K-12 Schools

Engaging young people in the wonders of space & astronomy while building a world-class space education pipeline is critical for the future of the New York space ecosystem. This table highlights the current space-focused resources available in K-12 schools across New York.

One group includes schools that participate in and host various amateur organized rocketry groups and events. This vibrant and dynamic community is home to aspiring astronauts, engineers, scientists, and innovators of all ages and backgrounds. It is critical that these groups maintain access to quality grounds to practice and hold events. It is also vitally important that every child across the state be exposed to rocketry, its potential for the future, and an opportunity to explore it fully.

New York is also home to a unique set of secondary schools: those that host planetariums on campus for student and community enrichment. A product of Space Age interest in the 1960s & 70s, these facilities continue to provide unparalleled inspiration and knowledge about space to the youngest New Yorkers.

These 75 schools serve as a model for the rest of the state in how to build durable, quality STEM infrastructure that lays the foundation for future growth. We encourage all of our readers to learn about these schools, especially parents, educators, students, and members of the broader community from other regions of the state who want to bring the power of these programs to their neighborhood.

As of right now these schools are predominantly concentrated in the greater New York City area (Long Island, NYC, and Mid-Hudson) with entire regions in other parts of the state having only a handful. Empire Space believes students in every region of the state should have access to high quality space resources (such as planetariums) as a part of their curriculum. We will work to see these programs expand and multiply in the years ahead in all corners of New York!

Enjoy exploring our data and be sure to support space and astronomy programs in schools in your community!

