Top High Schools Brooklyn Technology Programs Parents Trust
- 01. Top high schools in Brooklyn with a technology focus
- 02. Broad landscape of Brooklyn's tech-oriented high schools
- 03. Flagship schools with deep technology integration
- 04. Emerging and specialized tech-integrated schools
- 05. Illustrative list of top Brooklyn tech-oriented high schools
- 06. Admissions pathways and selection criteria
- 07. Sample comparison of major technology-oriented high schools
Top high schools in Brooklyn with a technology focus
Among the most prominent technology-focused high schools in Brooklyn are Brooklyn Technical High School, the Brooklyn STEAM Center, the High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology, and Academy of Innovative Technology High School, all of which combine rigorous academics with specialized career and technical education (CTE) in computer science, engineering, and media technology. These schools have reshaped how families think about Brooklyn public high schools, especially as district-wide STEM and CTE pathways have expanded since 2019.
Broad landscape of Brooklyn's tech-oriented high schools
Brooklyn now hosts more than a dozen high schools with technology or STEM pathways, ranging from specialized exam schools such as Brooklyn Tech to smaller CTE-driven campuses like the High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology in Park Slope. Many of these schools have seen enrollment in computer-science and engineering tracks grow by roughly 20-30 percent between 2019 and 2025, reflecting surging demand for technology careers in New York City. This expansion has also led to more specialized concentration tracks, such as robotics, full-stack development, and media-arts coding, embedded within broader college-preparatory programs.
Over the same period, the city's Department of Education has branded several of these campuses as "STEM and CTE hubs," particularly in formerly industrial corridors such as the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where the Brooklyn STEAM Center now operates as a shared technical training facility for multiple high schools. This infrastructure shift has allowed students from schools without on-site labs to access advanced equipment for fields like construction technology, film-media production, and software engineering.
Flagship schools with deep technology integration
Brooklyn Technical High School remains the most widely recognized technology-focused high school in Brooklyn, founded in 1922 as one of New York City's original specialized science and engineering schools. Today it offers 18 academic departments, including dedicated tracks in computer science, electrical engineering, and robotics technology, and roughly 40 percent of its juniors and seniors enroll in at least one advanced engineering or programming course.
For students seeking a less exam-intensive but still highly technical environment, the High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology (often called "Telecom") in Park Slope provides a long-established CTE focus on telecommunication arts, networking, and digital media. Telecom's technology and media pathway typically accommodates about 120-150 students per grade, with industry-aligned coursework in graphic design, web development, and video production.
Emerging and specialized tech-integrated schools
The Brooklyn STEAM Center, opened in 2019 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, acts less like a traditional high school and more like a regional technical training high school serving up to 300 juniors and seniors each year from partner campuses. Students spend half-days at the Center learning full-stack development, construction technology, film and media, and design-engineering, then return to their home schools for core academics.
Locally, the Academy of Innovative Technology High School in Cypress Hills has positioned itself as a smaller, community-based option where technology integration emphasizes computer-science CTE, project-based learning, and pathways toward industry certifications. About 70 percent of its 12th-graders in 2024-25 reported completing at least one New York State-approved CTE sequence, many in computer science or engineering-related fields.
Illustrative list of top Brooklyn tech-oriented high schools
- Brooklyn Technical High School - Fort Greene, specialized STEM and engineering school serving roughly 5,500 students annually.
- High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology - Park Slope, CTE-focused campus with strong telecommunication, networking, and digital-media programs.
- Brooklyn STEAM Center - Brooklyn Navy Yard, shared technical-training campus for juniors and seniors from partner high schools.
- Academy of Innovative Technology High School - Cypress Hills, small public high school with three NYS-approved CTE programs including computer science.
- Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences - Manhattan Beach, science-intensive campus with strong robotics and engineering electives.
- Science Skills Center High School for Science, Technology, and the Creative Arts - Downtown Brooklyn, interdisciplinary school blending science labs and technology with creative arts.
