Manhattan Country School Reviews

58 reviews

In preparation for the world beyond the 8th grade, MCS is the best decision we have made for our child. MCS's holistic approach to progressive education and child development is one I believe ALL children should experience. They work to meet the needs of children to insure they are socially and emotionally stable and responsible. Our daughter exudes a confidence that I didn't realize until much older. She is aware her unique qualities, her voice, thoughts and ideas are valued. She is a curious child who investigates possibilities, a strategic thinker who creatively approaches challenges, an empathetic child who is aware of the woes of the world and is determined to make a change. Our values align with MCS therefore the reinforcement outside of our home is comforting during these times in our global history. We have experienced the ebbs and flow, expansion and contraction that any institution experiences. The community is strong and works together. Again, the best decision for us.

MCS really stands out as a beacon in NYC, boasting a warm and diverse culture that fosters inclusivity and belonging. Collaboration is at the center of the school, with teachers and staff working together to provide the best learning experience for their students.

In the classrooms, MCS students are not passive recipients of knowledge but active participants in their own learning. They are encouraged to think deeply, question boldly, and engage with their studies in a thoughtful manner. This emphasis on critical thinking and intellectual curiosity cultivates a learning environment where students thrive academically and personally. Additionally, the student and staff body reflects the rich tapestry of our society, with individuals from diverse backgrounds coming together to learn and grow. This diversity is celebrated and embraced, fostering a culture of understanding, empathy, and respect among students and grown-ups in the building.

I am proud to work at MCS. I wouldn't want to work anywhere else. MCS is a special place, like none other, with a combination of strong academics, authentic diversity, and teachers who are fully committed to the mission of the school. We have our second campus in the Catskills, our working MCS Farm, that children visit multiple times a year. Our students graduate from 8th grade knowing how to engage in a dialogue across a divide and how to honor the dignity of all human beings.

Review Manhattan Country School

Our kid has been at MCS since the 1st grade. They're graduating this year (8th grade) and our family will miss the school and the community terribly. The people that make up this school are really special - friendly, kind, socially engaged, passionate citizens of the world. The school uses a sliding scale tuition which helps create a genuinely diverse student and parent population, both racially and socio-economically. The school looks like the city! The science and math, particularly in the older grades, is not as strong as it could be but it getting better, and the same goes for the music program. But what it does well it does REALLY well - social engagement, English language studies, teaching kids how to think and how to love learning. We've loved our time here!

Manhattan Country School is alright. the kids are great, and they have a ton of fun together, but... the teachers are not the best. they are very strict and have a short temper. even when kids don't do anything they still get in trouble. if you want good academics don't come here, if you want alright academics don't come here. if you want your kid to have fun with other kids come here, just know that they will not learn much. overall I give this school a 3/5

Our child spent a number of years at MCS. I don't endorse it fully. Most of the teachers we encountered were terrific, thoughtful and caring. But they were all hamstrung by policies of the school, which respects the slowest learners while not rising to meet the fastest learners. Our child came out of the school waaay behind in basic math and science skills compared to grade standards, knowing words but not actually speaking Spanish (part of curriculum since 4-5s), and with an understanding of American history mostly defined by civil rights. MCS moved to a new, bigger school building to expand their base of families paying full tuition, and then lacked the funds to actually finish the renovation of the building. There were two new heads of school over just a few years. The farm is a great experience for the kids, but it is very old fashioned in its thinking. You will get a very diverse student body and families. Sliding scale tuition is a nice model, but may eventually do the school in.

I am the parent of an MCS graduate and a 5th grader, both of whom were at MCS since they were four. MCS is a unique place. The educators are exceptional at every developmental stage. Classrooms and classroom routines are perfectly calibrated to the needs of the youngest learners; middle grade students get loads of scaffolding and support; and graduates are leaders with exceptional analytic and writing skills. The school supports students to be creative and flexible, and to use their voices. Lower School Director Alisa Soriano is outstanding, and her leadership is evident in the school's support for diverse learners and communication with families. Co-Head of School Maiya Jackson is an outstanding listener and educator and has been a driving force at MCS for nearly two decades.

As the parent of two children at MCS, I can say that there is no community like this one in all of New York City. From the teachers to the administration to the parents -- and especially the children -- this is a school unlike any other, cutting across economic, religious, ethnic, and racial lines. We are amazed at the diversity of this community, while at the same time recognize that in one way it is not diverse at all - the common denominator is how everyone cherishes the children who attend this school. Manhattan Country School was founded in 1966 when Dalton English teacher Gus Trowbridge was so moved by the dreams of Martin Luther King he resolved to create a school where no one ethnic group predominated, and he embraced the best of progressive education -- including establishing a main building in the city and a second campus in the Catskills -- a working farm where children learn self-sufficiency. In an often-ugly world, this is a beautiful place where children thrive.

We chose this school for several reasons: 1 to 7 teacher to student ratio, the commitment to having a diverse student body, the activism classes students take in middle school, the working farm up in the Catskills, the rigorous academics that are Inquiry-based and meet students where they are through their interests and needs and the strong sense of community. Everything we had hoped MCS would be has proven to be true. But don’t take a review’s word for it, go take a tour and see it for yourself.

