The school is operated by the New York City Department of Education under District 20 and serves students of grades 9 to 12.

Over the next few years, the school continued to grow, consisting of a main building and four annexes, with a student population of nearly 11,000.

A plurality of New Utrecht's student body is Asian-American, reflecting the high Asian population of Bensonhurst and the surrounding neighborhoods.

In addition, 16.4% of students have disabilities, 18.3% are English Language Learners, 79.4% are in poverty, and 79.9% are considered to be part of the Economic Needs Index.

Most academic classes are available at the Honors level for higher-achieving students, and the school offers many Advanced Placement courses.

[41] Many after-school activities are coordinated by the Chinese-American Planning Council, which offers programs to students with the goal of advancing the Asian-American community of New Utrecht.

Members are responsible for approving funds for clubs and organizing a School Spirit Week, Thanksgiving Dinner, Toy Drive, and other annual school-wide events.

New Utrecht High School is the venue for key scenes in the 1947 movie It Happened in Brooklyn, starring Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, Jimmy Durante, and Peter Lawford.

The front and rear views of the school building were used in the opening and closing scenes of the TV sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter, which starred alumnus Gabe Kaplan.