At a Glance
A Tiny Montessori Elementary Where Every Child Is Known by Name
Best suited for
Families seeking a small, progressive, nurturing elementary experience who value the Montessori philosophy and want their child in a genuinely diverse, tight-knit community. Ideal for parents who prioritize personalized attention and developmental learning over traditional test-focused education.
What stands out
- 8:1 student-teacher ratio — extremely small and personal
- Montessori methodology with mixed-age classrooms and hands-on learning
- Very high diversity index (0.83)
- True neighborhood school feel in Forest Hills
- Enrollment of only 47 students means genuine community
Things to consider
- Very small size means limited peer options — if your child thrives in larger social settings, this may feel too intimate
- The Montessori approach is distinctive and may not align with families wanting traditional academics
- With only ~47 students total across grades, some families wonder about transitioning to larger middle schools later
- Tuition for private schools in this area is a significant investment
Identity
A tiny nonsectarian private elementary running on Montessori principles, with a student body small enough that everyone knows everyone.
Community
With only 47 students total, this is a tightly knit community where families typically form close bonds. The diversity index of 0.83 puts it among the most diverse schools in the city — your child will grow up alongside peers from many backgrounds.
Neighborhood
Forest Hills is a residential Queens neighborhood with tree-lined streets and a friendly, village-like feel. Austin Street is the main commercial strip with shops and restaurants. The area has strong family presence and good density of kids.
The school sits on a commercial corridor — families can often walk to school and easily access local businesses and transit.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Mixed reviews: positive feedback highlights excellent academics, good student-teacher ratio, and nurturing environment; negative concerns include organizational issues, stressed teachers, communication gaps, and some reports of bullying
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is FOREST HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for FOREST HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Forest Hills.
- What grades does FOREST HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL serve?
- FOREST HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into FOREST HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL?
- FOREST HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is FOREST HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- FOREST HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is FOREST HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL in?
- FOREST HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL is in Forest Hills, Queens.