<P> Created in 2002 along with Queens High School for the Sciences at York College, and High School of American Studies at Lehman College, HSMSE was founded with an emphasis on engineering and design, and was envisioned as a small school with approximately four hundred students . The relatively small population of the school allows students and teachers to have a stronger relationship . Being a specialized high school not only draws students in, but also allows for a diverse student body . </P> <P> HSMSE is a highly selective, public, college prep high school, and is one of nine specialized high schools in New York City . The school's mission is "to challenge talented students to expand their intellect by developing the habits of inquiry, written and verbal expression, and critical thinking ." Instructionally supported by the City College of New York, the school mainly focuses on an intensive STEM curriculum, while also emphasizing civic responsibility and the value of knowledge . Located on the campus of City College, which stretches from West 133rd Street to West 141st Street along Convent Avenue, HSMSE is small, with a total of approximately 475 students in ninth to twelfth grade . The principal since October 2012 has been Crystal Bonds . </P> <P> HSMSE was ranked the city's third best public high school in The New York Post's annual school ranking . In 2013, HSMSE was ranked among one of the nation's top high schools by the U.S. News & World Report . Admission is via the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test . </P> <P> HSMSE participates in the FIRST Robotics competition (FTC) and the annual NCSSSMST conference . In May 2013, HSMSE was ranked #1 in the country by Working in Support of Education (w! se) for personal finance education . </P>

The high school for math science and engineering