Schools, Daycares, & Preschools in Jersey City
Picking the best school to send your child to can be stressful. With all the options available, you want to make the right choice! With the increasing number of residences and burgeoning population, there’s a huge demand for good Schools, Daycares, & Preschools in Jersey City. While schools provide the students with all the tools to grow, explore, and thrive into young leaders and thinkers, Daycares help take of the little ones giving them a nurturing environment for developing skills, creativity, and confidence as they take their first steps in the world.
Preschools bridge the gap between home and formal education. It offers children avenues to explore, imagine, and learn through play. This is the time the children need support and focus on fostering social, emotional, and cognitive skills. This sets the stage for their further growth and development.
Since this is such an important decision in one’s life, parents need to look into so many aspects when deciding on where to send their children for education. Here, we have compiled a list of the schools, pre-schools, and daycares in Jersey City and Hoboken.
Based on governance and funding structure, schools can be categorized as Public, Private, or Charter.
Public Schools
In the United States, public schools are divided into districts. Districts can include one city or town, but other districts comprise many towns and cities. Not sure where your local school is located within your district? No worries, you can check the New Jersey School Directory. All public schools are free because they rely on federal, state, and local tax dollars. Public schools must accept every child in their district by law, but this does not mean your child will get into your chosen school.
Pre-K Dual Language Program Guidelines for Public Schools
Students must be residents of Jersey City and meet the enrollment eligibility. In addition, children must be four years old by October 1. The Pre-K Dual Language classrooms are configured to half of the 15 students (7/8) speak English, and the other half (7/8) speak Spanish. The Pre-K Dual Language Program is available in 4 Jersey City Schools, including PS #3, #5, #6, and #30.
Registration:
The Pre-K Dual Language registration process usually takes place between February and March. Applications can be picked up from the Early Childhood Department at 346 Claremont Avenue in Jersey City, the Early Childhood webpage, and public schools. Once completed, applications can be submitted by hand, certified mail, or email. Students who are not chosen will be placed on a waiting list per their lottery number, and they can apply for other schools, daycares, and preschools in Jersey City.
Preschool Programs and Full-Day Kindergarten Program
Various preschool and full-day kindergarten programs are available in Jersey City.
Registration:
The following are the steps that parents need to complete during registration.
– Get a copy of the school’s registration form.
– Answer the district’s health questionnaire less than 12 months before the start of the school year. Then, if you require support with health insurance, you may qualify for New Jersey Family Care. New Jersey Family Care is also available to qualified legal immigrants. You can reach them online or by calling 1-800-701-0710.
– Child Immunization from an NJ doctor or recognized health authority from your last place of residency.
– A copy of your child’s last school report from your last place of residency, if applicable.
– Proofs of residency. These include a utility bill, apartment lease, valid driver’s license, or notarized affidavit.
– The child’s original birth certificate. A passport alone will not be accepted. If original documents have not been translated into English, they should have an English translation provided by a reputable translator.
– Two emergency contacts for school records.
Ensure you check individual school requirements since each requirement can change and vary from school to school.
The preschools have open houses that parents can attend where they can learn about the school, the programs offered, and also tour the schools.
Preschool/school age requirements:
Toddler Program: The child must be two years old by October 1.
Transitional Three’s Program: The child must be three years old between October 2 – December 31.
Pre-K 3: The kid must be three years old by October 1.
Pre-K 4: The child must be four years old by October 1.
Kindergarten: The child must be five years old by October 1.
Private Schools
Private schools are autonomous, which allows them to have the freedom to offer religious education and curriculum apart from the regulated state standards. They also depend on funding, from institutions, grants, donations, and endowments. These schools are not required to accept every child who applies. There are many more schools, daycares, and preschools in Jersey City that you can apply to.
Private School Admission:
– The private school admission process usually starts about 12 months before enrollment.
– An open House is held in the fall for parents and potential students to visit the school and learn about the program. – – Parents should receive a Pre-Application during the open house, and it should be completed with a non-refundable direct deposit covering an interview/evaluation with the child.
– Families are notified of admissions by an acceptance letter mailed to the family. Letters usually arrive in March.
