[Editor’s Note: For part 1 of “A Guide To New York City’s Best Private Schools,” which includes listings A through K, click HERE.]
Here’s the lesson plan for picking the right private school: Lots of research! There are lots of great private schools out there, but as you begin the process, your goal should be to first, identify which qualities are most important to you in a school, and second, figure out which local schools have them. This guide is a piece of a larger NYC private schools directory we have created for parents, with streamlined descriptions to provide an overview of each school. The next step is to check out their websites.
LA SCUOLA D’ITALIA [East Side]
Grades Pre K-12
12 East 96th Street
Philosophy: Bi-lingual academic
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “Rooted in Italian and European traditions, La Scuola D’Italia classically educates children, preschool through high school, through a bilingual teaching process.”
Noteworthy: “In addition to being recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education, the school is also chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York. Therefore our students graduate with a high school diploma that is officially recognized both in the United States and Italy.”
lascuoladitalia.org
LÉMAN MANHATTAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL [Financial District]
Grades Pre-K-12
41 Broad Street
1 Morris Street
Philosophy: Traditional
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “Offering ‘world views from every classroom’ is at the heart of our school’s mission. We want our students to be rooted in their community but we also feel that we have a responsibility to help our children see beyond the New York Harbor and engage in a conversation with others around the world.”
Noteworthy: “One of only four independent schools in Manhattan to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, Léman Manhattan is building the next generation of courageous, critical thinkers. Our two state-of-the-art campuses house nearly 600 students representing more than 50 countries of origin, where an exceptional faculty inspires children to view the world as their classroom.”
lemanmanhattan.org
LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE & ELISABETH IRWIN HIGH SCHOOL [Greenwich Village]
Grades Pre-K-12
272 6th Avenue (Lower & Middle School)
40 Charlton Street (High School)
Philosophy: Progressive
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “Simply put, progressive education works with a child’s natural inquisitiveness and desire to do, to experiment and to be involved. Progressive education asks students to truly understand a topic and to demonstrate and to defend their understanding. It asks them to think beyond the page, beyond the ‘right answer.’
Noteworthy: Walk into LREI, and…you see 6th graders on the playground testing Medieval catapults they designed. At the High School, you hear students debating a bill that just passed through Congress… Our students aren’t cramming facts and forgetting them by fourth period. They’re engaging with each other and the world, making connections they’ll remember years down the road.”
lrei.org
LOYOLA SCHOOL [East Side]
Grades 9-12
980 Park Avenue
Philosophy: Individualized
Religious Affiliation: Jesuit Catholic
In Their Own Words: “As a Catholic, independent, coed, college prep, day school (rooted in the Jesuit tradition), Loyola School challenges its young men and women to become intellectually fulfilled, open to growth, religious, loving, and committed to doing justice. LoyolaSchool is dedicated to challenging its students—religiously, intellectually, aesthetically, physically, and socially.”
Noteworthy: “At the heart of the Jesuit approach to education is the principle of cura personalis—care for the whole person. At Loyola, we try to cultivate a student’s gifts and talents, inspiring their use, and encouraging interaction with peers and teachers. Our graduates become people who can question, reason, and articulate their knowledge and understanding of the world.”
loyolanyc.org
LYCÉE FRANCAIS DE NEW YORK [East Side]
Grades Pre K-12
505 East 75th Street
Philosophy: Bilingual academic
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “Mission is to prepare students to be responsible citizens equipped for the world of tomorrow, using the French educational system and culture. French is the main language of instruction, but students are also provided with a comprehensive and thorough American language and culture program comparable to that of top-level American independent schools. The school blends these two programs with qualified teachers dedicated to the mission.”
Noteworthy: “A diverse, vibrant, and committed school community. Student body made up of over 1,350 students from all over the world. Parents, faculty, and staff are drawn from over 50 nationalities and a wide variety of ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.”
lfny.org
MANDELL SCHOOL [West Side]
Grades N-8
795 Columbus Avenue (K-8)
Philosophy: Academic
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “Mandell challenges each of our students and their families to use their experience with us to determine how and through what means they will proactively choose to have a positive and meaningful impact on their world. In turn, it is our responsibility to provide a blueprint for learning, consistently high expectations and a dedicated and exceptionally talented faculty.”
Noteworthy: “Each year, Kids Grow New York is the Mandell School’s Kindergarten class community service initiative. Kids Grow New York focuses on how Mandell students and children at other schools around New York City can influence their communities and the world by caring for trees, planting and caring for the ‘green’ parts of our neighborhood.”
mandellschool.org
MANHATTAN COUNTRY SCHOOL [East Side]
Grades Pre-K-8
7 East 96th Street
Philosophy: Progressive
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “The school has a main campus in Manhattan and a farm campus 150 miles from NYC in Roxbury, NY. New York City is treated as a learning laboratory. Central Park, farmers’ markets, cultural institutions, and neighborhoods across the city enrich the program and motivate personal connections to human communities and to nature.”
