At a Glance
A Quaker elementary school with ultra-small classes in Downtown Brooklyn
Families seeking a small, Quaker-values-driven elementary school with ultra-small classes and a tight community feel — and who are comfortable with a racially homogeneous student body. Ideal for families who prioritize social-emotional learning and peace education, and who may be drawn to the Quaker tradition's emphasis on simplicity and consensus.
- Extremely low student-teacher ratio (3.9:1) — among the smallest in NYC private schools
- Quaker (Friends) religious affiliation with peace education and consensus-based community values
- Pre-K through 5th grade combined structure allows older students to mentor younger ones
- Strong emphasis on social-emotional learning and conflict resolution
- Smaller scale creates a village-like feel within a large city
- Student body is 100% white — significant lack of racial diversity
- Tuition for private school is a major investment — factor in the full PK-12 cost trajectory
- Quaker values may feel secular or religious depending on your perspective — the school is Christian-affiliated but worship style is contemplative and low-key
- With only 420 students across all elementary grades, this is a very small community
- Location in Downtown Brooklyn means higher cost of living if you're moving nearby
A Quaker (Friends) school with Christian religious roots, emphasizing peace education, social justice, and community-based learning. The ultra-small class sizes define the daily experience — teachers know every child deeply.
The student body is entirely white (100%), representing zero diversity on the index. This is a significant reality — families considering this school should think about what diversity means to their family and how their child will experience difference.
Located in Downtown Brooklyn near Boerum Hill, the school sits in one of Brooklyn's most densely populated, family-rich neighborhoods. It's an urban environment with easy access to transit, nearby parks, and the cultural offerings of downtown Brooklyn and DUMBO.
The Bergen Street location is highly walkable within the Downtown Brooklyn urban core, with good transit access. Families living in nearby neighborhoods can often walk or take short commutes.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Mixed reviews with generally positive sentiment about dedicated faculty, small class sizes, and academic rigor; some concerns about administration; ratings range from 3.6-5.0 across review sites
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is MARY MCDOWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL-ELEMENT a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for MARY MCDOWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL-ELEMENT yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Downtown Brooklyn-DUMBO-Boerum Hill.
- What grades does MARY MCDOWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL-ELEMENT serve?
- MARY MCDOWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL-ELEMENT serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into MARY MCDOWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL-ELEMENT?
- MARY MCDOWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL-ELEMENT runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is MARY MCDOWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL-ELEMENT public, charter, or private?
- MARY MCDOWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL-ELEMENT is a private school.
- What neighborhood is MARY MCDOWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL-ELEMENT in?
- MARY MCDOWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL-ELEMENT is in Downtown Brooklyn-DUMBO-Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.
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