Turns out, what you imagine will be amazing before your child arrives might not be amazing for the…read moreactual child you have. We were so excited about this school - it's beautiful, we love the philosophy, they have great exmissions, they said they took the children to play in the park nearby. And our first year in a toddler room was magical. The teacher was a phenomenal resource, our son grew and made some terrific friends, and we were excited for him to go to primary. Well, primary was a disaster. He had a young and inexperienced teacher who meant well, but telegraphed her disapproval of our high-spirited, high-energy, emotionally still very young kid so that our formerly school-loving child started melting down at every dropoff. An administration that wouldn't accommodate a request for change to a classroom where he had good friends, and seemed ill-equipped (or ill-inclined) to help him in general. When he needed extra physical movement, they had him walk in a circle along a piece of tape stuck to the floor. Carrying a cotton ball on a spoon. Which, as you've probably noticed, is not playing in the nearby park. No one said anything nice about our son to us at all until we informed them of our decision to leave. We went back to an AMS lab Montessori school in a different state, and the contrast is extreme. Teachers with decades of experience, lots of communication and support, lots of ability to respond to the needs of individual children who mature at different rates in different areas. The entire administration of the new school knows his name and says hello to him in the halls. Outdoor playground time every single day. And, it must be said, it's half the price. You might have an excellent experience at Flatiron. I hope you do. I wish we had.

It's obviously an extremely expensive school. Nonetheless…read more.. The teachers, staff, curriculum, facilities, and basically everything about how they grow children is excellent and wonderful. I couldn't ask for, or even imagine, anything better. The administration/ownership is bad. Aloof is probably too generous an adjective. It's Trumpian in the sense that it seems centered on what furthers their own idiosyncratic goals (eg prestige, donations, growth); which might not be the same as yours or your child's. In the end (if you can manage the tuition, and don't need any favors from the administration) it's a wonderful place.

We just moved out of New York City, and We are missing this school. We are at another Montessori…read moreschool - but it is not the same unfortunately. We were at this school for 3 years, and were happy with the progress - and the parent community. My son is already bored because he already knows the curriculum they are giving him. We miss you Montessori School of NY!

Montessori International School of NYC is one of a kind! This school has been the biggest…read moreblessing!! I cannot speak highly enough of this school. My son started to go to this school at the age of 2.5 years. When we were researching schools, it was important for me that he is in a safe environment where he can learn and grow. Early childhood learning is undoubtedly an important foundation that Montessori International NYC excels at; they truly have exceeded my expectations. Academics The school invests their time and energy into the kid's learning which is exactly what you want in a school. The school started giving my son workbooks/homework in reading and math. He has excelled so much in the past few years and is now at a 1st/2nd grade level in reading/writing/math and he is just a few weeks shy of being 5 years old. His writing, reading, and math skills have grown so much! I now have a second child who goes to the school. She is 2.5 years old now. I have already seen a difference. She is singing songs and her ABC's, speaking full sentences, very social, and knows how to play by herself and with others. The Montessori method allows students to learn and advance at their own pace. They truly have made a huge difference and I am so happy for all that they invested in their learning. Activities The kids get to do so many activities. They go on field trips to the Central Park Zoo, Botanic Gardens, and Museums. They have activities and events throughout the year. They celebrate diversity throughout the year, the kids are learning about various countries and even get a taste of various cuisines. They have "Asia" day where they pick a country in Asia and present a poster about the culture and dress, etc. They have "India" day and were even given Indian food to taste for lunch. They also learn about other countries including countries in Africa and Europe. They are well rounded and have made a strong effort to introduce the kids to a wide variety of cultures which holds true to their name as Montessori School International. They are very active in the school with art projects and coloring. They have science fairs (and yes even for the little ones) which I think is amazing since it teaches them how to stand up in front of the classroom and present. They have spelling bees and an annual "Montessorics" where they have friendly competitions in physical sports i.e. running etc. They go on walks when the weather permits and learn about their surroundings. I also like that they have a dress code so the kids are well dressed and dressed for success. They have white and blue Montessori International shirts that they wear on outings or gym day (once every week). They have their own Montessori jackets and sweaters. They offer additional extracurricular classes both during the school year and summer school, when age appropriate and child-ready, which can vary but include swimming, tennis, martial arts, gymnastics, and chess. The field trips and classes may begin at various ages but the school works on getting the kids prepared to begin going on field trips when they are ready (level of independence, comfort with going on and off the bus, ability to listen to instruction, etc). Teachers/administration The teachers are one of a kind! They really give them their all, working long hours, working hard, and dedicating their time and resources for the children. As a note, this is not a daycare in which teachers are snapping photos all day and updating you on what they ate as some schools may do. Instead, they use the school time actually devoting their attention to the class. They do offer progress reports twice a year, and occasional photos from presentations and events. More importantly, I can call in or email them and always get a prompt response. They answer all my questions and are absolutely helpful. They are truly a gem in the city. Summary The school has been absolutely wonderful!! I genuinely have so much to say about the school. They also have summer camp which is incredible. The kids have a great time. My family and I are relocating in the summer so that is the only reason why we will have to leave the school and quite frankly has been heavy on my heart because we really have created such wonderful memories with the school and their faculty/staff. They have been absolutely exceptional and I will miss them so much! I feel so happy that we have our kids at this school. When I was searching other schools, there is really nothing that even comes close. Most notably, I have yet to find any school that provides workbooks/homework for kids at this level. I personally have appreciated all their hard work, strong work ethic, investment into the kids' growth, and all the encouragement they provide! I highly recommend!!!

