Top 10 Montessori Schools in New York City

New York City is home to some of the best Montessori schools in the country. Montessori education emphasizes hands-on learning, self-directed activity, and developing children’s natural curiosities. Montessori schools help children grow into creative, independent thinkers and lifelong learners.

With over 150 Montessori schools in New York City, parents have many great options. However, a few schools stand out for their excellent academics, beautiful campuses, devoted teachers, and vibrant school communities. This article highlights the top 10 Montessori schools in NYC. The schools were selected based on academics, facilities, specialized programs, teaching staff, and school community and culture.

Manhattan Country School

Manhattan Country School tops the list as the best Montessori school in New York City. Founded in 1966, Manhattan Country School (MCS) relocated in 2013 to a beautiful new building in East Manhattan designed specifically for Montessori learning.

MCS serves over 300 students ages 2 through grade 8. The school promotes creativity, problem-solving, and academics tailored to each child’s interests and abilities. Student-teacher ratios average 8:1, allowing for highly personalized attention.

The school has 28 spacious, light-filled classrooms equipped with the latest educational tools. Specialty spaces include an art studio, music room, library, rooftop playground, and two indoor gyms. The building features an environmentally friendly design with solar panels, a green roof terrace, and more.

The teachers at MCS are outstanding. Over 80% hold advanced degrees, and they participate in regular professional development activities to stay abreast of the latest teaching strategies. Many teachers have 20+ years of experience.

The school has an exceptionally warm, supportive culture rooted in personal responsibility, respect, and community stewardship. A full-time school counselor helps students practice social-emotional intelligence. The school partners with parents through volunteering, committees, workshops and more.

Morningside Montessori School

Morningside Montessori School aims to nurture children’s innate desire to learn in an environment that has been carefully designed to blend the inner city with natural elements known to spark curiosity. Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Morningside’s campus is comprised of three modern buildings housing 12 light-filled classrooms, an art studio, music room, library, and rooftop playgrounds. The classrooms are equipped with Montessori materials that promote self-correcting, multi-sensory learning tailored to each child’s needs, abilities, and interests.

The school serves around 200 students ranging from toddler through 6th grade. Small class sizes ensure intimate instruction, with student to teacher ratios of 8:1 in the Children’s House (toddler to kindergarten) and 10:1 in the lower elementary (1st through 3rd) and upper elementary (4th through 6th) grades. Lead teachers possess Montessori credentials from either AMS or AMI, as well as Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in education or a related field. Many have been with Morningside for well over a decade.

In addition to the core Montessori curriculum which covers language arts, math, science, social studies and life skills, students also take classes in art, music, physical education, dance, and foreign language starting in lower elementary. Proximity to Central Park and Riverside Park offers Morningside students regular opportunities to extend classroom lessons into the natural environment. These outdoor experiences foster an understanding of community, responsibility, and care for the world we inhabit.

Overall, Morningside Montessori aims to create a joyful space that inspires lifelong inquiry and a love of learning while preparing children to thrive as compassionate global citizens. Close collaboration with families and alignment to each child’s needs underpin Morningside’s individualized approach.

Brooklyn Heights Montessori School

Brooklyn Heights Montessori School is a leading Montessori early childhood education center for toddlers through kindergarten students. Founded in 1965, the school expanded in 2013 by merging with Cadman Montessori School.

BHMS operates two beautiful facilities with light-filled classrooms equipped with Montessori learning materials. The school serves over 300 students with small class sizes and student-teacher ratios of 8:1.

BHMS prioritizes each child’s individual developmental needs. The Children’s House program serves students 18 months to age 3, focused on fostering independence. Primary classes (ages 3-6) encourage exploration, curiosity and discovery. Garden, music, movement and Mandarin classes provide a rich, stimulating environment.

The school has 35 full-time teachers, all certified by the American Montessori Society (AMS) or Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). The teachers have an average of over 10 years of experience each. BHMS teachers participate in regular professional development workshops to expand their skills.

