Special Music School (03M859) is a public school in District 3, Lincoln Square, Manhattan, serving grades K–12. In 2026, 98% of tested students were proficient in reading and 100% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 322 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE). The average K–5 class size was 14.5 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
Visit school websiteThe one thing to remember
2026 reading proficiency is 98%, higher than most NYC elementary schools, including those with similar economic need.
93%
of parents trust the principal
97%
trust their child's teachers
96%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 69% of families answered.
Students here gain more than at most schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.79 · 91st percentile
The DOE compares results with those of students with similar starting points and backgrounds.
View this school's official NYC DOE School Quality SnapshotReading
98%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
85 students tested
Mathematics
100%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
74 students tested
Grade 8 math not reported by the DOE.
Excludes charter schools. Weighted by students tested.
New York changed its grades 3–8 tests in 2023. Compare years from 2023 onward with each other, not with earlier years.
Citywide reading scores fell sharply in 2026; NYC Public Schools is reviewing the results. Source: NYC Public Schools
| Year | Reading | Math |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 99% | 100% |
| 2019 | 98% | 99% |
| 2022 | 95% | 95% |
| 2023 | 96% | 100% |
| 2024 | 100% | 100% |
| 2025 | 100% | 100% |
| 2026 | 98% | 100% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 34%
Economic need index: 25%0.2 mi away
Economic need index: 41%0.3 mi away
Economic need index: 36%0.3 mi away
Economic need index: 34%
Economic need index: 25%0.2 mi away
Economic need index: 41%0.3 mi away
Economic need index: 36%0.3 mi away
| Measure | Special Music School | The Urban Assembly School for Media Studies |
|---|---|---|
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 322 | 306 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 11.5 | 6.8 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 96% | 97% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 93% | 97% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 97% | 97% |
| Leadership (2026) | 93% | 97% |
| Distance between schools | 0.1 mi | |
Special Music School has lower trust in principal (2026) than The Urban Assembly School for Media Studies (93% vs 97%).
Enrollment
322 students
K–12 · about the same over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Class size
14.5
children in the average K–5 class; about 11.5 students per teacher (2025–26)
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
1%
was 2% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
27% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 34% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
16%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 39% White, 16% Hispanic, 20% Asian, 6% Black, 19% multiracial, 53% female, 47% male.
Economic need index: 34% — the measure we use to compare similar schools. It combines measures of students’ economic circumstances; it is not a measure of school quality.
NYC DOE · 2026 survey
NYC DOE · 2024–25
Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools. This school has no attendance zone; admission is through MySchools.
129 W 67th St, New York, NY 10023, USA
Source: NYC DOE / NYSED, 2026 · School information · View this school's official NYC DOE School Quality Snapshot
Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools.