Private & Independent Schools in Manhattan

Find a focused learning environment with smaller class sizes for kids in Manhattan. Get the full list here.

Thinking about enrolling your child in a private school in Manhattan? Also known as independent schools, private schools are funded by tuition and donations as opposed to being funded by taxpayer dollars. As such, private schools tend to have a little more flexibility when it comes to the curriculum (and some private schools in NYC may not follow the Regents exam program). When applying to a private school, such as an international school, your child may need to take an entrance exam or admissions test and go through an interview process. Though tuition is a factor when attending a private school, many offer needs-based financial aid. Learn more about the private schools in Manhattan—you’re sure to find the perfect independent school for your child in Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, Tribeca, Meatpacking District, Hell's Kitchen, Financial District, Battery Park, Harlem, and more.

Watch the Manhattan, Brooklyn, & Queens School Showcase today to "tour" schools, meet directors, and find the perfect school for your child!

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Buckley Country Day School is an independent, coeducational day school providing a superior elementary education to an intellectually capable and diverse student body. Buckley provides the foundation that enables our students to achieve their full potential and excel as educated, ethical, and self-confident individuals. Our graduates are well prepared for secondary schools and beyond.

DWIGHT SCHOOL
291 Central Park West, New York
212-724-6360
Email admissions@dwight.edu

Dwight is an internationally recognized independent school (preschool-12th grade) dedicated to “igniting the spark of genius in every child.” Learn about this guiding educational philosophy, Dwight’s International Baccalaureate curriculum, Spark Tank student incubator, and all the exciting things happening, including the opening a second preschool campus in fall 2022.

THE ÉCOLE
111 E. 22nd St., Flatiron, Manhattan
646-410-2238
Email bonjour@theecole.org

The École is an intimate and independent French-American school, located in New York’s vibrant Flatiron District, serving an international community of students from pre-nursery to eighth grade.

GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL NEW YORK (GISNY)
50 Partridge Road, White Plains
914-948-6513
Email admissions@gisny.org

GISNY, an independent pre-K through 12th grade college preparatory school, offers a German-English bilingual education with an emphasis on the sciences. Our program is taught in-person with creative solutions to utilize the outdoors of our 20-acre campus. Our successful model enables us to provide full in-person learning without compromising academics.

GERMAN SCHOOL MANHATTAN
74 Warren St., Tribeca, Manhattan
646-869-1152
Email info@germanschoolmanhattan.org

German School Manhattan is the first international German-English kindergarten and bilingual lower school in Manhattan. GSM offers a re-imagined, child-centric curriculum that encompasses German and New York educational standards. Our small classes provide a joyful learning environment to encourage and shape future global citizens. Summer camp and after-school are also offered.

GERMAN-AMERICAN SCHOOL: WHERE KIDS LEARN GERMAN
212-787-7543
Manhattan Upper East Side
Garden City, Long Island
New Hyde Park, Long Island

Email kidslearngerman@aol.com

German-American School NY offers a NY-State accredited after-school German language program. The school has taught German to children since 1892 and its motto today is "German is for everyone" - not just for Germans.

GILLEN BREWER SCHOOL
410 E. 92nd St., Upper East Side, Manhattan
212-831-3667
Email julian@gillenbrewer.com

Gillen Brewer School is a family-oriented, early childhood and elementary special education program for ages 2.8-10 years old. We provide an integrated, developmentally-appropriate, academic-therapeutic program that includes speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling. Our curriculum is enriched with arts, music, science, and physical fitness.

THE IDEAL SCHOOL OF MANHATTAN
Upper West Side , New York
212-769-1699
270 W. 89th St.

Email admissions@theidealschool.org

The IDEAL School of Manhattan is NYC’s only Kindergarten-12th and older independent inclusion school. At IDEAL, we believe that differentiated learning is the key to academic excellence. We offer a supportive environment where all children are valued and celebrated. Contact admissions@theidealschool.org to learn more about our unique inclusion program.

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF NEW YORK
4 E. 90th St. , Upper East Side, Manhattan
212-641-0260
Email info@ianyc.org

Our students experience a solid core curriculum taught in English and also become fluent in Spanish or Chinese language. Our unique approach to language learning is completed through art, music, and cultural exploration delivered in the target language. Join our small international community that values knowledge and understanding of the world.

