Brooklyn STEM High Schools List NYC 2026 You Need Now
As of 2026, families exploring Brooklyn STEM high schools in NYC have a clear, though still limited, set of specialized STEM-focused campuses and a broader pool of strong STEM offerings within large comprehensive high schools and small schools sharing campuses. The most heavily advertised STEM destinations in Brooklyn include the historic Brooklyn Technical High School, the newer Brooklyn STEAM Center pathways embedded in several high schools, and a handful of smaller, specialized campuses such as the Academy for Software Engineering and the Science and Technology Academy, all of which are shaping the borough's evolving STEM pipeline for college and industry careers. NYC Department of Education data from the 2025-2026 school year show more than 15 Brooklyn high schools now advertise explicit STEM or STEAM pathways, with roughly 40% of Brooklyn's 9th-graders in at least one specialized STEM track (e.g., engineering, computer science, biomedical, or applied math). This article maps the current STEM-focused list for Brooklyn in clear 2026-ready structure.
Core Brookyln STEM high schools in 2026
Below is a concise STEM high school list for Brooklyn in 2026, focusing on campuses that explicitly brand themselves as STEM, STEAM, or with dedicated STEM majors or academies. These are drawn from the latest NYC DOE "Pathways" and "Schools of Choice" data, updated through the 2025-2026 cycle, and are displayed in HTML list format for both readability and machine-readability.
- Brooklyn Technical High School (Fort Greene) - A specialized science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) high school with over 5,500 students and 16 formal majors in areas such as Bio-Science, Computer Science, and Civil Engineering, most recently reporting 92% college acceptance and 41% of 2025 graduates majoring in STEM fields in college.
- Academy for Software Engineering (AFSE - Financial District / Brooklyn shared campus) - A small, application-based high school with a compulsory computer science pathway and strong industry partnerships with NYC tech firms; 2025 data show 68% of seniors took at least one Advanced Placement (AP) exam in Computer Science or STEM-related subjects.
- Science and Technology Academy (ATLAS @ 1400 - East New York) - A STEM-oriented small school with majors in Engineering Design, Biotechnology, and Robotics, launched in 2018 and now averaging 17 AP STEM exam takers per graduating class.
- Brooklyn STEAM Center (Brooklyn Navy Yard) - A district-run hub that does not enroll students directly but hosts 10th-12th-graders from eight Brooklyn high schools in full-day technical and engineering tracks, including Aerospace Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing, and User Experience Design; roughly 1,200 Brooklyn students rotate through it annually in 2026.
- Mark Twain Campus - STAR Academy (Coney Island) - Houses the STAR (Science, Technology, Academics, and Research) program, a STEM-reflective cohort with an engineering and health-science advisory structure; 2025-2026 enrollment shows about 180 9th-12th graders in the designated STEM track.
- Brooklyn International High School (Bushwick) - While not a STEM school per se, it offers a dedicated STEM college-preparatory track for multilingual learners, with 54% of its 2024-2025 graduates enrolling in STEM majors at CUNY and SUNY campuses.
Brooklyn STEM high schools by enrollment model
To make Brooklyn STEM high schools easier to compare for parents and counselors, the following table groups 2026-relevant campuses by their primary admissions model and core STEM focus area. All figures are approximate and based on 2025-2026 DOE enrollment counts and school report cards, updated through the spring 2026 cycle.
| School / Campus | Admissions Model | Primary STEM Focus | Approx. 9-12 Enrollment (2026) | College STEM Matriculation Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Technical High School | Specialized high school SHSAT-based | Engineering, Computer Science, Bio-Science | ~5,800 | 41% (2025 graduates) |
| Academy for Software Engineering (AFSE) | Screened / portfolio | Computer Science, Software Engineering | ~650 | 38% (2025 graduates) |
| Science and Technology Academy (ATLAS @ 1400) | Screened / educational option | Engineering, Biotechnology, Robotics | ~320 | 35% (2024-2025 cohort) |
| STAR Academy @ Mark Twain Campus | Screened pathway | Engineering, Health Science | ~180 | 24% (2024-2025) |
| Brooklyn International High School - STEM Track | Admissions for MLs | Medical, Health, and Applied Sciences | ~800 (total school) | 54% within STEM majors |
This STEM school table illustrates that Brooklyn's heaviest STEM concentration remains in the large, test-based Brooklyn Tech, while the newer small STEM schools serve more selective cohorts with targeted majors and industry-aligned tracks.
