The Best Private Schools in Manhasset, New York
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Manhasset. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's Elementary School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre
St. Mary's Elementary School is a highly-regarded Catholic school serving Manhasset and surrounding communities with a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, featuring small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and strong community involvement. Programs include advanced mathematics, science labs, comprehensive language arts, and religious education. The school maintains excellent parent satisfaction with its nurturing environment and rigorous academic preparation for high school. Facilities include modern classrooms, technology labs, and athletic facilities serving the North Shore community.
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The Schechter School of Long Island
Solomon Schechter Day School Network
Located just minutes from Manhasset in Williston Park, The Schechter School of Long Island serves the broader North Shore community with an outstanding Jewish day school education. The school offers a dual curriculum combining rigorous secular studies with comprehensive Jewish education from early childhood through high school. Academic programs include Advanced Placement courses, robust STEM initiatives, and extensive arts offerings. The school is known for its exceptional faculty, college preparatory focus, and strong community values. Parents consistently praise the school's academic rigor, inclusive environment, and successful student outcomes.
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The Waldorf School of Garden City
Waldorf Education Movement
Serving families throughout Nassau County including Manhasset, The Waldorf School of Garden City offers a unique educational approach focused on holistic child development. The school's Waldorf curriculum integrates academic subjects with artistic expression, practical skills, and movement. Programs span from early childhood through 12th grade, emphasizing critical thinking, creativity, and social responsibility. The campus features beautiful grounds, specialized classrooms for arts and sciences, and athletic facilities. Parents value the school's developmental approach, dedicated teachers, and focus on educating the whole child while maintaining strong academic standards that prepare students for competitive colleges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Manhasset, New York
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Manhasset, NY, and what are their educational philosophies?
Manhasset itself is home to a few private options, but families commonly look to excellent schools in the immediate surrounding area of Nassau County. Notable nearby institutions include St. Mary's Elementary School (Catholic, Pre-K-8), The Schechter School of Long Island (Jewish, pluralistic, Pre-K-12) in Williston Park, and The Waldorf School of Garden City (Waldorf/Steiner education, Pre-K-12). Additionally, many Manhasset families consider prestigious independent day schools a short drive away, such as Portledge School in Locust Valley or Friends Academy in Locust Valley. The choice often hinges on religious affiliation, pedagogical approach (traditional, progressive, or developmental), and the desired grade continuum.
How does tuition for private schools in the Manhasset, NY area compare, and are there financial aid options specific to New York State?
Tuition in the Manhasset area varies significantly. Parish-based schools like St. Mary's may have lower tuition, often in the $10,000-$15,000 range, with active parishioner discounts. Independent day schools like Portledge or Friends Academy typically range from $40,000 to $55,000+ for upper grades. Most schools offer need-based financial aid. Crucially, New York State has two key programs: the **STEM Scholarship Program** provides tuition assistance for middle-income families at non-public schools, and **Charitable Tax Credits** can benefit donors to scholarship funds like the **Invest in Kids Act**. Parents should inquire directly with each school about their aid packages and application processes (typically via FACTS or SSS).
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools near Manhasset, NY?
The timeline is rigorous and often begins over a year in advance. For entry in Fall 2025, the process for most top-tier schools starts in **Summer/Fall 2024**. Key steps include: attending open houses (September-November), submitting applications (often due in December or January), student visits/testing/interviews (January-February), and notification dates in March. For schools with rolling admissions or more flexible timelines (like some parochial schools), it's still advisable to apply by the prior winter. Given the competitive landscape of Long Island's North Shore, early planning and engagement are essential. Many families apply to multiple schools.
How do the academic and extracurricular offerings of Manhasset's public schools influence the decision to choose a private school?
Manhasset Union Free School District is consistently ranked among the top public districts in New York State, known for exceptional academics, arts, and athletics. Therefore, the decision for private school in Manhasset is rarely about escaping a failing system. Instead, it's driven by specific desires: a particular religious or values-based education (Catholic, Jewish, Quaker), a distinct pedagogical approach (like Waldorf's developmental model), smaller class sizes, or a different social environment. Parents may also seek a more continuous Pre-K-12 pathway than the public system's configuration or specialized programs not available in the public curriculum.
For families in Manhasset considering private school, what are the key logistical and community factors to consider?
Key logistical factors include **transportation**—most private schools do not provide district busing, so parents must coordinate carpools or private services—and the **daily commute** to schools in Garden City, Williston Park, or Locust Valley. Community-wise, choosing a private school often means your child's social circle may be more geographically dispersed than the neighborhood-centric public school experience. However, many schools foster strong parent communities. It's also important to consider the alignment with long-term goals; for example, a K-8 school like St. Mary's requires a high school transition plan, whereas a K-12 school provides continuity. Evaluating the fit for your child's individual needs against the convenience and excellence of the local public option is the central challenge.
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