Manhattan Country School

MCS is a real unicorn of a school - TRULY diverse, TRULY committed to social justice, TRULY committed to the social/emotional wellness of their students. My kid has attended since 6/7s and is graduating this year. The school offered sliding scale tuition based on your income which makes it not only more accessible to a wider range of families (mine included!), it also serves as a self-sorting mechanism. You will find your people here and so will your kid. There is a refreshing lack of ego amongst the parent body - if you're here it's because you care about the principles of the school and are invested in your child learning how to learn, how to problem-solve, how to be creative and how to be a kind, support member of a community. We will miss MCS very much.

MCS is a true gem in NYC, particularly for families of color. The combination of racial literacy, high academic standards, and a vibrant family community makes it an exceptionally special place. For our Black family, the school offers a genuinely safe environment, which is a rarity among NYC private schools. We have been pleased to find a significant presence of Black and brown kids in every class. The parent community is equally dynamic and diverse, which has had a tremendously positive impact on us. Our decision to enroll our children in this elementary school has exceeded our expectations and greatly contributed to our family's happiness.

I have two kids at Manhattan Country School and am very happy with the school. The teachers are wonderful, the administration is available and responsive, and both of my kids love going to school every day. I appreciate their commitment to progressive education and values of activism, social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the farm program. The school seems to "walk the walk" regarding these values, with a sliding-scale tuition structure that allows for a truly diverse community, and a palpable sense of warmth and inclusiveness. The school has a farm in the Catskills where students begin to visit in their 7-8s (2nd grade) year as part of their curriculum, with visits increasing in frequency and duration each year. At the Farm, kids learn to tend the gardens and animals, cook together, work in the textile workshop, and solidify their sense of being an interdependent community. The parent community is very active.