ABOUT
New York Harbor School is a distinguished high school located on the picturesque Governors Island, offering a unique educational experience for students. With a strong emphasis on College and Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, our school prepares students for successful futures in various maritime fields.
Our academic curriculum is rigorous, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for today’s world. Students benefit from hands-on learning opportunities, engaging in real-world projects that connect them to the maritime and environmental sectors.
Our Mission
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The Mission of the Urban Assembly New York Harbor School is dedicated to providing an exceptional and challenging educational experience that prepares students for successful careers and long-term financial stability. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our eight Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, which emphasize Maritime and Environmental Sustainability. By fostering a collaborative community of passionate educators, engaged students, supportive families, and industry partners, we ensure that every student is equipped to tackle the academic, technical, civic, and workforce demands of the twenty-first century.
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Principal's Message
Dear Harbor School Families and Visitors,
Welcome to the Urban Assembly New York Harbor School — where students don't just learn about the world, they learn in it. This year marked my first as Principal, and I can say with complete sincerity: this is an extraordinary school. Every morning, I step off the ferry to Governors Island and feel energized by the same thing that keeps our school thriving — the students. Their curiosity, joy, and daily smiles remind me that learning can be a source of positivity for our more than 500 students.
Our school is unlike any other in New York City. Nestled on Governors Island in the heart of New York Harbor, we offer a one-of-a-kind experience rooted in environmental stewardship, maritime learning, and hands-on career preparation. Through our eight state and industry-certified Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs — Aquaculture, Marine Biology Research, Marine Policy & Advocacy, Ocean Engineering, Professional Diving, Vessel Operations, Marine Systems Technology, and Welding — students build real-world skills that open doors to college, careers, and civic leadership. We are especially proud to have launched our Pathways in Technology Early College High School, or P-TECH, program this year in partnership with SUNY Maritime College — the only P-TECH collaboration in New York City connected to a SUNY institution. This groundbreaking initiative allows students to earn both their high school diploma and an Associates Degree in a maritime-focused field, all while gaining valuable industry experience. It represents a bold step forward in our commitment to expanding opportunities and shaping the future of maritime education. Our academic offerings are robust and designed to prepare students for post-secondary success. We offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses, College Now classes in collaboration with local colleges, and have a dedicated college and career counselor to guide students through their academic journey. Our 11th and 12th grade advisory courses provide personalized support, ensuring that each student receives the support they need to successfully prepare for their lives beyond high school. Our students don’t just learn about environmental and maritime work — they actively participate in it through deep and meaningful partnerships. The school works hand-in-hand with the Billion Oyster Project to support the restoration of New York Harbor’s once-thriving oyster population. This hands-on environmental restoration project is integrated directly into our curriculum and offers students unparalleled access to field science, ecological data, and marine habitat restoration efforts — all while contributing to the health of our city’s waterways. We also work closely with Earth Matter NY, another Governors Island–based organization, to provide students with valuable experiences in composting, sustainable agriculture, and waste reduction. These partnerships embody our school’s mission: to engage students in real work that matters, in the very environment we are working to protect.