The BHMS community actively involves parents through volunteering, school events and committees. Parent education events share Montessori principles and practices. The school strives to nurture children’s joyful natural development within a peaceful, respectful community.

The Montessori School of New York International

The Montessori School of New York International (MSNY) is an independent school located on the Upper East Side serving over 300 students ages 18 months through 8th grade.

MSNY balances rigorous academics with whole-child development across emotional, social, physical and cognitive domains. The curriculum emphasizes global citizenship, leadership, creativity and time management skills.

What sets MSNY apart is the dual-language curriculum. Students learn both English and Mandarin Chinese, becoming fluent in speaking, reading and writing. This prepares students for global competency and future success.

The school has mixed-age classrooms with student-teacher ratios averaging 6:1 in preschool and 8:1 in elementary. Students receive highly individualized instruction tailored to their skills and interests. A full-time Learning Specialist provides support services.

The school is housed in a beautiful, modern building with custom-designed classrooms equipped with Montessori materials. Specialty spaces include a STEM lab, art studio, library, gym and rooftop playground. Average teacher tenure exceeds 10 years.

The MSNY community supports every child in developing their full potential while making friends in a diverse, inclusive environment. The school partners closely with parents through volunteer work, committees and education events.

Hampton Day School

Hampton Day School excels in balancing Montessori ideals with a rigorous academic curriculum. Serving 150 students from preschool through 8th grade, the school is intentionally small to foster tight-knit community and personalized attention.

Hampton follows Dr. Maria Montessori’s vision that guiding children via gentle respect enables them to find joy in learning at their own pace. The curriculum emphasizes student choice, mixed age classrooms, hands-on lessons and individual mastery.

Academics are accelerated to surpass national averages, with middle school math at the algebra/geometry level. Students also enjoy daily foreign language, music, visual arts and physical education. A full-time Learning Specialist addresses each child’s learning style.

The school is housed in a historic building equipped with a library, art studio, and Lower School and Upper School playgrounds. Students also utilize local parks and public transportation for experiential learning.

Hampton Day School celebrates diversity, with 30% of the student body receiving tuition assistance. The school partners closely with families through volunteering, school committees and family association events.

The Blue School

The Blue School takes a unique, project-based approach to Montessori education for 200 students grades preschool through grade 8. Founded in 2006, the school guides students to be active, compassionate citizens who ask questions and uncover solutions.

Blue School students explore their passions through self-directed, collaborative projects. Cross-disciplinary units merge math, science, writing and social sciences driven by the children’s interests. Students cultivate critical thinking, communication, creativity and leadership abilities.

The school’s two campuses in Manhattan feature maker spaces, gardens, exhibit spaces and outdoor play zones. Advanced STEAM tools and environments allow students to engineer, tinker and experiment. Custom furniture and non-traditional classrooms permit flexible configurations.

Blue School prioritizes diversity, equity and inclusion. The student body, families and board of trustees reflect NYC’s vibrant makeup. Nearly 50% of students receive tuition assistance. The school partners closely with families through volunteering, committees and events.

Children’s Academy

Children’s Academy in Manhattan has offered excellent Montessori early childhood education since 1966. The school serves 200 students ages 2 years 9 months through kindergarten across two campus locations.

Highlights include the unique Children’s Studio with programs in drama, ballet, music and movement led by professional teaching artists. The school also operates an indoor gym, outdoor playgrounds, art studio and library.

Classrooms feature a full complement of Montessori materials carefully arranged to encourage student exploration and discovery. Mixed age groupings promote leadership, mentoring and confidence. Lessons focus on reading and language arts, math, science, geography, peace education and cultural studies.

The school employs 30 Montessori-certified lead teachers with bachelor’s or master’s degrees. The student:teacher ratio is 8:1. Teachers engage in ongoing professional development to expand their expertise. The administration team has over 100 years of collective educational leadership experience.

The family association plans school events and classroom activities. Weekly newsletters and annual parent education events provide guidance on fostering children’s healthy development.

Manhattan Montessori School

Established in 1980, Manhattan Montessori School (MMS) provides exceptional preschool, kindergarten and early elementary education. The school balances Montessori methods with creative enrichment programs to nurture over 200 students’ natural curiosity as explorers and discoverers.

