Straight answers for NYC parents — what Montessori actually is, how to tell real from branding, and how to navigate admissions and cost. Written from primary sources, not marketing.
Our transparency-first tiers — by verified accreditation, staff disclosure, honest tuition and stability. No test scores, no pay-to-play.
See the ranking → ★ PLAYBOOKPractical, honest how-to for NYC parents — touring a school, verifying its claims, decoding tuition. New pieces regularly.
Open the Playbook → 01The principles, what the research really shows, and the myths — in plain English.
Read → 02AMS vs AMI vs “Montessori-inspired,” and why the name means less than you think.
Read → 03A vetting checklist, the questions to ask on a tour, and the red flags to watch for.
Read → 04ISAAGNY dates month by month — plus the Montessori “apply at age 3” quirk.
Read → 052026–27 tuition across NYC's Montessori schools, what's included, and where to find aid.
Read → 0628 terms — Casa, work cycle, normalization, Erdkinder — defined simply.
Read → 07ADHD, shy kids, transitioning to “regular” school, Reggio vs Waldorf, and more.
Read → 08NYC's free early-childhood programs, who's eligible, and which schools offer no-cost seats.
Read → ★ TOOLBuild a personalized, dated checklist for your child's NYC application year — and track your progress.
Open the tool →