At a Glance
A Small Catholic Elementary School Rooted in Chinatown's Heart
Families seeking a small, intimate Catholic elementary school in a culturally rich neighborhood; parents who value close teacher-student relationships and are comfortable with a less diverse student body. Particularly well-suited for families already rooted in or near Chinatown who want their children to be part of a community-oriented school with strong neighborhood ties.
- Exceptional small-school feel with 167 students total and a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio
- Roman Catholic identity with integrated faith-based curriculum
- Located in historic Chinatown with deep cultural roots
- Excellent transit access — highly connected to subway lines
- Pre-K through 5th grade in one building
- Very low diversity — the student body is 91.6% Asian, which may or may not align with your family's priorities for exposure to diverse perspectives
- Low safety score (22/100) for the neighborhood — worth visiting at various times to assess comfort
- Religious affiliation means some level of Catholic instruction is part of the curriculum
- Small enrollment means limited extracurricular options compared to larger schools
- Tuition costs for private school — verify current rates with the school
Transfiguration is a Roman Catholic elementary school that blends faith-based education with academic rigor in a remarkably small setting. The 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio means your child won't get lost in the crowd — teachers can genuinely personalize attention.
The student body is predominantly Asian (91.6%), reflecting the surrounding neighborhood's demographics. This is a tight-knit community where cultural continuity is strong — many families have roots in the neighborhood spanning generations.
Chinatown-Two Bridges is one of NYC's most distinctive neighborhoods — dense, walkable, and rich with Asian culture, restaurants, and markets. The area has excellent subway access (88/100 transit score), making commutes manageable from across the city. However, the safety score of 22/100 is notably low, which parents should consider when evaluating the location.
This neighborhood is extremely walkable — Mott Street itself is a pedestrian-heavy commercial corridor. However, the low safety score reflects real concerns about crime in the area that parents should discuss with the school and experience firsthand during different times of day.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Generally positive - parents praise rigorous academics, welcoming community, and strong preparation for high school; some concerns about strict teachers and stress levels; multiple reviews highlight active parent community and quality early childhood program
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Chinatown-Two Bridges.
- What grades does TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL serve?
- TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL?
- TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL in?
- TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL is in Chinatown-Two Bridges, Manhattan.
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