A family looking to move to Flushing started searching for private school tuition and scholarship options. However, the school that comes up most often among Korean parents in the area is not a private school, but a public specialized high school called Townsend Harris High School.

There are two main things to check in order. First is the admission process, and second is the real estate prices in the area around the school.

Townsend Harris is a public school under the New York City Department of Education, but it is a specialized high school that admits students through exams and document reviews. There is no tuition. This means there is no need to worry about school fees. The school maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 15 students per teacher with 1,333 enrolled students, and the percentage of students meeting the minimum proficiency level in math is 99 percent, while reading is 79 percent (according to Niche and U.S. News). A notable feature is the Bridge Program in partnership with Queens College, allowing 12th-grade students to take college-level humanities courses in advance.

This Bridge Program is somewhat different from the commonly known AP courses. While AP courses allow students to earn college credits for individual subjects, this program operates the entire curriculum of the final year at a college level through an agreement with Queens College. This characteristic is why this school has been frequently mentioned among Korean parents in the Queens area, including Flushing.

Next, let's look at real estate prices. The average home price in the Flushing area is $786,523. It has increased by 3.1 percent over the past year (Zillow, as of June 2026). The median sale price in January of this year was $728,000 (Redfin), and the median listing price in August was $714,000 (Movoto). Compared to other boroughs in New York City, this remains at an accessible level.

Some families are also looking to start with renting. Flushing offers a variety of apartments and condos, providing a wide range of rental options. However, rental prices can vary significantly based on the age of the building and the size of the unit, so it is more accurate to check individual listings.

For families wanting a top-tier curriculum without worrying about tuition, it is more efficient to check the admission procedures for these public specialized high schools rather than starting with private school tuition rates. However, since there are set admission limits and high competition, it is important to keep track of application timelines and exam preparation schedules separately.

The school district boundaries in Queens, including Flushing, are frequently adjusted. Since the assigned school can vary by address, it is essential to verify the assigned school for that address before signing a lease.

There are also several specialized high schools that admit students through exams in boroughs close to Flushing. The choice of which school to apply to will depend on the child's personality and exam preparation status, so it is advisable to compare the curricula and commuting distances of multiple schools.

The Flushing area has well-developed public transportation, making commuting possible without a car. This aspect is noted as a factor that reduces the initial settlement burden for families moving from other boroughs in New York City, as well as for those who have just immigrated from Korea.

While there is no worry about tuition, the admission competition is generally high each year. It is practical to look into exam preparation academies or after-school programs and to set up a preparation schedule at least a year in advance according to the child's grade level.

Flushing is a neighborhood that mixes old multi-family homes with newly built condos. The management fees and facility levels can vary greatly depending on the age of the building, so when viewing properties, it is advisable to check not only the sale or rental prices but also the management fees and the condition of the facilities. Families who have just immigrated from Korea may easily overlook these items, so it is recommended to include them in a checklist before signing a lease. The combination of tuition-free schools and relatively accessible real estate prices is why Flushing continues to be frequently mentioned.

This article is not investment or legal advice. Admission requirements and real estate prices can change each year, so it is advisable to verify with the school and professionals before making any actual agreements.