Private School
Corlears School Reviews
Rating 4.71 out of 5 21 reviews
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Corlears is a gem of a school that I would highly recommend to parents looking for a school that provides an excellent education in a nurturing environment. Both my sons graduated from Corlears, the last recently. Their transitions to their next more traditional schools were seamless. They have excelled both academically and socially. We attribute this to Corlears. Corlears teachers met my sons were they were, helping them become curious learners, excellent problem solvers and independent thinkers. Along the way, they developed deep connections to their teachers and classmates. Both have maintained their Corlears friendships. As parents, we found the Corlears community, welcoming, fun and supportive. Based on years of personal experience, we can attest that Corlears graduates get into excellent schools and excel in them.
Our son has been a student at Corlears since the 2s program. We could not be happier at the education he's received and the unique perspective he's developed about the world.
On the academic side, Corlears has helped grow and nurture our son into a smart, well-balanced and engaged kid. He's been academically challenged in a way that has brought out a passion for education and learning well beyond our expectations. As he starts the last part if his education, he's well prepared for the next step in his education and poised for a top middle school.
The social justice oriented curriculum has prepared him well to understand and discuss current events. His understanding of what has transpired in the last 6 months is incredible. We feel very lucky he had the foundation of understanding and ability to process the reality of the world today as it changes.
Also, he's a fun kid and that's important. He's a serious student and engaged in the word, but not in a way that is burdensome.
On the academic side, Corlears has helped grow and nurture our son into a smart, well-balanced and engaged kid. He's been academically challenged in a way that has brought out a passion for education and learning well beyond our expectations. As he starts the last part if his education, he's well prepared for the next step in his education and poised for a top middle school.
The social justice oriented curriculum has prepared him well to understand and discuss current events. His understanding of what has transpired in the last 6 months is incredible. We feel very lucky he had the foundation of understanding and ability to process the reality of the world today as it changes.
Also, he's a fun kid and that's important. He's a serious student and engaged in the word, but not in a way that is burdensome.
Corlears has been a great school for our son and our family. Our son has learned to be a flexible thinker which has helped him excel in all subjects, and especially math. The school also instills its students with a strong sense of self, as well as an understanding of their community-members and the world at large. The social justice curriculum is particularly impressive. And, we love the other families.
Daughter attended Corlears for 7 years and has loved every minute. There is a strong sense of respect and work towards meeting each student where they are as a learner and then challenging them through each milestone at their individual pace. An even and fair approach to balancing both academics and social emotional needs. Mixed age classes provided a natural understanding of how each learner is unique and then the experiences around her roles changing as she moved up in years. Communications between students, teachers, families, admin and staff is thorough and excellent. We love the intentional and extensive work Corlears commits to DEI as an integral part of it's foundation. Very easy for our family to say "Our roots go down"
I normally don't write reviews but have to respond to all the academic high praises. Let 's be real here- the school is nice, the teachers are thoughtful and personal, but the academics- ESPECIALLY the math- is lagging. True, they have tried upping the math, but it still falls behind. Several parents of kids who graduated the school still say their middle schoolers entered behind in math. All parents of students who leave say the same. My experience is there is a lot of time spent on discussing math problems rather than being taught them. While the goal is to create "math thinkers", the facts and basic concepts are forgotten. Moving on, the kids don't have the basics to fall back on. The same holds true for grammar and spelling. My family likes the school, it is a special community with a lot to offer, but all these reviewers need to understand that the academics are far from top-notch. The school constantly tells parents about the academic rigor, so maybe they believe the hype.
Our children have thrived at Corlears. Since the school only serves elementary ages there is a real purity there. Our children have become such confident learners and now are real leaders. The academic program is very thoughtful and the teachers are well trained. For example, since they are so focused on how to teach just these ages, the math curriculum is very strong. The literacy program is also great. Corlears has a very diverse community and has been talking about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion forever. Our children have been versed in these issues since pre-K and as parents we have participated in a number of DEI events. Corlears takes a multi-disciplinary approach to "studies" students tackle each semester. During "culmination" classes present all they have learned in a study, which spans literature, history, social justice, technology, and even math. The outplacement program is excellent. Corlears graduates go on to really great schools. It really is a delightful place.
My kids like the school, teachers are generally involved and caring. Academics fluctuate year to year depending on who's now in charge. The Board and its selection process are doubtful and shady. This is the first time in our 5 year tenure here that a nomination for a trustee has ever been extended to the whole school body. They are a collection of friends nominating friends and parents of students who don't go to the school anymore- well, at least that's what some of us think. We really don't know who trustees are or how they got there. And yet, they make the decisions for our school.
It's evident that 2020 has exposed our resilience and vulnerabilities in so many ways. The complex lessons that are ever-evolving out of this year and years to come require preparing future leaders who are confident enough to remain open to their own growth and the ability to make connections with others, to bring about progress. With that said, Corlears offers an unparalleled academic curriculum that includes meeting and building confident leaders wherever they are in their development.
We could not be happier with our experience so far. The school places the children at its center, and is led by their interests and needs, whilst managing to be academically rigorous and nurturing at the same time. Our daughter is growing into a confident little person who is not afraid to speak her mind and ask questions, express her own needs and have the empathy to recognize when her friends need support.
In the younger ages, the school is play based, but the amount of learning that is accomplished through play is truly astounding. The kids have access to more resources than they would at a traditional preschool, such as Art, Music, PE, Science, Library as well as Technology, in addition to what they are experiencing in the classrooms with their day to day teachers.
The teachers are dedicated, caring and top notch. The head of the school has really shone throughout the Covid crisis, and has managed to reopen the school full time, with the full support of parents and staff.
