The Program
A rigorous college-prep core, a four-year architecture & engineering theme sequence, and partner programs that take students well beyond the classroom.
Middle School
Middle school is more than a bridge to high school — it's the start of something big. From the moment they arrive, AECI 1 middle schoolers explore architecture, engineering, and construction through real-world projects, creative problem-solving, and strong academics.
Students take immersive field trips to nearby colleges, active construction sites, and iconic NYC landmarks — then connect directly into AECI 1 High School with aligned curriculum, mentoring, and support.
Apply — Seats Are Limited →🔧 Hands-On Learning
Project-based design, STEM, and critical thinking applied to real-world problems.
🏛️ Real-World Trips
Colleges, construction sites, and architectural landmarks across NYC.
🏃 Athletic Development
Leadership, resilience, and teamwork through Tiger athletics.
🎓 Seamless 6–12 Path
Peer tutoring and mentorship from high schoolers, plus a direct line to AECI 1 HS.
High School
Course Map
SUPA college credit gold · AP navy
The Studio
Sequence
recognized certification exams
Architectural Drawing Foundation
Line, shape, color, value, texture, and composition. Students master sketching, perspective drawing, and rendering — building the eye and the hand for interior and exterior drawing, and solving design problems by studying past solutions.
Architectural Drafting & AutoCAD Technical
Technical sketching, orthographic projection, drawing layout, and drafting standards. Students produce complete interior and exterior drawings for commercial and residential design — to industry standards.
Engineering Essentials Hands-On
Students learn the Engineering Design Process and the physics of simple machines, then put both to work in build-test-redesign projects across a wide range of engineering challenges — bridge building, catapults, the egg drop, and a paper airplane design competition.
3D Modeling: Revit 1 BIM / Digital
Autodesk Revit — the industry-leading BIM platform — from first walls to full buildings. Projects scale up from a student lounge and a 2BR apartment to a mansion, a walk-up apartment building, and an office tower, output as professional-grade construction documents and renderings.
3D Modeling: Revit 2 Collegiate Studio
An independent-study studio: students form partnerships and design university master plans, shopping malls, and mixed-use high-rise skyscrapers — practicing the collaboration, proposals, and construction documents of a real architecture office. Firms like SOM, HOK, and SHoP treat Revit proficiency as a major advantage; our graduates arrive with it.
Digital Portfolio & College Prep Professional
Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator skills culminate in an extensive digital portfolio, while students navigate applications to specialty programs in Architecture, Engineering, Fine Arts, and Design — portfolio requirements, essays, interviews, and scholarships included.
Partner Programs
with our partner institutions
A week-long NYC summer program where students explore a different topic in architecture and design through art and building activities, design challenges, and special site visits.
A portfolio- and merit-based school of studio courses, creative writing, and art seminars for students preparing a college portfolio. Professional artists teach all courses — classes, materials, field trips, and museum admissions are all free.
Studio art courses for NYC public high school students — Drawing, Graphic Design, Sculpture, and Architecture — for beginners and advanced students alike.
A six-week intensive immersing sophomores and juniors in hands-on engineering design, plus workshops on presentation skills, technical writing, career counseling, and college admissions.
An intensive college-level residency at Maryland Institute College of Art — daily critiques, a professional portfolio, and the experience of living and creating at one of the nation's most prestigious art and design colleges.
Pre-college art and design courses in a college environment. Accepted students receive college credit and guidance through the college admissions process.
Drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, and interdisciplinary arts under noted artists and educators — living and working alongside 95 other student artists on a college campus.
Helps low-income NYC high school students fundraise scholarships for high-quality art programs, personalized to each student's interests.
Support & Beyond
Counseling →
One counselor for all four years, plus a school social worker and mental-health resources.
SHEET A-401Post-Secondary →
College visits, applications, financial aid, scholarships, and deadlines — starting in 9th grade.
SHEET A-801Athletics →
Twelve Tiger teams across three seasons, open to every academically eligible student.