The Smith School is a college preparatory institution committed to ensuring that our students are academically, socially, and emotionally prepared for the transition to college and beyond.

All high school students participate in yearly college tours, visiting institutions like NYU, Hunter College, and Hofstra University to gain first hand exposure to different campus environments. Starting in 11th grade, students attend weekly individual and group counseling sessions focused on social-emotional growth, career exploration, and an introduction to the college application process, including the Common Application.

Our seniors engage in one-on-one meetings with our college counselor each week until their applications are submitted. While our guidance team provides strong support throughout the process, we also ensure that students take an active and autonomous role in planning their future.

Recognizing that transitioning from a small, supportive school to the independence of college can be challenging, we focus on gradual exposure to larger settings. We help students build confidence and self-advocacy skills through off-campus experiences, structured independence-building activities, and real-world navigation, such as using public transportation and participating in college visits.

To further develop independence and responsibility, students have access to Teaching Assistantships, Club/Student Council Leadership, and Internships, all of which mirror the self-directed learning expected in college. In the classroom, we emphasize rigorous academic standards, ensuring that classwork, homework, and projects are completed with a high level of quality and accountability.

By blending academic challenge, emotional preparation, and real-world experience, The Smith School ensures that students are not only ready for college—but ready to thrive in it.

A typical Smith School applicant is seeking a small, structured learning environment that provides supports, both academically and emotionally. Many of our students have sought out The Smith School when their previous learning environments were too large or too distracting, or did not provide differentiation in the classroom, a multi-sensory approach to learning, or enough support emotionally/socially. A typical Smith School student has high academic potential but requires classroom supports such as scaffolding, graphic organizers, preferential seating, body breaks, and extended time to remain focused and engaged in the classroom. It is important that a Smith School student applicant is motivated to utilize the supports available to them (Speech & Language, Literacy Support, Counseling, Executive Functioning Coaching, Learning Specialists) and that both the student and family are willing to take responsibility for recognizing and addressing behavioral or social struggles that might intervene with academic success. The Smith School specializes in working with students who may be struggling with conditions such as depression, anxiety, school refusal, ADHD and related disorders, and Pragmatic Communication Disorder, and who may have histories of low self-esteem, poor academic success, bullying, psychiatric hospitalizations, etc. For more information on our student population, and to learn if The Smith School is right for your unique learning, contact us.

Our students reside in all boroughs of New York City and beyond to the tri-state area. The large majority of our students commute via subway but each year a small number of students will commute from New Jersey or Connecticut. All Smith School students are provided with an unlimited metrocard, and school bussing is provided for students with that accommodation on their IEPs. The Smith School does not arrange social visits outside of school, but provides support to students around the social pragmatic skills necessary to initiate safe and fun social engagements and maintain healthy friendships.

Regarding bussing, transportation/accommodations may be scheduled or arranged via OPT (Office of Pupil Transportation)

The Smith School accepts families who work with lawyers or advocates in order to get funded by the Board of Education. When possible, we welcome families who may qualify for Carter or Connors funding. Please consult an experienced attorney who specializes in education for more information about Carter and Connors funding and eligibility.

The Smith School has a unique model in which social cognition and executive functioning skill development are fully integrated into all curricula and activities. Additionally, we offer onsite individual and group speech and language therapy, literacy, and individual and group counseling. Our clinicians also dedicate specific blocks of time to conduct parent and outside provider conferences (once monthly, at minimum) and they collaborate with all teachers as necessary in order to carry out students’ clinical goals.