The Asian Society's Family Day helps usher in the Year of the Snake on Saturday. Photo by Ellen Wallop/Asia Society
Lunar New Year Celebrations and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids
Galactic snow tubing at Camelback offers an LED light show come nightfall.
Best Snow Tubing near NYC for Families
Bryant Park's Bumper Cars are a mainstay of late-winter fun in the park. Photo by Janet Bloom
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 49 Best Things To Do with Kids in NYC
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Visit our NYC experience for a surprise photo moment with iconic WICKED displays
Don't Miss CAMPTOPIA, Our Amazing Indoor Festival with Camps
Central Park has some great hills for a fast ride. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Sledding Hills in NYC
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
27 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Peppa Pig is coming to Legoland New York with an all-new playground opening in 2025. Photo courtesy of Legoland New York
17 Awesome Family-Friendly Destinations that Opened in 2024, Plus What's Coming in 2025
Museo del Barrio's The Three Kings Day Parade takes over the streets of East Harlem Photo by Mommy Poppins
18 Best Things To Do in NYC January 2025 with Kids
The 2024-2025 NYC public school calendar is out, and students return to school on Thursday, September 5.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2024-2025
Join Manhattan Country School for its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative March. Photo courtesy of the school
35 Free and Fun Things To Do in NYC in January with Kids
Winter fun for kids in New York City: Building a snowman is just the start of fun things to do with kids in NYC during winter
GUIDE
NYC Winter Vacation Guide: Best Getaways and Activities for Families
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
Hell's Kitchen is a cool coming-of-age piece loosely based on Alicia Keys' life story. Photo by Marc J. Franklin
Best New Broadway Shows This Season Plus Can't-Miss Classics for Families
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
Twinkle Playspace in Williamsburg offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
24 Top Indoor Play Spaces in New York City
The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and Fun Zones in NYC
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
100 Things To Do in NYC With Kids Before They Grow Up
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
100 Things To Do in New York State with Kids Before They Grow Up
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Boredom Busters for Kids

Best Montessori Preschools in New York City

Battery Park Montessori's authentic trilingual Montessori approach provides an immersive language experience. Photo courtesy of the school
Battery Park Montessori's authentic trilingual Montessori approach provides an immersive language experience. Photo courtesy of the school
4/25/23 - By Maureen Wilkey

Picking out a preschool in NYC is no simple feat. From dual-language and immersion programs to outdoor and nature-themed classes, there are so many options and, as always, so little time. But, if you're considering sending your child to a Montessori school, we've got the details on some of the top Montessori preschools in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.

For the uninitiated, Montessori is an educational philosophy developed more than a century ago that encourages kids to be independent and learn at their own pace. Typically students are grouped by ability rather than age, classrooms are outfitted with specific learning materials, and specially trained teachers act as observers and facilitators. Read on to see what makes these 12 Montessori preschools in NYC extra special, and you just might find the perfect fit for your little one.

Find more options in our Preschool Guide and Directory, where you can search for NYC preschools by program type, philosophy, or neighborhood.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Battery Park Montessori students discover and interact with materials designed to encourage understanding and mastery. Photo courtesy of Battery Park Montessori
Battery Park Montessori students discover and interact with materials designed to encourage understanding and mastery. Photo courtesy of Battery Park Montessori

Best Montessori Preschools in Manhattan

The Family Schools

Midtown East and Midtown West
The Family Schools provide an advanced, individualized academic curriculum in a highly relaxed and peaceful Montessori setting. Children from 18 months through 12 years old are introduced to a wide variety of subjects, foreign languages, and specials in a diverse, exciting, hands-on environment. TFS children develop a tremendous amount of independence, critical-thinking skills, creativity, and confidence as they discover their passions, consider those around them, and gain a strong sense of self-efficacy. READ MORE

Battery Park Montessori

Battery Park
Battery Park Montessori is a trilingual Montessori school, providing exposure to Spanish and Mandarin for children from 1 year old through kindergarteners. It incorporates hands-on, age-appropriate STEM instruction and computer coding. The school's Montessori-trained teachers ensure the social, emotional, cognitive, academic, and physical needs of each child are met while nurturing independence, natural curiosity, and problem-solving skills. Battery Park Montessori offers rolling admissions.  READ MORE

