Motley
Private schoolP
PrivatePrivate

GREENE HILL SCHOOL

39 ADELPHI STREET

At a Glance

A Tiny, Intentionally Small Elementary Community in Fort Greene

Best suited for

Families seeking an intimate, progressive elementary experience in Fort Greene or nearby Brooklyn neighborhoods, who value small class sizes and a close community over athletic facilities or extensive programming. Ideal for parents who want their children known as individuals rather than part of a larger student body.

What stands out
  • Exceptionally small scale — only 123 students in grades PK-5
  • 8.6:1 student-teacher ratio means near-individual attention
  • High diversity index (0.7979) with nearly one-third multiracial students
  • Fort Greene location in a family-dense, walkable Brooklyn neighborhood
  • Nonsectarian progressive philosophy without religious affiliation
Things to consider
  • Very small enrollment may mean limited extracurricular offerings compared to larger schools
  • Tuition not provided — families should inquire directly about cost
  • As a small private school, class sizes are tiny but the community is tightly knit — some families thrive in this, others may find it feels too small
  • Limited grades — this is elementary only, so families will need to plan for middle school transition
IdentityThe Small Scale Appears Intentional: This Is A School That Prioritizes Personal Attention And Close Relationships Between Students, Teachers, And Families Over Bells And Whistles. As A Nonsectarian Progressive School, The Approach Leans Toward Hands-On Learning, Social-Emotional Development, And Community Building Rather Than Test-Driven Curriculum.

A nonsectarian progressive elementary school that keeps things deliberately small — 123 students across pre-K through 5th grade creates an intimate, village-like feel rather than an institutional one.

CommunityHigh

The student body is racially and ethnically diverse — the diversity index of 0.7979 is notably high for a private school, reflecting Fort Greene's mixed neighborhood. Nearly a third of students identify as multiracial, which is unusual and suggests a community comfortable with complex identities.

NeighborhoodFort Greene

Fort Greene is one of Brooklyn's most family-oriented neighborhoods, with a Family Density score of 83/100. The area offers tree-lined streets, nearby Fort Greene Park, and a community feel that attracts parents seeking a neighborhood-oriented Brooklyn upbringing.

Fort Greene is highly walkable with good access to transit, though parking can be challenging for drop-off and pickup.

Notable Programs

Visual ArtsMusicDramaPhysical Education and MovementTechnology

What Parents Are Saying

Highly positive reviews praising small class sizes, progressive curriculum, diverse community, sliding scale tuition making it accessible, caring teachers, strong sense of belonging, whole-child education approach; 4.5+ rating across multiple review platforms

Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026

Frequently Asked Questions
Is GREENE HILL SCHOOL a good school?
Published quality ratings aren't available for GREENE HILL SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Fort Greene.
What grades does GREENE HILL SCHOOL serve?
GREENE HILL SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.
How do students get into GREENE HILL SCHOOL?
GREENE HILL SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
Is GREENE HILL SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
GREENE HILL SCHOOL is a private school.
What neighborhood is GREENE HILL SCHOOL in?
GREENE HILL SCHOOL is in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.
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