Surrounded by striking neo-Gothic buildings and lush green lawns, students at the High School for Math, Science and Engineering get more than a taste of college life.

They use the same gym and cafeteria as students at the City College of New York campus where the high school is located. During breaks from classes, the high schoolers get to stretch their legs and play Frisbee on the quad.

But the 475-student school also offers a supportive, tight-knit community to help teenagers in the vital years before college.

“We believe in developing the whole child — academically, socially and emotionally,” said Principal Crystal Bonds. “That’s what works for us.”

The rigorous academic program features an extended 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. day. Students have two 90-minute classes in the morning and two 90-minute classes in the afternoon. In between is a 45-minute lunch period and one elective class.

All students take four years of math and four years of science. Freshman take two math classes.

Each must choose a concentration by their junior year: the Mount Sinai biomedical research program, mathematics or engineering.

The faculty includes former engineers and architects.

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