MCS is the best community school in Manhattan. A hidden gem for Black families looking for a high-performing school that is also a safe space for their children.

Great school community, solid academics. Kids are educated in joy and to do their part. Amazing teachers.

What makes us happy here, in 3 basic points:

1. Our kids are getting really WELL EDUCATED. Not only are they learning facts & basic skills, they're learning how to analyze and question, and learning Why things are the-way-they-are in all their classes from math to social studies. We're also reassured looking at the high schools that graduates go to!

2. Beyond those basics, it's AN AMAZING COMMUNITY. Dedicated teachers, passionate parents, and a lot of community involvement. This is no accident. People who wind up here come from very different backgrounds, but share a desire to make the world a better place.

3. Which leads to the third point: it's a place where the idea of MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE isn't a thing that other people do – it's part of the curriculum. Learning about the environment. Learning about difficult parts of history. Learning how to speak up, get involved, and make a difference.

For our kids, community, and the world, it's a fantastic place.

Manhattan Country School is truly unique in New York City, and probably nationwide. Due to its sliding scale tuition program - which allows everyone to join the school community, paying a fair share of their income - the school delivers the kind of diversity that other schools simply call for.
It is also unique as it owns a farm upstate New York which is an integral part of the curriculum and help city kids better understand Humanity's relationship with nature and our environment. Trips to the farm also come at no extra costs to families, which means that everyone can participate.
Also unique is the school's Food Program: MCS enjoys a kitchen, and all meals are prepared by dedicated and environmental conscious staff, on-premises, with all produce and meat being sourced as locally as possible (including the farm).
The entire parent community is personally involved in making this model a success, which contributes to a sense of community and appreciation which makes MCS so special.

MCS is an exceptional place. I have 2 kids who are there and I couldn’t be more grateful. I have never experienced a community that is so committed to inclusivity and kindness. Having kids from all walks of life, socio-economic, race, gender, sexual orientation and cultural gives our kids the ability to see past stereotypes and feel accepted for who they are. They also foster a love of learning and academic curiosity along with self discipline and agency in the students that is so amazing to see. The beloved teachers are loving and patient and lead by example and inspired teaching. I wish everybody could attend a school like MCS.

Manhattan Country School is a unique progressive school with an incredible sense of community and a strong commitment to children and teachers. As a faculty member, I have been able to grow as an educator while providing contextualized learning experiences for our young learners in the 4-5s classroom.

Manhattan Country School is unlike any other school in the world. For over 50 years, the school has maintained a mission to provide high quality, progressive education to every type of child within New York City. Ahead of its time, it made the decision to adapt and codify an enrollment model that guarantees economic and social diversity. Understanding where the world was going, the school also acquired and implemented a farm to teach real life implementation of the pedagogy.

As a small K-8 school, the curriculum is rigorous, methodical and purposeful. Teaching children how to use their entire brain, you quickly understand how MCS has produced two Rhodes scholars (a feat they never mention) for such a small school. In terms of K-8, our family was advised early that children evolve immensely from Kindergarten. Thus, we were not discouraged about reapplying to schools in 9th grade. In doing this, we've experienced support and options for our child in the next step.

This school is amazing! Truly diverse parents, kids, teachers and staff. They really care about our kids and take responsibility for caring for them. The community is so warm. The school teaches social and emotional skills so that the kids have a real learning community in which to challenge themselves. And of course the farm is amazing! We are in our 8th year at the school and could not be happier!

Review Manhattan Country School

Our daughter is in 1st grade (6-7s) and has already had two wonderful years at MCS. It really is a unique environment. The community is caring, diverse, socially motivated and dedicated. The progressive approach to learning has really helped her to learn while maintaining a sense of joy, she has a wonderful and varied friend group and we love the parent body. The farm is just an amazing extra and we are looking forward to her being able to go there more regularly from next year. Her sense of being in touch with a whole and exposed to a whole range of social justice and sustainability issues in a very natural way. We continue to be surprised that more parents are not aware that the school really stands out amongst those who champion similar values.

We love MCS! It’s such a supportive, thoughtful, vibrant community. The teachers are innovative and coordinated. The curriculum is designed to cultivate a deep understanding of how people are connected (to history, to each other, to the environment). The children develop deep, lasting friendships. Our daughter is currently in 5th grade. She has been at MCS since the 4/5’s and has loved every minute of her education. At MCS she has grown to be an articulate critical thinker who is compassionate, creative, and hard-working. We couldn’t be happier!

Manhattan Country School is like no other.

Amazing school, that allows any child to have access to highest quality progressive education due to its sliding scale tuition.

It’s dedication to teaching kids being the truest version of themselves, being great members of community is truly inspiring. Having an operational farm as part of the curriculum in addition sets it apart from most other schools in NYC.

In addition we (parents) became a part of the school community - warm and welcoming.

I could add a million additional details of what makes MCS special and unique in the landscape of NYC schools - equality, diversity, community engagement, progressive curriculum, farm, amazing community of teachers, staff and parents. This is a place where my child thrives at being herself!

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