At a Glance
A Small Catholic Elementary School Where Every Child Is Known by Name
Families seeking a small, personal Catholic elementary education in Washington Heights — particularly those who want their children in a tight-knit community where teachers know every child, value religious formation, and appreciate the neighborhood's Dominican culture. Best fit for families who prioritize individualized attention and community roots over academic bells-and-whistles.
- Exceptionally small class sizes (8.6:1 ratio) — this is well below city averages and allows for real individualized teaching
- Traditional Catholic elementary education with daily prayer and religious instruction
- Strong community roots in Washington Heights — this is a neighborhood institution
- Very affordable for a private school — Catholic schools typically cost less than secular private options
- Grades PK-5 under one roof means siblings stay together
- Not nondenominational — families should be comfortable with Catholic identity and religious practices
- Nearly all-Hispanic student body means limited exposure to diverse backgrounds
- Academic approach is traditional, not experimental — this isn't the school for progressive or Montessori-curious families
- Washington Heights is geographically far from other Manhattan neighborhoods — consider commute if you don't live nearby
- Limited advanced programming or specialized extracurriculars compared to larger private schools
Incarnation School is a Roman Catholic elementary school that blends faith formation with academic rigor. It's a traditional parish school — not a selective private academy — which means the focus is on character development and fundamentals rather than test-score optimization.
The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic (98.2%), reflecting the demographics of Washington Heights, which has one of the largest Dominican populations in the city. Families here are primarily working- and middle-class. The diversity index is very low at 0.08 — if diversity of background is important to your family, that's worth noting. But for families seeking a school that reflects their cultural community, this neighborhood school may feel like an extension of home.
Washington Heights (South) is a vibrant, predominantly Dominican neighborhood along the Hudson River in Upper Manhattan. It's culturally rich, with Dominican restaurants, bakeries, and shops lining the streets. The area has a strong community feel and is well-connected by the A train and the 1 train at 168th Street. It's more affordable than much of Manhattan, and families here tend to stay rooted in the neighborhood for generations.
The school sits near the 175th Street corridor, which has good subway access (the A train at 168th Street is a short walk). The neighborhood is very walkable and family-dense — you'll see kids playing outside and families on the stoops.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Limited parent reviews available; GreatSchools shows 14 reviews with low rating but appears to reference a different location
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is INCARNATION SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for INCARNATION SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Washington Heights (South).
- What grades does INCARNATION SCHOOL serve?
- INCARNATION SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into INCARNATION SCHOOL?
- INCARNATION SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is INCARNATION SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- INCARNATION SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is INCARNATION SCHOOL in?
- INCARNATION SCHOOL is in Washington Heights (South), Manhattan.
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