Admissions Criteria
How to Apply
Emma Lazarus High School has a rolling admission policy and accepts students throughout the school year.
Parents or students interested in attending Emma Lazarus High School can fill out an application form or contact us at (212) 925-5017 and ask to speak to Ms. Rosa or Ms. Stacy Shau. You may also email Assistant Principal, Michael Giovacchini at michael.giovacchini@emmalazarus.org.
Admissions Criteria
- The student must be an existing or a new English Language Learner/ENL student
- Student must be 16–20 years of age
- The student must have attended 9th grade within or outside of the U.S.
- The student and a parent/guardian must come for an interview
Our Community
Parent Voices
At Emma Lazarus, part of our mission is to create an environment that feels safe and secure for students. Parents, students and staff are all part of the Emma Lazarus family. We know the important role families play in the success of our students and our model focuses on inclusion of and support for our families.
Parents and caregivers are often involved in supporting school activities and we also provide a range of services for both newly-arrived and long-term families. In the past year, our families have been involved in ESL classes, trips to Broadway plays, sporting events, and parent fundraisers.
What Parents Are Saying
We believe that the best way to learn about our school is through our parent voices, so please listen to what they have to say:
- "Emma Lazarus High School is an institution that is guaranteeing a future for my daughter. The teaching that is imparted by the teachers is one of quality."
- "Even though I was far away, I was aware of everything in my son's school life because of the excellent communication from Emma Lazarus. The school is a great support for my son. I am in debt to Emma Lazarus for the emotional stability of my son."
- "For me, it was and always will be, the best choice for the education of my child. I’m very happy and delighted with Emma Lazarus High School."
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Young Suk Oh
"Our teachers care about every single student in the school. They show their kindness and caring, and that's why I went to Emma Lazarus. I haven't seen such a peaceful school in New York before. There are many different activities, and in my afterschool class, we took a trip twice a month for free! I was an unknown student on my first day, and now I am known as an individual."
-- Young Suk Oh, Korea
Chesna Gelin
"If I was to explain all of the good things about our school, my pen wouldn't have enough ink. Emma Lazarus is a school that wants their students to be exceptional in all things, from education to social skills. Here we are rich with understanding, with attention for all the students. We take the responsibility to raise up the torch for the school to be great."
-- Chesna Gelin, Haiti
Jonathan Bontemps
"Emma Lazarus High School gives me the opportunity to build professional skills through the Learning to Work program. Students have internships at different New York businesses, and we earn a paycheck. Before this school, I was like a bird flying around without a destination, but here I feel that I am in flight to succeed."
-- Jonathan Bontemps, Haiti
Min Wei
"Emma Lazarus High School is a big family. We come from different countries and cultural backgrounds, but we have a common dream: learning English. When I first came to this school, everything was strange to me. I didn't have friends and my English was poor. Fortunately, the teachers explained to me until I understood. In Emma Lazarus High School, teachers and advisors are kind and help students to solve many problems. They are not only teaching us knowledge, but also paying attention to our life skills. We care about each other here."
-- Min Wei, China
Geovanni Gutierrez
"I am the first in my family who will have the opportunity to finish my studies and exercise my professional goals. I am filled with pride. I am very grateful to everyone at Emma Lazarus because they are helping me achieve my dreams."
-- Geovanni Gutierrez, Mexico
Xiaoting Zhao
"The classes are challenging, but also a lot of fun, because the teachers use creative ways to help us understand ideas better, since we are ESL students. Students from different countries work together in classes and talk in the hallways. They study together, hang out together, and speak in our common language, English. You won't feel lonely here, because you are a member of a big, happy family. Come join us and be ready to enjoy high school!"
-- Xiaoting Zhao, China
