Is Bard High School Early College a good school?

Bard High School Early College ranks 382 nd of 1242 New York high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Bard High School Early College?

In the 2022-23 school year, 564 students attended Bard High School Early College.

What is the racial makeup of Bard High School Early College?

Students at Bard High School Early College are 35% White, 21% Asian, 21% Hispanic, 18% African American, 4% Two or more races.

Bard High School Early College

Summary:

Bard High School Early College is a public high school located in New York City's Lower East Side neighborhood, serving 564 students in grades 9-12. This exceptional school consistently ranks among the top high schools in New York state, with a statewide ranking as high as 5th out of 1,237 schools in the 2013-2014 school year.

Bard High School Early College's academic performance is exceptional, with significantly higher proficiency rates on Regents exams compared to the New York City Geographic District #1 and state averages across multiple subjects. The school also maintains a strong four-year graduation rate, ranging from 71.3% to 93.9% over the past few years, which is generally higher than the surrounding schools. While the school's chronic absenteeism rate is higher than the district and state averages, it serves a diverse student population with significant representation from Asian, African American, Hispanic, and White students.

Compared to nearby schools, such as Lower East Side Preparatory High School, University Neighborhood High School, and Orchard Collegiate Academy, Bard High School Early College outperforms them in terms of academic performance, graduation rates, and student diversity. The school's relatively high per-student spending and low student-teacher ratio may contribute to its academic success, despite serving a significant population of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.

Detail:

Public 9-12

525 E Houston St
New York, NY 10002

(212) 995-8479

District: New York City Geographic District # 1

SchoolDigger Rank:
382^nd of 1,242 New York High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $16,494

Student/teacher ratio: 11.5

Number of students: 564

Racial breakdown:

White:

34.8%

Asian:

21.3%

Hispanic:

21.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 51.8%

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Compare Bard High School Early College to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Bard High School Early College ranks better than 69.2% of high schools in New York. It also ranks first among 5 ranked high schools in the New York City Geographic District # 1! (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 67.89. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Bard High School Early College who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Bard High School Early College is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (34.8%), Asian (21.3%), Hispanic (21.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 51.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the New York City Geographic District # 1. (See more...)

Compare Details (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Bard High School Early College is 11.5. 3 high schools in the New York City Geographic District # 1 have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Bard High School Early College employs 48.6 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bard High School Early College is $16,494, which is the lowest among 7 high schools in the New York City Geographic District # 1!

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Bard High School Early College:

SchoolDigger ranks Bard High School Early College 382^nd of 1242 New York public high schools. (See Bard High School Early College in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Multi-racial students:

Special Education students:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Homeless students:

Female students:

Male students:

Asian students:

African American students:

Hispanic students:

White students:

New York City Geographic District # 1:

SchoolDigger ranks New York City Geographic District # 1 488^th of 865 New York school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Bard High School Early College

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Rank History for all students at Bard High School Early College

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	NY State Percentile
2005	79.04	14^th	935	98.5%
2006	80.16	11^th	986	98.9%
2007	81.54	7^th	1002	99.3%
2008	83.00	3^rd	1027	99.7%
2009	82.13	4^th	1086	99.6%
2010	78.59	43^rd	1117	96.2%
2011	72.82	184^th	1165	84.2%
2012	79.42	84^th	1198	93.0%
2013	85.19	15^th	1217	98.8%
2014	88.05	5^th	1237	99.6%
2015	82.79	39^th	1255	96.9%
2016	85.63	27^th	1255	97.8%
2017	86.56	32^nd	1221	97.4%
2018	78.38	126^th	1210	89.6%
2019	79.11	117^th	1207	90.3%
2022	77.86	150^th	1190	87.4%
2023	69.09	356^th	1228	71.0%
2024	67.89	382^nd	1242	69.2%

See the entire list of New York High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Bard High School Early College

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	NY State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2024	66.70	88^th	306	71.2%

See the entire list of Best New York High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Bard High School Early College

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	NY State Percentile
2018	62.98	322^nd	1095	70.6%
2019	49.13	517^th	1132	54.3%
2022	69.90	224^th	1038	78.4%
2023	58.39	361^st	1130	68.1%
2024	68.33	263^rd	1144	77.0%

See the entire list of Best New York High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Bard High School Early College

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	NY State Percentile
2018	78.27	78^th	1154	93.2%
2019	76.42	116^th	1179	90.2%
2022	69.48	208^th	1101	81.1%
2023	64.13	308^th	1155	73.3%
2024	58.63	419^th	1170	64.2%

See the entire list of Best New York High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Bard High School Early College

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	NY State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2024	49.38	239^th	564	57.6%

See the entire list of Best New York High Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Bard High School Early College

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	NY State Percentile
2018	79.91	82^nd	1176	93.0%
2019	79.39	113^th	1193	90.5%
2022	74.24	220^th	1155	81.0%
2023	69.49	355^th	1197	70.3%
2024	69.57	342^nd	1219	71.9%

See the entire list of Best New York High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Bard High School Early College

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	NY State Percentile
2018	74.16	209^th	1176	82.2%
2019	75.87	181^st	1190	84.8%
2022	80.02	97^th	1154	91.6%
2023	66.83	362^nd	1191	69.6%
2024	63.16	438^th	1211	63.8%

See the entire list of Best New York High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Bard High School Early College

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	NY State Percentile
2018	74.31	78^th	426	81.7%
2019	77.37	40^th	447	91.1%
2022	57.93	179^th	386	53.6%
2024	53.82	208^th	426	51.2%

See the entire list of Best New York High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Bard High School Early College

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	NY State Percentile
2022	76.14	94^th	593	84.1%
2023	69.67	143^rd	671	78.7%
2024	60.97	210^th	690	69.6%

