At a Glance
A Catholic Elementary School in Brooklyn Where Faith Meets Academic Foundation
Families seeking a Catholic elementary education in southern Brooklyn who prioritize faith formation, want a structured academic environment with STEM programming, and are comfortable with a school where parent reviews are mixed but teaching staff receives consistent praise. Best fit for families who value the Catholic mission and want to see the campus firsthand to evaluate the classroom environment.
- Catholic school serving Pre-K through 5th grade — a full elementary continuum in a faith-based setting
- STEM Lab provides hands-on science and technology instruction beyond basic curriculum
- Learning Center offers academic support for students who need extra help
- After School Program and Student Council provide enrichment and leadership opportunities outside the classroom
- Tuition range of $5,900–$16,100 offers entry points at different price tiers (likely reflecting grade-level pricing)
- Mixed parent reviews — some families report issues with classroom behavior management that may affect learning environment
- GreatSchools rating of 3.7/5 is below average for private schools; this warrants a visit to see if it matches your family's experience
- Catholic identity is central — families should be comfortable with religious instruction and values as part of the daily experience
- The $16,100 top-tier tuition is a significant investment; weigh against what comparable schools offer
- Focuses on elementary grades only — families will need to plan for middle school transition after 5th grade
St. Athanasius Catholic Academy is a Pre-K through 5th grade Catholic elementary school in the Mapleton-Midwood section of Brooklyn. The school emphasizes Christian values, academic excellence, and developing students who contribute to a just world. It's accredited through Cognia and offers a structured learning environment rooted in Catholic tradition.
Parent feedback reveals a divide. On PrivateSchoolReview, families rate the school highly (5/5), with effusive praise for the teaching staff and principal Ms. Competello. On GreatSchools, the rating drops to 3.7/5, with recurring comments about classroom behavior management being a pain point. The school's Catholic identity attracts families seeking faith-based education, and the Brooklyn location means a culturally diverse student body.
Mapleton-Midwood (West) is a residential neighborhood in southern Brooklyn, known for its quiet, family-oriented streets and mix of one- and two-family homes. Bay Parkway is a commercial corridor with shops and restaurants. The area has a family density score of 62/100 — solidly family-friendly but not as dense as deeper Brooklyn neighborhoods. It's accessible by car and well-served by public transit.
Bay Parkway is a commercial strip, so errands can be done on foot. However, the broader Mapleton-Midwood area is more car-dependent than neighborhoods like Park Slope or Williamsburg — families typically factor in a drive or longer bus ride for daily pickup.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Mixed reviews - GreatSchools 3.7/5 rating with parents praising excellent teaching staff and principal Ms. Competello, though some express concerns about classroom behavior management; PrivateSchoolReview shows 5/5 rating with highly positive feedback
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is ST ATHANASIUS CATHOLIC ACADEMY a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for ST ATHANASIUS CATHOLIC ACADEMY yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Mapleton-Midwood (West).
- What grades does ST ATHANASIUS CATHOLIC ACADEMY serve?
- ST ATHANASIUS CATHOLIC ACADEMY serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into ST ATHANASIUS CATHOLIC ACADEMY?
- ST ATHANASIUS CATHOLIC ACADEMY runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is ST ATHANASIUS CATHOLIC ACADEMY public, charter, or private?
- ST ATHANASIUS CATHOLIC ACADEMY is a private school.
- What neighborhood is ST ATHANASIUS CATHOLIC ACADEMY in?
- ST ATHANASIUS CATHOLIC ACADEMY is in Mapleton-Midwood (West), Brooklyn.
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