Admissions pathways and selection criteria
Admission to top technology-focused high schools in Brooklyn follows several distinct models. Brooklyn Tech admits students citywide via the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT), while Telecom and smaller CTE-oriented campuses use a combination of grades, attendance, and pathway applications submitted through the city's MySchools portal. For 2025-26, roughly 30 percent of Brooklyn Tech applicants reported computer science or engineering as their primary academic interest, underscoring the growing targeting of technology-track pathways.
- Research school types - identify whether the campus is a specialized high school, CTE-driven, or STEAM-integrated.
- Check MySchools offerings - verify which technology pathways or CTE majors are currently active for the incoming grade.
- Review prerequisites - note any required prior coursework, portfolios, or auditions for specialized tracks such as robotics or media design.
- Attend virtual or in-person tours - many Brooklyn schools host open-house events in the fall, especially campuses like Brooklyn Tech and Telecom.
- Submit applications by city deadlines - typically in December-January for the following September, with priority-sequence options for technology-focused schools.
Sample comparison of major technology-oriented high schools
| School | Location | Student size | Technology focus | Key admission route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Technical High School | Fort Greene | ≈5,500 | Computer science, electrical engineering, robotics, applied mathematics | SHSAT, citywide exam |
| High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology | Park Slope | ≈1,000 | Telecommunications, networking, digital media, web design | Pathway application, MySchools portal |
| Brooklyn STEAM Center | Brooklyn Navy Yard | ≈300 (juniors-seniors) | Full-stack development, construction tech, film/media, design-engineering | Application via partner high schools |
| Academy of Innovative Technology High School | Cypress Hills | ≈400 | Computer science CTE, project-based tech, industry certifications | Local district pathway, CTE application |
| Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences | Manhattan Beach | ≈1,200 | Science and engineering, robotics, applied technology | Academic and pathway application |
Helpful tips and tricks for Top High Schools Brooklyn Technology Programs Parents Trust
What are the top high schools in Brooklyn with a technology focus?
The top high schools in Brooklyn with a technology focus include Brooklyn Technical High School for full-scale engineering and computer-science tracks, the High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology for communications and media-tech, the Brooklyn STEAM Center for shared technical training, and Academy of Innovative Technology High School for computer-science CTE in a smaller community setting. These schools collectively cover a wide spectrum of technology-related pathways, from pure engineering to applied media and software development.
Is Brooklyn Technical High School really the best option for tech-minded students?
Brooklyn Technical High School is widely regarded as the premier option for students whose primary interest is engineering, computer science, or applied mathematics, with selective admissions and a curriculum built around technical majors. However, families should weigh factors such as commute, class size, and the rigor of the SHSAT against alternatives like Telecom or Brooklyn STEAM Center, which may offer a more balanced or project-based technology-focused experience.
How does the Brooklyn STEAM Center differ from traditional high schools?
The Brooklyn STEAM Center functions as a specialized technical-training campus rather than a standalone comprehensive high school, hosting juniors and seniors from eight partner campuses for half-day programs in full-stack development, construction technology, and media production. This model allows students to maintain their core academics at their home schools while gaining access to industry-standard labs and instructors at the Navy Yard, creating a distinct kind of technical training high school.
Are there good technology-focused options for students who don't qualify for specialized schools?
Yes; several Brooklyn high schools with technology pathways do not require the SHSAT and instead admit students through MySchools applications tied to CTE or thematic academies. Schools such as the High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology, Academy of Innovative Technology, and science-oriented campuses like Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences provide structured computer-science and engineering tracks accessible to students across the borough.
What should families look for when choosing a tech-focused high school in Brooklyn?
Families should prioritize the strength and alignment of the school's technology or CTE programs, whether that means robotics labs, computer-science certification tracks, or media production facilities. Equally important are graduation rates, college-going percentages, and how the school connects students to internships or apprenticeships at local employers, especially in growing technology sectors in Brooklyn.