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Welcome
A message from Head of School David Egolf.
DEIB
Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
About Corlears
Learn about Corlears School's history, educational philosophy, mission, core values, and more.
Faculty and Staff
Meet our faculty and staff and explore the directory.
More to Explore
Blog
Press and Media Coverage
Careers
Parent Reviews

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Admissions Overview
Everything prospective families need to know about Corlears admissions.
How to Apply
Outlining the admissions processes for each of our academic programs, from toddlers through PreK.
Events and Webinars
Visit our campus and go inside the curriculum with school leadership. 
Tuition & TEAM
Changing the paradigm from financial aid to equitable tuition level-setting for all families.
Quick Links
Toddler Application
Ravenna
Clarity
School Programs
Toddler
The Toddler program for ages 10–24 months celebrates the way toddlers learn best: through the art of play and wonderment.
Nursery
The Nursery program fosters the natural wonder and curiosity of 2- and 3-year-olds.
PreK
Empowering 4-year-old children to become even greater participants in their learning and school community.
Auxiliary Programs
Camp Corlears
Classic summer fun with plenty of outdoor play, arts and crafts, and fun with friends. Led by Corlears teachers. Open to all.
Learn. Play. Grow.
Free family activities available on select Saturdays throughout the school year.
See Complete Program Overview
Board of Trustees
Meet the volunteer Board of Trustees and learn more about the committees and structures that govern Corlears School.
School Calendar
Events, holidays, and school closings.
Families Association
Corlears families are important members of our school community, and we offer a number of ways to get involved.
Alumni
How to get connected and stay involved with Corlears School's alumni community.
Ways to Support
Corlears is a small school, but our community has a big heart — and many ways to get involved.
Make a Donation
Every dollar has a lasting impact — not just on  students attending Corlears today, but on all children who come through our doors.
Volunteer
There are a variety of opportunities available for current and alumni community members to get involved by volunteering their time. 

THE ROAD TO OUR FIRST ENDOWMENT

The Tuition Equity Fund (TEF) will serve as the foundation for Corlears School’s first-ever endowment. Corlears has committed significant resources to become the leading school for young children driven by diversity and equity. 

Through the Tuition Equity Fund, we strive to cultivate inclusion and belonging for all community members for generations to come. Your support of the TEF brings to life our vision of a vibrant and connected community like no other in New York City.

Learn More About the Tuition Equity Fund
Image of children playing at a water table


Corlears School

TODDLER • NURSERY • PREK
 
 
Built on trust. Rooted in love. Designed for wonder.
 
A play-based progressive preschool and early childhood center connecting the West Village and Chelsea.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A Community that Nurtures Children and Parents Alike

Corlears is a trusted early learning center in downtown Manhattan, pairing nearly 60 years of early childhood expertise with a purpose-built campus connecting the West Village and Chelsea. We're a collaborative partner to busy families — not just a place for early education, but a modern village where every child is known, challenged, and celebrated. Our innovative, inquiry-based approach meets your child exactly where they are, building the foundation for joyful, confident lifelong learning.

Growth
We celebrate childhood while preparing children for what's next. We meet each child exactly where they are in their development. Our approach is built on trust, rooted in love, and grounded in the belief that young children are capable, thoughtful, creative people with ideas worth following.
Belonging

We cultivate a deeply welcoming, collaborative community where expert educators and families partner together, creating a safe space where every child is known and feels entirely at home. Children learn that they are valued, that others are valued, and that everyone has a role in helping the community thrive.
Partnership

We act as a true teammate to families, offering the flexible care busy parents need alongside early childhood resources, support, and meaningful ways to connect with teachers. Parents know they have a true partner in Corlears, with a shared goal of making their child's early years extraordinary.
Flexibility
We offer several scheduling options at our purpose-built campus, giving families the flexibility they need while maintaining continuity, stability, and a rich experience throughout the day. Our caring educators create a consistent, supportive environment where children can feel secure, engaged, and ready to learn.

Apply Today for Fall 2026

Applications are still open for the 2026–27 school year! Get started today by visiting our Admissions and How to Apply pages. We look forward to getting to know your family!
Submit an Application

Learn More About Corlears

News and Stories

Parents have questions, Corlears has answers! Discover articles, videos, and other resources about early childhood and early years education, plus news and updates from inside Corlears and our wider community. 
Visit the Corlears Blog

Corlears Toddler Program in NYC: Wonder, Exploration, and Discovery

A Day in the Life at Camp Corlears: NYC Summer Camp for 3- and 4-Year-Olds

Differences Between Nursery School and Daycare: What to Consider

Corlears School Announces a Return to Its Early Childhood Roots

What Families Have to Say

“Corlears is more than a school, it’s a community of family and friends that considers equity and inclusion as core pieces to learning and the exchange of ideas and information. It has provided both my children with academic readiness, an understanding of collective responsibility and the confidence to share and welcome solutions for “why.”
Regina S.Corlears Parent
"This is a magical place; it really is like a village school where everyone knows and cares about everyone else - but within a highly sophisticated understanding of early childhood education."
Niche.com ReviewCorlears Parent
“Corlears is a warm, special environment that’s hard to find in type-A NYC. If you want a kid who feels happy and secure and confident, then this is the school for you.”
Julie S.Corlears Parent
"We absolutely love Corlears. Our children are thrilled to go to school every day, and they are learning and growing so much! It is amazing how well the school balances academic rigor with a progressive method of teaching, to ensure the kids all love learning and therefore are even more likely to achieve academic success. The faculty are gifted and incredibly invested in all of the children/families."
Review from Niche.comCorlears Parent
“The intimate setting of the school feels like a close-knit community. My daughter is extremely happy with the teachers and friends that she has made. Corlears students are confident, happy, critical thinkers that will make their mark on the world.”
Sharhonda S.Corlears Parent
“Our children have thrived at Corlears. Since the school only serves [the early years] there is a real purity there. Our children have become such confident learners and now are real leaders.”
Niche.com ReviewCorlears Parent
"Corlears is a gem of a school that I would highly recommend to parents looking for a school that provides an excellent education in a nurturing environment."
Niche.com ReviewCorlears Parent
Fun with fuzzballs in the Roots toddler classroom
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Luca and Olympia drop-off
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PreK in Spanish class on the rug
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Early childhood students having fun in the backyard
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Sara teaching art to Seedlings students
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Storytime in the Roots classroom
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Seedlings student hard at work with a shovel and pail in the backyard
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Learning through play in the backyard with the Seedlings
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Having fun on the backyard slide
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Practicing motor skills in the Roots classroom
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Building exterior spring 2024 - background

Connect with Admissions 

Interested in enrolling your child at Corlears School? Submit an inquiry and a member of the admissions team will follow up as soon as possible. For any questions, feel free to email us at admissions@corlearsschool.org. We look forward to getting to know your family!

Submit an Inquiry