Noteworthy: “One of the most significant parts of our school’s academic experience takes place at our award-winning farm in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York. At the Farm, students learn invaluable lessons about community and interdependence, nature and the sustainable production of food, energy and fiber.”
manhattancountryschool.org
MARYMOUNT SCHOOL [East Side]
Grades N-12
1026 5th Avenue
2 East 82nd Street
116 East 97th Street
Philosophy: Academic
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
In Their Own Words: “Education consists of developing intelligence, acquiring knowledge, mastering skills, and forming character. It is the role of both the teacher and parent to cooperate, to guide, and to assist in the development of the whole child, academically, intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and socially.”
Noteworthy: “[The] School participates in Online School for Girls, an all-girls educational experience by connecting girls worldwide through relevant and engaging coursework in a dynamic online learning community. OSG is guided by current research on how girls learn best, through the academic principles of connection, collaboration, creativity, and application.”
marymountnyc.org
MASTERS SCHOOL [Dobbs Ferry]
Grades 5-12
49 Clinton Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Philosophy: College Prep
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “We believe that students learn best when they construct their own meanings. This belief is reflected in the architecture of the classroom itself: the Harkness table gathers students and teachers to build knowledge and learn from one another.”
Noteworthy: “During the week, our academic classes explore the multitude of exceptional educational resources available in the city. Whether it is visiting a variety of different religious institutions, talking with an economist on the trading floor of a powerful Wall Street institution, touring a laboratory with a research scientist at a major university, or attending the General Assembly session at the United Nations, students use New York City to complement, broaden, and enrich their academic classroom experiences.” mastersny.org
METROPOLITAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL [West Side]
Grades K-6
325 West 85th Street
Philosophy: Montessori
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “MMS is dedicated to providing an enriching and challenging educational environment in which each child is encouraged to grow to his or her fullest potential–academically, emotionally, and socially. Through the partnership of child, parent, and teacher, a consistent Montessori framework for learning is developed, offering an education for life.”
Noteworthy: “At MMS, children have the opportunity to discover their personal strengths in a child-centered environment. They develop on their own timetable, and each child is known and appreciated for his or her individuality. As the children progress through the elementary years, the work becomes more complex and abstract with opportunities for self-directed study, in-depth analysis, small group collaborations, peer teaching, and individual goal-setting with teachers.”
mmsny.org
THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL [East Side]
Grades N-5
4 East 90th Street
Philosophy: Child-centered
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “Our curriculum is designed for American and international families in New York looking to provide a truly global education to their children. At NYIS, we combine a focus on the highest academic standards and an innovative, dual language immersion program in either Spanish or Mandarin Chinese. Our curriculum has been structured to be rigorous, stimulating and challenging, aiming high so that students may attain their full potential and become global citizens with dual language fluency. It integrates the American curriculum with an international vision, ensuring that students can progress to top schools and universities in the US and anywhere in the world.”
Noteworthy: “Teachers plan lessons with differentiated outcomes, allowing for a range of achievements. This enables teachers to match each lesson as closely as possible to individual needs whilst providing scope for students to be stretched academically. Each child’s progress is recorded and tracked individually and forms the basis for the planning of all lessons, ensuring students learn at a pace that adjusts to his or her needs.”
nyis.org
NIGHTINGALE-BAMFORD SCHOOL [East Side]
Grades K-12
20 East 92nd Street
Philosophy: Academic
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “Providing structure and a strong foundation from the start, the curriculum allows for increasing independence as students move through the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. In each division, small classes permit teachers to find their students’ strengths and insist on their best efforts. Our commitment to the success of every girl is absolute.”
Noteworthy: “We believe that success comes in many forms. Through the arts and athletics, ample leadership opportunities, extracurricular activities, and community service, Nightingale students are encouraged to discover and to demonstrate that the mind and heart are equally important, and that one is empty without the other.”
nightingale.org
NORD ANGLIA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, NEW YORK [East Village]
2 years-Grade 7
44 East 2nd Street
Philosophy: Student-centered International
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “Our curriculum offers an especially solid foundation in math, English and science with children being introduced to these concepts from the age of two years. However, it tackles much more than academia; it also incorporates a wide range of activities covering sports, musical and artistic themes to provide as many opportunities as possible for students to discover their passions and celebrate success.”
