Hunter College Elementary School (HCES) is one of New York City's most competitive and prestigious public schools, serving intellectually gifted children from kindergarten through sixth grade. Tuition-free and administered by Hunter College (CUNY), the school offers a warm, intellectually stimulating elementary experience built around high expectations, creative thinking, and critical reasoning.
Kindergarten is the only entry point — with roughly 50 seats (25 boys, 25 girls) for thousands of applicants citywide. The two-round admissions process includes a cognitive assessment (historically requiring scores near the 99th percentile) followed by a group observation visit. A $50 application fee and $375 Round 1 testing fee apply. No preference is given to siblings or children of alumni.
Students who demonstrate satisfactory progress by fifth grade may continue to Hunter College High School (grades 7–12), though this is not guaranteed. An after-school program with approximately 40 clubs and activities runs from 3–6 p.m. for an additional fee.
