It is one of the few public high schools in New York City to offer vocational training programs as well as traditional college preparatory tracks and well known for its largely male population.

The city block the school occupies is host to the annual 3100 Mile Self-Transcendence Race.

Students at Edison generally take required courses in health, music theory, and art appreciation during their freshman year, at the end of which they choose a track to pursue in grades 10–12.

After they pass both classes, they have a choice of major (i.e., A+ Repair, Cisco, MOS[clarification needed]) for junior and senior year.

[2] Of Edison's students, 48% are Asian, 23% are Hispanic or Latino, 18% are black, 4% are white, and 5% are Native American.