Our History

The High School American Studies was designed as a small school for about 400 students. It was created in 2002, along with Queens High School for the Sciences at York College and the High School for Math, Science, and Engineering at City College. New York City previously had three specialized high schools, Brooklyn Technical High School, Bronx Science, and Stuyvesant, besides LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. The three new schools were created to provide more opportunities for students in addition to the three original specialized high schools. We have been graduating students since 2006.

Unique among the specialized high schools, HSAS puts a special focus on history, particularly American History. All students are required to study U.S. History for three years and take the AP US History Exam in May of the third year. We also offer a variety of AP classes such as Calculus AB, Spanish, Biology, World History, English Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, and African American Studies. We have a wide variety of clubs and compete in many PSAL sports.