At a Glance
A boutique all-boys elementary school where character and academics go hand in hand
Families seeking a small, intentional all-boys elementary experience with strong character education and academic rigor. It works well for parents who value the Good Heart philosophy and want a tightly-knit community where their son will be known. Best fit if you're comfortable with the tuition, can commit to the December deadline, and want your son in an environment specifically designed around boys' learning and development — with the understanding that diversity is limited and you'll need a plan for 6th grade onward.
- All-boys environment specifically designed around how young boys learn and develop
- Good Heart Program for character development embedded in daily school life
- Fifth grade Social Justice course — unusual depth for elementary students
- Eighth grade Shakespeare tradition since 1910 (though this school only goes through 5th grade — suggests a connection to a partner school or alumni pipeline)
- Strong public speaking emphasis across all grades
- Small scale (~300 students total) means real community and teacher familiarity with each boy
- Tuition of $66,100 is on the higher end for NYC private elementary schools
- December 1 application deadline means planning ahead — financial aid deadline is February 13
- Some parent reviews mention cliquey dynamics and limited diversity — important to visit and gauge fit
- Only goes through 5th grade — families need a clear plan for secondary school transition
- All-boys environment is a feature if you want it, a limitation if you prefer coed
Non-sectarian all-boys independent school serving pre-K through 5th grade, emphasizing rigorous academics alongside character education rooted in the Good Heart Program and values of citizenship
A tight-knit community of roughly 300 boys across pre-K through 5th grade. Parent reviews are largely enthusiastic, praising dedicated faculty and strong preparation for secondary schools. However, some families note concerns about diversity and a cliquey atmosphere — worth considering if you're looking for a more diverse environment.
Located on East 98th Street in the southern part of East Harlem, this school sits in a neighborhood with a Family Density score of 97/100 — meaning lots of families with kids in the area. The location is convenient to parts of the Upper East Side and well-connected by transit, though the surrounding block has a more mixed character than the typical polished private school corridor.
The area is reasonably walkable with good transit access, though families coming from farther-flung neighborhoods should factor in commute time — this isn't a school where most families live within walking distance.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Generally positive - parents describe it as a magical place with outstanding faculty, rigorous academics, and strong character education. Some concerns noted about diversity and being cliquey. Alumni recall excellent preparation for secondary schools.
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is ST BERNARD'S SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for ST BERNARD'S SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in East Harlem (South).
- What grades does ST BERNARD'S SCHOOL serve?
- ST BERNARD'S SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into ST BERNARD'S SCHOOL?
- ST BERNARD'S SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is ST BERNARD'S SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- ST BERNARD'S SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is ST BERNARD'S SCHOOL in?
- ST BERNARD'S SCHOOL is in East Harlem (South), Manhattan.
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