At a Glance
A small Brooklyn elementary where classic academics, languages, and the arts meet at a one-to-eight teacher ratio.
Best suited for
Families who want a small, structured elementary school with strong academics, real arts and language exposure, and close teacher relationships in southwest Brooklyn.
What stands out
- A 1:8 teacher-to-student ratio means small classes and real one-on-one time, which is unusually low even among private elementary schools.
- The International Scholars Academy signals a structured emphasis on foreign languages and global exposure woven into the regular curriculum.
- The Adelphi Plan pairs rigorous core academics with a meaningful fine arts program and dedicated physical education, treating them as core rather than elective.
- Moral and personal development is named as a pillar of the curriculum, giving the school a deliberate character-education focus alongside academics.
- Rolling admissions remove a fixed deadline, which can simplify the family timeline if spots are open.
Things to consider
- Tuition ranges from about $16,100 to $28,050 for 2025-2026, so the real cost depends on grade level — confirm the figure that fits your child's year before budgeting.
- The school runs only through 5th grade, so families should plan ahead for the middle school transition rather than assume a seamless continuation.
- Subway access is limited to the R line, which can lengthen commutes from much of Manhattan or north Brooklyn.
- The structured, plan-based approach will feel like a fit for families who want a defined curriculum; families looking for a more child-led or progressive style may want to visit and compare.
- Rolling admissions is convenient, but spots can fill unpredictably — interested families shouldn't wait to inquire.
Identity
Adelphi Academy is a private elementary school serving PreK through 5th grade, organized around "the Adelphi Plan" — a structured, well-rounded curriculum that pairs core academics in English, literature, history, math, and science with foreign languages, communication technology, physical education, fine arts, and moral and personal development. The framing of the child as a "thinking and contributing member of their community" gives the program a values-centered, character-building emphasis alongside its college-preparatory tilt. The school's philosophy leans traditional in its structure and academic focus, with an explicit commitment to the whole child.
Community
Parent reviews paint a picture of a small, tight-knit school where students greet each other warmly and teachers know children individually. Families consistently describe responsive administration and a strong sense of personal attention from educators. Detailed demographic data on the student body is not publicly available for this school.
Neighborhood
Bay Ridge is a residential southwest Brooklyn neighborhood with a middle-income, family-oriented profile — median household income sits in the high $80,000s, and roughly half of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The block along Ridge Boulevard feels like classic Bay Ridge: tree-lined, lived-in, and grounded in long-established households rather than rapid turnover. It's the kind of neighborhood where an elementary school can stay rooted for generations.
The R train serves the school from three nearby stops — 86 St (about a 6-minute walk), 77 St (about 11 minutes), and Bay Ridge-95 St (about 12 minutes) — giving families reasonable flexibility on which end of the line they commute from.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Parents praise attentive educators focused on student growth academically, socially and emotionally; weekly class updates and personalized recaps; small school with one-on-one teacher time; welcoming and supportive students; strong arts emphasis; responsive administration
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is ADELPHI ACADEMY a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for ADELPHI ACADEMY yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Bay Ridge.
- What grades does ADELPHI ACADEMY serve?
- ADELPHI ACADEMY serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into ADELPHI ACADEMY?
- ADELPHI ACADEMY runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is ADELPHI ACADEMY public, charter, or private?
- ADELPHI ACADEMY is a private school.
- What neighborhood is ADELPHI ACADEMY in?
- ADELPHI ACADEMY is in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.