ST EDMUND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Catholic or values-oriented families in southern Brooklyn who want a small, faith-based elementary education with real academic care, without taking on the cost of an independent school.

• Tuition of $5,200 is a standout value for a private Catholic elementary in Brooklyn, reflecting the parish-school model rather than an independent-school price tag.
• A 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio at 172 students means teachers can realistically know every child, not just the ones who raise their hands.
• The Dominican Sisters of Sparkill charism gives the school a specific spiritual identity — service and love of learning — rather than a generic Catholic label.
• Programs like the Robotics Team and Speech and Debate Club are unusual offerings for a small PK-5 school and signal that the school punches above its weight in enrichment.
• The student body is unusually integrated for a parish school, with Black, White, Hispanic, and Asian families well represented in the enrollment.

• The Catholic identity is woven into the mission — families who aren't comfortable with faith formation, prayer, and sacramental preparation should look elsewhere.
• St. Edmund serves only through 5th grade, so families need a clear middle-school plan and will face another transition at age 11.
• At 172 students, the elective and athletics menu is modest — strong on core academics and clubs, thin on the breadth of activities a large school offers.
• The Q-line dependency means families coming from other boroughs or northern Brooklyn should think through the commute realistically, especially in winter.
• Rolling admissions help, but the small size means space can be tight — applying earlier rather than later is wise.