We have been at Park West for two years and are so happy with our experience. The teachers are…read moreprofessional, thoughtful and caring. They are in tune with parents' questions and concerns for their children and help us feel at ease. Admin is easy to reach and communicative. My child is flourishing and thriving and loves being there!

As often as I read reviews, I figured it's about time I contribute, and I whole heartedly want to…read morethank Park West for a wonderful education for my son. During our son's "graduation" at Magenta class today, there were many teary eyes (from the parents that is, the kids had no clue). Why I chose Park West two years ago: 1) It started while I was with my son at the local CPW playground, I remembered being impressed with how well behaved the kids from the school were. Seriously, how were they able to get these little 3 year olds to be so good? 2) the administration: exmissions (yes a word you'll come to know as a Manhattan parent), was very thorough. Since the school ends at 6 years old, they are not incentivized to shunt you to their elementary program. During the period when we were applying for elementary schools, I had almost daily updates on deadlines to be aware of. Very helpful when the whole process is ridiculously complicated. Office workers are very approachable 3) Montessori system: My son was shy and not the type that "opens up" if he were pushed/cajoled/bribed to do what the other kids were doing. I needed a place that allowed for him to progress at his own rate with less rigidity (I had to overcome with my tiger mom instincts). 4) Hours- they have a 12 month option, enrichment programs to 6 PM. Given that most parents there have to work, it's nice to know that this school realizes that and works with it. Two years later, it proved the right decision for us. At four years and a half years old, he is reading simple books, dressing himself, and counting to 100 along with his classmates. He's attending a gifted and talented public school program in September. I hope this is helpful. I wish you best of luck on this crazy process.

kids at work is excellent. i've been bringing my daughter since she was about 6 months old and it's…read morehonestly been great for both of us. these classes are a breath of fresh air and for a new mom it's a great way to break up the monotony of the day with something fun and educational for your baby. we particularly love their sign language class "Baby Fingers" with Eric. He's a fantastic teacher that brings 100 percent every class. i can definitely tell he has a background in theater because he knows how to captivate his young audience like no other. we also recently discovered Jam Sessions with Sydney and she is wonderful as well. i also appreciate that their is a limit on capacity, some children's classes we've attended are packed and it's a bit stressful for me when the babies are (literally) crawling all over each other. kids at work is organized, clean, and the front desk staff is very friendly and accommodating over the phone and in person.

My daughter has been coming to classes here for years now. All the teachers are sweet and engaging…read more Her favorites are the art and cooking classes.

My son attended RMS as a 4 month old and stopped right when he was about to turn 2, due to…read moreCOVID-19. The schools true colors showed during this time, and I would urge anyone considering RMS, or any Twin Parks locations to do their research. The "teachers" my son had were great, but great caregivers can be found elsewhere. My review is not of the care, but the administration and their dishonest business practices. As a parent, of course finding loving caregivers is essential. What you don't consider is how inflexible and uncaring administrators will affect your experience. I have a gripe with the school. I am no longer sending my sons there (toddler and infant) due to circumstances from the pandemic lockdown, and had requested my enrollment fees back, but the school has decided to keep it. They had refunded other families, but continue to deny mine. I can go on, but will give you a pros and cons list instead, and hope that you learn from my very expensive mistake. Pros -Infant program starts at 3 months, many programs don't start this young -Columbia affiliated, which means you get dibs if you have a connection to the university Cons -Facilities are located in the basement of a residential building, lack of natural light, shared entrance with residents. -School schedule has MANY days off for "professional development", holidays, weeks for winter break and spring break -Make parents fundraise for holiday bonus for teachers and staff, and a staff luncheon---as if parents won't do nice gestures on their own accord -Make parents fundraise for a spring charity -Very strict pick-up time policy for late care -Early closing on Fridays -Expensive tuition, strict contract, no flexibility should you need to leave school. You will have to pay the entire years tuition anyway. They require your SS# to hunt you down if you don't pay. -Administration makes you fee like they are doing you a favor, as if you are not contributing to their livelihood. -Small space, limits the types of strollers they will allow you to store at the school during drop off. If you've made it this far and want to ask me questions, send me a dm and I will be happy to share my honest experience. I know one review won't stop them from securing families to attend, but I hope that this will save some families from throwing their money away. There are much better options around the UWS.

Of the dozen highly recommended schools we looked at across UWS, UES, and harlem, this school was…read moreclearly the best. The students were sitting quietly and fully engaged with their projects when we attended a school visit. A student had made a mess and was in the process of getting a broom and sweeping it up when we arrived. No screens, no screaming, no fancy live streams or eye scanner locks like other schools we went to. Just a philosophy that work builds character, children should be allowed to be children, and learning should be hands on, not digital. Loving staff, fantastic teachers, great facilities and location. We could not be more grateful to have found this school. I truly believe it is one of the best pre-k schools in Manhattan.

Both of my children attended SoHo Montessori and had truly positive experiences. The teachers were…read moreexcellent, and the school adhered closely to the Montessori philosophy. Students are encouraged to be curious and develop the ability to focus deeply on tasks. The skills they gained provided a solid foundation for their future success. I will always treasure the time they spent here.

From the owner: The Montessori School in Soho is an AMI-accredited Montessori program serving children ages 18…read moremonths to six years old with an authentic, child-centered approach. Located in the heart of downtown Manhattan, our school offers thoughtfully prepared classrooms where children develop independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. We are proud to offer a Spanish bilingual Primary classroom, providing children the opportunity to build language skills naturally through immersion and daily conversation. For families seeking flexible scheduling, we provide Before Care from 8:00–8:30 AM and After Care from 3:00–5:00 PM. We also offer a dynamic roster of After School Enrichment Classes for students in the Primary program, including Soccer, French language, and STEM, giving children additional ways to explore their interests in a joyful, developmentally aligned environment. At The Montessori School in Soho, we partner closely with families to nurture each child’s unique potential—supporting them academically, socially, and emotionally every step of the way.

We spent two wonderful years at Central Park Montessori, and looking back, it was truly the perfect…read morefoundation for our son Karim. Leaving the school felt like saying goodbye to family, but the impact it had on his development is something we carry with us every day. From his very first week, the warmth of the community was palpable. The educators and staff don't just teach; they truly know, see, and nurture each child as an individual. Karim flourished under their care, developing an incredible sense of independence, deep curiosity, and a genuine love for learning that still guides him today. The classic Montessori environment was thoughtful and beautifully structured, allowing him to explore concepts at his own pace while building amazing social confidence. What makes Central Park Montessori so special is the balance of exceptional, intentional early childhood education with a deeply kind, inclusive environment. It gave Karim a safe place to grow, question, and discover the world around him. We are immensely grateful for the two years he spent here and cannot recommend this beautiful school highly enough to any family looking for a nurturing, enriching start for their child.

We've had an incredible experience at Twin Parks Montessori (CPM). It is such a warm, supportive,…read moreand tight-knit community, and our son Teddy looks forward to going to school every single day. Since starting, Teddy has grown from a relatively reserved kid into a confident social butterfly. Academically, the progress he has made is truly impressive. He is already keeping up with his older sister (a recent Kindergarten grad) in math games--even using an abacus to solve bigger problems--and is successfully sounding out words during our bedtime reading. His teachers this year, Ms. Chris and Ms. Caro, are absolutely amazing. They are so communicative, and their regular BrightWheel updates always brighten my workday. The school leadership is also stellar; Jim has been an invaluable partner in our early childhood journey, always proactively communicating and quickly addressing any questions we have. The facilities are great, especially the new campus addition and all the time the kids get to spend outside in Central Park and Hippo Park. CPM has given Teddy the perfect preparation for Pre-K and beyond. We will truly miss this wonderful community!

After touring several schools we chose Push My Swing for our 2yr old. Everyone was happy, which was…read morenot the case at some of the other schools we toured. Once we started school, we saw in earnest that the teachers were very patient and kind and the kids were all so great! The photo and video updates during the day through the app were also wonderful - we felt connected with the school and the children constantly. Access to the private playground for the kids also made us feel reassured about their general safety. Our daughter stayed here 2 years until the COVID shut down. If we have another child we will 100% enroll here again.

We have had the BEST experience at Push My Swing the past two years and we are EXTREMELY sad to say…read moregood bye as our daughter Mila will be moving on to Pre-k in September. We visited several daycares in the Gramercy/Kips bay area but what stood out the most with PMS was that it had a very homey feeling and all the kids looked like they were so happy yet so well behaved! We saw an instant improvement in our daughter's behavior in the first couple of months and really appreciated how welcoming, caring, and nurturing the teachers were with her as she was one of the youngest kids at the time. Sometimes Mila would cry when we picked her up because she wanted to stay with her friends and teachers! We cannot say enough amazing things about her special teacher Jenny. Jenny has been an exceptional teacher and truly loves all the children and it really shows. She goes above and beyond and kept us updated daily on areas that my daughter needed to improve on. She devoted so much time in ensuring that Mila was succeeding academically and I cannot thank her enough for all her patience. There is an app where pictures and videos were uploaded everyday so we felt like we were really in touch and not missing out on the daily fun activities. Also, there is a huge private playground in the back where the children spend a lot of time playing which is quite unique to this type of daycare. This school has become like family to us and we are so grateful that Mila was able to spend two incredible years there. I feel like she is very well prepared for her next chapter and only hope that she will have the same level of care at her next school!

School is amazing until you have a neurodivergent child, they aren't trained to help any child that…read morebehaves differently. My child was constantly getting removed from classes and we were being told she couldn't sit still in a Montessori which was odd. We kept having constant meetings about him and it just became overwhelming for her and our family. We eventually had to remove her from the school and go into public. The teachers are lovely but are not trained to deal with all types of children which is sad. We also had all services in place for her and with that they still needed help to handle a 1st grader. My best decision was to remove her from a school that kept correcting everything about her.

I echo Laura's comments about Caedmon. My son is progressing so well both academically and socially…read morethat we decided to enroll our daughter. I think the one thing that separates Caedmon from the other private schools is the staff which is second to none. The school does an amazing job hiring both teachers and staff. Both my wife and I are very happy we joined the Caedmon family.

My three year old daughter is thriving at this school. Wonderful, warm, loving teachers. Clean,…read morebright, and fun, my daughter always has a lot of fun. She makes art projects, learns numbers, letters, how to be courteous and kind. I can't reccomend this place more!

All is as well as it ever has been. Best school ever for 3-6 yr olds. You child will enter…read morekindergarten ready for the 1st grade. Register as early as possible. They fill up extremely quickly.