Noteworthy: “Our school curriculum draws from the English National Curriculum, which is respected and recognized around the world. Year groups are separated into different ‘key stages,’ in which children pick up the skills and knowledge they need to take the next step in their learning.”
nordangliaeducation.com
PACKER COLLEGIATE SCHOOL [Brooklyn]
Grades N-12
170 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn
Philosophy: Child-centered
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “At Packer the foundations and tools for the pursuit of learning are developed in interactive, child-centered, developmentally appropriate settings in which children work individually and in cooperative groups. Quantitative reasoning, the scientific approach, and literacy skills are fostered. Creativity, critical thinking, research skills and an appreciation for the collective knowledge of the human family are also developed.”
Noteworthy: “Since 2007, the Pre and Lower Schools have been building a relationship with the Ndonyo Wasin Primary School in northern Kenya. Ndonyo Wasin is a residential school which serves children from the nomadic Samburu people, whose way of life is becoming increasingly influenced and changed by modern society. Children in both schools have exchanged letters, videos, photos, drawings, and class-made books as they learn about each other’s lives and cultures.”
packer.edu
PARKSIDE SCHOOL [West Side]
Grades K-5
28 West 74th Street
Philosophy: Accommodating
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “We serve the whole child by offering a thoughtfully designed, comprehensive array of academic and support services. Our goal is to enable our students to pursue learning in their areas of strength, to acquire tools and strategies to progress in their areas of challenge, and to develop respect and understanding for themselves and others.”
Noteworthy: “A great emphasis of our classroom teachers is on delivering instruction in various modalities. Visual, tactile, and kinesthetic tools are commonplace at Parkside as ways to support teacher presentations and facilitate student exploration. Another emphasis of our program is to integrate, as much as possible, across subject areas.”
parksideschool.org
PINE STREET SCHOOL [Financial District]
Admitting ages 2 years-Grade 3 for 2015;
Middle School opening September 2016
25 Pine Street
Philosophy: International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program candidate elementary school with a Montessori preschool
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “Our aim at Pine Street School is to create a secure, caring environment in which children optimize their development intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally. We seek to give all our students the opportunity to experience a unique international education and to acquire the personal attributes, outlook and knowledge that will equip them to play an active part in the construction of tomorrow’s world.”
Noteworthy: “Every aspect of the school—starting from its design and extending to the details of the curriculum—is a response to the latest brain research. We believe in a proven, highly individualized curriculum that engages the child with a series of specific questions that can be applied to limitless situations.”
greenivy.com/pine-street-school
POLY PREP COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL [Brooklyn]
Grades Nursery-12
50 Prospect Park West (Lower School)
9216 Seventh Avenue (Middle School & Upper School)
Philosophy: Progressive
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “Through our program, children learn to become independent thinkers, to form opinions and articulate their ideas, and to analyze problems and apply their knowledge. At the same time, our curriculum is designed to help students learn to tolerate the opinions of others, to cherish diversity, and to remand fairness.”
Noteworthy: “Students discover how to engage in creative movement with our dance specialist during weekly meetings in our light-filled, penthouse dance studio. Our youngest dancers explore the gestural properties of arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers, toes, the head, and the torso and learn different ways of moving before participating in short movement projects and dance games that help train students in collaborative movement.”
polyprep.org
PROFESSIONAL CHILDREN’S SCHOOL [West Side]
Grades 6-12
132 West 60th Street
Philosophy: Academic
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “The Mission of Professional Children’s School is to provide a challenging academic education for young people working in or studying for careers in the performing and visual arts, competitive sports and other endeavors; to meet the diverse needs of our students; provide mastery of fundamental skills and prepare them for college or other post-secondary education.”
Noteworthy: “Our academic program ensures that our students can focus on both school and their outside interests by incorporating flexible academic schedules, Guided Study while away from school, and an understanding environment of accommodation and advance planning on the part of the faculty.”
pcs-nyc.org
RABBI ARTHUR SCHNEIER PARK EAST DAY SCHOOL [East Side]
Grades N-8
164 East 68th Street
Philosophy: Traditional
Religious Affiliation: Jewish
In Their Own Words: “Rabbi Arthur Schneier Park East Day School stands poised as an educational institution where a rigorous academic curriculum seamlessly integrates with Judaic studies. Its philosophy of building proud Jewish leaders with a strong sense of identity and tradition is taught through the lens of a global society.”
Noteworthy: “Our Jewish education emphasizes the study of Torah, prayer, Prophets, Talmud, Jewish heritage and holiday celebrations. The goal of the Judaic Studies program is to teach children to love and be proud of their Jewish identity, be proficient in prayer and understand Jewish texts.”
raspeds.org
RAMAZ SCHOOL [East Side]
Grades Pre K-12
125 East 85th Street
Philosophy: Traditional
Religious Affiliation: Jewish
In Their Own Words: “Ramaz School is committed to the pursuit of knowledge, intellectual rigor, scholarship, and a life-long love of learning. The school is also dedicated to promoting a sense of responsibility for the Jewish people and all humankind.”
