The Best Private Schools in Glen Oaks, New York
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Glen Oaks. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Mary Louis Academy
Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Brooklyn
The Mary Louis Academy is a prestigious Catholic college-preparatory high school for young women located in nearby Jamaica Estates. With an 85-year legacy of academic excellence, TMLA offers a rigorous curriculum featuring 20+ Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive fine arts offerings. The school boasts a 100% college acceptance rate and maintains small class sizes with dedicated faculty. Facilities include modern science laboratories, technology-integrated classrooms, performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities. The school serves students from throughout Queens, including Glen Oaks, and is known for its strong community values and leadership development programs.
Programs:
Holy Child Academy
Society of the Holy Child Jesus
Holy Child Academy is an independent Catholic school serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade, located approximately 15 minutes from Glen Oaks in Old Westbury. Founded by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, the school provides a challenging academic program within a nurturing environment. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, character development, and faith formation. Facilities include state-of-the-art classrooms, science labs, art studios, and athletic fields. The school offers comprehensive enrichment programs in technology, music, art, and foreign languages. Holy Child Academy maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1 and has a strong track record of preparing students for top-tier high schools.
Programs:
The Kew-Forest School
Independent School
The Kew-Forest School is one of Queens' oldest independent schools, offering Junior Kindergarten through 12th grade education. Located in Forest Hills, approximately 20 minutes from Glen Oaks, the school provides a comprehensive college preparatory program with both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate options. The school features small class sizes, individualized attention, and a diverse student body. Facilities include modern science laboratories, technology centers, art studios, and athletic spaces. Kew-Forest emphasizes global citizenship and offers extensive extracurricular activities including robotics, debate, and competitive sports. The school has a strong college placement record and serves families from throughout Queens and neighboring communities.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Glen Oaks, New York
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Glen Oaks, New York?
Glen Oaks, Queens, is situated in a region with several well-regarded private schools, though many of the most prominent are in neighboring communities. Top options frequently considered by Glen Oaks families include The Mary Louis Academy (an all-girls Catholic high school in Jamaica Estates), Holy Child Academy (a private Catholic elementary school in nearby Old Westbury, serving Pre-K through 8th grade), and The Kew-Forest School (a co-educational, independent Pre-K through 12 school in Forest Hills). Due to Glen Oaks' location near the Nassau County border, parents also often explore private schools in adjacent Long Island towns. Transportation logistics are a key consideration when evaluating these schools from Glen Oaks.
How does the tuition for private schools near Glen Oaks, NY, compare to the broader New York City metro area, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition for private schools in the communities surrounding Glen Oaks varies significantly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges of approximately $10,000-$20,000 for elementary schools like Holy Child Academy and $40,000-$50,000 for independent college-preparatory schools like The Kew-Forest School. These figures are generally on par with or slightly below the peak tuitions found in Manhattan's most exclusive private schools. Importantly, most of these institutions offer robust financial aid and scholarship programs based on demonstrated need. New York State also has programs like the STEM Scholarship for private school students, and many schools participate in need-based grant organizations. It is essential to apply for financial aid concurrently with admissions applications.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible from Glen Oaks, Queens?
Schools in this corridor offer distinctive programs leveraging their locations and missions. The Mary Louis Academy, for instance, has a renowned STEM-focused "Academy of Science" and strong visual/performing arts programs. The Kew-Forest School emphasizes global citizenship with advanced language offerings and international travel opportunities. Holy Child Academy follows the philosophy of its founder, Cornelia Connelly, focusing on the education of the whole child with a strong service-learning component. Given the proximity to New York City's cultural and scientific institutions, many of these schools facilitate regular field trips and partnerships that are a significant advantage for Glen Oaks students.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving the Glen Oaks, NY area?
The admissions process for schools like The Kew-Forest School, Holy Child Academy, and The Mary Louis Academy is highly structured and begins well in advance. For entry in Fall 2025, the process typically starts in September 2024 with open houses and tours. Application deadlines are often in December or January, with entrance exams (like the HSPT for Catholic high schools) and student interviews scheduled for January. Admission decisions are released in February or March. It is crucial for Glen Oaks parents to plan early, as some schools have limited seats and sibling/legacy preferences. We recommend contacting admissions offices the spring before you intend to apply to get on their mailing lists.
For a family in Glen Oaks, what are the key considerations when comparing local public school options (like PS 115 or MS 172) to nearby private schools?
The decision often hinges on several local factors. Glen Oaks is zoned for NYC District 26, which is consistently one of the highest-performing public school districts in the city. PS 115 and MS 172 are highly rated, offering a strong, tuition-free education. Choosing a private school, therefore, typically involves seeking a specific religious foundation (as with Holy Child Academy), a single-gender environment (The Mary Louis Academy), a smaller student-teacher ratio, or a particular pedagogical approach. The trade-off is the significant financial investment and potentially longer commutes. Many Glen Oaks families view private schools as an alternative to the competitive entrance process for NYC's specialized public high schools, offering a continuous, curated college-preparatory track from elementary through 12th grade.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top-Rated Private Montessori Schools in Glen Oaks, NY
For parents in Glen Oaks, New York, beginning the search for a private school that aligns with your child’s unique learning style can feel both exciting and overwhelming. You might find yourself typing “private montessori schools near me” into your search engine, hoping to find an educational environment that fosters independence, hands-on learning, and respect for a child’s natural development. While Glen Oaks itself is a wonderful residential community, the specific search for a dedicated Montessori program often leads families to explore the broader Queens and Nassau County landscape. This doesn’t mean a compromise on convenience or community; it simply means understanding the local educational map to find the perfect fit for your family.
The private school landscape in our immediate area, including esteemed institutions like The Mary Louis Academy, Holy Child Academy, and The Kew-Forest School, offers outstanding traditional and faith-based education. These schools provide rigorous academic foundations and strong community values. However, if the Montessori philosophy—with its child-led classrooms, mixed-age groupings, and specially designed materials—resonates with you, your search will likely extend just a short drive from Glen Oaks. The beauty of our location is its connectivity. Within a 20 to 30-minute radius, you have access to several highly-regarded private Montessori schools in neighboring towns like Bayside, Douglaston, Great Neck, and into Nassau County. This makes a Montessori education a very viable and realistic option for Glen Oaks families committed to this pedagogical approach.
When researching these schools, it’s crucial to look beyond the Montessori name and investigate each school’s specific accreditation. Seek out those affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS) or the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), as this ensures adherence to authentic Montessori standards. Scheduling in-person tours is the most valuable step. Observe the classrooms. Is there a calm, purposeful hum of activity? Are children engaged with materials, working individually or in small groups? This on-the-ground research is far more telling than any website. Also, consider the practicalities of the commute from Glen Oaks. Factor in traffic patterns on Grand Central Parkway or Cross Island Parkway during drop-off and pick-up times. Many of these schools have carpool networks with families from our area, which can be a fantastic way to build community and share the logistical load.
Ultimately, finding the right private Montessori school is about matching a philosophy with your child’s personality and your family’s values. While you may not find one within Glen Oaks' exact borders, the concentration of excellent options in our greater region is a significant advantage. By broadening your “near me” search to encompass Northeast Queens and Western Nassau, you open the door to exceptional educational environments. The journey requires a bit of exploration, but for many Glen Oaks parents, discovering a school where their child can truly flourish as an independent, confident learner is well worth the effort. Start with those accredited schools, plan your visits, and trust your observations of where your child seems most naturally engaged and at peace.
Nearby Cities
Explore private schools in nearby cities