KING SCHOOL
1450 Newfield Ave., Stamford
203-322-3496

King School opens minds and sparks courageous thinking. Our students discover and forge their unique paths to excellence, as we teach, guide, and cheer them on. Because when we set better standards for both the experience and outcomes of education, students cultivate the insights and heart to own their future.

LEARNINGSPRING SCHOOL
247 E. 20th St., Gramercy Park, Manhattan ,
212-239-4926     
Email mpoggi@learningspring.org

LearningSpring is a 12-month special education school for children diagnosed on the autism spectrum in grades kindergarten-eighth. Our students are bright, verbal, and ready to learn. Our integrated curriculum is designed to set high standards for students based on their ability, and provide structure and support to enable students to succeed.

THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL
347 E. 55th St., Sutton Place , Manhattan
212-223-4630

A multi-faceted program that inspires curiosity and a love of learning! Classes are equipped with didactic Montessori materials that encourage absorption of concepts through play, leading children to become well-rounded and confident. Program includes science, music, foreign languages, musical theatre, swimming, dance, yoga, chess, cultural events, and robotics!

PROFESSIONAL CHILDREN'S SCHOOL
132 W. 60th St., Manhattan
212-582-3116
Vincent Sagona, Summer Academy director

Email vsagona@pcs-nyc.org

Professional Children’s School provides a challenging and engaging college preparatory program for artists, athletes, and other busy young people in grades sixth-12th who are serious about their studies. Founded in 1914, PCS has always combined classroom and remote learning so that students could also pursue challenging goals outside the classroom.

PUSTEBLUME INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOL AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS
244 W. 14th St., West Village, Manhattan
212-206-1137
Email info@pusteblumenyc.org

We are a German and Spanish language immersion school with after-school/enrichment programs open to students from other schools. Special inquiry and exploration based curriculum is provided. Native-speaking faculty teaches music, movement, literacy, math concepts, and visual arts. Our fun, warm, learning environment cultivates the growth and development of your child.

THE KNOX SCHOOL
541 Long Beach Road, Saint James
631-686-1600
Email admissions@knoxschool.org

The Knox School is Long Island’s oldest established private school. An inclusive environment provides students with a broad world perspective and a wide range of skills to prepare them for success after high school. A Knox education unlocks every student’s potential.

WETHERBY–PEMBRIDGE SCHOOL
7 E. 96th St., Upper East Side, Manhattan
646-213-3400
Email jean.monaco@wetherbypembridge.org

Wetherby-Pembridge is a unique, coed, independent school for students nursery to eighth grade that holds sacred its core values of respect, resilience, and responsibility. The curriculum is based on the rigorous English National Curriculum and is enriched by NYC’s cultural experiences. WPNY children are inspired to achieve personal confidence and success.

WHITBY SCHOOL
969 Lake Ave., Greenwich
203-869-8464
Email admissions@whitbyschool.org

Located in Greenwich CT, Whitby is a coeducational independent school for children 18 months through eighth grade. Whitby offers a Montessori curriculum and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs in grades first-eighth. These two programs form the foundation for an educational continuum where students thrive and learn to think creatively and critically.

Seven schools located in New York City, Long Island, NY, Connecticut, New Jersey, California, in addition to a fully online school accessible anywhere in the U.S.,
631-779-2400
Email liadmissions@winstonprep.edu

Winston Preparatory School is a network of six campuses offering students with learning differences a highly individualized and responsive education. Our unique model serves students through 12th grade. Winston Online now allows students to learn from anywhere in the country. Visit winstonprep.edu/admissions to sign up for a virtual open house.

YORK PREPARATORY SCHOOL
40 W. 68th St., Upper West Side
212-362-0400

York Prep is an independent school, for grades sixth-12th, committed to creating a nurturing environment that challenges and supports students in a diverse, inclusive setting. Compassionate educators guide students through a traditional and rigorous curriculum, while employing a range of innovative techniques to cultivate each student’s skills, abilities, and interests. 

And you can always browse more of our education resources in Manhattan, including private schools, preschools, Catholic schools, charter and magnet schools, and special education schools.