At a Glance
A Jesuit Education for Young Men in the Heart of the Bronx
Boys whose families value Jesuit intellectual tradition, character formation over pure credentialism, and a diverse but structured all-boys environment. It's a strong fit for families who want the rigor and alumni network of a historic Catholic prep without the homogeneity often found at such schools — and who can manage a Bronx commute. Parents seeking a more secular or coed private school experience would need to look elsewhere.
- Jesuit (Jesuit-run) education with 175+ year history — this is the real thing, not a nominal Catholic affiliation
- 11:1 student-teacher ratio means teachers genuinely know each student
- All-boys environment designed around how teenage boys learn and develop
- 40% students of color — unusually diverse for a Catholic prep school
- Part of Fordham University network — potential advantages for alumni connections and academic resources
- Strong emphasis on service and character formation alongside academics
- Tuition is not listed here — private Catholic schools in NYC range from $15,000 to $25,000+ annually, so budget accordingly
- Catholic/Jesuit identity is substantive, not decorative — expect theology requirements and spiritual components
- All-boys means no female peers — right fit depends on your son's developmental needs
- Belmont is accessible but not Manhattan-close — factor in commute time from different boroughs
- Competitive admissions — private Catholic schools often have entrance exams and selective processes
Fordham Prep is an all-boys, Jesuit-run Catholic high school with a 175-year history in the Bronx. The 11:1 student-teacher ratio and 85+ faculty create a community where teachers know their students by name. This isn't a school that coasts on reputation — the small scale forces genuine relationships.
With roughly 950 students spread across grades 9-12, Fordham Prep is sizable enough to offer robust athletics, clubs, and academics but small enough that your son won't disappear into the crowd. The diversity index of 0.66 is genuinely impressive for a Catholic prep school — you're looking at about 40% students of color, with meaningful Hispanic and Black representation alongside white students. The all-boys environment means peer dynamics are different: less social distraction, more straightforward academic culture, and an explicit focus on developing young male leadership.
Belmont sits just east of Fordham Road, the Bronx's main commercial corridor, making this one of the most accessible private schools for families living in the outer boroughs. The neighborhood has a layered identity — historically Italian-American, now increasingly diverse with Caribbean and Latinx communities. It's residential, walkable, and has decent transit connections via the Bx1, Bx2, and nearby Metro-North. Family density is solid at 67/100, meaning you're in a neighborhood where families actually live, not a commercial district or transitional area.
The school is near major bus routes along Fordham Road and a short walk from the Fordham Road Metro-North station, making it reachable from parts of Westchester and the Bronx without a car. Parking can be tricky during school hours if you're driving.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Mixed reviews - positive reviews praise committed teachers, academic rigor, Jesuit mission, and college preparation; negative reviews cite lack of diversity, facility deficiencies, heavy workload, and some concerns about bullying and mental health
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is FORDHAM PREPARATORY SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for FORDHAM PREPARATORY SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades 9 to 12 in Belmont.
- What grades does FORDHAM PREPARATORY SCHOOL serve?
- FORDHAM PREPARATORY SCHOOL serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into FORDHAM PREPARATORY SCHOOL?
- FORDHAM PREPARATORY SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is FORDHAM PREPARATORY SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- FORDHAM PREPARATORY SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is FORDHAM PREPARATORY SCHOOL in?
- FORDHAM PREPARATORY SCHOOL is in Belmont, Bronx.
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