Andrew Cuomo announced plans to establish a new specialized high school in Queens as part of his campaign for New York City mayor, aiming to bring the borough’s access to advanced education in line with the rest of the city.
During an event in Queens with members of Parent Leaders for Accelerated Curriculum and Education (PLACE NYC), Cuomo outlined his proposal to double the number of specialized high schools citywide, from 9 to 18, and to expand Gifted and Talented programs across all boroughs. He framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to ensure equal educational opportunities for all students.
“Every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential, regardless of ZIP code, background, or income,” Cuomo emphasized. “Queens is home to extraordinary families and talented students, yet it has been overlooked when it comes to specialized education. That ends when I’m Mayor.”
Queens, the city’s most diverse borough with nearly 2.4 million residents, currently has only one specialized high school: Queens High School for the Sciences, which enrolls about 130 students annually. In contrast, Bronx Science accepts roughly 720 students, Stuyvesant about 800, Brooklyn Tech around 1,400, and Staten Island Tech 360. Cuomo’s plan would create a second specialized school in Queens, increasing available seats to about 1,000—on par with other boroughs.
Yiatin Chu, co-president of PLACE NYC, called the proposal “about basic fairness,” noting that Queens families have long been left behind. “Families here deserve the same opportunities for excellence that exist elsewhere in New York City. Governor Cuomo’s leadership brings long-overdue parity and ensures that equity and high standards can finally go hand in hand,” she added.
Cuomo’s education platform centers on three themes: expanding access to specialized programs, promoting excellence by replacing underperforming schools with higher-quality institutions, and encouraging innovation through modernized classrooms and industry partnerships.
