At a Glance
A Calvinist Progressive School in Greenwich Village With Exceptionally Small Classes
Families seeking a small, intimate school with strong community values who want a progressive, inquiry-based education in one of Manhattan's most family-friendly neighborhoods. Particularly well-suited for parents who want their children known as individuals rather than numbers, and who appreciate a Calvinist-informed ethical framework without heavy religious instruction.
- 6.8:1 student-teacher ratio — exceptionally small and personal
- PK-5 span allows for a continuous, developmentally aligned experience from preschool through fifth grade
- Calvinist progressive identity — community values without heavy-handed religious instruction
- 20.7% multiracial student population — notably high for a Manhattan private school
- Located in Greenwich Village, one of the city's most family-dense and walkable neighborhoods
- Religious affiliation (Calvinist) may or may not align with your family's values — visit to see how it translates in practice
- The 62% white student body means your child will be in a majority-white environment despite the diversity index
- Greenwich Village is desirable and expensive — consider whether the commute works for your family
- As a combined early childhood/elementary school, there's no middle or high school on campus
- Progressive pedagogy means less emphasis on traditional testing — make sure this matches your expectations
Grace Church School traces its roots to Calvinist tradition, but don't let that scare you off if you're not religious — the school describes itself as progressive, meaning the religious foundation shows up more as community values and ethical teaching than as doctrinal instruction. The 6.8:1 student-teacher ratio tells you everything: this is a school that prioritizes personal attention. With 109.8 full-time teachers for 750 students, your child will be known by name.
The student body is predominantly white (62%) with meaningful representation of multiracial students (20.7%), and smaller populations of Asian (6.7%) and Black (7.2%) students. The diversity index of 0.69 places this school in the upper tier for private schools, though still reflecting the demographic realities of independent school enrollment in New York. Hispanic representation is notably low at 3.5%.
Greenwich Village is iconic — tree-lined streets, historic architecture, and a village-like atmosphere in the middle of Manhattan. It's one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the city, with excellent access to parks, cultural institutions, and diverse restaurants. Family density scores a 96 out of 100, meaning you're surrounded by other families with children.
This is a highly walkable neighborhood where many families can manage without a car. The area is stroller-friendly, with multiple nearby parks and playgrounds. That said, Greenwich Village is bustling — it's not a quiet suburb, and the energy of the neighborhood is part of the appeal.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Highly positive reviews praising dedicated teachers, rigorous academics, strong community feel, and warm environment; some concerns about high school administration and social dynamics noted in isolated reviews
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is GRACE CHURCH SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for GRACE CHURCH SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Greenwich Village.
- What grades does GRACE CHURCH SCHOOL serve?
- GRACE CHURCH SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into GRACE CHURCH SCHOOL?
- GRACE CHURCH SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is GRACE CHURCH SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- GRACE CHURCH SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is GRACE CHURCH SCHOOL in?
- GRACE CHURCH SCHOOL is in Greenwich Village, Manhattan.
Get the complete picture
Motley pulls together data from across New York City so you don’t have to. One free account, every school.
No credit card required
Get all this when you sign in
Survey data, program listings, admissions stats, and the full editorial profile — free, no credit card.
Full School Profile
Skip the tour guessing game. Get the standout features, honest trade-offs, and whether your kid will actually thrive here — before you visit.
Survey Results
See what 2,600+ schools’ own families and teachers really think — trust, safety, instruction quality — so you walk in with the truth, not the brochure.
Programs & Activities
Stop Googling program lists. AP courses, STEM labs, dual-language tracks, sports teams, arts — all categorized so you can compare schools in minutes.
Admissions Demand
Know your odds before you apply. Apps-per-seat ratios, offer rates, and fill data — so you don’t waste your top choice on a long shot.
Economic Need & Special Populations
Find out if the support your child needs is actually there — IEP enrollment, economic need index, and the demographics no other site surfaces.
Discipline
One bad year doesn’t tell you much. Three years of state-verified suspension data shows whether things are getting better or worse.