– Families are required to respond within one week of receiving an acceptance letter. To secure space, a contract needs to be signed with payment of non-refundable registration fees.
Charter Schools
Similar to traditional public schools, charter schools are free. However, spots are often limited. Charter schools are independently run, and for-profit private companies operate some. A school’s ability to remain often depends on the school’s management and the student’s performance. Usually, charter schools tend to be smaller schools, resulting in smaller class sizes. All charter schools hold lotteries for admission.
Application for Charter Schools:
– Two application rounds for charter schools – March and October.
– The application process is conducted in two phases.
Reggio Emilia Schools
Another school of thought or adopted teaching method is the Reggio Emilia Method. Evolved in Italy, this approach also believes in teaching through activities. However, the process differs in the type of activities and the core values it promotes. Reggio Emilia believes in & is aimed at enabling the child to make their place in society. It encourages communication with others, forming relationships, and encourages the child to wonder. The classroom merely acts as a catalyst consisting of materials facilitating learning. The children are encouraged to communicate through music, art, dance, writing, and more. The parents are also involved in designing the curriculum, and the actual progress of the child is recorded. Look for Reggio schools that are members of or engaged with the NAREA. You can learn more by visiting https://www.reggioalliance.org/.
Waldorf Schools
The Waldorf method is another popular method of teaching. Evolved in Germany, the method enables the child to grow through imagination. This school of thought believes in developing children’s ability to think and imagine. A child must be able to use their imagination and create through it. Thus, children are told stories, taken for walks, and encouraged to play games and create toys from available natural materials. This teaching method grounds itself on the fact that reading and writing are not to be introduced to children at such a young age. Their education must be entirely oral and replete with creative imagination. There are also different age groups for which a separate curriculum is prescribed. These age groups are 0-7yrs, 7-14yrs, and 14-18yrs. Learn more by visiting,
Parent Co-op Schools
Consider a cooperative preschool if you want to be directly involved with your child’s school experience. Parents actively engage with their little one’s education daily and work closely with the classroom teachers. This hands-on approach allows parents and children to learn together in a nurturing environment that teaches preschoolers how to cooperate and resolve conflicts. Parents share in the business operation of the school by serving on the school’s board of directors. Co-ops aren’t for everyone because of the responsibilities
and time commitments.
Montessori Schools
The Montessori Method of education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, is a child-centered and play-based educational approach based on scientific observations with over 100 years of success in diverse cultures worldwide. It is a holistic view of the child as naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating self-guided learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment.
It is an approach that honors and fosters the human spirit and potential by providing opportunities for children to be interdependent and flourish in a mixed-age community. Thus, providing children opportunities to think and reason at a higher level and become self-sufficient as they work alongside their peers with teachers as gentle guides. The Montessori method can be applied in a public, private, or charter setting. Therefore, it’s essential to distinguish the effectiveness of the Montessori program you are considering by looking for trained and certified teachers and accreditation.
Apart from these, based on instructional philosophies and teaching methodologies there are several other types of schools. These are not commonly followed methodologies/philosophies. For instance, in Jersey City, few schools offer an IB curriculum and there are schools that offer faith-based education but there are no Sudbury schools.
Progressive Schools: These emphasize experiential learning and critical thinking. The key features of this type include an emphasis on real-world experiences and a flexible student-centric approach. The progressive school “Engages students as active participants in their learning and in society.”
International Baccalaureate (IB) Schools: These schools offer an internationally recognized curriculum emphasizing critical thinking, global citizenship, and inquiry-based learning.
Sudbury Schools: These operate on democratic principles, where students have complete control over their education and the daily functioning of the school. There are no set curricula, grade levels or standardized instruction in these types of schools.
Magnet Schools: These are free public schools that exist within existing public schools in a district and offer specialized curricula or programs (usually science, arts, and technology). Attending them is a choice. They often draw students from the whole district or even across a wider geographic area. They are designed to promote diversity and innovation in education.
Forest Schools: These schools focus on outdoor, nature-based learning, encouraging exploration and environmental stewardship. The curriculum is largely experiential and play-based.
Religious Schools: Religious schools integrate faith-based instruction alongside traditional academic subjects. They may be private or parochial schools run by specific religious institutions and usually open to people within a specific faith.
