For several years now the city (and Manhattan especially) has been facing a kind of perfect storm scenario over its growing population of school-age children and a shortage of seats in public schools and private schools. The very short answer? More schools. This week we offer an updated list of new private schools (nursery and ongoing), including the city’s first Mandarin-immersion school on the Upper West Side, and a high-profile global-minded Pre-K through 12 school coming to Chelsea. We’ll report back on new school plans in the public school and charter school arenas in two weeks, but for now we refer you to the ever-helpful InsideSchools.org and to the Department of Education’s website for more info.

Avenues. With a global mindset that extends across disciplines like geography, history and economic development, this highly anticipated K-12 school has positioned itself as a school of the future. Opening in the fall of 2012, the physical plant is currently being converted from a Cass Gilbert-designed landmark building in Chelsea into a state-of-the-art school building. The 215,000-square-foot campus will boast a 20,000-square-foot dining floor, 10 floors of classrooms, open air “studios” for independent study, and a large gymnasium. Academically, Avenues plans to promote across-the-board rigorous academics with a special emphasis on global awareness, including fluency in a second language. 259 10th Avenue, 212- 935-5000; Avenues.org.

Bilingual Buds. The city’s first Mandarin-immersion preschool (up to age 6) is off to a great start, attracting a diverse mix of families, all of whom value the advantages of beginning a culturally diverse bilingual education at young age. Housed in a warm contemporary space on the Upper West Side, the program also offers Mommy and me and after school classes, and a summer camp travel program, but the core is the nursery school, a spin-off from a very successful program started in New Jersey a few years ago. “Our program focuses on making children culturally aware, linguistically capable, and intellectually curious,” says Sharon Huang, Bilingual Buds founder and director. The school, which can accommodate 60 students, features state-of-the art renovations and a teaching staff of highly qualified bilingual educators. 180 Riverside Blvd., 212-787-8088, bilingualbudsnyc.com.

Blue School. Open since September 2008, Blue School was founded by Matt Goldman, Phil Stanton and Chris Wink—the original three members of the Blue Man Group. The school, which recently secured a permanent 33,168 square foot location in downtown Manhattan, offers programs for children from age 2 through fifth grade. “Blue School is an educational program where creativity is cherished and children are encouraged to fall in love with the joy of curiosity and learning,” says Goldman. Students learn through exploration, self expression, open communication, active play and group collaboration. 241 Water Street, 646-602-7066, theblueschool.org.

The Goddard School. The Goddard School, a private preschool for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years, plans to open a facility on the Upper West Side later this year. Operating 360 schools in 39 states, Goddard is known throughout the country for its focus on each individual child, as well as its wide range of enrichment activities designed to build each child’s emotional, social, cognitive and physical skills. The physical space of the school will be a state-of-the art, custom designed learning center, which will include an indoor gym and outdoor patio. 2495 Broadway, 212-712-2727, goddardschool.com.

Mandell School. Long regarded as one of Manhattan’s most sought-after nursery schools, the Mandell School currently comprises pre-nursery through eighth grade, with grades 6 through 8 added this past year. Head of school Gabriella Rowe intends for the growing institution to continue to operate under the philosophy with which it was founded in 1939: If a school provides structure, stimulation and a safe environment where children feel loved, kids can achieve anything. “Middle schoolers will gain not only a greater consciousness about the world around them, but they’ll also be able to study the science of it, the math of it and the socio-economic impact of it,” Rowe says. The school is housed in a brand new, eco-friendly building on the Upper West Side. 128 West 95th Street, 212-222-2925, mandellschool.org.

Speyer Legacy School. The Speyer Legacy School was designed specifically with the needs of gifted learners in mind. Open since September 2009, the school offers kindergarten and a combined first and second grade class, and plans to grow through eighth grade by the fall of 2015. The mission of the school is to provide a nurturing environment enabling advanced learners to realize their full potential alongside classmates and teachers who share their passion for learning. “Our plan is to create this program around the children rather than create the program and bring the children to it,” explains head of school Connie Williams Coulianos. The school emphasizes social and emotional as well as intellectual development. 15 West 86th Street, 212-581-4000, speyerlegacyschool.org.

World Class Learning Academy New York. The World Class Learning Group, based in London and known for building highly-competitive educational institutions across the globe, has recently opened a new international primary school in the East Village; the WCL Academy opened its doors in January 2011 for students in its Nursery program (three years of age), and in September 2011 for students ages 3-11. It will be the latest addition to the WCL Group’s British Schools of America, which include schools in Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Houston and Washington, DC, as well as abroad. The school will use the National Curriculum for England and the International Primary Curriculum, which is taught in 800 private and public schools in 58 countries around the world and is gaining in popularity as more educators learn of its success. “The World Class Learning Academy is a school that does not gamble with children’s education, and we know what we can deliver,” says head of school John Taylor. “If parents in the city are looking for this kind of specialized education for their children, I believe they would do well to put their trust in us." wclacademy.org.