The Montessori Schools

Flatiron District and Soho
The Montessori Schools provide an engaging early-childhood education program in Lower Manhattan built upon the classical methods of Maria Montessori. The schools put children on a path that embraces creativity, builds self-awareness, and helps them develop the academic skills, physical tools, and personal confidence necessary for lifelong success. Students work independently, as well as in mixed-age groups, to cultivate self-esteem, self-discipline, time-management skills, and problem-solving abilities.  READ MORE

Resurrection Episcopal Day School

Uptown and Lenox Hill
Facilities at Resurrection Episcopal Day School include a library, an auditorium/gymnasium, a garden, and an outdoor playground. The school follows the Montessori method, and classrooms typically feature a 3-year age span, from 2.9 to 5 years old. The school features five spacious classrooms—each described as a "casa," to promote a feeling of home. READ MORE

Twin Parks Montessori Schools

Upper West Side
Twin Parks Montessori has a trio of campuses on the Upper West Side: Central Park Montessori, Park West Montessori, and Riverside Montessori. Programs are offered for infants, toddlers, and early-childhood students, from ages 3 months to 6 years old. At Twin Parks, each child is nurtured, valued, and respected. The school partners with families to ensure children receive the very best education and care in a stimulating and creative atmosphere. The teachers help the development of the children physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially.  READ MORE

Washington Market School

Tribeca
Washington Market School's pair of campuses feature bright and open spaces, designed by architects with young children in mind. There are music lofts, art studios, libraries, gyms, as well as observation points, where parents and caregivers can watch their little ones work. The school's unique approach to early-childhood education blends the Montessori and Reggio-Emilia philosophies to create independent learners who are both creative and collaborative.  READ MORE

West Side Montessori School

Upper West Side
Housed in a large double-brownstone, West Side Montessori School has eight large classrooms, a full-size gym, an outdoor rooftop play space, a library stocked with children's books, and a full-service professional chef's kitchen. In addition, one classroom is home to the school's teacher education program which offers a master’s program in early-childhood education. Its multi-age program allows parents to choose from five-day-a-week morning, afternoon, full-day, or extended-day programs. Its Twos Program offers half- and extended-day options.  READ MORE
Williamsburg Montessori School fosters natural curiosity and the joy of discovery. Photo courtesy of the school
Williamsburg Montessori School fosters natural curiosity and the joy of discovery. Photo courtesy of the school

Top Montessori Preschools in Brooklyn

Montessori Day School of Brooklyn

Prospect Heights
The Montessori Day School of Brooklyn serves children ages 2 through 5 years, divided into toddler and primary mixed-age classes. Using Montessori principles, the teachers create an environment that is both nurturing and educationally stimulating. In addition to the Montessori-focused curriculum, the school offers preschoolers an array of enrichment activities, including movement, gardening, zoology classes, and more.  READ MORE

Williamsburg Montessori School

Williamsburg
The Williamsburg Montessori School is a traditional Montessori infant/toddler preschool, kindergarten, and lower elementary school in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The program serves ages 3 months to 12 years and provides Spanish immersion and dual-language classes. Kids learn in a safe, peaceful, thoughtfully prepared, and intellectually engaging environment, designed to foster natural curiosity and joy of discovery. READ MORE
Teamwork and friendship are core values at Les Enfants Montessori School. Photo courtesy of the school
Teamwork and friendship are core values at Les Enfants Montessori School. Photo courtesy of the school

Best Montessori Preschools in Queens

Forest Hills Montessori School

Forest Hills
The Forest Hills Montessori School provides children with a rigorous, classical Montessori education with a low student-teacher ratio and a family-oriented environment. Students ages 3-12 are welcomed into the Forest Hills Montessori School family, where they enjoy daily outdoor recess, and the independence learned at school is strongly encouraged at home. Parents can choose from morning, afternoon, or full-day sessions, and before- and after-school care programs run by teachers are available. READ MORE

Les Enfants School

Astoria
Since its creation in 1980, Les Enfants has expanded from two rooms to a 16,000-square-foot building with 10 spacious classrooms, an auditorium and lunchroom, a gymnasium, a kitchen, and two outdoor playgrounds, including one with a multi-sprinkler water park. Full- and half-day programs, after-school care, and transportation are available.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article: