At a Glance
An Episcopal 'Hidden Gem' Where Academic Rigor Meets Spiritual Grounding
Families seeking a small, academically rigorous elementary school with strong language offerings and a values-based education that integrates spiritual grounding. Ideal for parents who want their child to be known and nurtured as an individual, and who value an inclusive community. Particularly well-suited for families already in or willing to commute to the Morningside Heights/Upper West Side area who want a private school without the most elite price tag.
- Three world languages offered: French, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish — unusually strong language exposure for an elementary school
- NYC as Our Classroom program that uses the city itself as a learning laboratory
- Episcopal spiritual grounding combined with academic rigor — a balance not easy to find in Manhattan
- Small scale means teachers truly know each student
- Strong arts program integrated into the curriculum
- Athletics available for young learners
- Tuition of $49,080–$69,860 is a significant investment — families should weigh the total cost over multiple years
- Preschool through 5th grade only — families will need to plan for a middle school transition
- Rolling admissions means competitive seats may fill early — applying sooner rather than later is wise
- While the school is small and nurturing, it may not offer the same range of extracurriculars as larger schools
- As an Episcopal school, religious education is part of the curriculum — families should be comfortable with this element
A small Episcopal school (preschool through 5th grade) that combines rigorous academics with a commitment to nurturing the whole person. With a student-teacher ratio that allows for personal attention, this is a school where faculty know each child by name and genuinely invest in their growth.
Parents describe a tight-knit, inclusive community where families feel welcomed and teachers are deeply invested. The school's commitment to 'unity in diversity' is reflected in its student body and families. With 44 parent reviews earning a 4.8/5 star rating on Niche, the sense of community is a major draw.
Morningside Heights is a vibrant, academic neighborhood home to Columbia University and several cultural institutions. It offers a family-friendly atmosphere with good density for families (77/100) and access to parks and cultural resources. The area has a college-town feel with urban conveniences.
Located in upper Manhattan, the neighborhood is walkable and well-served by public transit, though commutes will vary depending on where in the city your family lives.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Parents praise rigorous academics, traditional curriculum, nurturing faculty, and inclusive community. Reviews describe it as a 'hidden gem' with incredible teachers and a warm atmosphere. Niche rating A+ with 4.8/5 stars from 44 reviews.
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is ST HILDA'S & ST HUGH'S SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for ST HILDA'S & ST HUGH'S SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Morningside Heights.
- What grades does ST HILDA'S & ST HUGH'S SCHOOL serve?
- ST HILDA'S & ST HUGH'S SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into ST HILDA'S & ST HUGH'S SCHOOL?
- ST HILDA'S & ST HUGH'S SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is ST HILDA'S & ST HUGH'S SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- ST HILDA'S & ST HUGH'S SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is ST HILDA'S & ST HUGH'S SCHOOL in?
- ST HILDA'S & ST HUGH'S SCHOOL is in Morningside Heights, Manhattan.
Get the complete picture
Motley pulls together data from across New York City so you don’t have to. One free account, every school.
No credit card required
Get all this when you sign in
Survey data, program listings, admissions stats, and the full editorial profile — free, no credit card.
Full School Profile
Skip the tour guessing game. Get the standout features, honest trade-offs, and whether your kid will actually thrive here — before you visit.
Survey Results
See what 2,600+ schools’ own families and teachers really think — trust, safety, instruction quality — so you walk in with the truth, not the brochure.
Programs & Activities
Stop Googling program lists. AP courses, STEM labs, dual-language tracks, sports teams, arts — all categorized so you can compare schools in minutes.
Admissions Demand
Know your odds before you apply. Apps-per-seat ratios, offer rates, and fill data — so you don’t waste your top choice on a long shot.
Economic Need & Special Populations
Find out if the support your child needs is actually there — IEP enrollment, economic need index, and the demographics no other site surfaces.
Discipline
One bad year doesn’t tell you much. Three years of state-verified suspension data shows whether things are getting better or worse.