The Best Private Schools in Rego Park, New York
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Rego Park. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Cathedral Preparatory School and Seminary
Catholic Archdiocese of New York
Cathedral Preparatory School is a Catholic college preparatory school for young men located in nearby Elmhurst, serving the Rego Park community. With over a century of educational excellence, the school provides a comprehensive academic program rooted in Catholic values. The curriculum includes Advanced Placement courses, honors classes, and extensive STEM offerings. Students benefit from a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, competitive athletic programs, and numerous extracurricular activities. The school's strong community atmosphere and commitment to developing "men of faith, scholarship, and service" make it a highly respected option for families in western Queens.
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The Kew-Forest School
Independent School
The Kew-Forest School is a prestigious independent day school serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Located just minutes from Rego Park in Forest Hills, this century-old institution offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and individualized attention. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, art studios, and athletic spaces. Kew-Forest emphasizes critical thinking, global citizenship, and character development while offering robust extracurricular programs in athletics, arts, and community service. The school maintains strong college placement records with graduates attending top-tier universities.
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The Garden School
Independent School
The Garden School is an independent, coeducational college preparatory school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Located in adjacent Jackson Heights, this nearly century-old institution offers a challenging academic program including International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement courses. The school features modern facilities with recently renovated science labs, technology-enhanced classrooms, and athletic spaces. Garden School emphasizes global education, critical thinking, and character development while maintaining small class sizes for personalized learning. The diverse student body and strong community partnerships provide rich educational experiences for Rego Park area families seeking rigorous academics within a supportive environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Rego Park, New York
What are the primary private school options available within or immediately adjacent to Rego Park, New York?
Rego Park itself is a residential neighborhood, so most of its prominent private schools are located in nearby Queens communities. The most notable include The Kew-Forest School in Forest Hills (Pre-K-12, independent), The Garden School in Jackson Heights (Pre-K-12, independent), and Cathedral Preparatory School and Seminary in Elmhurst (all-boys Catholic high school). While there may be smaller parochial or specialized academies within Rego Park proper, these three institutions represent the major, established private options that Rego Park families commonly consider, all within a short commute.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Rego Park area compare to the New York City average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for Rego Park-area private schools is generally in line with or slightly below the premium rates seen in Manhattan. For the 2024-25 academic year, expect ranges of approximately $30,000-$45,000 for day schools like Kew-Forest and The Garden School. Cathedral Prep, as a Catholic institution, is significantly lower, often under $10,000. All these schools typically offer need-based financial aid, and some may have merit scholarships. New York State also has programs like the Child Care Tax Credit and the proposed "Education Savings Accounts" for private school tuition, which parents should investigate.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Rego Park offer that leverage their New York City location?
Schools in this Queens corridor capitalize heavily on NYC's resources. The Kew-Forest School emphasizes global citizenship with advanced language programs and partnerships with cultural institutions. The Garden School often integrates Queens' incredible ethnic diversity into its curriculum and community projects. Cathedral Prep provides unique seminary-track options alongside its college-prep curriculum. All benefit from easy access to museums, universities, and professional internships across the five boroughs, offering educational opportunities difficult to replicate in suburban private schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools like Kew-Forest or The Garden School that serve Rego Park families?
The timeline aligns with the standard NYC independent school admissions cycle. Key steps begin in the fall (September-October) with open houses and inquiry submissions. Applications are usually due in early winter (December/January), followed by student assessments and interviews through February. Admission decisions are released in March for the following academic year. Due to competitive seats, especially in entry grades like Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 6th/9th grade, Rego Park parents are advised to start research 12-18 months in advance. Rolling admissions may be available for other grades if space permits.
For a family in Rego Park weighing options, what are the key differences between the local public school (like PS 139 or Forest Hills High School) and the area's private schools?
The decision often centers on class size, specialized focus, and religious education. Rego Park's public schools, part of NYC's District 28, are large and diverse but can have class sizes of 25-30+ students. Area private schools boast much smaller ratios (often 10:1), allowing for individualized attention. Private schools offer distinct educational philosophies (progressive, classical, Catholic) without geographic zoning. However, they come at a high financial cost, whereas public schools offer free, robust advanced placement and extracurricular programs. The commute is also a factor; private options require transportation, while public schools are neighborhood-based.
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