In the younger ages, the school is play based, but the amount of learning that is accomplished through play is truly astounding. The kids have access to more resources than they would at a traditional preschool, such as Art, Music, PE, Science, Library as well as Technology, in addition to what they are experiencing in the classrooms with their day to day teachers.
The teachers are dedicated, caring and top notch. The head of the school has really shone throughout the Covid crisis, and has managed to reopen the school full time, with the full support of parents and staff.
Nice people and caring teachers, but administration is lacking and constantly changing focus. School seems to be looking for its identity, something that will set them apart from other schools. Open during COVID, but at a high financial cost to the school (and families, as they ask for donations for a "COVID fund"). Academics not strong compared to other similar private and public schools. Overall ok if you are prepared to get tutors to keep your kid at grade level.
This school is a true family community. The care of the teachers goes beyond expectation. They truly know your child. In addition the academics are stellar, they provide a 360 approach to their curriculum where all subjects intertwine for a full understanding of the subject matter. They continuously meet your child where they fall within the academic setting. The pandemic has been tough for everyone, this school has delivered an overly impressive virtual and in-person learning approach. Their virtual experience for my daughter who is in 2nd grade, beyond exceeded our expectations! She is learning and still loves going to school even in the virtual setting!
Corlears is an incredibly special place for young elementary aged children and their families. This small, intimate school setting lets your young child feel at ease and at home in the big, busy city of New York. The entire teaching staff and faculty are loving, compassionate and committed. The blended age setting allows your child to have the same teacher two years in a row where that teacher develops a deep understanding of the children as learners and how to best reach their needs of development. With that familiarity it's not unusual for a teacher to get misty eyed when talking to you about your child's growth and accomplishments! All of the families become familiar with one another regardless of their child's age or grade. It's a wonderful, down to earth community that I'm pleased to have been a part of for many years. As we come to the end of our time at Corlears this year, it will continue to hold a very special place in our family's heart.
We love Corlears. We have friends with kids at both private and public schools around Manhattan and Brooklyn and nothing we've heard about their experiences compares with our daughter's years at Corlears. The warmth, care, and attention the staff brings is outstanding. Our daughter was very shy when she started school as a 3-year-old, and she has completely blossomed thanks to her experiences at Corlears. By the end of our daughter's first year at the school everyone knew her name. It's not uncommon to run into a staff member on the street and have them inquire after your pet or family member. Academically we couldn't be happier. Our daughter is now 8 and is curious, analytical, creative, and very confident in her academic abilities. The music, science, and art programs are also amazing.
My son is in 1st grade and we are really happy at Corlears. The staff is deeply involved and dedicated. The teachers really get to know your child and strive to help them be successful - both academically and socially. Social justice, independent thinking and diversity is a focus at every age. Strong parent community!
Our daughter has excelled at Corlears! We are grateful for the community, teachers, friends and administrators for creating a warm and safe environment for young children to learn and grow.
She has a love and curiosity for reading and math. She is forming strong friendships with her peers. Her teachers encourage her to be kind, independent and thoughtful.
We have been grateful with how well the school has managed the Covid-19 pandemic by providing both in person and online learning options. With on-site testing, temperature checks and responsible community we feel safe sending our daughter to school.
When looking at schools, we liked the warm feel of Corlears and that they are focused on young learners age 2-10 years old. I’m confident that we picked the right school for our daughter.
She has a love and curiosity for reading and math. She is forming strong friendships with her peers. Her teachers encourage her to be kind, independent and thoughtful.
We have been grateful with how well the school has managed the Covid-19 pandemic by providing both in person and online learning options. With on-site testing, temperature checks and responsible community we feel safe sending our daughter to school.
When looking at schools, we liked the warm feel of Corlears and that they are focused on young learners age 2-10 years old. I’m confident that we picked the right school for our daughter.
We have been part of the Corlears family for the past 5 years. My children are now ages 10 and 6. They are truly benefitting from the sense of community Corlears has developed as well as the independence they foster and their hands on approach to learning. They feel loved, very safe and free to be themselves. They are in an environment where all ethnicities are acknowledged and celebrated. They are intentional about helping children become more self-aware, building their self-esteem, learning their significance and social responsibility. My children are far more engaged when learning is hands on and Corlears does an amazing job bringing lessons to life.
This is an amazing school! I have 2 children that are very different learners. My daughter is in the 4th grade and my son is in the 1st grade. The school has a very intimate setting where they are able to offer support, should it be needed to any kind of learner at the same time challenging those that need to be challenged. Both my children are absolutely thriving! We have been at this school for 5 years and I couldn't say more good things about this school. The small school settings allow children to get individualized attention, at the same time offering the sense of community among the both the children and families.
We absolutely love Corlears. Our children are thrilled to go to school every day, and they are learning and growing so much! It is amazing how well the school balances academic rigor with a progressive method of teaching, to ensure the kids all love learning and therefore are even more likely to achieve academic success. The faculty are gifted and incredibly invested in all of the children/families. Social justice has been a key part of the school’s mission since inception and continues to be a focus; the school doesn’t just pay lip service to diversity, it is a true core value of both the school and the community. Even throughout the pandemic, the school has provided programming and resources as well as constant communication to all families, and managed to open full-time in-person in September while simultaneously providing a virtual program for families that couldn’t attend in person. We cannot say enough good things about this wonderful place!!
World class teachers. Whole child focus. Strong academics and support services. Really rose above and beyond during COVID - open and fully operational with with both in person and virtual cohorts.
The school is absolutely phenomenal. It is the perfect combination of rigorous academics, a genuinely warm, down to earth and welcoming parent community, and a focus on civic involvement and diversity that preceded any of the most recent attention being paid to it... Additionally, every single teacher in every grade is fantastic.