Founded in 1976 in a Tribeca loft, Washington Market School (WMS) is one of New York City’s oldest Montessori‑inspired preschools. Today it operates two campuses (55 Hudson Street and 134 Duane Street), blending Maria Montessori and Reggio Emilia philosophies. Programs serve children ages 2–5 and emphasize freedom within structure, child‑led exploration, and an anti‑bias framework. Students build compassion, confidence and curiosity while guided by a team of three teachers per classroom.
For the 2025‑26 year, WMS charges \$33,220 for the half‑day program (9 a.m.–12 p.m. or 1 p.m.–4 p.m., five days per week). The Full Day 2s Program costs \$47,600 (9 a.m.–4 p.m., five days) and the Full Day 3s–5s Program costs \$45,890. As a non‑profit, WMS offers tuition assistance through the Clarity platform; awards are reviewed alongside admissions decisions.
WMS’s Duane Street and Hudson Street campuses are airy lofts with natural light and open classrooms. Each features a shared atelier (art studio), library and gross‑motor room. Children visit nearby parks such as Washington Market Park for outdoor exploration. The school’s community garden allows students to plant herbs and vegetables.
Aggregate rating: 4.6 / 5 – WMS receives high marks across review sites. PrivateSchoolReview users give it a 5/5 rating. Niche awards it an A+ (≈4.8/5) for academics and diversity. GreatSchools families rate it about 4/5 (21 reviews), praising the caring teachers and home‑away‑from‑home environment. Review trends note that the school fosters curiosity and independence, provides a warm community and balances Montessori and Reggio approaches.
School website: Washington Market School
URL | accessed 2025‑07‑25
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WMS philosophy & program description | 2025‑07‑25
WMS tuition rates & financial aid | 2025‑07‑25
WMS history | 2025‑07‑25
WMS review data | 2025‑07‑25