West Side Montessori School (WSMS) was born in 1963 when five couples on Manhattan’s Upper West Side came together to create a nurturing Montessori preschool. The school soon outgrew its church basement and moved into adjoining brownstones at 309 West 92nd Street in 1974. Today, the campus includes a full‑size gym, a rooftop play space and a professional kitchen that prepares daily snacks and lunches for students. An Infant/Toddler Center opened at 212 West 95th Street to accommodate the youngest children and features its own indoor play area and parent resource rooms. WSMS has grown to serve about 205 children but remains intentionally small to preserve its community feel.
WSMS offers Montessori programs for children aged 2 to 6 years. Families can choose from three schedules:
* Twos Program – For two‑year‑olds, with options ranging from a morning session (8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.), a 9 a.m.–3 p.m. day, or a Long Afternoon Program (LAP) running until 5:30 p.m.. Classrooms maintain a 1:4 teacher‑to‑student ratio, ensuring individual attention.
* Multi‑Age Program (ages 3–6) – Mixed‑age classes create a miniature community where younger children learn by observing older peers and older children reinforce their knowledge by mentoring younger classmates. Scheduling options mirror those of the Twos program, from half‑day mornings to extended LAP care. The ratio is 1:5, supporting independent work and small group lessons.
* Infant/Toddler Center – Serving children from 3 months to 2 years, this program offers year‑round care from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The center features seven environments and early drop‑off/late pickup, a lactation room and a parent lounge.
WSMS is a private not‑for‑profit school. Tuition for 2025‑26 varies by program length and schedule. For the Twos Program, half‑day tuition is \$43,180, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. tuition is \$48,380, and the 9‑month LAP costs \$54,620, while an 11‑month LAP costs \$66,500. The Multi‑Age Program ranges from \$38,620 (half day) to \$59,620 (11‑month LAP). Infant/Toddler programs cost \$54,620 for nine months and \$66,500 for eleven months. Roughly 20 % of families receive tuition assistance, reflecting WSMS’s commitment to socioeconomic diversity.
WSMS’s main campus occupies two connected brownstones at 309 West 92nd Street. Children have access to a rooftop playground and a spacious gymnasium, while the professional kitchen ensures students receive nutritious meals and snacks. The Infant/Toddler Center, located nearby at 212 West 95th Street, spans three floors, including an indoor play floor and classrooms designed for infants, toddlers and twos. Both sites are convenient to Broadway and Riverside Park, providing opportunities for neighborhood walks and outdoor exploration.
WSMS is led by a seasoned administrative team and more than 41 teachers; 24 hold Montessori credentials and another 14 are pursuing certification. While the school does not prominently list individual bios on its public site, it emphasizes ongoing professional development and a collaborative leadership model. Teachers partner with parents to share observations and tailor learning experiences for each child. Administrative staff oversee admissions, finance and family outreach.
The school’s mission is to prepare children “to be resilient, creative and independent problem solvers”. WSMS is a leader in integrating Montessori methodology with current research on early childhood education. Classrooms are carefully prepared with hands‑on materials that allow children to make choices, practice concentration and develop self‑discipline. Mixed‑age groups encourage leadership and cooperation, while specials such as music, art, Spanish and physical education enrich the curriculum. The Infant/Toddler Center extends Montessori principles to the youngest learners, offering a home‑like environment and continuity of care year‑round.
Overall aggregate rating: 5.0 / 5 (average of available sources). WSMS enjoys glowing reviews on family review sites. Parents praise the school’s diverse community, its nurturing teachers and the feeling that “everyone knows your child”. Families note the high level of parental involvement and the way WSMS fosters independence and confidence. Because PrivateSchoolReview does not publish a star rating for WSMS, the overall score here derives from the 5/5 rating on GreatSchools (five reviews). Trends include: 1) inclusive, family‑like atmosphere; 2) experienced, caring teachers; and 3) robust facilities (gym, rooftop playground, kitchen). Snippets:
WSMS operates an admissions cycle beginning in September. Families complete an application, attend an open house or tour and schedule a child classroom visit. Admissions decisions are sent in February. The Infant/Toddler Center offers rolling admission year‑round. The school allocates financial aid through a needs‑based process; about 20 % of families receive assistance.
WSMS is accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS). It is also a member of the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY), the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Parents League of New York.
URL | accessed 2025‑07‑25
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WSMS At a Glance page | 2025‑07‑25
WSMS Infant/Toddler Center page | 2025‑07‑25
WSMS Tuition & Financial Aid page | 2025‑07‑25
WSMS GreatSchools reviews | 2025‑07‑25