Noteworthy: “The school has a deeply-rooted history, dating back almost a century. Torah,derecheretz (modern orthodoxy), and menschlichkeit (humanity) are the ideals set forth by its founders, establishing the foundation that continues to support the school’s philosophy.”
ramaz.org
REECE SCHOOL [East Side]
Grades K-6
25 East 104th Street
Philosophy: Accommodating
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “The Reece School has a highly academic elementary special education program for 90 students, ages 5 to 13, who are psychologically fragile and may have learning or emotional disabilities or speech and language impairments. The school’s program is full-day and is offered within a nurturing environment designed to provide high levels of academic and emotional support.”
Noteworthy: “As a non-graded school for students with special needs, the Reece School employs individualized programs designed around the strengths, needs, developmental levels and unique learning style of each student. It aims to provide an atmosphere, of positive behavioral support and educational support in a setting that fosters a love of learning.”
reeceschool.org
REGIS HIGH SCHOOL [East Side]
Grades 9-12
55 East 84th Street
Philosophy: Traditional
Religious Affiliation: Jesuit Catholic
In Their Own Words: “A Jesuit school, Regis is committed to both academic excellence and to fostering a spirit of generosity and service to those in need. With an emphasis on academic rigor and Catholic formation, the school’s program is designed to promote each student’s intellectual and spiritual growth, grounded in a deepening relationship with Christ. Regis seeks to inspire and train ethnically diverse young men to become imaginative leaders, committed to promoting justice and exerting leadership in the Church, in the civic community, and in their chosen profession.”
Noteworthy: “Founded in 1914 by an anonymous benefactor and supported by the generosity of her family, its alumni and friends, Regis High School offers a tuition-free Jesuit college prep education to Roman Catholic young men who demonstrate superior intellectual and leadership potential. In the admissions process, special consideration is given to those who cannot otherwise afford a Catholic education.”
regis.org
RIVERDALE COUNTRY SCHOOL [Bronx]
Grades Pre-K-12
5250 Fieldston Road, Bronx
Philosophy: Progressive
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “At Riverdale, we rely on a powerful model based on guiding principles in three key areas: mind, character, and community. Within each category we strive to create ambitious programs that benefit the entire community.”
Noteworthy: “At the Lower School, some of the ways we hope to achieve our goals are through the Students of Color Society (SOCS) and the Parents of Color (POC), which work to support families of color and to address important topics with the larger community.”
riverdale.edu
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON SCHOOL [West Side]
Grades 7-12
24 West 74th Street
Philosophy: Progressive
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “We emphasize respect for others and personal responsibility as goals for all students. These principles are communicated to students through community standards of behavior, modeling by faculty, group discussions, and activities. These values may not always be reflected in societal mores and, as many schools do, we often feel that we are struggling to gain acceptance of these goals by parents as well as students.”
Noteworthy: “The Robert Louis Stevenson School helps bright, underachieving adolescents by providing a college preparatory educational program within a therapeutic milieu that provides the necessary academic, social and emotional help for them to succeed. Stevenson aims to help its students achieve on a level commensurate with their abilities, and to prepare them to cope with the demands and pressures of both college and everyday life.”
Stevenson-school.org
RODEPH SHOLOM SCHOOL [West Side]
Grades N-8
10 West 84th Street (Pre-K-Grade 1)
168 West 79th Street (Grades 2-8)
Philosophy: Academic
Religious Affiliation: Jewish
In Their Own Words: “From the early grades, students learn the importance of critical thinking and textual analysis. Students build strong foundations in math and science, the humanities, foreign language, and the arts. The program encourages students to master not only academic disciplines, but also to discover their own potential and to become resourceful problem solvers.”
Noteworthy: “From required public speaking to student council, choir, band, and drama productions, students have a wide assortment of opportunities for leadership, risk-taking, and experimentation. Moreover, students learn how to become valued members of an extended school and congregation community and how to serve that community in a variety of leadership and supporting roles.”
rodephsholomschool.org
ROSS SCHOOL [Bridgehampton and East Hampton]
Pre-N-PG
Ross Lower School: (Grades Pre-N-6)
739 Butter Lane, Bridgehampton, NY
Ross Upper School: (Grade 7-PG)
18 Goodfriend Drive, East Hampton, NY
Philosophy: Hands-on Interactive and Interdisciplinary Education
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “Our mission is to change the way education meets the future; to foster interdisciplinary, integrated thinking and innovative leadership; to engage fully in the global community; and to facilitate lifelong learning. The school’s core values are cooperation, courage, gratitude, integrity, mindfulness, respect, and responsibility.”
