Queens High School for the Sciences at York College
A small research-focused school on the York College campus in Jamaica, Queens — where students conduct original science research alongside college faculty from day one.
2026 Cutoff
531
+13 vs. 2025
Rank
#3
of 8 schools
5-yr Low
515
recent minimum
5-yr High
531
recent maximum
About Queens High School for the Sciences at York College
Queens High School for the Sciences at York College is one of NYC's smallest and most research-intensive specialized high schools, enrolling approximately 430 students on the campus of York College of CUNY in Jamaica, Queens. Like HSMSE, QHSS places students in direct proximity to a four-year university — and takes full advantage of that setting. Students at QHSS conduct original scientific research as a core part of their curriculum, working with York College faculty and accessing college-level laboratories. The school regularly produces Intel/Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists and Siemens Competition winners. Founded in 2002, QHSS has a focused, intimate environment where the student-to-teacher ratio is low and mentorship relationships run deep. The curriculum is built around biology, chemistry, environmental science, and biomedical research — with a particular strength in life sciences. Queens students gain significant advantages from the school's York College location: dual enrollment opportunities, college library access, and the experience of navigating a diverse urban college campus while still in high school. The 2026 cutoff of 531 was the highest QHSS has seen in recent years, reflecting growing recognition of the school's outcomes. Its cutoff has historically ranged from 515 to 531 — placing it in the same tier as Bronx Science and HSMSE, but with a more accessible average.
Academic Focus
Career Paths
Notable Alumni
Intel/Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists · Siemens Competition winners · Alumni at top research universities and medical schools
Queens Science 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 | 531 |
| 2025 | 518 |
| 2024 | 524 |
| 2023 | 527 |
| 2022 | 523 |
| 2021 | 515 |
How to get into Queens High School for the Sciences at York College — admissions strategy
The 2026 cutoff hit 531 — the highest in recent years and a jump from 518 in 2025. Target 540+ if QHSS is your first choice, as the trend may continue upward.
Queens Science is an excellent strategic choice for students interested in life sciences, biomedical research, or pre-med — the research access at York College is unmatched at this level.
The school is most accessible for Queens residents, but students from Brooklyn and the Bronx also attend. The Jamaica, Queens location is accessible via the A, E, J, and Z subway lines.
With only ~430 students, competition for seats is real — the school accepts a small number of students from each grade's applicant pool.
What score do you need for Queens Science?
The 2026 cutoff was 531. 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 →Queens Science — frequently asked questions
What is the SHSAT cutoff score for Queens Science in 2026?
The official 2026 SHSAT cutoff score for Queens High School for the Sciences at York College is 531. 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 Queens Science?
To reach a composite score of 531, you need approximately 266 points per section. Based on the DOE's scoring curve, that translates to roughly 41–42 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 87%.
Is Queens Science hard to get into?
Queens High School for the Sciences at York College has a 2026 SHSAT cutoff of 531, which ranks #3 among the 8 testing specialized high schools. Only the top 3–5% 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 Queens Science offer?
Queens High School for the Sciences at York College is known for its programs in Research, Science, Math, Biology, Chemistry. Students at QHSS conduct original scientific research as a core part of their curriculum, working with York College faculty and accessing college-level laboratories. The school regularly produces Intel/Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists and Siemens Competition winners.
Where is Queens Science located?
Queens High School for the Sciences at York College is located at 94-50 159th St, Jamaica, NY 11433 in Queens, New York. The school was founded in 2002 and currently enrolls ~430 students.
What happens if I don't get into Queens Science?
You can list multiple specialized high schools on your SHSAT registration in order of preference. If Queens Science 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 Queens Science today
The free SHSAT diagnostic tells you exactly where you stand across 33 skill areas — and how far you are from the 531 cutoff. Takes about 90 minutes.