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CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART

1 EAST 91 STREET

At a Glance

A historic all-girls Catholic school where faith, academics, and service converge

Best suited for

Families seeking an all-girls Catholic education with rigorous academics (IB program), strong community values, and an emphasis on developing confident young women who are prepared to lead and serve. Best suited for families who value the combination of faith formation, academic excellence, and social action — and who can afford the significant tuition investment. Girls who thrive in supportive, structured environments with opportunities for leadership will particularly benefit.

What stands out
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) program — a globally recognized curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and global citizenship
  • All-girls environment where girls lead in classrooms, athletics, and community service without gender-based competition
  • Network of Sacred Heart schools provides global connections and a tradition dating back over a century
  • 11 interscholastic sports — unusual for an elementary school, giving girls early exposure to competitive athletics
  • Campus Ministry and Retreat Program — integrates faith and service into daily school life
  • Small class sizes foster personal attention and strong teacher-student relationships
Things to consider
  • Tuition of $40,560–$70,850 is a significant investment — factor in annual increases and auxiliary costs
  • Some students report academic pressure and grade deflation in upper school — this may or may not be relevant depending on your daughter's temperament
  • This data covers grades PK-5; the full K-12 experience may differ from what elementary students encounter
  • Selective admissions (December 1 deadline) means not all applicants are accepted — apply early
  • As a Catholic school, religious education and Mass attendance are part of the experience — families should be comfortable with this component
IdentityThe Sacred Heart Approach Centers On 'Personal And Active Faith In God' Combined With 'Deep Respect For Intellectual Values.' Rather Than A Passive Academic Experience, The School Aims To 'Unearth Each Child'S Unique Gifts' And Empower Students To Use Them In Service To Others. This Translates Into A Community Where Girls Are Expected To Lead, Question, And Contribute — Not Just Absorb Information. The IB Program Reinforces This By Encouraging Critical Thinking And Global Awareness From An Early Age.

Convent of the Sacred Heart is part of an international network of Sacred Heart schools founded on Catholic values and a commitment to educating young women to become leaders. The school serves girls from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade (part of a K-12 institution) and emphasizes the five goals of Sacred Heart education: faith, intellectual growth, social action, community, and personal development.

CommunityDiverse

Parent reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with a 4.7/5 Niche rating from 139 reviews. Parents consistently praise the supportive community, caring teachers, rigorous academics, and the confidence-building environment the school creates. The Campus Ministry and Service Learning programs reinforce the school's emphasis on social awareness and action — girls aren't just learning about helping others, they're actively doing it. Some students note academic pressure and grade deflation in upper grades, which is worth considering if your daughter thrives in high-pressure environments or prefers a more relaxed academic pace.

NeighborhoodUpper East Side-Carnegie Hill

The school sits in Carnegie Hill, a quintessential Upper East Side neighborhood known for its pre-war buildings, townhouses, and access to Central Park. It's one of the city's most family-dense areas (97/100 family density), meaning you'll be surrounded by other families with school-age children. The neighborhood is safe, walkable, and has easy access to cultural institutions — the Metropolitan Museum of Art is nearby, and Central Park provides ample green space.

The Upper East Side is highly walkable, and most families in this area live within walking or short driving distance. If you're commuting from another borough, the 4/5/6 subway lines along Lexington Avenue are accessible, though traffic on major avenues can be heavy during school drop-off and pickup times.

Notable Programs

International Baccalaureate (IB)College PreparatoryService LearningAthletics (11 interscholastic sports)Campus Ministry and Retreat Program

What Parents Are Saying

Overwhelmingly positive - parents praise supportive community, caring teachers, rigorous academics, and confidence-building environment. Niche rating 4.7/5 from 139 reviews. Some concerns about academic pressure and grade deflation in upper school noted by students.

Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026

Frequently Asked Questions
Is CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART a good school?
Published quality ratings aren't available for CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill.
What grades does CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART serve?
CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART serves grades Pre-K to 5.
How do students get into CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART?
CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
Is CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART public, charter, or private?
CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART is a private school.
What neighborhood is CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART in?
CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART is in Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill, Manhattan.
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