Motley
Private schoolP
PrivatePrivate

BIG APPLE INSTITUTE SITE 2

503 LAKE STREET

At a Glance

An individualized, diversity-minded elementary school in southern Brooklyn where curiosity comes first.

Best suited for

Families seeking a small, individualized, diversity-minded elementary experience in southern Brooklyn who want a more accessible price point and value a progressive, child-centered philosophy over a college-prep track.

What stands out

  • Curriculum built around individual abilities and interests rather than grade-level uniformity.
  • Writing Across the Curriculum approach weaves literacy into science, social studies, and other subjects.
  • Explicit mission around diversity, democratic participation, and social responsibility — not just academics.
  • Science Fairs and instructional technology give hands-on outlets for student research and critical thinking.
  • Tuition in the $10,000–$11,999 range keeps private elementary education within reach for many Brooklyn families.

Things to consider

  • The program ends at grade 5, so families will need to choose a new middle school environment after elementary.
  • At this tuition tier, expect a more modest facility footprint than the high-tuition Manhattan independents.
  • Detailed outcomes data (test scores, alumni tracking, accreditation) isn't readily available — ask the school directly.
  • Limited public web footprint beyond the school's own site, so you'll want to visit and talk to current families yourself.

Identity

Progressive

A nonsectarian private elementary school serving PK through grade 5, founded on the belief that children learn best when curriculum responds to their individual abilities and interests. The philosophy emphasizes intellectual independence, creativity, curiosity, and preparing students as thoughtful participants in a democratic society. Coeducational and rooted in diversity as a core educational value.

Community

Insufficient Data

Parent sentiment drawn from the school's website is positive, with families highlighting the individualized attention and nurturing environment. Detailed student-body demographic data wasn't available in the sources reviewed. The school's mission statement emphasizes serving a diverse student population.

Neighborhood

Gravesend (East)-Homecrest

The school sits in Gravesend (East)-Homecrest, a southern Brooklyn neighborhood where median household income sits in the mid-$60,000s and just over 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. It's a working- and middle-class area with a mix of longtime homeowners and newer immigrant families, which fits the school's diversity-centered mission.

Subway access is genuinely convenient — Avenue X on the F is roughly a 3-minute walk, 86 St on the N about 5 minutes, and Avenue U on the F about 7 minutes.

Notable Programs

Writing Across the CurriculumLiteracyInstructional TechnologyCritical thinking and researchScience Fairs

What Parents Are Saying

Positive testimonials from parents on school website

Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is BIG APPLE INSTITUTE SITE 2 a good school?
Published quality ratings aren't available for BIG APPLE INSTITUTE SITE 2 yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Gravesend (East)-Homecrest.
What grades does BIG APPLE INSTITUTE SITE 2 serve?
BIG APPLE INSTITUTE SITE 2 serves grades Pre-K to 5.
How do students get into BIG APPLE INSTITUTE SITE 2?
BIG APPLE INSTITUTE SITE 2 runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
Is BIG APPLE INSTITUTE SITE 2 public, charter, or private?
BIG APPLE INSTITUTE SITE 2 is a private school.
What neighborhood is BIG APPLE INSTITUTE SITE 2 in?
BIG APPLE INSTITUTE SITE 2 is in Gravesend (East)-Homecrest, Brooklyn.