Twin Parks Montessori Schools grew from a single preschool into three thriving campuses—Central Park Montessori, Park West Montessori and Riverside Montessori—serving Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Established in the early 2000s, the schools were founded on the belief that children are natural explorers and should have daily opportunities to discover the world around them. Each campus is just steps from either Central Park or Riverside Park, connecting indoor learning with time outdoors. Twin Parks has become a leader in early childhood education by blending classical Montessori pedagogy with art, music and teacher‑directed projects.
Twin Parks serves children 3 months to 6 years old. Programs vary slightly by campus:
* Infant Program – For ages 3 to 18 months, offered at Central Park and Park West. The five‑day full‑day program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (extended day to 5:30 p.m.). Tuition is \$38,900 at Central Park and \$33,500 at Park West.
* Toddler Program – For ages 18 months to 3 years, offered at all campuses. Five‑day full‑day tuition ranges from \$31,400–\$33,500 at Park West, \$33,500 at Central Park and \$34,170 at Riverside.
* Early Childhood (Pre‑K & Kindergarten) – Mixed‑age classes for ages 3–6. Programs are available in half‑day and full‑day options with optional extended day. Tuition for five‑day full‑day ranges from \$26,900 to \$27,770, with extended‑day add‑ons bringing annual costs to \$46,920 at Central Park and \$41,220 at Park West.
Across all campuses, the Montessori curriculum is enriched with art, music, Spanish and Mandarin, and outdoor play in nearby parks.
Tuition depends on program and campus. A summary:
| Campus | Program | Tuition (full day) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Central Park | Infant | \$38,900 (extended day \$46,920) |
| | Toddler | \$33,500 (extended \$41,220) |
| | Early Childhood | \$26,900–27,770 + extended options |
| Park West | Infant | \$33,500 |
| | Toddler | \$31,400–33,500 |
| | Early Childhood | \$27,050–27,770 |
| Riverside | Infant | \$36,760 |
| | Toddler | \$34,170 |
| | Early Childhood | \$27,050 (extended options) |
Twin Parks campuses occupy renovated townhouses on Manhattan’s Upper West Side:
All campuses share a philosophy of seamless indoor–outdoor learning and provide extended‑day and enrichment programs.
Each Twin Parks campus is staffed by experienced Montessori guides and assistants. All lead teachers are AMS‑certified and many hold graduate degrees in early childhood education. Campus directors work together to maintain consistent standards and collaborate with families. Support staff includes art, music and language specialists as well as admissions and operations teams. The network’s small size fosters close communication between teachers and parents.
The Twin Parks mission is to “ignite children’s natural curiosity to become self‑learners.” The curriculum encourages independence, confidence, creativity and success by allowing children to choose their work and learn at their own pace. Daily routines include uninterrupted work cycles, outdoor play in the adjacent parks, and enrichment lessons in art, music and languages. The school emphasises respectful partnerships between teachers and children and welcomes families from diverse backgrounds.
Overall aggregate rating: 4.6 / 5. Twin Parks campuses receive strong praise from families. PrivateSchoolReview lists a 5.0/5 rating for the Central Park campus. Yelp reviewers give Park West a 4.9/5 average (17 reviews) and highlight dedicated teachers and a supportive ex‑missions process. GreatSchools rates Riverside Montessori at 3.0/5 (four reviews) with mixed feedback about social‑emotional support. Trends include: 1) caring teachers who foster independence; 2) beautiful facilities next to parks; 3) strong language and art programs; 4) some concerns about waitlists and communication.
Admission is rolling, with priority given to siblings and returning families. Parents submit an application, attend a tour and observation and meet with campus directors. Because demand is high—especially for the infant program—waitlists are common. Families may apply for tuition assistance; the school participates in NYC’s Pre‑K for All program at Riverside.
All three campuses are accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools. Twin Parks is also a member of NYSAIS, ISAAGNY and the Parents League of New York. All lead teachers hold Montessori credentials.
URL | accessed 2025‑07‑25
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Twin Parks mission & philosophy | 2025‑07‑25
Twin Parks tuition schedules | 2025‑07‑25
Twin Parks accreditation information | 2025‑07‑25
Twin Parks ratings & reviews | 2025‑07‑25