To ensure that a child growing up in the city gets a good education, parents really do have to turn themselves into educated consumers—to learn their options and learn how to best assess them. We have four thriving educational sectors—public, private, charter and parochial—and they all have their pros and cons, rules and regulations.
New York Family has several wonderful resources to help city parents address their children’s educational needs as they grow up.
The Ultimate Guide To Education: We publish our annual Ultimate Guide To Education in October, which is not only the season of transitions and adjustments in schools, it’s also the time for admissions applications. The Ultimate Guide covers all of it, helping parents understand local admissions (in all the sectors), while also offering stories about news and trends in learning and development, and a parent’s role in their child’s education. Here’s the digital edition of the latest Ultimate Guide To Education.
The Blackboard Awards: The prestigious Blackboard Awards honor excellence in education throughout the city and in every educational sector, calling upon parents and educators to help us select and celebrate wonderful schools, principals and teachers. By dint of their mission, the Awards are also a resource for parents as they seek out the best education for their children. You can find out more about the Blackboard Awards and read about past winners at blackboardawards.com. When you visit the site, please be sure to tell us about the schools, principals and teachers of excellence in your family’s life.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
For Nursery School and Pre-K
The Parents League Of New York parentsleague.org
The Independent School Admission Association Of Greater New York (ISAAGNY) isaagny.org
The New York City Department Of Education (DOE) schools.nyc.gov
Victoria Goldman’s The Manhattan Directory Of Private Nursery Schools victoriagoldman.net
Also note: Many “preschool alternative” programs are offered by neighborhood education and enrichment centers. See our Classes Directory.
For Public School
Clara Hemphill’s various guides to NYC public schools clarahemphill.net
Class Size Matters classsizematters.org
DOE (see above)
Gotham Schools gothamschools.org
Insideschools insideschools.org
NYC Public School Parents nycpublicschoolparents.blogspot.com
For Private School (Independent)
ISAAGNY (see above)
NYC Private Schools Blog nycprivateschoolsblog.com
The NYC Private School Admissions Handbook nypeas.com
The Parents League Of New York (see above)
Victoria Goldman’s The Manhattan Family Guide To Private Schools And Selective Public Schools victoriagoldman.net
For Charter Schools
DOE (see above)
New York City Charter School Center nyccharterschools.org
For Parochial Schools
Archdiocese Of New York archny.org
Also note: For other faith-based schools in the New York City area, we recommend contacting local organizations affiliated with your religion. They should be able to direct you to schools of interest.
NEW SCHOOLS
For new public schools check the DOE website and Insideschools, and call your local School District office (which you can find on the DOE website). For new charter schools, check with the New York City Charter School Center. Here a few new (and new-ish) and noteworthy nursery and private schools.
Avenues avenues.org
Ecole Internationale de New York einy.org
Fusion Academy fusionacademy.com (search New York City)
No homework? That’s right, and it’s not the only non-traditional approach to education arriving on the East Coast. Fusion Academies will open four NYC-area campuses this fall. The customized educational experiences involve self-paced classes and one-on-one work. Art and music include film classes, art studios and musical avenues such as performance, production and engineering. Flex schedules, for Fusion kids grades 6th through 12th, allow for semester starts any time and attending school on the student’s schedule.
The Goddard School goddardschool.com (search Manhattan, Upper West Side)
At The Goddard School teachers nurture the healthy development of children from two years to six years old and encourage each child’s lifelong love of learning. The Goddard School offers families the benefit of on-site owners and education directors who provide dependable management and open communication. Corporate Quality Assurance, accredited professional development, and an individualized program for each child are just a few of the ways that Goddard is defining childcare.
