apply to high school. What school a student attends determines a lot about what opportunities they will have, including opportunities to study advanced math and science that will prepare them to study STEM in college. Consider, for example, that most high schools in New York City don’t offer precalculus, much less calculus. BEAM works with students and families to ensure that students can successfully navigate the application process and apply to high schools with strong course offerings and good support, which open the most doors to a successful STEM career.