About

About Campus Schools

Welcome to Hunter College Campus Schools

The Hunter College Campus Schools embraces its mission to create a nurturing and vibrant educational environment for intellectually gifted and talented students. The Elementary School (K-6) and the High School (7-12) are predicated upon a deep love for learning and a respect for disciplined habits of mind, depth of study and passion for inquiry. The creative energy that is felt in our hallways, classrooms and libraries comes from the dedication of our faculty and from the extraordinary opportunities the students have to learn with, and from, each other.

Our teachers create curriculum that recognizes the diverse needs of gifted learners and our administration seeks new opportunities for enrichment, support and service-learning for our children. HCCS students actively search for new ways to learn about their world, both within and beyond our unique armory-styled building. Our parent and alumnae/i supports are invaluable to making these curricular and co-curricular opportunities possible.

While some of our students begin school with us at age four, most students join us in seventh grade bringing rich experiences from elementary and middle schools across all five boroughs. Students form relationships that last a lifetime. Hunter graduates go out into the world knowing they have the support and camaraderie of those who have graduated before them and who share the commitment to the Hunter College motto: Mihi cura futuri --the care of the future is mine.

If you are new to Hunter, we hope this website gives you a glimpse of the Hunter College Campus Schools, our mission, and our vision. For our students and parents, we know this website serves as a valuable communication tool for our schools allowing us to share news and information and to celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of our students.

It is my privilege to serve this warm and vivacious community. I look forward to seeing you soon,

Lisa Siegmann
Director
Hunter College Campus Schools

The Academic Program

The curriculum exceeds New York State mandated guidelines issued by the Board of Regents. Hunter schools pursue innovative approaches to curriculum and instruction as laboratory schools for the gifted. The schools offer programs that are both rich in breadth and in-depth to the extent that complex academic work is pursued at each grade level.

Contact information:
High School Main Office: 212-860-1267
High School Admissions: 212-860-1261
Elementary School Main Office: 212-860-1292
Elementary School Admissions: 212-860-1401

Current Structure of the Schools

The Hunter College Campus Schools consist of an elementary school (kindergarten to sixth grade) and a high school (seventh to twelfth grades) with enrollments of 336 and 1200 students, respectively. The schools are publicly funded, chartered by the board of Trustees of the City University of New York, and administered by Hunter College. They are coeducational laboratory schools for students who exhibit superior cognitive ability and are organized as research and demonstration centers.

The schools are committed to serving a gifted student body and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin or disability. Please see the admissions pages for current information, including residency requirements.

The schools recognize that gifted students need an atmosphere of freedom in order to meet their own challenges and those presented to them, and a curriculum that emphasizes critical and creative thinking and mastery of the spectrum of the arts and sciences. They also require the vital stimulation of a strong program in physical education, and support for sound emotional development.

The schools aspire to be a community in which students come to respect and to appreciate diversity in an environment that fosters social responsibility, ethical behavior, civility, and sensitivity toward others.

Hunter students, as gifted and talented youngsters, tend to be mature for their age, self-motivated, independent, and inventive. They often have artistic and creative talents in addition to their strengths in academic areas. Critical thinking is also a common characteristic.

Hunter College Campus Schools Mission Statement

The Hunter College Campus Schools are made up of Hunter College Elementary School (K-6) and Hunter College High School (7-12). We are publicly funded, selective admission schools for intellectually talented and gifted students. We aim to be a model for gifted education.

Our schools strive to reflect the city they serve by admitting and educating a population of students who are culturally, socio-economically, and ethnically diverse. We seek to serve as a model for combining excellence and equity, serving as a catalyst for change in New York City and the nation.

We serve students who demonstrate advanced cognitive ability, and we assist in the development of creative, intellectually curious, and original thinkers who are passionate about learning. We prepare our students to be life-long learners and leaders. Our schools use the principles of gifted education, including depth, complexity, challenge, enrichment, and acceleration of the curriculum, to meet the needs of intellectually advanced students. Our schools support an experienced faculty who aim to stay current in their fields and who employ developmentally appropriate pedagogy with their students.

As a community, we are committed to the social and emotional well being of all our students. We seek to develop the individual potential of each student in a collaborative atmosphere that values intellectual freedom and inspiration. We value families as partners in this work, and as partners in creating the schools’ unique environment. As a community we foster respect for and appreciation of individual and cultural differences; emphasize social responsibility and leadership, community service and good citizenship; and value civility and ethical behavior.

At Hunter College Campus Schools, we learn and grow together.

We Learn Together
Everyone—students, families, and staff—has the opportunity to keep learning and growing.
We Include Everyone
We value every voice and we work to make sure everyone feels welcome, respected, and supported.
We Celebrate Diversity
Our different cultures, languages, and experiences make us stronger. We practice kindness and cultural sensitivity so that everyone feels they belong.
We Lead with Empathy
We listen, care, and learn from one another. Together, we build trust and understanding.
We Communicate Respectfully
Words and symbols matter. We do not use language or images that hurt or exclude others. Instead, we share ideas thoughtfully and with care, and we listen respectfully to ideas with which we disagree.

HCCS Community Norms

Learning Together
At the Hunter College Campus Schools, we believe that schools are vibrant communities where everyone—students, families, faculty, and staff—has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive together.

Equity and Inclusion
We strive to be equitable in our teaching, policies, and use of resources. We are grateful for our faculty, students, and families who bring unique perspectives, cultures, and languages to our school. Every decision we make reflects our belief that all members of our community deserve access to opportunities that help them succeed.

Valuing Diversity
Our community’s strength lies in its diversity. These differences enrich us all. We actively practice cultural sensitivity and we are dedicated to taking a culturally responsive approach to educating our students. By embracing and celebrating the diversity of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences within our school, we prepare our students to become thoughtful, compassionate leaders in a globally diverse world.

Fostering Belonging and Empathy
We believe schools should be safe spaces where we engage in meaningful conversations that cultivate empathy, respect, and a sense of belonging. By creating opportunities for students to foster connection, we help our students build community.

Respectful Expression
We are intentional about how we teach students to listen and represent their ideas. We embrace our responsibility to help students navigate difficult conversations within a framework of mutual respect. Hateful symbols or language have no place in our community, regardless of intent. We are committed to our responsibility to teach, in developmentally appropriate ways, why these symbols and words harm others and to guide students in expressing themselves with respect and care.

HCCS Leadership affirms its commitment to equitably and consistently address incidents that violate these norms. We endeavor to make every member of our community feel heard and protected.

Hunter College Campus Schools
71 East 94th Street
New York, NY 10128
Elementary School: 212-860-1292
High School: 212-860-1267