Tuition 2026–27

What Montessori school costs in NYC

Verified 2026–27 tuition for every school in our guide — by program, by borough, and school by school. Plus what's included, where to find aid, and which schools keep prices private.

Last verified July 2026 · always confirm the exact rate on the school's own page
At a glance

Full-day preschool (ages 3–6), 2026–27

Headline stats use each school's full-day, 5-day preschool/primary rate — the most comparable program across schools.

By program level

Cost rises steeply with age

Ages 0–3

Infant & Toddler

$18,800–$69,180

Varies most by days and hours; extended-year infant care sits at the top.

Ages 3–6

Preschool / Primary

$27,180–$56,700

The core Montessori years; median full-day place around $44,900.

Ages 6+

Elementary

$58,700–$67,500

Only a few NYC Montessori schools run elementary — and it's the priciest tier.

By borough

Where you look changes the price

Average full-day preschool tuition among schools that publish it, by borough.

Compare

Full-day preschool tuition, ranked

Every school that publishes a full-day 3–6 rate. Click a column to sort; follow “details” for the full program pricing.

School Borough Full-day (3–6) Detail
Twin Parks operates three separately-priced campuses (Central Park, Park West, Riverside), listed individually.
School by school

Full program pricing

Every published program, per school. Ranges show part-time/half-day up to full-day (and extended-year where offered).

Price transparency

Schools that don't publish tuition

These schools share pricing only on request. Both Queens schools in the guide fall here.

Beyond the sticker price

What's included — and what costs extra

Two schools with the same headline tuition can cost very different amounts once you add the extras. Ask about:

Common add-ons

Materials / annual fee — e.g. The Montessori Schools charge $2,725/yr for materials, snacks and PA dues.
Application & registration — application fees run $25–$90; Twin Parks adds a $500 non-refundable registration plus a refundable deposit of about one month's tuition.
Extended day / aftercare — often several thousand dollars a year (The Family School's after-school is $7,000/yr).
Lunch — included at some (e.g. Battery Park), extra at others.

Making it affordable

Financial aid & free options

Sticker price isn't the whole story — aid is widespread, and there are genuinely free routes.

Need-based aid

Widely available

Most independent Montessori schools offer aid — West Side awards it to ~20% of families; Montessori Day School up to 65% (need-blind); Washington Market up to 95%. Over a quarter of NYC independent-school students receive aid (a grant, not a loan).

How to apply

SSS or Clarity

Aid is a separate application through SSS (NAIS) or Clarity (about a $65 household fee), submitted each year. Deadlines usually fall in late fall/early winter.

Free routes

Public, charter & 3-K

NYC has free public/charter Montessori (e.g. NYC Montessori Charter and Wildflower in the Bronx) plus DOE 3-K / Pre-K for All — Twin Parks' Riverside and Park West offer free Pre-K for All seats. Full guide to free 3-K & Pre-K →

Questions parents ask

Tuition FAQ

How much does Montessori preschool cost in NYC?

For 2026–27, a full-day preschool place (ages 3–6) ranges roughly $27,000–$57,000 across schools that publish tuition, with a median around $44,900.

Which NYC Montessori school is the most affordable?

Among schools that publish tuition, Twin Parks Park West (~$27,180 for full-day 3–6) and Montessori Day School of Brooklyn (~$30,956) are the lowest. Free public/charter Montessori and NYC 3-K / Pre-K for All also exist.

Is financial aid available?

Yes — most independent Montessori schools offer need-based aid (some up to 65–95%), applied for via SSS or Clarity. Over a quarter of NYC independent-school students receive aid.

Do all NYC Montessori schools publish tuition?

No — six in this guide, including both Queens schools, share pricing only on request after an inquiry or tour.

Does tuition include lunch and materials?

It varies. Some schools include hot lunch and materials; others add an annual materials fee (e.g. $2,725) plus registration deposits and aftercare.

How we verify. Every figure is drawn from the school's own 2026–27 tuition page and cross-checked where possible. Tuition varies by program length, age and start date, and a few school pages label the year inconsistently — always confirm the current rate directly with the school. Figures last verified July 2026. This is an independent guide, not affiliated with or endorsed by the schools listed.