Noteworthy: “ Ross School is located on two beautiful and expansive campuses in Bridgehampton and East Hampton with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. The Ross educational experience aims to impart to young people a 21st century skill set and the inspiration that will motivate them to keep their minds actively engaged in learning. The School stresses direct personal experiences, inquiry through primary sources, and hands-on interpretation and analysis of information. Within a curricular framework based in world cultural history, classroom activities are designed and presented to integrate the arts, writing, literature, health and well-being, and computer technology. The impact of Ross’s innovative approach to education is best seen in the success of our graduates with excellent college placement. Specialty programs are available in science and tennis.”
ross.org
RUDOLF STEINER SCHOOL [East Side]
Grades Pre-K-12
15 East 79th Street
Philosophy: Waldorf
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “We strive to develop the mind, body, and spirit of the child, encouraging the child’s spiritual freedom and growth. As in all Waldorf Schools, our teaching draws on the insight into human development pioneered by Rudolf Steiner. The school’s motto is ‘head, heart, and hand.’ The lessons balance cognitive and emotional intelligence, and physical activity. Lessons and assignments integrate academic work with the fine arts and practical arts.
Noteworthy: “Each morning begins with a ‘main lesson’ in one subject that lasts for three to four weeks. Students create beautifully illustrated main lesson books, which help them become independent, self-directed, and confident learners. Teachers stay with their class for several grades, sometimes from first though eighth grade. The high school prepares students for life by cultivating artistic expression, excellent writing, public speaking and through a rich academic program. Tenth grade students may participate in the school’s foreign exchange program where they live with Waldorf families and attend schools in Europe and South America.
steiner.edu
SCHOOL AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY [West Side]
Grades K-8
556 West 110th Street
Philosophy: Progressive
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “Our pedagogical and curricular philosophies embrace multicultural perspectives, which challenge educators and learners to examine their preconceived notions of race, gender, ethnicity, class, ability, religion, and sexual orientation. We adhere to a common code of civility among all constituents. We tailor our instruction so that the needs of the individual students are met.”
Noteworthy: “One of the primary considerations of The School’s educational program is that in the lower grades students first learn integrative habits of mind, which when they enter the upper grades of The School they naturally apply to more rigorously attended disciplines.”
theschool.columbia.edu
SOLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF MANHATTAN [West Side]
Grades K-8
805 Columbus Avenue
Philosophy: Inquiry-based
Religious Affiliation: Jewish
In Their Own Words: “Through inquiry, close reading, and thoughtful debate across the academic disciplines, our students become independent learners and powerful communicators. They cultivate their Jewish identities through joyful prayer, exploration of the Torah’s wisdom, mastery of Hebrew, and participation in Jewish life. They engage, support, and challenge one another as members of a collaborative, caring community.”
Noteworthy: “Watching a 5th grader field a question from a classmate about the immigration experience of Europeans at Ellis Island during a unit-ending presentation, or a 4th grader clearly articulate to his classmates why the class should distribute their collected tzedakah funds to one organization over another are concrete examples of the kind of maturity and seriousness with which our students approach their learning.”
sssm.org
SPENCE SCHOOL [East Side]
Grades K-12
22 East 91st Street
Philosophy: Inquiry-based
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “The great majority of schools fail to serve the needs of these students who challenge their set policies, procedures, and culture. …The SmithSchool is very different and has earned a reputation as a place where fragile students are treated with the respect they deserve, and the support they need. All students, regardless of their individual challenges, are helped to achieve their fullest potential.”
Noteworthy: “The Spence community has access to some of the world’s most influential thinkers and leaders. Throughout the year, students, faculty, parents and alumnae are invited to academic lectures and other special events that help foster an intellectual and vibrant community of all ages.”
spenceschool.org
SPEYER LEGACY SCHOOL [West Side]
Grades K-8
925 9th Avenue
Philosophy: Academic Gifted
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “Our mission to provide an optimal environment where advanced learners may realize their full potential in the company of like-minded classmates and teachers who share and will foster the students’ passion for knowledge and inquiry. Pedagogy designed to meet the needs of advanced learners through accelerated and enriched curriculum addressing the mind, body, and heart of each child.”
