Is STERLING SCHOOL a good school?

Published quality ratings aren't available for STERLING SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Downtown Brooklyn-DUMBO-Boerum Hill.

What grades does STERLING SCHOOL serve?

STERLING SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.

How do students get into STERLING SCHOOL?

STERLING SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.

Is STERLING SCHOOL public, charter, or private?

STERLING SCHOOL is a private school.

What neighborhood is STERLING SCHOOL in?

STERLING SCHOOL is in Downtown Brooklyn-DUMBO-Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.

STERLING SCHOOL

At a Glance

A Tiny, Intimate Nonsectarian Elementary in the Heart of Brooklyn

Best suited for

Families who prioritize intimate classroom settings and individualized attention over scale and name recognition. This is a good fit for parents who want their child known as an individual rather than a number, who value a diverse community, and who are comfortable with a very small school. It's particularly appealing for families already living in or near Downtown Brooklyn, Boerum Hill, or DUMBO who want a neighborhood-scale private education rather than a large institutional program.

What stands out

Tiny scale — only 46 students in grades PK-5 creates an intimate, family-like environment
Exceptional student-teacher ratio of 2.7:1 — each child gets significantly more individual attention
Nonsectarian and coed — secular education open to all
Very high diversity index (0.832) for a small private elementary
Located in a desirable Brooklyn neighborhood with strong family infrastructure

Things to consider

Very small community — some families may prefer a larger peer group and more social options for their child
Private school tuition applies — exact cost not disclosed but represents significant annual investment
As a small program, the school may have limited extracurricular offerings compared to larger institutions
Tiny enrollment means each grade has very few students, which may or may not suit your child's social needs

IdentityThe School'S Small Scale Allows For A Highly Individualized Approach To Learning. Without The Constraints Of Large Class Sizes, Teachers Can Tailor Instruction To Each Student'S Pace And Learning Style. The Nonsectarian, Coed Environment Means There'S No Religious Instruction — It'S A Secular Education Focused On Academics And Social-Emotional Development In A Intimate Setting.

Sterling School is a tiny nonsectarian private elementary that emphasizes personal attention and close relationships. With fewer than 50 students total, this is less a school and more like an extended family — the kind of place where teachers genuinely see each child as an individual.

CommunityVery High — The Diversity Index Of 0.832 Reflects A Student Body With Substantial Representation Across Racial And Ethnic Groups, Which Is Relatively Uncommon Among Small Private Elementary Schools.

With just 46 students across all grades, the community is extremely tight-knit. Families here tend to value intimate classroom settings and active parent involvement. The student body is notably diverse — 28% Black, 24% Hispanic, 39% White, with a diversity index of 0.83, making it one of the more diverse elementary school communities in Brooklyn's private school landscape.

NeighborhoodDowntown Brooklyn-DUMBO-Boerum Hill

The school sits in a dynamic part of Brooklyn where old brownstone neighborhoods meet new developments. Boerum Hill provides a residential feel with tree-lined streets, while DUMBO and Downtown Brooklyn offer cultural institutions, transit hubs, and growing family amenities. This is a neighborhood that has attracted young families for years, with good access to parks and Brooklyn Heights Promenade nearby.

Highly walkable — families can easily reach the school on foot from surrounding neighborhoods, and multiple subway lines make commuting from other parts of the city feasible, though the tiny enrollment means most families live within walking distance.

Notable Programs

Orton-Gillingham reading instruction1:1 or 1:2 reading sessionsSpeech and language therapyOccupational therapyCounseling services

What Parents Are Saying

Extremely positive - parents describe life-changing transformations, teachers who deeply understand dyslexic learners, small class sizes, and grateful for Ruth Arberman and staff going above and beyond. Multiple reviews on GreatSchools and Trulia praise the school's impact on reading ability and confidence.

Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Is STERLING SCHOOL a good school?: Published quality ratings aren't available for STERLING SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Downtown Brooklyn-DUMBO-Boerum Hill.
What grades does STERLING SCHOOL serve?: STERLING SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.
How do students get into STERLING SCHOOL?: STERLING SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
Is STERLING SCHOOL public, charter, or private?: STERLING SCHOOL is a private school.
What neighborhood is STERLING SCHOOL in?: STERLING SCHOOL is in Downtown Brooklyn-DUMBO-Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.

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