Skip to main content

Townsend Harris High School

An extremely competitive high school focused on humanities in Flushing, Queens, and is labeled as one of the "top high schools" in the city. It's got high SAT scores by students, a 100% graduation rate most years, and near perfect passing rates of state tests.

It's difficult to get in; an incoming student needs excellent grades. It's difficult to even BE in the school, as the workload is insane. A student's classes are all honors and APs, and additional projects called "collaterals" are added to the curriculum. The physical education program is also rigorous.

The most common complaint by attending students is stress from overwork. Another complaint is a suffering social life, or perceived lack thereof.

It is said that a 90 in THHS is worth a 95 in most public schools. Is that supposed to make us happy?
Child: I wanna go to Townsend Harris High School! I'm going to study like fuck!

Harrisite: How bout you just enjoy your youth?
Words you can keep

Townsend Harris High School

A public school located in Flushing that has an emphasis on the Humanities. There are about 1,100 students enrolled in this selective school. Girls make up the majority of the population. Students are "Harrisites".

All of the classes are honors level, so only APs are weighted. Every year, students are assigned special "collateral" projects in each subject. Collaterals can be research papers, presentations, poems, or even art projects.

Since THHS is part of CUNY Queens College, students must take college classes, free of charge, during senior year. They are also allowed to use qc facilities, including the library and gym, all four years.

THHS is a short bus ride away from Main Street, Flushing where there's a variety of Asian restaurants, cafes, and shops.

It's an extremely safe school with a small atmosphere. In 2010, the US News and World report ranked THHS #33 out of "America's Best Public Schools".
1) Townsend Harris High School, originally founded in 1904, is named after the first United States Consul General to Japan.

townsend harris high school

A high school in Flushing, NY. Although it is a known as a "smart" school, (you need over a 90 average to get in, supposedly) you'd be surprised by how many idiots there are present. The school is relatively small, having just over 1100 students. It is notorious for giving a huge amount of workload, although with proper time management the homework is possible to accomplish. Despite its amount of morons, the school does have its fair share of smart people, and no gangs. Go here if you are terrified of Bloods and Crips.
1. You go to Townsend Harris High School? You fucking geek!

2. I applied for Townsend Harris High school, but I doubt I'll get in.

townsend harris high school

"man, those townsend kids look like in-shape zombies"
"yeah, i hear some of them grow horns from being in the building too long."
"whoa man! that's bad. It's a good thing we go to a normal high school..and not.. TOWNSEND HARRIS HIGH SCHOOL.."

casual chuckle.
More from Urban Dictionary

Satellite baddies

Attractive women who are far from your location.
There are no hot girls in the area, theres only satellite baddies.
Satellite baddies by Banksy123 September 5, 2026
Word of the Day on September 10, 2026
Omg, the ramifications!”
-“You forgot about the rammys, bro.”
Rammys by Brandonmical August 4, 2023
Word of the Day on September 9, 2026

Failure Shower 

When you fail at something in life (eg. failing an exam or not getting a job), go home and spend an hour just standing in the shower, propping yourself up against the wall with your eyes on your feet.
Caleb knew the only thing to do after he didnt get prefect was take a failure shower.
Failure Shower by Vikingnz October 27, 2009
Word of the Day on September 8, 2026
Next