Grace Church School gcschool.org (opens High School division)
The Lang School thelangschool.org
The Learning Experience thelearningexperience.com (search Manhattan)
Léman Prep (formerly Claremont Prep) lemanmanhattan.org
Located in historic downtown Manhattan, Léman Manhattan offers rigorous academics delivered by an outstanding faculty. We teach critical thinking skills that are keys to preparing graduates to succeed at top choice colleges. Our Personal Learning Plans challenge and excite students to reach their potential. We offer state-of-the-art facilities including two competition-size pools. We are the only school in Manhattan with sister schools in Europe, Asia, Latin America and throughout the US and an international boarding program that creates a global experience that is second to none. Where does your child go to school? 212-232-0266 EXT. 259 * Janet Barrett, Director of Admissions jbarrett@lemanmanhattan.com
Mandell School mandellschool.org
Our Pre School is comprised of Toddler, Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten classes. The Mandell environment is designed to support the children’s physical and developmental needs, making the all important transition from home to school happy and fun. The classrooms encourage the development of independence and a sense of community. Through collaborative learning they will develop skills and friendships that will last a lifetime. Our curriculum fosters self-confidence through the mastery of early learning skills and problem solving techniques, always keeping in mind the importance of kindness and compassion. To learn more please call 212-222-2925 or visit mandellschool.org.
Queens Paideia School queenspaideiaschool.org
Speyer Legacy School speyerlegacyschool.org
Upper West Side Playgroup upperwestsideplaygroup.org
World Class Learning Academy wclacademy.org
You will be amazed how much your child will achieve at World Class Learning Academy. From the age of two, your child will begin learning a new language. From age three, your child will discover reading. And from the age of four, they will learn a musical instrument. Imagine what your child will achieve by age 11. Chosen by over 1300 schools worldwide, our innovative, international curriculum helps students achieve well beyond expectations for their age. World Class Learning Academy is part of a successful network of international schools where students’ accomplishments rank among the highest in the world.
OTHER OUTSTANDING SCHOOLS
La Scuola D’Italia
Rooted in Italian and European traditions, La Scuola D’Italia classically educates children ages preschool through high school. The bilingual teaching process includes both Italian and American culture to prepare students to be worldly citizens. lascuoladitalia.org
Morningside Montessori School
morningsidemontessori.org
MMS provides a warm, nurturing learning environment. Colorful, inviting Montessori materials are used in our three large, sunny classrooms. The curriculum is enriched with music, creative arts, movement, science and physical exploration on our spacious rooftop playground. Small staff/student ratios allow staff to be receptive to individual needs. Scholarships available.
West End Day School
West End Day School is an independent elementary school that offers an individualized approach to learning for bright, academically inclined children with emotionally vulnerabilities and/or mild learning or languages differences. We offer a social and emotional perspective while maintaining a balanced yet challenging curriculum and enrichment. A small/student teacher ratio ensures individual attention and encourages a safe, nurturing and specialized environment to grow more sturdy learners. For more information, please contact us at (212) 873-5708 or at admissions@westenddayschool.org.
SCHOOL ADMISSIONS CONSULTANTS
As is the case with college admissions consultants, the city has a small but busy cottage industry of consultants who help parents with nursery, public and private school admissions.
Education First nycedu1st.com
Private Education Advisory Service (PEAS) nypeas.com
School Choice International schoolchoiceintl.com
School Search NYC schoolsearchnyc.com
Smart City Kids smartcitykids.com
TUTORS
Big City Tutoring bigcitytutoring.com
Bright Kids NYC brightkidsnyc.com
Brownstone Tutors brownstonetutors.com
EBL Coaching eblcoaching.com
EBL Coaching offers one-one-one specialized tutoring for students in grades pre-k to 12. They used research-based, multi-sensory strategies, including the Orton Gillingham technique, to develop reading, writing, reading comprehension, math, organization and study skills. Students are initially assessed by the director, Dr. Levy, and an individualized instructional plan is created. Sessions can be held at the home or at EBL Coaching’s learning center. Specialized tutorial programs for students with dyslexia and learning disabilities are available. (212)249-0147 info@eblcoaching.com
Launch Math Achievement Centers launchmath.com
Kumon kumon.com
Mathnasium mathnasium.com
Through tutoring and enrichment programs, Mathnasium helps students in grades Pre-K through 12 build a solid math foundation while developing confidence and a love for math. Students receive both homework guidance and a customized program that fills in skill gaps and builds fluency with numbers.
Next Level Learning nyclearn.com
The Princeton Review princetonreview.com
SPECIAL PRODUCTS
Little Pim Winner of 22 awards, Little Pim will give your young kid a head start with learning a 2nd language. Soon they’ll be saying merci, xiè xiè, and gracias! 10 languages. Gift Sets, DVDs, Music CDs, Flash Cards and Books. littlepim.com
For more classes, tutors, and beyond, see The Ultimate Guide To Education.