Language Immersion Schools: This is a bilingual language education where the schools provide instruction in two languages. One will be the student’s native language and another, a second language that will be acquired through immersion. This promotes bilingualism or multilingualism and emphasizes cultural understanding.
Schools, Daycares, and Preschools in Jersey City
Jersey City offers a diverse range of educational options for families, including schools, daycares, and preschools that cater to various needs and preferences of the city’s multicultural community. Jersey City boasts numerous daycares and preschools that focus on early childhood learning and development. They offer holistic development with an emphasis on a balanced approach, combining academic learning, creative play, and social interaction.
The Brunswick School
Brunswick Street Campus: 371 7th street
Warren Street (VYV) Campus: 474 Warren street
The mission of The Brunswick School (TBS) is to provide a safe, nurturing, and inspiring learning environment and holistic education that considers children’s physical, cognitive, social/emotional, language, and life-skill development and progress. TBS helps children reach developmentally appropriate milestones, using an adaptable curriculum that meets the unique needs of each child and allows teachers to scaffold learning catering to each child’s talents and strengths.
TBS believes that fostering creativity, offering hands-on experiences, and connecting the classrooms with the real world through monthly themes are effective ways to engage and develop young minds so they can thrive in elementary school and beyond.
The school was founded on the belief that we should celebrate the diversity of Jersey City. They are committed to fostering meaningful connections with those in the neighborhood and extended community of students, families, teachers, and staff.
Smart Start Academy
Hoboken : 552 9th Street, Hoboken, NJ, 07030
Jersey City: 532 Jersey Ave, Jersey City, NJ, 07302
Lumber House: 430 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ, 07307
Smart Start Academy is dedicated to bringing the best environment for learning and creativity to each student. Their full-day programs have a curriculum that works to meet every learning style that nurtures every aspect of a child- the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social aspects.
Ivy Primary Prep
675 Monmouth St, Jersey City, NJ 07310 – Phone: 201-743-9190
Ivy Primary Prep is an early childhood education center catering to ages 18 months through 6 years. The center focuses on primary learning and early childhood development, offering academically focused programs. Ivy Primary Prep takes an innovative approach to the development of the whole student by emphasizing a curriculum that includes physical, social, and emotional components. The teaching method revolves around interactive and workshop-based lesson plans. Each classroom is capped at ten students to foster an academically challenging environment and maximize student-teacher engagement.
Franklin High School
88 Town Square Place, Jersey City, NJ – Phone: 201-234-4781
When community, collaboration, & flexibility underpin a learning environment, students shine. Learn how they have done just that at their private high school! To learn more about Franklin High School, click here.
Waterfront Montessori
150 Warren St #108, Jersey City, NJ 07302 – Phone: 201-333-5600
Your child is unique. Choosing the right school for your child is about so much more than curriculum. Your child deserves a place that will help nurture their independence, expand their critical thinking, and unlock their creativity so that they can become the centered, confident, self-starter they were meant to be. That’s what Waterfront Montessori professes to do.
Learning Ladders
33 Hudson St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
35 Hudson St, Jersey City, NJ 07302 – Phone: (201) 516-0700
160 Morgan St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201-918-6643
Learning Ladders is an International Baccalaureate School with three campuses in downtown Jersey City. It offers grades for Nursery School, Primary School, Elementary School, Summer Camp, and After School programs. Contact to schedule a visit to learn about the IB curriculum and how Learning Ladders provides an edge to its students with intimate class settings, individualized instructions, and enrichment classes with all-inclusive tuition.
Hudson Montessori
10 Regent Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
As the premier Montessori school in New Jersey, Hudson Montessori fosters the love of learning for all children aged 2 through Middle School.
All Saints Episcopal Day School
707 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030 – Phone: (201) 792-0736
All Saints Episcopal Day School serves students from Nursery (their 3-year-old program) through Grade 8. It is a co-ed International Baccalaureate (IB) World School whose students are accepted into some of the most selective, private High Schools in New York and New Jersey. All Saints was founded in 1985 as an Episcopal preschool but as it has grown in size and grade offerings the school has separated from the Episcopal Church while maintaining a spiritual component to its broad curricular offerings.
