At a Glance
A parish-rooted Catholic academy forming the whole child at an unusually accessible price point
Best suited for
Catholic families in southern Brooklyn looking for an affordable, faith-centered elementary education with a clear handoff to a Catholic middle school afterward.
What stands out
- Tuition of $4,000–$5,999 places it among the more affordable private Catholic elementary options in Brooklyn.
- A partnership with St. Edmund's Prep lets students take eighth-grade algebra there, signaling a defined middle-school feeder pathway.
- The Lab Learner K–8 science curriculum brings hands-on lab work into the classroom, which is uncommon for a parish elementary school.
- Rolling admissions with no formal deadline gives families flexibility on timing.
Things to consider
- Parent reviews are mixed — many praise caring teachers and a strong academic program, but at least one family describes a strict disciplinary climate; visiting in person is worth it.
- The school ends at fifth grade, so families will need to plan and apply separately for middle school.
- Both nearby subway stations are an 18–20 minute walk, so a daily commute will likely involve a car, carpool, or bus.
- The PK–5 ceiling means the K–8 curricula (SuperKids, Lab Learner, Sadlier Connect) effectively serve a younger range here than the program names suggest.
Identity
Good Shepherd is a Catholic elementary school rooted in a parish community, serving children from pre-K through fifth grade. Its philosophy centers on the belief that each child is uniquely made and called to develop fully as a person. The curriculum pairs a rigorous academic program with explicit faith formation in Gospel values.
Community
As a parish school with rolling admissions, Good Shepherd draws families from the surrounding Madison area and across southern Brooklyn who want a faith-based elementary education. Specific student demographic data wasn't provided, but the school's tuition and parish affiliation make it accessible to working- and middle-class Catholic families in the neighborhood.
Neighborhood
Madison is a middle-income Brooklyn neighborhood where the median household income sits around $74,878 and about 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a family-oriented feel typical of southern Brooklyn, anchored by parish communities and small local businesses.
The Q at Avenue U is about an 18-minute walk and the B/Q at Kings Highway about 20 minutes, so most families will likely drive, get dropped off, or take a bus rather than rely on the train.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Mixed reviews: positive reviews mention caring teachers, excellent education, and nurturing environment; one negative review cites inhospitable environment and strict disciplinary practices
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC ACADEMY a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC ACADEMY yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Madison.
- What grades does GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC ACADEMY serve?
- GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC ACADEMY serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC ACADEMY?
- GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC ACADEMY runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC ACADEMY public, charter, or private?
- GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC ACADEMY is a private school.
- What neighborhood is GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC ACADEMY in?
- GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC ACADEMY is in Madison, Brooklyn.