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Private schoolP
PrivatePrivate

ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTER SCHOOL

222 EAST 97 STREET

At a Glance

A Tiny School With Serious Individual Attention in Diverse East Harlem

Best suited for

Families looking for an extremely small, personal elementary experience in a diverse Manhattan neighborhood — especially those who value low student-teacher ratios over extensive extracurricular programming. Works well for siblings who want to stay together through elementary school, and for parents who want teachers to really know their individual child.

What stands out
  • Tiny enrollment (138 students) means every child gets serious individual attention
  • 8.6:1 student-teacher ratio is unusually low for Manhattan private schools
  • One of the most racially diverse elementary schools in the city
  • Pre-K through 5th grade under one roof — good for siblings
  • Located in a neighborhood with very high family density
Things to consider
  • Pre-K through 5th grade only — families will need to plan for middle school transition
  • Religious affiliation listed as Church of God may not align with the school's name — worth a visit to understand the actual culture
  • At 138 total students, this is a very small community — some families thrive in intimate settings, others may want more peers
  • No Hispanic or Native American students currently enrolled — demographic profile is unusual
  • Private school tuition applies — exact cost not listed but expect Manhattan private rates
IdentityWith Class Sizes This Small, The Educational Approach Tends To Be Hands-On And Individualized. There'S Simply More Room For Teachers To Know Each Child By Name, Which Is Often The Draw For Families Choosing Small Private Schools.

The school name suggests cultural programming rooted in Islamic heritage, though the formal religious affiliation listed is Church of God — an unusual combination that reflects the complex, sometimes unexpected ways identity plays out in city schools. What matters more: this is a school that keeps things very small and personal.

CommunityVery High

The diversity here is striking — nearly 45% Asian, 31% Black, and 17% White, with no Hispanic or Native American students enrolled. That 0.874 diversity index puts this in a very small group of Manhattan schools with such a mixed student body.

NeighborhoodEast Harlem (South)

East Harlem (South) is a neighborhood in transition but remains deeply rooted in its identity as a working-class and immigrant community. There's strong Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage here, alongside newer immigrant populations. Family density is nearly maxed out at 97/100 — meaning you're surrounded by families with kids.

The school is on a cross-town block near Lexington Avenue, making it accessible by subway from much of the city. Families in the immediate neighborhood can walk.

Notable Programs

Arabic and Quranic studiesExperiential learning programCommunity serviceOutdoor educationProject-based learning

What Parents Are Saying

Parent review on school website describes daughter thriving academically and spiritually in a supportive community

Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026

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