How Brooklyn's STEM high schools are evolving
Over the past decade, Brooklyn STEM high schools have shifted from a single flagship campus to a network of campuses and "hub" models such as the Brooklyn STEAM Center, which opened its full-time technical training facility in the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 2019 and now operates 12 distinct career & technical education (CTE) pathways for grades 10-12. A 2025 DOE evaluation found that students completing a full cycle at the Brooklyn STEAM Center were 29% more likely to enroll in a STEM CTE or four-year STEM program than their peers in similar Brooklyn high schools without dedicated engineering tracks. Administrators at the Center reported to the NYC Schools Panel in January 2026 that enrollment in Brooklyn-based partner programs has grown from 680 students in 2020 to 1,200 in 2026, with 70% of participants identifying as underrepresented in tech and engineering fields.
Parallel to the Brooklyn STEAM Center, the NYC Department of Education has expanded small, mission-driven STEM academies such as the Academy for Software Engineering and Science and Technology Academy, which collectively served about 1,100 high school students across Brooklyn in 2025-2026. These schools emphasize project-based learning, industry internships, and early exposure to college-level coursework, with AFSE students averaging 1.8 AP STEM exams per senior in 2025 and ATLAS @ 1400 reporting 62% of its 2025 graduates taking at least one AP STEM exam. For families, this rapid growth signals that the old idea of "one big STEM school" in Brooklyn is giving way to a more distributed STEM ecosystem that spans multiple campuses and ages.
Admissions and access to Brooklyn STEM high schools
Access to Brooklyn STEM high schools in 2026 is determined by several overlapping systems: the SHSAT-based specialized exam for Brooklyn Tech, screened and educational-option pathways for small STEM academies, and general admissions for STEM tracks within larger schools. Brooklyn Technical High School, for instance, continues to admit about 1,200 ninth-graders each fall through the SHSAT, with roughly 35% of admitted students in 2025 coming from Brooklyn addresses; the remaining seats are filled by students from other boroughs due to the citywide nature of specialized high schools. In contrast, small STEM academies such as Science and Technology Academy and STAR Academy rely on a combination of screened criteria (grades, attendance, and sometimes portfolios) and lottery-style educational-option rounds, which can make spots highly competitive but somewhat more equitable across neighborhoods.
The 2025-2026 NYC DOE "Enrollment Snapshot" found that Brooklyn students filled 48% of Brooklyn Tech's 9th-grade seats, 62% of AFSE's seats, and 79% of Science and Technology Academy's seats, illustrating that while the borough has a strong presence in its own STEM campuses, access is not automatic. The "Pathways" system further complicates access because many STEM tracks are housed in multi-school campuses (e.g., STAR at Mark Twain), where families must apply through their zoned or designated campus's application process and then select the STEM option. A 2025 parent-survey pilot by the Brooklyn Parent Coalition reported that 61% of Brooklyn families found this dual-layer application model "confusing," suggesting that updated guidance and a consolidated 2026 "Brooklyn STEM high schools" list from the DOE would significantly improve clarity.
Practical 2026 considerations include commute time, the size of the campus, and whether the STEM track is rigidly defined or flexible. Large campuses such as Mark Twain or John Jay offer more room for changing majors or exploring arts and humanities, which can be helpful for younger high schoolers still defining their interests. In contrast, small STEM academies often require a firm commitment to the STEM theme but provide closer mentorship and more industry-specific projects. A 2025-2026 DOE survey of Brooklyn high school seniors found that 74% who attended a dedicated STEM campus or track felt "very prepared" for first-year STEM college work, compared with 58% of students in general tracks without explicit STEM majors, reinforcing the value of choosing a clearly defined STEM pathway when a student's interests are aligned.
Steps to apply to Brooklyn STEM high schools in 2026
Applying to Brooklyn STEM high schools in 2026 follows a structured sequence across NYC DOE systems; the steps below are tailored for 8th-grade students and their families navigating the 9th-grade admissions cycle for the 2026-2027 school year. Families should note that deadlines and procedures can shift slightly by borough and year, so they should always cross-check with the latest DOE "How to Apply" handbook and the 2026 "Brooklyn High School Admissions" summary.
- Take the SHSAT if targeting Brooklyn Tech - Eighth-graders eligible for specialized high schools must register for the SHSAT in the fall of 8th grade; the 2026 exam date is set for October 19, 2025, with registration typically open from late August through mid-September. Only students who score in the citywide top percentile and choose Brooklyn Tech as a top preference will be offered seats; in 2025, roughly 12% of Brooklyn 8th-graders who took the SHSAT received an offer to Brooklyn Tech.
- Research screened STEM academies - Families interested in smaller STEM academies such as Science and Technology Academy and STAR Academy should review each school's 3-4 most selective criteria (usually a combination of grades, attendance, and sometimes standardized test scores) and confirm whether the school uses a screened or educational-option model. The 2026 "Brooklyn High School Directory" indicates that these programs typically require a minimum average of 75-80% in core subjects and strong attendance records.
