Manhattan Schoolhouse at 1616 1st Ave
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Overview
Educational philosophy
Progressive / Play BasedPrograms offered
3s · Pre-K
Annual tuition
—
School continues
Through Pre-K
Student-teacher ratio
1:10 (preschool)
Financial aid
Not offered
Sibling & legacy
—
Manhattan Schoolhouse's 1616 First Avenue location (the DOHMH permit address is 1608 First Avenue) is the Reggio Emilia-inspired group's original preschool site on the Upper East Side, opened in 2016 and serving children from three years old through Pre-K. The program emphasizes project-based, child-centered learning with low teacher-to-child ratios and a rich enrichment slate including music, art, movement, STEAM, soccer, swim, and chess. It partners with the NYC DOE to offer free 3-K and Pre-K for All seats, runs year-round with a wrap-around option to 6:00 PM and summer camp, and provides freshly prepared meals daily. Admission is rolling, beginning with a waitlist pre-application and tour.
Programs & Schedule
Schedule
Monday – Friday · 8:30am–2:50pm
Extended hours
Yes · until 6pm
Tuition
Contact school; 2026-27 rate; [Detail: 3-K / three-year-olds]. Core day 8:30 AM-2:50 PM; optional wrap-around drop-off from 8:00 AM and pick-up to 6:00 PM (year-round). Operates in partnership with NYC DOE; FREE 3-K seats available to NYC residents. Private full-day/extended tuition not published. Ratio 1:10 or less.
Schedule
Monday – Friday · 8:30am–2:50pm
Extended hours
Yes · until 6pm
Tuition
Contact school; 2026-27 rate; [Detail: Pre-K / 4-K / four-year-olds]. Core day 8:30 AM-2:50 PM (assumed same as 3-K; Pre-K-specific times not separately published); optional wrap-around to 6:00 PM. Operates in partnership with NYC DOE; FREE Pre-K / Pre-K for All (UPK) seats available to NYC residents. Includes kindergarten exam preparation support. Private full-day/extended tuition not published. Ratio 1:10 or less.
Admissions
This school enrolls on a rolling basis year-round (subject to availability and waitlists). There is no fixed application deadline — reach out to the school directly to check for current openings.
Leadership
Amy Rockwell
M.S. Special Education with Child Life concentration (Bank Street College); M.S. Educational Leadership (Hunter College); NY certified in Special Education, School Building Leadership, and School District Leadership; Executive Director of all Manhattan Schoolhouse locations since 2018
Culture & Community
Reggio Emilia-inspired, project-based early childhood program that cultivates each child's intellectual, emotional, social, and moral potential through exploration, imagination and creativity, the environment as the 'third teacher,' documentation, and low child-to-teacher ratios. This location is the group's original preschool site (opened 2016) and serves ages 3 through Pre-K (3-K and Pre-K), partnering with the NYC DOE for 3-K and Pre-K for All.
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