Stuyvesant High School, commonly referred to as Stuy /ˈstaɪ/,[7] is one of the nine Specialized High Schools in New York City. Operated by the New York City Department of Education, these schools offer tuition-free accelerated academics to city residents. The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is the only way to gain acceptance into one of the Specialized High Schools, of which Stuyvesant traditionally holds the highest cutoff score. In November of their 8th grade, over 28,000 potential incoming freshmen take the 150 minute exam, roughly 800 of whom are accepted.
 
Prior to 1969, Stuyvesant did not accept female students. That year, 14 girls were admitted to Stuyvesant and 12 enrolled at the start of September, marking the school's first co-educational year. As of 2002, female enrollment had grown to 42%.[20] New York State Legislature passed the Hecht-Calandra act in 1972, designating Brooklyn Tech, Bronx Science, Stuyvesant, and The High School of Music & Art (now Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts) as specialized high schools of New York City. The act called for a uniform exam to be administered for admission to Brooklyn Tech, Bronx Science and Stuyvesant High School.The exam, named the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT), tested students in math and verbal abilities. Admission to LaGuardia High School is by audition rather than examination, in keeping with its artistic mission.
 
Stuyvesant moved into a new waterfront building in Battery Park City in 1992. The 15th St. building remains in use as of 2012, as "Old Stuyvesant Campus", and houses the Institute for Collaborative Education, the High School for Health Professions and Human Services and P.S. 226. During the 2003–2004 school year, Stuyvesant celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding with a full year of activities. Events included a procession from the 15th Street building to the Chambers Street one; a meeting of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology; an all-class reunion; and visits and speeches from notable alumni. In recent years, keynote graduation speakers have included future Attorney General Eric Holder (2001),[22] former President Bill Clinton (2002), United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan (2004),[24] and Late Night comedian Conan O'Brien (2006).