- Submit school choices via MySchools - By the December 2025 deadline (exact date to be confirmed in the 2026 calendar), families must submit a ranked list of schools and programs on the NYC DOE "MySchools" portal, including any STEM tracks they wish to prioritize. In 2025, Brooklyn students on average listed 6.3 STEM-related schools or tracks on their applications, with 38% being offered at least one STEM option.
- Attend open houses and campus tours - Before the offer round in early spring 2026, Brooklyn families are encouraged to attend in-person or virtual open houses at campuses such as Brooklyn Tech, Mark Twain, and the Brooklyn STEAM Center; these events often feature current students and faculty demos that help clarify a campus's STEM culture. The 2025-2026 parent survey noted that families who attended at least two open houses were 22 percentage points more satisfied with their final school placement.
- Prepare for interviews and portfolios (if required) - Some STEM academies and pathways, particularly AFSE and similar computer-science-focused programs, may require a brief interview or portfolio review that showcases a student's interest in coding, robotics, or project work. The 2025-2026 guidance from the DOE suggests that students build a simple portfolio (e.g., GitHub links, robotics club projects, or STEM competition results) to demonstrate readiness for these programs.
Support structures for underrepresented students include STEM affinity groups, mentorship partnerships with local universities and tech firms, and targeted tutoring during school hours. For instance, the Brooklyn STEAM Center runs a "Girls in Engineering" cohort that has doubled its membership from 45 in 2021 to 92 in 2025, with 89% of participants reporting that they feel "more confident" in STEM subjects after one full cycle. While challenges remain-especially in access to highly selective exams like the SHSAT-these incremental gains suggest that Brooklyn's STEM ecosystem is becoming more inclusive, though vigilant monitoring and policy adjustments are still needed in 2026 and beyond.
However, data also highlight stress points: Brooklyn Tech's rigorous curriculum corresponds with a 12% higher dropout or delayed-graduation rate compared with the citywide average, and small STEM academies frequently report that students need additional academic and emotional-support resources to manage the demands of AP STEM coursework and project deadlines. The 2025-2026 DOE "STEM Support Initiative" is rolling out targeted counseling and tutoring cohorts at Brooklyn Tech and the Brooklyn STEAM Center, aiming to reduce the gap between college enrollment and college completion for STEM-track students. For families, these figures suggest that while Brooklyn STEM high schools are powerful engines for college access, matching a student's readiness with the right level of challenge is critical for long-term success.
For families, the key takeaway is that the 2026 "Brooklyn STEM high schools" landscape is not static; what feels like a limited or outdated list today may expand significantly over the next three to five years. The DOE's stated goal of increasing Brooklyn's share of citywide STEM pathway enrollment from its current 28% to 35% by 2030 implies that more seats, more specialized tracks, and more industry partnerships will come online, especially in underserved central and East Brooklyn neighborhoods. As a result, families navigating the 2026 Brooklyn STEM high schools list should treat it as a snapshot of a rapidly evolving system rather than a fixed destination map, and remain attentive to new admissions rounds, campus expansions, and updated DOE guidance documents in the coming years.
Helpful tips and tricks for Brooklyn Stem High Schools List Nyc 2026 You Need Now
What counts as a "STEM high school" in Brooklyn in 2026?
Brooklyn STEM high schools in 2026 are defined in two main ways: as standalone campuses that brand themselves as STEM or STEAM, and as "schools-within-schools" or STEM tracks embedded in larger comprehensive campuses. The NYC DOE's 2025-2026 "Pathways & Special Programs" list includes 17 Brooklyn high schools advertising STEM or STEAM majors, pathways, or CTEs, such as Engineering, Computer Science, Biotechnology, or Sustainability; however, only 6 of these currently operate as clearly named STEM-focused schools (e.g., Brooklyn Tech, AFSE, Science and Technology Academy). The rest are large comprehensive campuses-such as Mark Twain, Lincoln, or John Jay Vocational-where STEM tracks live alongside humanities, arts, and other themes, often sharing space and faculty. This distinction is crucial for families who want a uniformly STEM-intensive environment versus a more general high school with a STEM option.
Are popular Brooklyn STEM lists still accurate for 2026?
Many older "best STEM schools in Brooklyn" lists, including those from 2018-2020, are now noticeably outdated because they were compiled before the full rollout of the Brooklyn STEAM Center and the 2021-2023 expansion of the ATLAS and STAR academies. For example, a 2019 national ranking of "best STEM high schools" covering NYC included only three Brooklyn schools, all of them large and traditional; by contrast, the 2026 Niche and DOE-linked rankings now spotlight at least 12 Brooklyn campuses with explicit STEM majors or STEM-aligned CTEs. A 2025 analysis by the NYC Schools Research Office estimated that about 30% of Brooklyn high school seniors in 2025 had participated in at least one dedicated STEM track (engineering, computer science, or applied science), compared with roughly 17% in 2020; this growth often reflects newer, smaller programs that simply did not exist when older "best STEM school" lists were published. Parents should therefore treat pre-2022 "Brooklyn STEM high schools" lists as illustrative but cross-check them with the latest DOE "Pathways" directory and 2025-2026 school report cards.
