Corlears School

324 West 15th Street

New York, NY 10011

44 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-5
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 08, 2023

We have been at Corlears for 5 years, starting with the 2s program and now in elementary. I have seen both my children flourish, emotionally and intellectually and we are very happy here.Children are taught to be curious and enthusiastic learners, who are constantly seeking knowledge and asking questions. My second grader devours books and solves math problems with her 4 year old sibling for fun. Graduates go on to their top choice schools.The teachers and administrators know every child well, and because of individualised attention, are able to meet children where they are at. Whenever I have had any concerns about my kids developmentally or behaviourally, the teachers were able to speak to that and address it. Overall, it’s a diverse warm and welcoming community. The board is open for anyone, and a lot of thought is given to creating a diverse board from a racial, socio-economic and experience perspective.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2023

Do yourself and your children a favor by looking elsewhere. The teachers are stressed and it affects relationships with students and families. There are plenty of other great options out there including public school.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2021

Amazing experience, especially through the pandemic. Unbelievable team effort across faculty, staff, and families.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2020

The school has a lot going for it - caring teachers and a community of kind involved families. Unfortunately none of that can make up for a Head of School whose incompetence has greatly handicapped the school. The school deserves a dynamic leader who can motivate teachers, engage families and develop an adequate curriculum.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2020

Exceptional. Corlears, and specifically its teachers, have been nothing but extraordinary with our two very different children. They approach each child as an individual and give each the attention and care any parent would want.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2020

Our 5 years at Corlears were the best. My 2 kids are happy, they're excited to learn and they feel safe. We are so grateful to the teachers and staff. There is a true sense of community and a genuine kindness shared by all.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2020

Excellent. They care for the children and there’s a deep rooted teaching philosophy that runs through the staff and the curriculum.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2020

So far, our 5 years with our two children have been wonderful here. We highly value that they do not pick children academically before it is developmentally appropriate. There is a huge stress on supporting children socially and emotionally so that they enter their academics feeling confident and ready and the kids seem to thrive with this set up. My favorite part about Corlears is the assembly held on Friday's with most of the school. The community gets a chance to see what kids at all age levels are doing in their studies and the kids enjoy sharing and learning the skills involved in public speaking, and presenting as well as receiving support from everyone. This school is truly a community with tremendous support and we feel very lucky to be a part of it.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2020

If I had to do it all over again, I would definitely choose Corlears School. I have had nothing but positive experience here. The staff is friendly and the teachers are open and easy to communicate with. When your kids wake up in the morning and are happy to go to school then the school is definitely doing it right.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2020

As a parent, this school had a lot of nice things to offer- friendly faces, qualified teachers, and a welcome community where you can belong. It's like a nice summer camp. For me, the price tag was too high for the limited resources. Yes, public school can feel crowded but the NYC funding is exceptional and my son has thrived by meeting like-minded curious friends who dont just find -joy- in learning but also in succeeding. The testing process for those trying to get into their top schools is very difficult for students who had no emphasis on testing-- and the school is transparent about this. Only you know whats best for your child, and your child's needs will change over time. I will say also consider your parenting style, because you have to be very hands on if you want your child to be challenged. It's easy to be a big fish in a small pond, and if your child needs more, this school will not offer up resources, you have to go digging. I believe those who rated the school with 5 stars have time, money and resources but I just want to offer a different perspective.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2020

We have been at Corlears for a long time. Leaving the school will be like leaving a small town where we’ve lived for years. My child told me in fourth grade that she never wanted to leave. That was tough to hear, but I can honestly say that she is ready for graduation. This is because Corlears deliberately prepared her for this moment. The great advantage of Corlears is that it focuses on young children only. It is not a lower school that serves as a feeder for the middle and upper school. It’s about preparing children to become responsible adults.Still, your child will eventually need to leave Corlears. While this sounds like a disadvantage, it’s not. We did not begin to know our child as a learner until third grade. It wasn’t until fifth grade that we knew the type of middle school that would suit her best. We can speak only positively about the exmissions process. It was stressful, but our child will attend her first choice school. We are happy as parents as it’s a school that best fits her personality and learning style. We are so truly grateful for the help Corlears provided in this process. In fifth grade, the school focuses on leadership and independence. It works. By graduation, the fifth graders are thoughtful, confident learners. In fact, each child is required to give a speech at the graduation ceremony. It’s remarkable to watch a group of 11 year olds ascend a podium and speak assuredly to a crowded auditorium. I imagine I will soon think wistfully of the many Corlears traditions: The Friday assemblies where parents, teachers and students sing the many Corlears songs; the teachers and staff who jealously protect the kids; Tom the Snake who guards the lobby (you’ll meet him if you visit); and the morning drop-off where parents linger and socialize every morning.We made good friends as parents, and our child made good friends perhaps for the rest of her life. We will miss Corlears.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2019