Noteworthy: “The only independent co-ed K-8 school in Manhattan established to meet the needs of advanced (gifted) learners… We believe that gifted children benefit from an education with their intellectual peers and appropriately trained teachers, and that they display learning profiles that may not be adequately supported in a traditional classroom setting. These children derive the greatest benefit from formal education when they are empowered to become active participants, capable of directing their own learning in an environment that is responsive to their interests, attentive to their questions and supportive of their passion to learn.”
speyerlegacyschool.org
SAINT ANN’S SCHOOL [Brooklyn]
Grades N-12
129 Pierrepont Street, Brooklyn
Philosophy: Progressive
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “We believe education is a rich, subtle exploration and questioning of the world, not a means to an end. Since 1965 Saint Ann’s School has brought together gifted children and passionate teachers in a fierce pursuit of knowledge, skill, and artistry. We cultivate a joy for learning through a deep and rigorous curriculum, in which the arts are an essential presence.”
Noteworthy: “We are committed to allowing children to move at their own pace. Whether a child enters Kindergarten already reading Roald Dahl or is just beginning to figure out the names of letters is of no particular concern. We care about meeting individual children wherever they are.”
saintannsny.org
ST. BERNARD’S SCHOOL [East Side]
Grades K-9
4 East 98th Street
Philosophy: Academic
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “St. Bernard’s offers able young boys of diverse backgrounds an exceptionally thorough, rigorous, and enjoyable introduction to learning and community life. We wish to inspire boys to value hard work and fair play, to develop confidence, consideration for others, and a sense of citizenship, and to have fun while doing these things.”
Noteworthy: “Every year St. Bernard’s brings in speakers from a variety of cultural backgrounds and interests to enrich its boys’ education. For the 2012 fall term, guests have included Mr. Peter Westbrook of the Peter Westbrook Foundation; Mr. Ansef Kareen of Interfaith Youth Core; and Mr. Joseph Herscher, a kinetic artist. The entire school gathered together to listen and learn from these individuals.”
stbernards.org
SAINT DAVID’S SCHOOL [East Side]
Grades Pre K-8
12 East 89th Street
Philosophy: Academic
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
In Their Own Words: “Mission to educate boys to fulfill their potential through rigorous academic pursuit, deliberate moral introspection, and critical analysis of ideas and issues. The classical tradition of balance has guided the school since its beginning. The school seeks to engender intellectual curiosity, appreciation for the arts, skill and sportsmanship in athletics, and an enduring love of learning.”
Noteworthy: “The school partners with a number of cultural, historical, and educational institutions to expand and enhance boys’ learning in a variety of disciplines. Educators from these institutions work with SD teachers to engage boys in active inquiry-based learning experiences, both in and outside the classroom. Educational partners and student trips include the Apollo Theater, Colonial Dames Museum House, Ellis Island, New-York Historical Society, Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Prepare Inc., The Seeing Eye, and most of NYC’s major museums.”
saintdavids.org
SAINT THOMAS CHOIR SCHOOL [West Side]
Ages 3-8
202 West 58th Street
Philosophy: Academic
Religious Affiliation: Christianity
In Their Own Words: “There is so much more to a Choir School education than academics and singing. We are, after all, a boarding school, with life being lived in community 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The interaction of the boys together—in the quiet time before bed, the walks to the church, animated mealtime conversations—these are equally formative moments that shape the young lives.”
Noteworthy: “Life at Saint Thomas is busy and fun filled, and for many boys, more structured than they may be accustom. Most days start at 7am and finish with lights out at 9pm. Boys generally adapt well to this change of schedule, but there is the occasional attack of homesickness. Other boys who have experienced homesickness are frequently the greatest help.”
choirschool.org
ST. HILDA’S & ST. HUGH’S SCHOOL [West Side]
Grades Pre K-8
619 West 114th Street
Philosophy: Child-centered
Religious Affiliation: Episcopal
In Their Own Words: “Our philosophy of education is rooted in the values of the Judeo-Christian humanist tradition. We believe that all creation is sacred; each member of the school community is respected as a unique individual. We recognize the different ways in which students learn and acknowledge their developmental differences.”
Noteworthy: “Our school was named for St. Hilda and St. Hugh to give both girls and boys a model to emulate. In writing, we link these two great saints with an ampersand. The “&” is more than a graphic element. It signifies all that we are able to offer our children — a structured learning environment and child-centered teaching.”
sthildas.org
ST. LUKE’S SCHOOL [Greenwich Village]
Grades Pre K-8
487 Hudson Street
Philosophy: Child-centered
Religious Affiliation: Episcopal
In Their Own Words: “St. Luke’s is a small school, deliberately. Its size enables us to focus on each child as an individual. Its size also allows everyone to know everyone else. It fosters a feeling of family—a supportive climate of trust and understanding, communicating values and building community. In this environment, children form positive relationships with classmates and teachers, with older children and with younger ones.”