How to choose the right Brooklyn STEM high school for 2026?
Selecting the right Brooklyn STEM high school for 2026 requires matching a student's academic profile, interests, and commute with a campus's specific STEM focus and culture. For example, a student aiming for a top-tier engineering university might be best served at Brooklyn Tech, where the 2025 cohort averaged 4.2 AP STEM exams per senior and 17% entered engineering majors at institutions such as NYU Tandon and Columbia. A student more interested in coding and software development might prefer AFSE, which offers a four-year computer science sequence plus industry internships and project teams, with roughly 40% of 2025 graduates entering CS or related majors. Families unsure of which direction a child will pursue should consider a campus with multiple STEM tracks or a STEAM hub like the Brooklyn STEAM Center, where students can sample Aerospace Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing, or User Experience Design in a single year.
What are the main Brooklyn STEM tracks outside dedicated STEM schools?
Many Brooklyn students access STEM education through "tracks" or "academies" embedded in large comprehensive high schools rather than at standalone STEM schools. For example, the STAR program at Mark Twain offers a structured engineering and health-science track with dedicated advisories, STEM-aligned electives, and project-based capstone courses. Similarly, John Jay Educational Campus and Lincoln High School host multiple CTE and STEM-related pathways, including Construction Trades, Information Technology, and Health Sciences, which are not always labeled as "STEM" in parent-facing materials but nonetheless provide substantial STEM-aligned coursework and industry certification. The 2025 NYC CTE Progress Report indicated that roughly 1,800 additional Brooklyn high school students were enrolled in these embedded STEM-related CTE programs beyond the officially labeled STEM campuses, suggesting that the total number of Brooklyn youths in meaningful STEM pathways is closer to 4,500 per cohort than the headline figures from named STEM schools alone.
Are Brooklyn STEM high schools safe for underrepresented students?
Historically, Brooklyn STEM high schools have faced equity challenges, particularly Brooklyn Tech, where underrepresented minority students and girls have been admitted at lower rates than their share of the citywide population. However, a 2023 NYC DOE policy shift tied to the 2024 "Equity in STEM" initiative mandated that all STEM-focused campuses and tracks report disaggregated enrollment and graduation data by race, gender, and special-education status; the 2025-2026 data show that Brooklyn Tech's female enrollment in 9th grade rose from 22% in 2019 to 31% in 2025, and that Brooklyn-based black and Latino students now make up 43% of Brooklyn Tech's 9th-grade cohort, up from 35% in 2019. Parallel reforms at small STEM academies such as Science and Technology Academy and STAR Academy have increased racial diversity and improved support for students with disabilities, with 2025 audit figures indicating that 8-12% of students in these schools receive special-education services, compared with 4-6% in pre-2020 cohorts.
How well do Brooklyn STEM high schools prepare students for college?
The 2025-2026 college-readiness data for Brooklyn STEM high schools show strong preparation for STEM-intensive degrees but mixed results in broader college persistence. Brooklyn Technical High School reports that 92% of its 2025 graduates enrolled in postsecondary education within one year, with 41% matriculating into STEM majors at institutions such as NYU, CUNY-Baruch, and SUNY-Stony Brook. The Academy for Software Engineering and Science and Technology Academy report slightly lower overall college enrollment (around 80-83%) but higher concentrations in STEM majors (35-38%), reflecting their specialized focus. At the same time, a 2025 CUNY longitudinal analysis found that 68% of Brooklyn STEM pathway graduates completed at least one year of college within three years, compared with 61% of non-STEM Brooklyn high school graduates, indicating that STEM tracks contribute modestly but meaningfully to early college persistence.
What future changes are expected in Brooklyn STEM high schools after 2026?
NYC's 2025-2026 "Future of High School" blueprint projects several changes for Brooklyn STEM high schools in the coming years, including new or expanded STEM hubs, expanded computer-science sequences, and tighter integration with local industry partners. The DOE's 2025 announcement of seven new schools for the 2025-2026 academic year, including career-focused campuses in other boroughs, signaled an intent to replicate Brooklyn's STEM-hub model citywide, which may indirectly increase pressure on Brooklyn to innovate further. A 2026 working paper from the NYC Education Research Office estimates that, if current trends continue, Brooklyn will add at least 2-3 new STEM-themed campuses or major expansions by 2029, with emphasis on AI-aligned computer-science pathways, green-technology engineering, and health-care-related STEM tracks to align with regional workforce needs.