Clear Filters
75 results

SchoolLocalityFacilitiesNotesADSDRegion
Southampton High SchoolSouthamptonSinnecock Multimedia PlanetariumPlanetarium was fully renovated in 2012.1 (D)1 (R)Long Island
Stony Brook SchoolStony BrookThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2024 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.4 (R)1 (R)Long Island
Sayville Middle SchoolSayvilleSayville Middle School PlanetariumPlanetarium construction was a community effort, and extracurricular programs exist to help more students experience it.7 (R)8 (R)Long Island
Longwood Middle SchoolMiddle IslandLongwood Regional Planetarium64 seat capacity planetarium on campus for student & community access.9 (R)3 (R)Long Island
West Islip School DistrictWest IslipWest Islip High School PlanetariumActive program for students across the district with an active social media presence.9 (R)8 (R)Long Island
Half Hollow Hills School DistrictDix HillsHalf Hollow Hills High School PlanetariumState of the art facility serving all of the districts K-12 students.10 (D)2 (R)Long Island
St. Anthony High SchoolHuntingtonThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.10 (D)2 (R)Long Island
Lindenhurst Middle SchoolLindenhurstLindenhurst Middle School Planetarium11 (D)8 (R)Long Island
East Williston School District - The Wheatley SchoolOld WestburyThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2023 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.13 (D)7 (R)Long Island
Great Neck North High SchoolGreat NeckAstronomy Club Astronomy Club 16 (D)7 (R)Long Island
Roslyn Central SchoolsRoslyn HeightsRoslyn High School Division of NYC Aerospace.16 (D)7 (R)Long Island
The Green Vale SchoolGlen HeadThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.19 (R)7 (R)Long Island
Freeport Central School DistrictFreeportNASA NY Space Grant AffiliateActive member of the NASA NY Space Grant program, including programming surrounding the 2024 Eclipse.21 (R)6 (D)Long Island
Aviation High SchoolQueensA unique co-educational high school that prepares students for careers in aviation maintenance and aerospace.37 (D)12 (D)NYC
Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter SchoolBrooklynThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2023 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.44 (D)20 (D)NYC
Brooklyn School of ExcellenceBrooklynAstronomy Club Astronomy Club 45 (D)23 (D)NYC
Edward R. Murrow High SchoolBrooklynEdwin P. Hubble PlanetariumOne of the last operational planetariums in a NYC public school.48 (D)22 (D)NYC
Brooklyn Technical High SchoolBrooklynBrooklyn Technical High School Division of NYC AerospaceProgram works in collaboration with the Aerospace Major available at the school.57 (D)26 (D)NYC
Staten Island Technical High SchoolStaten IslandThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2023 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.64 (R)24 (R)NYC
Stuyvesant High SchoolManhattanThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge and a part of the NYC Aerospace collaborative.66 (D)27 (D)NYC
Manhattan Center for Science and MathManhattanThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.68 (D)29 (D)NYC
Trinity SchoolManhattanThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.69 (D)47 (D)NYC
The High School of Math, Science, & EngineeringManhattanHSMSE Division of NYC Aerospace.70 (D)30 (D)NYC
Regis High SchoolManhattanThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2023 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.73 (D)28 (D)NYC
The Browning SchoolManhattanThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2023 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.73 (D)28 (D)NYC
The Avenues of the WorldManhattanAvenues of the World Division of NYC Aerospace.75 (D)47 (D)NYC
Bronx High School of ScienceBronxBronx Science PlanetariumA premiere high school space and astronomy program.81 (D)33 (D)NYC
Riverdale Country SchoolBronxThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.81 (D)33 (D)NYC
Harry S. Truman High SchoolBronxHarry S. Truman High School PlanetariumRecently renovated to provide a state of the art planetarium experience.82 (D)36 (D)NYC
Edgemont Union Free School DistrictScarsdaleThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2023 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.88 (D)35 (D)Mid-Hudson
New Rochelle High SchoolNew RochelleNew Rochelle High School PlanetariumFully developed programming and curriculum for district students of all ages.88 (D)37 (D)Mid-Hudson
Mamaronek High SchoolMamaronekThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.91 (D)37 (D)Mid-Hudson
Port Chester Central School DistrictPort ChesterPort Chester Schools PlanetariumAstro Space Coding Club91 (D)37 (D)Mid-Hudson
Harrison High SchoolHarrisonHarrison High School Space TheaterAstronomy Club puts on public shows, and the planetarium was renovated in 2010.93 (D)37 (D)Mid-Hudson
Brewster High School NJROTCBrewsterThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2023 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.94 (D)40 (D)Mid-Hudson
Mahopac Middle SchoolMahopacMahopac Middle School PlanetariumIt's repair and maintenance was a topic in local school board races.94 (D)40 (D)Mid-Hudson
Peekskill High SchoolPeekskillPeekskill High School PlanetariumPlanetarium is part of a strong STEM-centric curriculum.95 (D)40 (D)Mid-Hudson
Clarkstown South High SchoolWest NyackClarkstown South High School PlanetariumRestored and renovated in 2004.96 (D)38 (R)Mid-Hudson
North Rockland High SchoolThiellsNorth Rockland High School PlanetariumProgram currently unavailable due to budget cuts.96 (D)38 (R)Mid-Hudson
Suffern High SchoolSuffernSuffern High School PlanetariumPlanetarium recently repaired and reopened with dynamic new programming.97 (R)37 (D)Mid-Hudson
OHM BocesOneidaOHM BOCES Portable PlanetariumUtilize a portable STARLAB DOME for mobile astronomy. Currently not available due to staffing vacancy.101 (R)53 (R)Mohawk Valley
Onteora Central School DistrictBoicevilleDistrict is home to the Onteora Rocket Club.103 (D)51 (R)Mid-Hudson
Ulster BOCESNew PaltzNasa HUNCH Program103 (D)41 (D)Mid-Hudson
Marlboro High SchoolMarlboroMarlboro High School Planetarium & ObservatoryPlanetarium & observatory available for both student & community use.104 (D)41 (D)Mid-Hudson
Millbrook High SchoolMillbrookThe American Rocket Challenge ParticipantSuccessful team that has participated in multiple years of rocketry challenges.106 (D)41 (D)Mid-Hudson
LaSalle InstituteTroyThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.108 (D)43 (R)Capital Region
Niskayuna High SchoolNiskayunaThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2023 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.110 (D)44 (R)Capital Region
Queensbury High SchoolQueensburyThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.114 (R)45 (R)Capital Region
Ticonderoga High SchoolTiconderogaTiconderoga High School PlanetariumExpansive academic and community programming options.114 (R)45 (R)North Country
Heuvelton High SchoolHeuveltonThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.116 (D)49 (R)North Country
Broadalbin-Perth Jr/Sr SchoolBroadalbinThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.118 (R)49 (R)Mohawk Valley
Utica Academy of ScienceUticaSTEM focused college prep academy with specific Astronomy curriculum available to students.119 (D)49 (R)Mohawk Valley
Southern Cayuga High SchoolAuroraSouthern Cayuga PlanetariumAfter significant community support, a renovated facility was re-opened in 2019.126 (R)48 (D)Central NY
Fayetteville Manlius High SchoolManliusFayetteville Manlius High School PlanetariumCoursework includes Observational Astronomy, planetarium was upgraded in 2017 with state assistance.127 (D)50 (D)Central NY
OCM BOCESLiverpoolOCM BOCES Portable PlanetariumProgram has been providing high level and intensive astronomy programming since 1986.128 (D)50 (D)Central NY
Syracuse Academy of ScienceSyracuseSTEM focused college prep academy with specific Astronomy curriculum available to students.129 (D)48 (D)Central NY
Bay Trail Middle SchoolPenfieldThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2023 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.135 (D)55 (D)Finger Lakes
Genesee Valley BOCESLe RoyNasa HUNCH Program139 (R)57 (R)Finger Lakes
Lackawanna High SchoolLackawannaLackawanna High School PlanetariumState of the art planetarium available for students of all ages.142 (D)63 (D)Western NY
Orchard Park Central School DistrictOrchard ParkThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2023 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.142 (D)60 (R)Western NY
West Seneca High SchoolWest SenecaThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.142 (D)60 (R)Western NY
Lancaster High SchoolLancasterThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.143 (D)60 (R)Western NY
Maryvale Intermediate SchoolCheektowagaMaryvale Intermediate School PlanetariumProgram went dark but came back to life, actively serving district students.143 (D)63 (D)Western NY
Clarence High SchoolClarenceThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2024 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.144 (R)60 (R)Western NY
Buffalo Academy of the Sacred HeartBuffaloThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.146 (D)61 (D)Western NY
Williamsville High SchoolWilliamsvilleWilliamsville Space Lab PlanetariumState of the art immersive multimedia facility open to students and the general public, hosting up to 20,000 students and young learners annually. Planetarium renovated in 2014 with community support and a state grant for $300,000.146 (D)61 (D)Western NY
East Aurora High SchoolEast AuroraThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2024 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.147 (R)60 (R)Western NY
Holland Central School DistrictHollandThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.147 (R)60 (R)Western NY
Immaculate Conception SchoolEast AuroraThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.147 (R)60 (R)Western NY
Iroquois Central School DistrictElmaThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.147 (R)60 (R)Western NY
Buffalo Academy of ScienceBuffaloThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.149 (D)63 (D)Western NY
Frontier Central School DistrictHamburgThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.149 (D)60 (R)Western NY
International Prep School at GroverBuffaloThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.149 (D)63 (D)Western NY
International School 45BuffaloThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.149 (D)61 (D)Western NY
Nardin AcademyBuffaloThe American Rocket Challenge Participant2020 entrant in the Great American Rocketry Challenge.149 (D)61 (D)Western NY