New York High School

New York High School was the first monitorial system high school in the United States. It opened in March 1825 under the leadership of educator John Griscom, and was modeled on Edinburgh high school in Scotland. The school buildings were located on the west side of Crosby Street between Grand Street and Spring Street in Manhattan.

After completing a three-story building of 50 by 75 feet, the school opened for boys its first year. A female building opened the following year, to the north. Existing schools opposed the new institution, and its much lower tuition rates.

In addition to Griscom, educator and Baptist minister Daniel H. Barnes (1785-1828) was a key instructor. As of 1828, the school had 730 students. Although it had initial success, the school's popularity declined and it was sold in 1831.