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ST PETER CATHOLIC ACADEMY

8401 23 AVENUE

At a Glance

A faith-centered Brooklyn Catholic school where parish partnership and individual recognition drive the mission

Best suited for

Brooklyn Catholic families — especially those connected to a local parish — who want a faith-centered elementary education with real academic expectations, an early-start Pre-K option, and a community feel that comes from being a parish academy rather than a large independent school.

What stands out

  • Tuition range that starts in the low $6,000s — meaningfully more accessible than many private Catholic academies in the city
  • Inclusion of 3-K and Pre-K for All, making it an option for families looking to start the Catholic school journey early
  • An Artists in Residency program, which is less common at parish schools and signals a real investment in arts exposure
  • Smaller parish-school scale, where the school describes a close teacher-family partnership

Things to consider

  • The wide tuition spread ($6,063 to $16,372) means actual cost depends heavily on parish status, sacramental participation, or financial aid eligibility — ask the school exactly how they place a family on that range
  • Mixed parent reviews are worth probing: ask current families and the administration directly about classroom behavior policies and how concerns are handled
  • The school goes through 5th grade only, so families will face another transition at middle school
  • As a Diocese of Brooklyn school, it follows diocesan curriculum and calendar norms rather than the progressive or alternative-education philosophies some private families are shopping for

Identity

The School Frames Education As A Three-Way Partnership Among Faith, Family, And Faculty. Catholic Teaching And Christ-Centered Values Are The Explicit Foundation, With Academic Excellence And Emotional Development Treated As Equally Important. There Is A Stated Commitment To Seeing Each Child As Individually Gifted, Which Tends To Translate Into Smaller, More Personal Classroom Relationships Than Parents Might Find At Larger Institutions.

A parish-affiliated Catholic academy rooted in Brooklyn Diocese tradition, serving the earliest years of formal schooling through 5th grade.

Community

The Neighborhood Context (Gravesend West) Suggests A Culturally Varied Community. The School Does Not Publish Demographic Breakdowns, And Catholic Academies In This Part Of Brooklyn Typically Reflect A Mix Of Families Drawn By Parish Ties, Faith Alignment, And Proximity Rather Than A Single Cultural Profile.

As a parish school rather than an independent secular institution, the community tends to draw from local Catholic families and others who want a faith-based elementary education. Parent reviews are split: many families speak warmly about challenging academics, a nurturing environment, and teachers who know their children well. Others have raised concerns about behavioral issues among students and what they describe as uneven staff responsiveness. This mixed picture is worth taking seriously — the positive themes are consistent, but the criticisms are specific enough that prospective families should ask direct questions about classroom management and communication during a visit.

Neighborhood

Gravesend (West)

Gravesend (West) is a working- and middle-class section of southern Brooklyn with a median household income around $72,000 and a college-degree rate of roughly 31%. The school sits on 23rd Avenue in a residential stretch that feels distinctly local rather than touristy, with the D line providing a straightforward commute into other parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Public transit is genuinely convenient here. The D train at Bay Pkwy is about a 4-minute walk, with 25 Av about 7 minutes and 20 Av around 10 minutes on foot. For families commuting from Bay Ridge, Coney Island, Borough Park, or anywhere along the D line, the trip is simple. Driving families should expect typical Brooklyn street parking rather than a dedicated lot.

Notable Programs

3-K and Pre-K for AllDrama ClubYearbook ClubA.S.K. (Always Seeking Knowledge)Artists in Residency

What Parents Are Saying

Mixed reviews - some parents praise challenging academics, wonderful environment, and caring teachers; others mention behavioral issues and concerns about staff responsiveness

Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is ST PETER CATHOLIC ACADEMY a good school?
Published quality ratings aren't available for ST PETER CATHOLIC ACADEMY yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Gravesend (West).
What grades does ST PETER CATHOLIC ACADEMY serve?
ST PETER CATHOLIC ACADEMY serves grades Pre-K to 5.
How do students get into ST PETER CATHOLIC ACADEMY?
ST PETER CATHOLIC ACADEMY runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
Is ST PETER CATHOLIC ACADEMY public, charter, or private?
ST PETER CATHOLIC ACADEMY is a private school.
What neighborhood is ST PETER CATHOLIC ACADEMY in?
ST PETER CATHOLIC ACADEMY is in Gravesend (West), Brooklyn.