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, Upper West Side, Manhattan
212-724-6360
Email [email protected]

Dwight is a leading nursery-12th grade private school dedicated to igniting the spark of genius in every child. Founded in 1872, Dwight is the first school in the Americas to offer the full International Baccalaureate curriculum for ages 3-18, with instruction in Mandarin and Spanish beginning early in preschool. 

THE ÉCOLE
111 E. 22nd St., Flatiron, Manhattan
646-410-2238
Email [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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.

GRAVITAS: A GLOBAL EXTENSION OF THE STONY BROOK SCHOOL
11 Cedar St., Stony Brook
631-675-3504
Email [email protected]

Gravitas is an online school like no other. As an extension of The Stony Brook School's boarding and day campus, Gravitas provides you access to challenging college prep academics, intentional character formation, opportunities to pursue your passions, peers from around the world, and wisdom to answer life’s most important questions.

HUDSONWAY IMMERSION SCHOOL
525 W. 52nd St., New York
212·787·8088
Email [email protected]

HWIS offers a choice of on-site, five days-per-week or remote learning for 2020-2021. Our preschool, elementary, and middle school program is a full immersion environment in two languages: English/Mandarin or English/Spanish. HWIS students achieve high academic standards, bilingual proficiency, and are admitted to top tier independent schools. Financial aid available.

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

Email [email protected]

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 [email protected] to learn more about our unique inclusion program.

LEARNINGSPRING SCHOOL
247 E. 20th St., Gramercy Park, Manhattan ,
212-239-4926     
Email [email protected]

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!

PUSTEBLUME INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOL AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS
244 W. 14th St., West Village, Manhattan
212-206-1137
Email [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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.

WINSTON PREP NEW YORK
126 West 17th Street, New York
212-496-8400
Email [email protected]

Winston Preparatory New York is a leading school for students with learning differences, including dyslexia, ADHD, and nonverbal learning disorders.

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.