High School of American Studies (HSAS)
The only specialized high school focused on humanities and social science — located on the Lehman College campus for students who want to study American history, policy, and writing at a deep level.
2026 Cutoff
507
+3 vs. 2025
Rank
#6
of 8 schools
5-yr Low
500
recent minimum
5-yr High
516
recent maximum
About High School of American Studies (HSAS)
The High School of American Studies at Lehman College is the only one of NYC's eight testing specialized high schools that centers its curriculum on the humanities rather than STEM. Located on the campus of Lehman College in the Bronx, HSAS offers a unique academic focus on American history, government, politics, economics, and writing. The school was founded in 1999 and enrolls approximately 425 students — making it one of the smallest in the system and fostering an unusually close-knit community. HSAS students take advantage of their Lehman College location through dual-enrollment opportunities, access to the college library and faculty, and involvement in academic events on campus. The writing program is particularly strong: students graduate with highly developed analytical writing skills that serve them well in college-level work. HSAS sends a high percentage of its graduates to top liberal arts colleges and Ivy League universities — not despite its humanities focus, but because of it. For students who are strong readers and writers and passionate about history, law, politics, or social science, HSAS offers something that Stuyvesant or Brooklyn Tech simply can't: a school built around those interests. Its cutoff (502–516 over recent years) is more accessible than the top STEM schools, making it a realistic target for well-rounded students who excel at ELA.
Academic Focus
Career Paths
Notable Alumni
Strong Ivy League and liberal arts college placement · Alumni in law, journalism, public policy, and academia
HSAS SHSAT cutoff scores — 2021 to 2026
Source: NYC DOE official admissions data. Cutoffs shift each cycle based on applicant volume and performance.
| Admissions Year | Cutoff Score |
|---|---|
| 2026 Latest | 507 |
| 2025 | 504 |
| 2024 | 514 |
| 2023 | 510 |
| 2022 | 516 |
| 2021 | 502 |
How to get into High School of American Studies (HSAS) — admissions strategy
The 2026 cutoff was 507. Aim for 515+ to be comfortable — the cutoff has ranged 502–516 and can shift based on how many students list HSAS first.
HSAS is one of the most underrated specialized schools. Its humanities focus and Lehman College setting are ideal for students who are strong in ELA and interested in policy, law, or writing.
HSAS ELA scores matter more here than at STEM schools — students who are significantly stronger in ELA than Math may be competitive here when they wouldn't be at a pure-STEM school.
The location in the northwest Bronx near Lehman College is accessible via the 4 train and Metro-North — factor commute into your decision.
What score do you need for HSAS?
The 2026 cutoff was 507. Use the SHSAT score calculator to see how close you are — and which schools are within reach based on your current practice test results.
Check your score →HSAS — frequently asked questions
What is the SHSAT cutoff score for HSAS in 2026?
The official 2026 SHSAT cutoff score for High School of American Studies (HSAS) is 507. This is the lowest composite score that received an admissions offer for students entering in Fall 2026, as published by the NYC Department of Education. Cutoff scores shift each year based on applicant volume and performance.
How many questions do I need to get right to get into HSAS?
To reach a composite score of 507, you need approximately 254 points per section. Based on the DOE's scoring curve, that translates to roughly 38–39 correct answers per section out of 57 total questions. Note that 10 of the 57 questions per section are unscored experimental items — so your effective accuracy on the 47 scored questions needs to be approximately 81%.
Is HSAS hard to get into?
High School of American Studies (HSAS) has a 2026 SHSAT cutoff of 507, which ranks #6 among the 8 testing specialized high schools. Only the top 15–20% of SHSAT test-takers score at or above this level. Preparation matters enormously — students who start targeted prep 6–12 months before the exam see the most significant score improvements.
What programs does HSAS offer?
High School of American Studies (HSAS) is known for its programs in History, Social Science, Writing, Political Science, Economics. The school was founded in 1999 and enrolls approximately 425 students — making it one of the smallest in the system and fostering an unusually close-knit community. HSAS students take advantage of their Lehman College location through dual-enrollment opportunities, access to the college library and faculty, and involvement in academic events on campus.
Where is HSAS located?
High School of American Studies (HSAS) is located at 2925 Goulden Ave, Bronx, NY 10468 in Bronx, New York. The school was founded in 1999 and currently enrolls ~425 students.
What happens if I don't get into HSAS?
You can list multiple specialized high schools on your SHSAT registration in order of preference. If HSAS is your first choice and your score doesn't reach the cutoff, you'll be considered for your second choice, then third, and so on. You can also retake the SHSAT once — once in 8th grade and once in 9th grade. Students who don't receive any specialized school offer can continue in the NYC high school application process through MySchools.
Schools with similar cutoff scores
Start preparing for HSAS today
The free SHSAT diagnostic tells you exactly where you stand across 33 skill areas — and how far you are from the 507 cutoff. Takes about 90 minutes.