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Private schoolP
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ST PETER CATHOLIC ACADEMY

8401 23 AVENUE

At a Glance

A Catholic Elementary School Where Faith Meets Academic Rigor in South Brooklyn

Best suited for

Families seeking an affordable Catholic elementary education in southwest Brooklyn who value faith-based values, want a structured academic environment, and are comfortable with a school where parent feedback suggests inconsistent communication and some behavioral challenges. Particularly well-suited for families already embedded in the Gravesend neighborhood or Catholic community.

What stands out
  • Diocese of Brooklyn affiliation with NCEA accreditation — a recognized Catholic school credential
  • Pre-K for All and 3-K programs making early childhood education more affordable
  • Tuition ranges from around $6,000 to $16,000 depending on grade — among the more affordable Brooklyn private options
  • Artists in Residency and Drama Club indicate some enrichment beyond basics
  • A.S.K. program (Always Seeking Knowledge) suggests emphasis on curiosity and continued learning
Things to consider
  • Parent reviews are genuinely mixed — some love it, others have concerns about behavior and staff communication
  • As a Catholic school, it requires families to be comfortable with religious instruction and values
  • No mention of special education services or extensive learning support
  • Smaller scale than larger private schools — fewer extracurricular options
  • 5th grade is the terminal grade — families need a middle school plan
IdentityThe School'S Identity Is Explicitly Catholic — Faith And Christian Values Aren'T Just Add-Ons But Woven Into Daily Life. Academic Excellence Is A Stated Priority, Alongside Social-Emotional Development. The Language About "God-Given Talents" Signals A Belief That Each Child Has Intrinsic Worth Rooted In Catholic Teaching. This Is A School That Expects Parents To Be Involved Partners In Their Children'S Education.

This is a traditional Catholic elementary school — not a progressive or secular private school. The philosophy centers on Christ-centered values, academic excellence, and recognizing each child's individual gifts. You'll find structured curriculum, expectations for behavior aligned with Catholic teaching, and an emphasis on partnership between teachers and parents.

CommunityDiverse

Parent reviews reveal a divide — some families describe a challenging academic environment with caring teachers and a positive community feel, while others flag behavioral management and communication concerns. As a neighborhood Catholic academy, the community tends to skew local — families from the surrounding Gravesend area.

NeighborhoodGravesend (West)

Gravesend is a residential, family-dense neighborhood in southwest Brooklyn — the kind of place where you see kids playing on sidewalks and families walking to local shops. It's not trendy or urban-gentrifying; it's working-class to middle-class, with a strong sense of community. The school sits on 23rd Avenue, which is a commercial strip.

Very walkable — Gravesend is a neighborhood where many families can walk to school. The area has good public transit connections via the B1 bus and the D/N trains at the 86th Street station a few blocks away. Parking can be challenging during school pickup times.

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

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.
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