It is an academically rich and rigorous environment with small class sizes and individualized attention so that each student feels challenged yet supported enough that they can explore their passions. The IB program emphasizes the practical application of the student’s learning. A good example of this is Grade 4’s annual presentation to the Hoboken City Council on a topic of importance to the students. These presentations, such as the plastic bag ban, have resulted in legislation being passed by the Council in support of the students’ aims. The result is that students feel empowered by their ability to effect real change in their community and carry that feeling of achievement forward into their ongoing educational and professional careers.
Tessa International School
720 Monroe St Suite E105-106, Hoboken, NJ – Phone:201-755-5585″>201-755-5585
At Tessa International School, your child will embark on a unique educational journey that nurtures global multilingual competence. A recognized NAIS educational model school and a proud representative of international schools in New Jersey, you can choose from their premier bilingual tracks in French, Mandarin, or Spanish, combined with robust English instruction. Experience a comprehensive multicultural learning environment in our modern private school in Hoboken, NJ.
The French American Academy
– Jersey City: 209 Third street, NJ 07302 / Pre-School, Elementary School, Middle School
– Hoboken: 360 1st street, NJ 07030 / Pre-School
– Englewood: 85 West Demarest Ave, NJ 07631 / Pre-School, Elementary School
Bilingual Education, International Citizens
From Preschool through Middle School
The French American Academy is an international school, offering a bilingual curriculum, where diversity and inclusion inspire and cultivate openness, empathy, and the pleasure of lifelong learning. They have a child-centered approach, using a comprehensive bilingual curriculum in a safe and creative environment. The school encourages play-based, inquiry-based, and project-based learning.
They aim to provide the highest educational standards, for all subjects, in both languages. The French American Academy combines the best of both educational systems and is accredited by the French Ministry of National Education and the Middle States Association – Commission on Elementary Schools and Colleges.
With a low teacher / Student ratio, the school fosters curiosity and enthusiasm while reaching the highest academic standards. Our students grow up to be successful, respectful, confident, positive, open-minded citizens of the world.
Academy of Excellence
159 2nd St, Jersey City, NJ 07302 – Phone: 201-963-5555
Unlocking Your Child’s Potential, One Day at a Time: Join the Academy of Excellence Preschool Family Today!
Garden Preschool Cooperative
242 10th St, Jersey City, NJ 07302 – Phone: 201-309-0440
Garden Preschool Cooperative‘s goal is to guide children toward becoming well-rounded individuals who are self-reliant, confident, kind, and community-minded.
Smile Preschool and Nursery
194 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302 – Phone:201-963-8533
Smile Preschool has been providing a “preschool as family” environment for 25 years to the child
Temple Beth-El of Jersey City
2419 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07304 – Phone: 201-333-4229
New to the area, new to Judaism, or seeking to reconnect – welcome to Temple Beth-El, a vibrant congregation committed to diversity, education, celebration, and bettering the world. Interfaith, multi-ethnic, single-parent, gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals and families are warmly welcomed. Come visit; there is a place for you in this welcoming community.
The Hudson School
601 Park Avenue, 422 Willow Ave, Hoboken, NJ 07030 – Phone: 201-659-8335
The Hudson School provides intellectually inquisitive students with a rigorous and relevant college-preparatory education that inspires independent thinking and intellectual risk-taking. Their goal is to develop compassionate, responsible, principled citizens who are socially conscious and committed to lifelong learning and service. The school fosters an eclectic and supportive environment that challenges students and faculty to develop their passions and talents through a stimulating, balanced, and creative interdisciplinary curriculum.
The OLC
248 Marin Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07302 – Phone: 201-434-2405
The mission of Our Lady of Czestochowa (The OLC School) is to create a learning environment that encourages each child to grow as a spiritual, moral, and intellectual individual, who will be able to embrace a global multicultural society of the 21st century. As a Catholic school in a diverse community, they strive to develop virtues and values that foster the expression of a child’s potential. They encourage life-long learning and creative problem-solving by providing a challenging and stimulating academic curriculum, while also allowing consideration for individual interests, abilities, and needs.