See the entire list of Best New York High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Bard High School Early College

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	NY State Percentile
2018	70.87	179^th	791	77.4%
2019	67.95	209^th	815	74.4%
2022	79.59	95^th	760	87.5%
2023	71.14	183^rd	851	78.5%
2024	62.12	265^th	865	69.4%

See the entire list of Best New York High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Bard High School Early College

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	NY State Percentile
2018	77.79	46^th	765	94.0%
2019	76.28	62^nd	793	92.2%
2022	80.50	33^rd	738	95.5%
2023	71.62	137^th	776	82.3%
2024	68.93	174^th	781	77.7%

See the entire list of Best New York High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: NY State Education Department, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: NY State Education Department

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.4)

40%

20%

by a parent
Saturday, May 6, 2023

We have a child now in the 10th grade at BHSEC. She loves it, the academics, outstanding teachers, and the culture of inquiry and independent thinking. It really is more like college than most high schools. The course load is challenging but we're impressed by the way the kids handle it. Close Quote

by a parent
Saturday, February 11, 2017

Amazing opportunity for young adults. Academia complete support of their students in achieving their goals and shaping their aspirations for success and knowledge. Smaller class sizes, more personal approach, wide range of tools, talented professors and unorthodox approach are just some of the enormous benefits of Bard High school Early college. As a parent, it's extremely hard to find negatives or shortcomings in their approach to alternative education. If I had both of my hands twisted to the point of excruciation pain and cherry pick reasons to reconsider Bard High school Early College as a school of choice, there are just a few things to consider. One of them is pace, which could become overwhelming for new students. However, help is there and all you have to do is knock on right door for helpful guidance and assistance. No reason to be shy or intimidated as teachers and administration is professional, friendly and extremely approachable. It might take few months to adjust but benefits are enormous. Another cherry, at least for me is it's liberal leaning that is projected (mildly) on to their students. Exploring different ideas, social or political should be encouraged, debated and discuss without leaning one way or the other. That's what knowledge and education should be about. Other than that, I believe your child will shine and become independent, educated, free thinking benefactor of this amazing program. I highly recommended and urge anyone to consider Bard as a school of choice. ( as a side note - my child is graduating this year and was accepted to assistant physician honor class with extremely generous scholarship. Other, very prestigious schools were also very interested in her further education aspirations however, ultimately, it was direction she have chosen with our full support). Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, April 20, 2012

Bard High School Early College is a very challenging school and it's program is great for some students, not all students. Parents need to remember that students are different. Just because a school is good for one child does not mean it is good for another child. Close Quote

by a student
Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Bard High School Early College is a very good school, but it is also VERY challenging, and many of my friends that go to regular high schools (schools that don't offer a degree or college credits) are getting better grades than me, and much less work. The teachers at BHSEC are hard graders, and right when you get your first report card, you'll see a huge change from your old junior high average, which in my case, was in the 90's to an average in the 70's. I do all my work, and I still can't seem to do well. Please yourself a favor and don't go to this school. Many of my friends want to transfer out, but once you get in, it's hard to transfer out of BHSEC. I feel like I'm stuck in this school forever, and no colleges will accept me because of my low grades. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Bard High School Early College

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2005	255	119	66	86	1	n/a	n/a	527
2006	242	112	63	96	0	n/a	n/a	513
2007	291	100	59	96	0	n/a	n/a	546
2008	297	95	58	93	0	n/a	n/a	543
2009	287	102	76	108	2	n/a	n/a	575
2010	309	94	74	104	3	n/a	n/a	584
2011	319	84	87	95	3	0	0	588
2012	306	96	92	112	3	7	1	617
2013	297	92	88	109	0	3	9	598
2014	274	80	94	106	0	0	9	563
2015	248	94	93	101	0	0	9	545
2016	228	86	122	88	1	0	10	535
2017	213	89	134	97	1	7	8	549
2018	230	81	167	100	0	0	11	589
2019	247	67	178	107	0	0	15	614
2020	231	78	163	120	0	0	20	612
2021	249	84	150	124	2	2	24	635
2022	216	104	128	141	1	1	23	614
2023	196	102	120	120	1	3	22	564

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Bard High School Early College

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2005	527	n/a	n/a	0
2006	513	34.0	15.1	33.9
2007	546	36.0	15.2	25.3
2008	543	35.0	15.5	27.3
2009	575	35.1	16.4	25.4
2010	584	36.1	16.1	n/a
2011	588	33.0	17.7	24.3
2012	617	29.4	20.9	22.5
2013	598	31.2	19.1	25.3
2014	563	27.0	20.8	28.1
2015	545	30.0	18.1	34.1
2016	535	31.0	17.2	40.2
2017	549	30.1	18.1	45.4
2018	589	34.0	17.3	43.5
2019	614	40.0	15.3	40.4
2020	612	42.7	14.3	41.7
2021	635	45.3	13.9	41.3
2022	614	52.3	11.7	46.4
2023	564	48.6	11.5	51.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Bard High School Early College

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2005	527	n/a	n/a	0
2006	513	34.0	15.1	33.9
2007	546	36.0	15.2	25.3
2008	543	35.0	15.5	27.3
2009	575	35.1	16.4	25.4
2010	584	36.1	16.1	n/a
2011	588	33.0	17.7	24.3
2012	617	29.4	20.9	22.5
2013	598	31.2	19.1	25.3
2014	563	27.0	20.8	28.1
2015	545	30.0	18.1	34.1
2016	535	31.0	17.2	40.2
2017	549	30.1	18.1	45.4
2018	589	34.0	17.3	43.5
2019	614	40.0	15.3	40.4
2020	612	42.7	14.3	41.7
2021	635	45.3	13.9	41.3
2022	614	52.3	11.7	46.4
2023	564	48.6	11.5	51.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

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