Noteworthy: “It is important that children learn how to use their gifts in ways that help others. Service beyond self is an integral part of daily life at St. Luke’s. It begins with simple classroom jobs or being an older Partner to a younger child. It continues with grade-level, schoolwide, and individual opportunities and requirements for community service.”
stlukeschool.org
STEPHEN GAYNOR SCHOOL [West Side]
Ungraded; ages 3-14
148 West 90th Street
Philosophy: Individualized
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “A non-profit, independent school for bright children with learning differences. A pioneer in special education, Gaynor provides a highly individualized educational program in a rich, rigorous, nurturing environment where students gain the skills and confidence necessary to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.”
Noteworthy: “With more than 50 years of experience and a dedication to continuous improvement, Gaynor has the expertise to help children break down barriers to learning, build self-esteem, and realize academic success. Our expert staff provides an unparalleled level of personal attention in a nurturing environment allowing students to be academically challenged, yet supported every step of the way.”
stephengaynor.org
STUDIO SCHOOL [West Side]
Grades Nursery-8
117 West 95th Street
Philosophy: Progressive
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “Our students learn to value intellectual and creative ideas, and to take pleasure in the process of discovery. We seek a deep and lasting academic excellence, one that is achieved when children are motivated to embrace for themselves the journey of learning.”
Noteworthy: “Once our students enter the Middle School, we begin to think about what lies ahead for each of them. Head of School, Janet C. Rotter, the teachers, and staff, work very closely with each student and their family to help them define what they are looking for in a high school program, decide which schools to apply to, and to guide them through the application and selection process.”
studioschoolnyc.org
TOWN SCHOOL [East Side]
Grades N-8
540 East 76th Street
Philosophy: Academic
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “We are committed to elementary co-education. As we embrace high academic and ethical standards for each student, we are guided by our school motto, let there be joy in learning. The program balances the traditional and the innovative, emphasizing excellence in academics and a thorough exposure to the arts and physical education. Students lave Town as well-rounded, articulate, resilient and morally responsible individuals.”
Noteworthy: “Educational philosophy believes that the process of learning is as important as the result. Town students develop social awareness through age-appropriate service within the school and the community. Students exercise responsibility and assume leadership roles as they become involved citizens of the world.”
thetownschool.org
TREVOR DAY SCHOOL [East Side and West Side]
Grades Pre-K-12
1 West 88th Street (Grades Pre-K-5)
312 East 95th Street (Grades 6-12)
Philosophy: Inquiry-based Learning
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “Trevor Day School is the Manhattan Pre-K through Grade 12 independent day school that expertly deploys inquiry-based learning to invoke each student’s good genius–the innate ability inside every child to thrive wholly through inquiry and intellectual courage. Trevor’s rigorous college preparatory curriculum, perceptive, quick-thinking, devoted teachers, highly collaborative team-building spaces, an inviting, inclusive, and grounded family culture, and daily opportunities for interpersonal and intellectual interaction transform Trevor students into proactive agents of their own learning.”
Noteworthy: “The school has recently opened the only geothermal educational facility in Manhattan, (also the only one on the East Coast) and is renovating the Andrew Goodman Building for the lower school.”
trevor.org
TRINITY SCHOOL [West Side]
Grades K-12
139 West 91st Street
Philosophy: Traditional
Religious Affiliation: Episcopal
In Their Own Words: “The conversation between student and teacher is the heart of our school; all that we do must be born of and nourish that relationship. We are called to challenge the minds, fire the imaginations, and train the bodies of the young people who have been entrusted to us; to enlarge their spiritual lives; and to increase their capacity for mutual and self-respect.”
Noteworthy: “Conversations about and explorations of spirituality, religion, and ethics at Trinity are woven naturally into the fabric of school life. They occur in classrooms, among faculty and students in the hallways, and every week in Chapel.”
trinityschoolnyc.org
UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (UNIS) [East Side]
Grades K-12
24-50 FDR Drive
Philosophy: International
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “The United Nations International School provides an international education that emphasizes academic excellence within a caring community…The School promotes the appreciation of the diversity of persons and cultures, provides an optimal environment for learning and teaching, and offers a global curriculum that inspires in its students the spirit and ideals of the United Nations Charter.”
Noteworthy: “[Students] have the opportunity to work and learn with peers from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. UNIS teachers, with their equally diverse origins, understand and respect these differences and respond to the needs of a vibrant international community of learners by designing a curriculum that meets the needs of individual students.”
unis.org
VILLAGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL [Greenwich Village]
Grades K-8
272-278 West 10th Street
Philosophy: Hands-on
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “At VCS, children are immersed in their education. Students experience hands-on, project-based learning as well as direct instruction, repetition, review, and reinforcement. We teach subject matter in depth with a strong interdisciplinary focus; children gain a substantial body of knowledge along with the ability to make connections between various areas of learning.”
