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Two 8th grade students in cap and gown holding their graduation certificates at the Pine Street School Middle School Graduation Ceremony.
Academics
High School Placement

High School Placement

In spring 2026, all students in our inaugural 8th Grade Class were admitted to their first-choice school, an extraordinary milestone for our first graduating class.

Pine Street School prepares students for high school admissions thoughtfully and over time. The inquiry, writing, public speaking, reflection, and close advising built into Middle School help students understand their strengths and present themselves with confidence.

Families receive clear guidance throughout the process, from early school exploration through final decisions.

In spring 2026, all students in our inaugural Grade 8 class were admitted to their first-choice high school, an extraordinary milestone for our first graduating class.

Test Preparation

Beginning in Grade 7, students receive dedicated preparation for the admissions tests they may encounter. Practice is built into the school program so students become familiar with test formats, strengthen their strategies, and feel prepared to show what they know.

Students also take the Comprehensive Testing Program (CTP) assessment beginning in Grade 4, giving them regular experience with standardized testing well before the high school admissions process begins.

Essays and Interviews

Strong writing develops throughout the Pine Street School curriculum. Students learn to organize ideas, support arguments with evidence, and write with a clear individual voice. This includes focused persuasive writing in Grade 7 and application essay work in Grade 8.

Debates, discussions, presentations, and other public-speaking experiences help students communicate with confidence. Each Grade 8 student also participates in two mock interviews during the fall application season.

Expert Guidance for Families

Pine Street School partners with Smart City Kids to provide additional admissions guidance and support for students and families.

Together, we help families navigate school selection, application planning, admissions timelines, and communication with high schools. Parents can also take part in workshops, family sessions, coffee chats, and open office hours throughout the process.

Smart City Kids works closely with Pine Street School’s Middle School leadership team so each student’s strengths, interests, and goals are well understood.

Connecting Students With High Schools

Students begin learning about high school options well before applications are due. Beginning in the spring of Grade 6 and continuing through Grade 7, Pine Street School welcomes admissions representatives from schools across New York City to meet our community.

In Grade 8, students hear directly from high schools, ask questions, compare programs, and build a school list grounded in firsthand knowledge.

High School Acceptances

Students in Pine Street School’s inaugural Grade 8 class received acceptances from:

  • Avenues: The World School
  • Berkeley Carroll School
  • Birch Wathen Lenox
  • Brooklyn Friends School
  • The Brooklyn Latin School
  • The Calhoun School
  • Dwight School
  • Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
  • Friends Seminary
  • Grace Church School
  • High School for Environmental Studies Honors Academy
  • The High School of Fashion Industries
  • La Scuola d’Italia
  • Léman Manhattan Preparatory School
  • Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School (LREI)
  • Poly Prep Country Day School
  • Rudolf Steiner School
  • School of the Future
  • The Spence School
  • Staten Island Academy
  • Stuyvesant High School
  • The Brearley School
  • The Hewitt School
  • The Packer Collegiate Institute
  • Tottenville High School Science Institute
  • Trevor Day School
  • Trinity School
  • United Nations International School
  • Urban Assembly New York Harbor School
  • Urban Assembly School for Leadership and Empowerment
  • Xavier High School
Frequently asked questions
When does high school admissions preparation begin at Pine Street School?

Focused preparation begins in Grade 7, while the underlying skills, including research, writing, public speaking, reflection, organization, and time management, develop throughout Middle School.

Does Pine Street School provide ISEE, SSAT, or SHSAT preparation?

Yes. Beginning in Grade 7, students receive dedicated preparation based on the admissions tests relevant to the high schools they are considering, including the ISEE, SSAT, and SHSAT.

How does Pine Street School help students with application essays?

Students build strong writing skills throughout the curriculum. Grade 7 includes focused persuasive writing, and Grade 8 includes application essay work that helps students organize ideas, support them with evidence, and write in a clear individual voice.

How does Pine Street School prepare students for high school interviews?

Debates, discussions, presentations, and other public-speaking experiences build confidence over time. Each Grade 8 student also participates in two mock interviews during the fall application season.

What high school admissions support do families receive?

Families receive guidance on school selection, application planning, admissions timelines, and communication with high schools through Pine Street School's Middle School team and its partnership with Smart City Kids. Support includes workshops, family sessions, coffee chats, and open office hours.

Do high school admissions representatives meet Pine Street School students?

Yes. Pine Street School begins welcoming admissions representatives in the spring of Grade 6 and continues through Grade 7. In Grade 8, students hear directly from high schools, ask questions, compare programs, and build informed school lists.

Where have Pine Street School graduates been admitted?

The inaugural Grade 8 class received acceptances from a wide range of independent, specialized public, international, and other New York City high schools. The High School Placement page lists the schools represented in those results.

What were the results for Pine Street School's inaugural Grade 8 class?

In spring 2026, all students in Pine Street School's inaugural Grade 8 class were admitted to their first-choice high school.