The Scandinavian School of Jersey City
210 9th St, Jersey City, NJ 07302 – Phone: 201-420-8111
Curious and Capable: The Scandinavian School of Jersey City aims to inspire its children to deeply connect with themselves and one another, giving them the tools they need to be independent, democratic, wholesome, and empathetic citizens of the world.
Lily Pad Academy
837 Jersey Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07310 – Phone: 201-272-2252
Lily Pad Academy has programs for infants, wobblers, toddlers, and Pre-K. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, the program emphasizes child-centered learning, allowing each child’s interests and curiosity to guide their educational journey. They offer a diverse range of activities designed to support holistic development, ensuring personalized attention and care for each child. Full-time care, Part Time care, mornings only, or half day care. Contact them for further details.
Adventures in Learning
2 Montgomery Street, Jersey City, NJ, 07302 – Phone: 201-683-8411
Adventures in Learning is enrolling children 8 weeks through 6 years of age. Our curriculum is flexible and geared towards each child’s unique interest.
Apple Montessori Schools
220 Sinatra Dr, Hoboken, NJ 07030 – Phone: 973-513-1675
Apple Montessori Schools’ modern Montessori approach to early education empowers young children to reach their full potential. From 6 weeks through 6th grade.
Hamilton Park Montessori School
1 McWilliams Place Jersey City, NJ 07302 – Phone: 201-533-1910
Hamilton Park Montessori School is a leading Montessori School in Jersey City NJ. Hamilton Park Montessori School (a New Jersey non-profit organization) believes a better world is created by respectful individuals who are authentic to themselves, passionate in their pursuits, and connected to the world around them.
Ages: 12 months – 8th Grade
The Ethical Community Charter School
95 Broadway, Jersey City, NJ 07306
BASIS Independent Manhattan
795 Columbus Ave, NY, NY 10025 – Phone: (347) 749-1965
BASIS Independent Manhattan is the Leading PreK–12 private school in New York City providing an advanced global education. Expert educators and the world-acclaimed BASIS Curriculum.
George Jackson Academy
104 St. Marks Place, New York, NY 10009 – Phone: 201-647-9472
George Jackson Academy is New York City’s only independent middle school for academically talented boys from families of all incomes.
HudsonWay Immersion School
525 W 52nd Street (between 10th and 11th Ave.) New York, NY 10019 – Phone: 562 844 7924
HudsonWay Immersion School is a top private, co-ed Pre-K to middle school offering language immersion in Mandarin and Spanish.
Growing Seeds Learning Academy
6 Chapel, Jersey City, NJ, 07305
Growing Seeds Learning Academy provides high-quality childcare and the award-winning Creative Curriculum® for children 2 1/2 years old to 13 years old.
After School Activities
My Gym Children’s Fitness Center
252 9th St, Jersey City, NJ 07302 – Phone: 201-205-1218
My Gym Jersey City offers kids birthday parties, Mommy and Me, gymnastics camps, and other fantastic fun-filled programs for ages 6 weeks – to 10 years.
The Little Gym
380 Newark Ave Units 101 & 102, Jersey City, NJ 07302 – Phone: 201-222-6209
The Little Gym is the place where children ages 4 months to 12 years learn and grow through movement-based learning and imaginative play.
British Swim School
389 Washington St, #31K – Phone: (201) 676-3630
The British Swim School teaches water survival and swim lessons to over 13,000 nationwide. Babies from 3 months old to adults have the opportunity to participate in classes all over Hudson County.
Miss Ivonne Swim School
Phone: (201)600- 4640
The Miss Yvonne Swim School has been teaching people to swim since it opened in 2002. The school serves over 200 students each year!
Luna De Papel
321 Communipaw Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07304 – Phone: 201-946-9400
Luna de Papel (paper moon) is a crafting workshop. They offer crafting and DIY classes and workshops for adults and children of all ages. It is a place where all can test the bounds of their imagination in an environment you can enjoy. They also have a ton of after-school programs.
Nimbus Arts Center – Nimbus Dance
329 Warren St, Jersey City, NJ 07302 – Phone: 201-377-0718
Nimbus uses the power of the arts to impact individuals and communities. As Jersey City’s vibrant, anchor arts organization invested in equity, diversity, and excellence, Nimbus weaves together a dance company, arts center, school, and community programming.