MMS students range from ages 2.5 through grade 3 across three campuses in Manhattan and the Upper West Side. Mixed age classrooms allow older children to mentor younger students. Lessons foster independence, leadership and problem-solving skills.

Enrichment offerings include weekly art, music, gym and outdoor exploration classes. Social emotional learning weaves throughout daily activities. Special partnerships provide drama, dance, soccer, and coding.

Dual language programs provide full Spanish or Mandarin Chinese immersion classrooms. Other students enjoy daily lessons in the second language. This equips students for the global world via exposure to other cultures.

All lead teachers hold Montessori credentials. MMS fosters close parent-school alignment through volunteering, family association events, and parent education workshops.

Montessori School of Englewood

In nearby New Jersey, the Montessori School of Englewood (MSE) offers outstanding preschool through middle school education. Established in 1977, MSE enrolls over 300 students across two beautiful campuses tailored to Montessori learning.

The Children’s House program for ages 18 months through kindergarten emphasizes sensorial exploration and concrete learning. The elementary and middle school applies Montessori methods to integrative, project-based studies driven by student interests.

Dual certification for both AMI and AMS ensures authentic adherence to Dr. Maria Montessori’s methods. Specialty spaces include art and music rooms, library, computer lab, Spanish room, gym and student gardens. The beautiful campuses convey a sense of home.

In addition to merit-based admissions, MSE offers tuition assistance to over 30% of enrolled students to facilitate socioeconomic diversity. Parents engage actively with the school community via committees, volunteering and school events.

West Side Montessori School

West Side Montessori School is one of New York’s first Montessori schools, launched in 1966 by teacher trainees of Dr. Maria Montessori herself. Today over 300 students ages 2 through 14 years enroll across three campuses on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

The program balances child-directed, individualized Montessori learning with teacher-led instruction in math, science, language arts and cultural studies. Hands-on materials spur engagement in sensorial exploration, reading, writing, math, geography and more.

Uninterrupted 3-hour work periods enable sustained concentration. Specialty courses include music, art, library sciences and physical education. The middle school emphasizes analytical writing, public speaking, leadership and community stewardship.

Dual AMI/AMS certification ensures all lead teachers hew closely to Montessori methods. Low student-teacher ratios facilitate individualized instruction. Parent volunteers actively assist classroom activities and school events.

West Side Montessori constructs peaceful, respectful classroom communities centered around each child’s innate curiosity and dignity. Children develop into responsible, resourceful leaders prepared for future success.

The Montessori School of Manhattan

Last on our list for top Montessori schools is The Montessori School of Manhattan (MSM) on the Upper East Side. MSM serves over 300 students from infancy through 8th grade across four divisions: infant, toddler, lower elementary, and upper elementary.

Notably, MSM operates an Adolescent Community Service program for 7th and 8th graders. Students develop critical thinking and leadership abilities through student-directed projects centered on social justice and environmental topics. Participants manage their time to balance school obligations and volunteer initiatives.

MSM adheres closely to Dr. Maria Montessori’s vision. Multi-age classrooms enable older children to mentor younger students. Hands-on materials encourage interdisciplinary, collaborative learning driven by students’ interests. Subjects merge practical life skills, math, science, history and cultural studies.

The school building houses specialized spaces like an Atelier for visual arts, and music and dance studios. Private and group lessons offer additional enrichment. Teachers average 10+ years experience, with Montessori certification through AMS and/or AMI.

Last words about Montessori Education in New York City

Montessori schools develop children into highly capable, lifelong learners by tapping their innate curiosity. The top Montessori schools in New York City balance student-directed learning with academic rigor to foster confident, compassionate leaders.

Manhattan Country School earns the #1 spot for its outstanding facilities, exceptional teachers, and warm community. Yet all 10 schools profiled excel in helping students achieve their full potential via personalized, holistic Montessori methods tailored to each child. New York City families can feel confident finding the perfect Montessori school fit.