Our son has been attending Corlears for 8 years, and we could not be happier with the school. Our son has had consistently excellent teachers who understand him as a person and as a learner. The school provides a nurturing, supportive environment that has given our son the confidence to face challenges (academic and otherwise). As our son has progressed through the grades, we have watched him grow into a dedicated reader, determined mathematician and a kind, empathetic person. Thank you Corlears.
Submitted by parent on November 09, 2019

Friendly people, mediocre quality of academic program, expensive.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2019

We have had an incredible experience at Corlears and look forward to seeing our children graduate. Corlears graduates have excellent outcomes, placing into top schools. They also excel in ongoing schools and are strong performers in both literacy and mathematics. And you get these great outcomes while being a part of a really lovely and intimate community. We would not trade it for anything.
Submitted by principal on September 28, 2019

It is an absolute honor to be part of this community-- a rare NYC school where the parents, students, teachers and school leaders come together to make an amazing community centered on what young children need to develop compassion, imagination, critical thinking and leadership... it is truly a neighborhood school for the entire city.
Submitted by teacher on June 25, 2019

I would have to say terrible. Unless things change (i.e. a new and experienced/competent HoS) happens and happens very soon I just don’t see how the school will sustain itself over the long haul. Very unfortunate what’s happening there right now.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2019

I made a huge mistake. I should never have put my child in this school.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2019

We had high hopes and expectations for this school, and like others, ended up pulling our child out of this school. Had our child remained at this school I firmly believe our child would have experienced great anxiety and been made to feel "bad" for exhibiting completely normal age-appropriate behavior (which they just did not know how to handle). The fact that there are currently only 6 children in the 5th grade should speak volumes. Also, take a look at the ratio of boys to girls. The people in charge are nice enough and well-meaning, but at the end of the day they just don't know what they are doing. Steer clear.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2019

Our experience started out very hopeful. And turned into a nightmare. We’ve left and have very thankfully put it behind us. Where we are now in contrast has shown us how important it is to do your research, talk to other families and pay close attention to how your child is progressing. If we could do it all again we would steer far and clear of Corlears.
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2016

My daughter is in her 6th year at Corlears. She loves school and calls it her second home. The teachers are able to meet each student's academic and emotional needs because of the small class size and an in-depth understanding of each child. Corlears strikes the perfect balance of engaging and challenging the kids so they are academically ready for middle school but still find wonder and excitement in learning. From friends whose children graduated from Corlears, I always hear that their kids are well prepared for academically rigorous middle schools and most have gone on to advanced classes in their new schools. Beyond excellent academics, Corlears does an incredible job of supporting children in their social and emotional development. Through the social justice curriculum and the community norms of inclusion and understanding, I see my daughter confidently use an empathetic voice in all aspects of her life.As a parent, I find the racially and socioeconomically diverse community to be cohesive and welcoming. I have met some of my best friends at Corlears. The PA hosts forums, community service activities, events, book fair, etc., and fosters a strong sense of community. The communication with the administration is welcome and easy. The communication with teachers creates a collaborative environment between school and home. When there has been a particularly powerful conversation in the classroom, the teacher will let the parents know, so parents can take advantage of the opportunity to discuss important issues and feelings with their children at home. Parents and caregivers are invited to attend a weekly assembly where the children share their classroom work and sing. They get so used to speaking in front of 100 people, that by graduation, the 10/11 year olds are perfectly comfortable to speak to a large auditorium. As the children sum up their experiences at Corlears at graduation, it is always striking to see the resilience, confidence, emotional maturity, and self-awareness of the Corlears children. They seem to have a good understanding of themselves as people and learners and a healthy feeling of self-worth.By having a focus on early childhood, Corlears excels at nurturing the kids' innate curiosity and creativity and raising empathetic, critical-thinking learners. I'm truly grateful to have Corlears as my partner in raising my daughter!