Procel Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
189 Brunswick St, Jersey City, NJ 07302 – Phone: 201-740-4325
Martial arts classes benefit growing children far beyond the dojo and in many real-world scenarios. Procel Brazilian‘s structured classes are meant to help develop coordination, physical fitness, and mental strength, as well as gain valuable social skills. Through positive reinforcement, we can bring out the best in the children to help them succeed in life.
Next Step Broadway
233 9th St, Jersey City, NJ 07302 – Phone: 551-352-1774
Next Step Broadway JC’s mission is to provide an environment where all ages and levels can experience the joy of expression through dancing, singing & acting.
Instructors will introduce knowledge of technical, musical, creative, and performance skills, and will develop these skills for all levels. This developmental program builds confidence, self-esteem, and coordination to create a well-rounded whole artist.
We feel that by instilling these crafts in a positive, joyful way students will make it a part of their lives, creating a connection with the whole self – mind, body, and soul. Whether it is your child’s first encounter with dance, or they are looking to further develop skills in the world of dance and performing arts Next Step Broadway is there.
WonderWorkz
345 Marin Blvd Jersey City, NJ 07302 – Phone: (929) 213-3200
With WonderWorkz, the fun never ends where they make every moment magical and full of wonder. They believe in the power of play, laughter, and endless imagination. Their goal is to create moments that spark joy and excitement thus making memories that’ll last a lifetime!
AlphaMinds Academy
225 Morris Blvd Jersey City, NJ 07302
601 Park Ave Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone: (201)844-8535
Enhance your child’s confidence and love of learning with AlphaMinds Academy! Their after-school academic and enrichment program empowers students to excel academically while cultivating a lifelong passion for learning by fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. We offer a diverse range of classes for children ages 3-15, including Chess, Coding, Logic, Math, Reading, and Essay Writing, as well as the Russian Language Immersion School for children 1-15 years old. With programs available after school, on Saturdays, and online, we make it easy to find the perfect fit for your child’s schedule!
Fasttrack-Languages
242 10th Street, Jersey City, NJ, 07302 – Phone: 718-825-6598
We are all told, “Express yourself” yet, we are limited in our ways of expression. We are here to change that. Fasttrack-Languages‘ goal is to help our students accomplish their learning goals through LANGUAGE. By fostering critical and self expression, we cultivate cognitive and emotional development.
TongYan Chinese School
111 Bright St, Jersey City, NJ – Phone: 919-272-6009
TongYan School, a non-profit organization in Jersey City, offers diverse programs for children, including Chinese language classes, math, art.
Eye Level of Jersey City
338 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ, 07302 – Phone: 551-233-8484
Unlock Your Child’s Full Potential with Eye Level!
Now Available in the Heart of Jersey City for the First Time!
Discover a comprehensive, self-paced learning program that develops essential skills in Math and English, fostering a strong foundation for academic success.
Breakout Sports
4 West Palisades Avenue, Englewood, New Jersey 07631 – Phone: 201-484-0880
Breakout Sports offers recreational sports classes, camps and clinics for kids in today’s most popular sports such as, soccer, basketball, T-ball and more.
Soccer Stars
606 Columbus Ave, New York, NY
Soccer Stars is the nation’s most popular children’s soccer program for ages 1 to 12+. Our goal is to help children improve their gross motor and soccer skills.
STEM Kids NYC
704 Grand Street Commercial Unit #2, Jersey City, NJ, 07304
STEM Kids NYC in New York, NY is nonprofit organization that offers educational programs for learners as young as three.
The Nature Place Day Camp
285 Hungry Hollow Rd. Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977 – Phone: 845-356-1234
Experience our a nature-oriented, non-competitive summer day camp in NY for ages 4-16, with busing from NYC, Hoboken, Bergen, & Westchester.
Tonal Art Music Center
316 17th Street Jersey City, NJ – Phone: 646-667-0091
Tonal Art Music Center offers music lessons for all instruments, ages and levels. Private lessons for piano, guitar, violin, cello, viola, clarinet, ukulele, mandolin, saxophone, bass, ..
Updated September 17, 2024
