At a Glance
An ABA-grounded program for children with autism, set in the civic core of Lower Manhattan.
Best suited for
Families of children with autism who want a full-day, ABA-grounded program that pairs academics with vocational and life-skills work, and value an exceptionally commute-friendly Lower Manhattan location.
What stands out
- ABA-based instruction paired with integrated habilitation, vocational, and recreation programming — a combination uncommon under one roof.
- Methodology anchored in applied behavior analysis research rather than a general academic curriculum.
- Lower Manhattan location with three subway lines essentially at the door.
- Continuity from pre-K through fifth grade so families can plan long-term within one setting.
- Single-tuition structure ($51,123 for 2025-26) removes the usual grade-level pricing tiers.
Things to consider
- This is a specialized program, not a general private elementary school — fit depends on a child's autism diagnosis and a family's comfort with ABA as the primary framework.
- Parent reviews are mixed: many describe real progress, but recurring comments flag staff turnover and management concerns.
- Tuition is reported as a flat $51,123 for 2025-26, and no financial aid or sliding scale is mentioned in available materials.
- The program tops out at fifth grade, so families will need a transition plan for middle school.
- The "country day" name and downtown address can mislead families expecting a traditional independent school experience.
Identity
Hawthorne Country Day School is a private specialized program serving children with autism from pre-K through fifth grade. Its teaching methodology is grounded in applied behavior analysis, paired with habilitation, vocational, and recreation programs. The "country day" name reflects its educational mission rather than a traditional liberal-arts curriculum.
Community
The school draws families specifically seeking an ABA-based setting for children with autism, rather than a general-population private school community. Detailed student-body demographics aren't publicly reported, so a fuller picture comes mostly from parent accounts.
Neighborhood
The address sits in Tribeca-Civic Center, a Lower Manhattan pocket defined by the courts, City Hall Park, and the financial district's northward edge. Census figures show a high-income area — median household income around $215,000, with roughly 80% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher, and a poverty rate near 5%. It's a workday-heavy neighborhood that quiets considerably on evenings and weekends.
Getting here is about as easy as it gets in Manhattan — Park Place (2, 3), City Hall (R, W), and Chambers Street (A, C) are all within a 2- to 3-minute walk.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Mixed reviews; parents note good progress with ABA-based programs and success for children with autism, but concerns about high staff turnover, unprofessional management, and stressful workplace environment; some positive mentions of great school and excellent academic environment
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is HAWTHORNE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for HAWTHORNE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Tribeca-Civic Center.
- What grades does HAWTHORNE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL serve?
- HAWTHORNE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into HAWTHORNE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL?
- HAWTHORNE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is HAWTHORNE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- HAWTHORNE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is HAWTHORNE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL in?
- HAWTHORNE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL is in Tribeca-Civic Center, Manhattan.