School Overview
Columbia Secondary School (CSS) is a unique public 6–12 institution located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. Established as a partnership between the New York City Department of Education and Columbia University, the school is designed to provide a rigorous, college-preparatory education to a diverse student body drawn from all five boroughs. Its curriculum emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, with a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as a heavy integration of the humanities.

The school is notable for its close ties to Columbia University, which offers students access to university resources, including guest lectures, research opportunities, and collaborations with faculty. CSS places a high value on inquiry-based learning and critical thinking, encouraging students to engage with complex global issues. With a mission to prepare students for success in higher education and beyond, the school cultivates a scholarly environment that blends the structure of a traditional secondary education with the intellectual intensity and cultural opportunities of a major research university.
714
Total Students
57.1
Full-Time Teachers
12.5
Student/Teacher Ratio
44.5%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for COLUMBIA SECONDARY SCHOOL
Demographic Student Count
White178
Hispanic248
Black141
Asian81
Two or More58
American Indian4
Pacific Islander4
  • Hispanic
    248 (34.7%)
  • White
    178 (24.9%)
  • Black
    141 (19.7%)
  • Asian
    81 (11.3%)
  • Two or More
    58 (8.1%)
  • American Indian
    4 (0.6%)
  • Pacific Islander
    4 (0.6%)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: High School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: No
District: NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5
Phone: (212)666-1278
Website: http://www.columbiasecondary.org
Grade Range: 6th - 12th
Total Students: 714
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 57.1
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 12.5
NSLP Participation:1 N/A
Qualified Free Lunch: 314
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 4
Grades Taught
Grade 6 100
Grade 7 99
Grade 8 98
Grade 9 105
Grade 10 105
Grade 11 102
Grade 12 104
Ungraded 1

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for COLUMBIA SECONDARY SCHOOL
Grade Student Count
Grade 6100
Grade 799
Grade 898
Grade 9105
Grade 10105
Grade 11102
Grade 12104
Ungraded1
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for COLUMBIA SECONDARY SCHOOL
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female32445.4%
Male39054.6%
Nearby High Schools (Within 10 Miles)