The Best Private Schools in Middle Village, New York
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Middle Village. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Cathedral School
Episcopal Diocese of Long Island
The Cathedral School is an independent Episcopal school located in nearby Queens, serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade. The school offers an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and emphasizes global citizenship, critical thinking, and character development. With a diverse student body and dedicated faculty, the school provides a challenging academic program complemented by robust arts, music, and athletic programs. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, art studios, and outdoor play spaces, serving families throughout Queens including Middle Village residents.
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The Kew-Forest School
Independent
The Kew-Forest School is a prestigious independent day school serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Located just minutes from Middle Village in Forest Hills, this historic institution offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and personalized attention. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, art studios, and athletic spaces. Kew-Forest emphasizes critical thinking, global citizenship, and character development, with a diverse student body and comprehensive extracurricular programs in athletics, arts, and community service.
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St. Margaret School
Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn
St. Margaret School is a well-established Catholic elementary school located directly in Middle Village, serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade. The school provides a faith-based education grounded in Catholic values while offering a strong academic foundation. Features include modern classrooms, technology integration, and dedicated specialty teachers for music, art, and physical education. The school community is known for its family atmosphere and strong parent involvement, with extensive extracurricular activities and a comprehensive after-school program serving local families.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Middle Village, New York
What are the primary private school options available within or very close to Middle Village, New York, and what are their educational approaches?
Middle Village, Queens, is served by a few notable private schools, with several prestigious options in nearby neighborhoods. Within the community, St. Margaret School is a well-regarded Catholic elementary school (Pre-K-8) offering a faith-based, traditional curriculum. A short distance away in Forest Hills, The Kew-Forest School (Pre-K-12) is a prominent independent school with a rigorous college-preparatory program and a diverse international community. Also nearby in Manhattan, The Cathedral School is an independent Episcopal school known for its strong academics and character education. Parents in Middle Village often consider these schools, along with other Catholic academies in surrounding Queens communities, for their varied educational philosophies and structures.
How does tuition for private schools in the Middle Village, NY, area compare, and are there financial aid options specific to New York State?
Tuition in the Middle Village area varies significantly by school type and grade level. Parish-based Catholic schools like St. Margaret School often have the most accessible tuition, typically ranging from approximately $5,000 to $8,000 annually. Independent schools like The Kew-Forest School have higher tuition, often exceeding $40,000 per year for upper grades, reflecting their extensive facilities and programs. New York State offers several financial aid avenues. Most independent schools have substantial need-based financial aid programs. Additionally, New York's "STEM Scholarship" program provides tuition assistance for middle-income families at non-public schools, and the "Child Safety Fund" offers reimbursement for security costs, indirectly supporting schools. It's crucial to inquire directly with each school's admissions office about their specific aid packages and deadlines.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible to Middle Village families?
Schools serving Middle Village students provide distinct programs that leverage their resources and locations. The Kew-Forest School emphasizes global citizenship, with advanced language offerings, international travel opportunities, and a downtown Manhattan extension campus for experiential learning. St. Margaret School integrates Catholic values with core academics and may offer specialized programs in STEM or the arts through parish and community partnerships. While not in Queens, The Cathedral School utilizes its location near the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and Columbia University for unique partnerships in music, environmental science, and community service. Many local private schools also capitalize on New York City's cultural institutions for regular field trips and integrated learning experiences not typically available in suburban settings.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Middle Village, NY, area, and how competitive is admission?
The timeline and competitiveness depend greatly on the school. For independent schools like The Kew-Forest School, the process aligns with the NYC independent school circuit, beginning a full year in advance (applications in fall for entry the following September). It involves standardized testing (ISEE), interviews, and school visits, and is competitive, especially for entry points like Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 9th grade. For parish schools like St. Margaret School, the process is often more straightforward, with applications opening in the winter or spring for the next academic year, and priority typically given to parish members and siblings. Regardless of school type, starting the research and inquiry process 12-18 months before desired enrollment is strongly advised for Middle Village parents.
For families in Middle Village, what are the key considerations when comparing local public schools (like PS/IS 87 or PS/IS 49) with private school options?
Key considerations include class size, educational philosophy, and cost. Middle Village's public schools, such as PS/IS 87, are generally well-regarded but can have larger class sizes. Private options offer significantly smaller student-to-teacher ratios, allowing for more individualized attention. The curriculum is another major factor; public schools follow the NYC DOE mandates, while private schools have autonomy to offer specialized tracks, religious education, or more advanced, accelerated coursework. The financial commitment is substantial for independent schools, whereas Catholic schools offer a private alternative at a lower cost. Finally, consider community and continuity: local public schools foster strong neighborhood ties, while private schools like Kew-Forest offer a Pre-K-12 continuum, eliminating the middle school application stress common in NYC's public system.
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