Motley
Private schoolP
PrivatePrivate

KEW FOREST SCHOOL

119-17 UNION TURNPIKE

At a Glance

A tiny, deeply diverse elementary school in Forest Hills — where every child gets serious personal attention

Best suited for

Families seeking a small, intimate, progressive elementary experience in Queens with an extremely diverse community and a strong student-teacher ratio. Ideal for parents who value personal attention over athletic facilities or school size, and who are comfortable navigating the middle school search after 5th grade.

What stands out
  • 6.4:1 student-teacher ratio — extremely small classes
  • Enrollment of just 208 students across pre-K through 5th grade
  • Diversity index of 0.98 — highly diverse student body
  • Serves pre-K through 5th grade under one roof
  • Nonsectarian — no religious affiliation
Things to consider
  • Very small school means a limited peer group and social circle
  • Private school tuition applies — no public funding
  • Only covers pre-K through 5th grade — families will need to navigate middle school transitions elsewhere
  • The ultra-small scale won't be a fit for families wanting a larger campus or more athletic programs
  • No religious affiliation for families specifically seeking faith-based education
IdentityThe School Operates On A Progressive, Child-Centered Approach. Being Nonsectarian Means There'S No Religious Curriculum — The Focus Is Purely On Academic And Social-Emotional Development In A Diverse, Inclusive Setting.

A nonsectarian progressive school with an ultra-small scale — 208 students total across pre-K through 5th grade, with a 6.4:1 student-teacher ratio. This is a place where class sizes are tiny and teachers can give individual attention.

CommunityDiverse

The student body is exceptionally diverse, with a diversity index of 0.98 — one of the highest possible scores. No single racial or ethnic group forms a majority: White students make up 27.4%, Asian students 23.1%, Multiracial/Other at 18.8%, Black students 18.3%, and Hispanic students 12.5%.

NeighborhoodForest Hills

Forest Hills is a residential neighborhood in central Queens known for its tree-lined streets, garden apartments, and family-friendly atmosphere. It's well-served by public transit and sits between Kew Gardens and Rego Park.

The Union Turnpike location is near several bus routes and not far from the Forest Hills-71st Avenue subway station on the E/F/M/R lines.

Notable Programs

International Baccalaureate (IB) candidate programAdvanced Placement (AP) courses (10+ options)Visual and Performing Arts (required 2 years)Architectural DesignCollege Counseling

What Parents Are Saying

Positive reviews praise small class sizes, attentive staff, varied and interesting curriculum, nurturing environment, and happy engaged children. Multiple parents note the student-teacher ratio is wonderful compared to public schools. Rating: 4.6/5 on GreatSchools.

Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026

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

Get the complete picture

Motley pulls together data from across New York City so you don’t have to. One free account, every school.

Data from 15+ NYC agencies on every school
Personalized school matching for your family
Save schools and build your research board
Sign In — It’s Free

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.

Sign In — It’s Free