Noteworthy: “We are forward-thinking educators who incorporate the latest discoveries in cognitive science and personal well being in our practice—including inter-aged Lower School classrooms—and in our social studies-centered, integrated curriculum that prepares students for a complex, interconnected world. Our UpperSchool program offers a challenging blend of required and elective courses that broaden students’ knowledge while honing their abilities for complex, abstract thinking.”
vcsnyc.org
WINSTON PREPERATORY SCHOOL [New Jersey and Connecticut]
Grades 4-12
126 West 17th Street
901 Route 10 East, Whippany, NJ
57 West Rocks Road, Norwalk, CT
Philosophy: Individualized
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “Winston Preparatory School is an innovative day school for students in the 4th through 12th grade with learning differences such as dyslexia, nonverbal learning disabilities, and executive functioning difficulties. We do this through a process that understands each student, individualizes a program to meet their needs and that builds a powerful sense of community. We call this process the Continuous Feedback System. This system is designed to deeply understand each student’s specific learning profile including their strengths and potential.”
Noteworthy: “Through the Focus Program, each student receives a daily period of one-to-one instruction concentrating on his or her greatest area of need, allowing us to further personalize instruction and strategies so that our students can better understand themselves, as well as verbalize their need to become independent learners. Focus teachers provide individualized remediation for students struggling with a wide-range of learning differences, while coordinating and facilitating consistent communication between classroom teachers and families. ”
winstonprep.edu
WILLIAMSBURG NORTHSIDE SCHOOLS [Brooklyn]
Age 3 months-Grade 5
299 North 7th Street, Brooklyn
(Lower School: Grades K-5)
152 North 5th Street, Brooklyn (Preschool)
70 Havemeyer Street, Brooklyn
(Infant & Toddler Center)
Philosophy: Reggio Emilia
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “All children are strong, capable individuals. Guided by this understanding, we at Williamsburg Northside Schools welcome families into beautiful and flexible environments where children engage in independent and collaborative investigations. Our teaching community builds a unique curriculum from the children’s interests, their experiences with one another and the world in which they live. We honor authentic expression and diversity as we cultivate compassionate citizens who find joy in learning.”
Noteworthy: “Through integrated project work that is rooted in social studies and related to community, Williamsburg Northside students explore how each one of us holds a place in our community—close to home or far away, today or long ago. Through studies of topics that are developmentally appropriate and of interest to the students, each year looks different from the one before it.”
willnorth.org
WEST END DAY SCHOOL [West Side]
Grades K-6
255 West 71st Street
Philosophy: Accommodating
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “West EndDay School is a small, nurturing, specialized school for children who may not be well served by the conventional system. We offer a social and emotional perspective to learning while maintaining a challenging mainstream curriculum. Our teachers work hand-in-hand with social workers and other specialists to respond as a team to all aspects of a child’s development.”
Noteworthy: “Our social workers provide guidance and strategies both individually and in small group sessions. And they work together with a licensed team of professionals in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, speech and language pathology, and occupational therapy to gain a better understanding of how best to address the total needs and interests of each student.”
westenddayschool.org
XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL [Chelsea]
Grades 9-12
30 West 16th Street
Philosophy: Academic
Religious Affiliation: Catholic, Jesuit
In Their Own Words: “Xavier teaches students to take responsibility for their lives, to lead with integrity, to act justly in service of others, to pursue excellence in every endeavor and to deepen their relationship with God. Ultimately, Xavier forms young men who will go forth to transform the world for God’s greater glory.”
Noteworthy: “Xavier offers a rigorous curriculum designed to intellectually challenge its students and prepare them to meet the requirements of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities. This core curriculum is rooted not only in reading the classics and debating political, historical, or religious sources of contention in the classroom, but also in utilizing our technological resources to extend lessons beyond the classroom walls.”
xavierhs.org
YORK PREPARATORY SCHOOL [West Side]
Grades 6-12
40 West 68th Street
Philosophy: Eclectic
Religious Affiliation: None
In Their Own Words: “As you tour our building, we believe you’ll notice the quality of the relationship between student and teacher and the high standard of learning taking place. We strive to maintain a unique educational atmosphere which still has the warmth of a small group of friends and yet is known for its serious and challenging academics.”
Noteworthy: “York Prep uses a system called ‘tracking,’ which we feel best serves the needs of the individual student. Tracking places students in one of several ability groups available in every subject area. The goal is to ensure that each student is appropriately challenged in a place where they can succeed.” yorkprep.org
