At a Glance
A Tiny, Intimate Learning Community on the Upper West Side
Best suited for
Families seeking an intimate, highly personalized education for their young children (pre-k through 5th grade) in a Manhattan neighborhood. Ideal for parents who value extremely small class sizes and close teacher-child relationships over athletic programs or a large student body. Works well for families who live in or near the Upper West Side and want their children in a neighborhood school with a progressive, nonsectarian philosophy.
What stands out
- Tiny enrollment of just 77 students — this is an intimate, family-like environment
- 5.6:1 student-teacher ratio — exceptional individual attention
- Serves pre-k through 5th grade — families can keep younger children in one school community
- Nonsectarian — no religious affiliation, open to all families
- Upper West Side location in Manhattan's most family-dense neighborhood
- Nearly 20% multiracial student population — reflects modern family diversity
Things to consider
- Very small school — limited sports teams, extracurricular options, and social breadth
- At 77 total students, the grade cohorts are tiny — may feel too small for some children
- Private school tuition in Manhattan is a significant financial commitment
- No religious affiliation for families seeking faith-based education
- As a combined (elementary) school, there's no middle or high school pathway
Identity
A nonsectarian progressive school with a 5.6:1 student-teacher ratio — this is small and personal in a way most schools can't match. With only 77 students across pre-k through 5th grade, teachers genuinely know every child.
Community
The student body is predominantly white (57%) with meaningful multiracial representation (nearly 20%). The diversity index of 0.76 is solid — this isn't an insular bubble. About a quarter of students are students of color, creating a moderately diverse community.
Neighborhood
The Upper West Side-Lincoln Square is one of Manhattan's most family-friendly neighborhoods, with the highest possible family density rating. Tree-lined streets, access to Central Park, and a mix of brownstones and pre-war buildings create a classic Manhattan residential feel.
As a Manhattan neighborhood, this is highly walkable with easy access to transit, but parking and traffic can be challenging for commuters from outside the immediate area.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Parents report transformative experiences with significant progress in speech, reading, and confidence; teachers and therapists described as dedicated, kind, and patient; strong communication and community involvement; substantial arts and movement programs that help develop social skills
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is PARKSIDE SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for PARKSIDE SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Upper West Side-Lincoln Square.
- What grades does PARKSIDE SCHOOL serve?
- PARKSIDE SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into PARKSIDE SCHOOL?
- PARKSIDE SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is PARKSIDE SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- PARKSIDE SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is PARKSIDE SCHOOL in?
- PARKSIDE SCHOOL is in Upper West Side-Lincoln Square, Manhattan.