At a Glance
An Intimate Neighborhood School Where Every Child Is Known by Name
Families in the Grasmere-Arrochar-South Beach-Dongan Hills area of Staten Island seeking an intimate, personalized elementary education. Particularly well-matched for children who thrive in small settings, may need extra attention, or would benefit from close teacher relationships. Also appeals to families prioritizing a nonsectarian education without the structure of a religious curriculum. Not ideal for families seeking diversity, robust extracurriculars, or those not on Staten Island.
- Remarkably small scale — only 34 students across all grades means genuine individualized attention
- 6.8:1 student-teacher ratio is far below city averages and typical private school sizes
- Nonsectarian status means no religious instruction requirements
- Pre-K through 5th grade in one tight-knit community
- Teachers likely know every student and family by name
- Very small enrollment means limited social options for children — this works beautifully for some kids, others may crave more peers
- Less diverse than most private schools — important to consider if exposure to diverse backgrounds matters to your family
- Staten Island location limits accessibility if you live elsewhere — this is really a neighborhood school
- Limited extracurricular options due to small size — don't expect extensive athletics or arts programs
- Tuition will be a significant investment for such a small program
A nonsectarian private elementary that was historically Catholic (the name gives it away) but now operates independently. With only 34 students total across six grade levels, this is essentially a family-style school where teachers know every child's strengths, struggles, and personality.
The student body is predominantly white (82.4%), making this one of the less diverse private school communities in the city. With only 34 students, the social dynamics are more like an extended family than a typical school — some families appreciate this tightness, while others may want their children in a more diverse environment.
Located in the Grasmere-Arrochar-South Beach-Dongan Hills area of Staten Island, this is a residential neighborhood with single-family homes and tree-lined streets. It's a convenient location for families already living on the South Shore of Staten Island, but commuting from other boroughs would be a significant undertaking.
This is a car-dependent neighborhood. Families living in this part of Staten Island will find it accessible, but parents expecting a walkable urban experience will need to adjust expectations.
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What Parents Are Saying
No parent reviews available
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is MOTHER FRANCISKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for MOTHER FRANCISKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Grasmere-Arrochar-South Beach-Dongan Hills.
- What grades does MOTHER FRANCISKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL serve?
- MOTHER FRANCISKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into MOTHER FRANCISKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL?
- MOTHER FRANCISKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is MOTHER FRANCISKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- MOTHER FRANCISKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is MOTHER FRANCISKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in?
- MOTHER FRANCISKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is in Grasmere-Arrochar-South Beach-Dongan Hills, Staten Island.
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