ST MARGARET OF CORTONA SCHOOL

Catholic or Catholic-curious families in or near Riverdale looking for an affordable, faith-centered PK-5 with real demographic diversity and learning support — and who can handle a car commute.

• One of the more affordable Catholic elementary options in NYC, with tuition holding around $7,150–$7,250 — meaningfully below most independent schools and many parish-school peers.
• A genuinely diverse student body by Catholic-school standards, blending White, Hispanic, Black, and multiracial families in roughly balanced proportions.
• Structured learning support that includes ADD/ADHD and broader learning-difference programs, alongside an after-school program that extends the school day.
• Extracurriculars beyond religion and academics — CYO basketball and a school band — give kids something more rounded after Mass and recess.
• Accredited through the Middle States Association, a baseline credential many parents look for but not every parish school carries.

• The 22.2:1 student-teacher ratio is on the high side for a Catholic elementary; class sizes are likely larger than at peer schools that market tighter ratios.
• With no subway within a 20-minute walk, commuting without a car is a real logistical hurdle — worth pressure-testing before enrolling.
• Parent reviews are mixed: many praise attentive teachers and a caring environment, but concerns about principal responsiveness and community climate have surfaced, so a campus visit and direct conversations are worth the time.
• The school caps at grade 5, so families will need a separate middle-school plan in three to six years.
• Only 9 FTE teachers serve 200 students, reflecting the school's modest scale — fewer specialists and elective options than larger elementary programs.