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St. Bartholomew Community Preschool welcomes inquiries from families of all faiths interested in learning more about admission to our school. Watch this video to get a glimpse of our school. (Please note that this video contains segments filmed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.)


The preschool’s educational philosophy is based on fostering a love of learning while celebrating and embracing each child’s uniqueness. We are committed to providing an environment where children’s curiosity is encouraged.

St. Bartholomew Community Preschool offers a warm, nurturing first school experience. Parent participation is strongly encouraged. There are numerous opportunities for parents including leading an arts & crafts activity, chaperoning a class trip, or reading in the library. Parents also enjoy serving on one of the many parent committees such as Community Outreach, Book Fair, International Day, or Parents’ Night.


Diversity

Recognizing and celebrating diversity is an important part of life at St. Bartholomew Community Preschool. We welcome children of all races, religions, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds. The preschool provides a community that is inclusive and comfortable for all. Once a year, the school focuses on a week-long international studies theme including music, food, art, and dancing from many countries and cultures. This culminates in a school wide International Day celebration on the Friday of that week, ending with an international feast for all.

Community Outreach

Community is an important aspect of the preschool program. A monthly community service initiative at the school includes collecting food for St. Bart's food pantry, assembling “blessing bags” for the visitors to St. Bart’s Shelter, and collecting coats for the Bowery Mission, among other activities.

Extracurricular Activities

Tennis instruction, Math-letics (fun with math), Science Explorers Club, Literacy Lab, Tae Kwon Do, and Cooking with the ABCs are all optional activities available for the students following the regular school day.

The preschool’s dedicated faculty is comprised of experienced educators. All classroom lead teachers are New York State certified and possess a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. The faculty is able to work in small groups to reach individual needs, offering challenging but appropriate instruction. In addition to the faculty, a school librarian, a music teacher, a dance/movement teacher, and a preschool lifeguard and swimming instructor bring their expertise to the program to further enhance the curriculum.


Watching a child grow is an amazing experience! One of the greatest tasks given parents is allowing children to be children for as long as possible. At St. Bartholomew Community Preschool, children are provided with a safe and nurturing environment. It's a place where confidence is fostered, individual strengths are celebrated, and childhood mistakes are part of the learning process.

St. Bartholomew Community Preschool has been a vital part of midtown Manhattan for over 45 years offering a supportive but competitive program, and preparing children for the next step of their educational career.

The essence of the school lies with the experienced faculty. The faculty plays an essential role in the success of the school, establishing a caring and engaging environment for children to grow emotionally and intellectually. Children are appropriately challenged, encouraged to take risks without the fear of failure or criticism, and are empowered by the ability to think. School becomes a magical place filled with friendships, where children can develop a true passion for learning.

I welcome you to contact us and visit St. Bart's Preschool!

Allison O'Melia
Director

Admissions

St. Bartholomew Community Preschool admits children of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to children of the school. We welcome inquiries from families interested in learning more about admission.

If you would like to apply for Early Notification please refer to the St. Bart’s Preschool Early Notification Policy listed below.

APPLY FOR 2021-2022

Financial Aid

Financial assistance may be available for qualified parents who demonstrate need. Families applying for financial assistance will be asked to submit supporting documentation including a copy of their most recent federal income tax form (1040). Please contact the Admissions Office at 212-378-0238 or via email if you have further questions. Applications for financial aid must be received by December 15, 2020.

Early Notification Policy

St. Bartholomew Community Preschool welcomes and encourages St. Bart's church members, legacies of the preschool, siblings, and children enrolled in Playgroup to apply to the program. A family can elect to participate in the Early Notification process at St. Bart's Preschool if meeting the requirements of one of the four categories:

Church Member

At least one parent has been an active member for at least 2 years and the child has been a member for at least 1 year. An active member is one who contributes both time and money to the church on a regular basis.

Legacy

Parent attended the Preschool as a child for at least 2 years.

Sibling

Brother or sister attended the Preschool for at least 1 year.

Playgroup

Child is currently enrolled in St. Bart's Playgroup.

Applicants desiring to receive Early Notification should notify the Preschool by January 10, 2021

Decisions will be mailed in accordance with the ISAAGNY Notification Dates.

St. Bart's Playgroup


St. Bartholomew Community Preschool’s Playgroup has been an active program for the past 40 years. The Playgroup provides a time and place for toddlers to gather along with a parent or caregiver for their first school experience. By participating in an ongoing playgroup, young children are better prepared for and more readily transitioned into a preschool program.

Unfortunately the 2020-2021 Playgroup has been temporarily suspended due to the current situation. Feel free to email with any questions.

Parent Portal

ACCESS PARENT PORTAL

Placement



Preschool Administration works closely throughout the process of applying to Ongoing Schools with each family to help identify the best options for each child. During the “Ongoing Schools Forum,” held each spring, families applying to Kindergarten learn more about the process through a Parents Panel (question/answer session) and a presentation by the Director and the Administrative Director. Soon after the Forum, parents meet individually with the Director and Administrative Director to compile a list of prospective schools for their child.

Ongoing Schools for St. Bart's Graduates 2016-2020

The Allen-Stevenson School
The Hewitt School
The Birch Wathen Lenox School
Horace Mann School
The Brearley School
Hunter College Elementary School
The Buckley School
The Lycee Francais
The Browning School

Marymount School Of New York
The Chapin School
The Nightingale Bamford School
The Calhoun School
The Rudolph Steiner School
The Collegiate School
St. Bernard’s School
Convent Of The Sacred Heart
St. Ignatius Loyola

The Dalton School
Saint David’s School
The Dwight School
The Spence School
Grace Church School
The Town School
The Greenvale School
United Nations International School

Location


The preschool is housed on the 4th, 5th, and 6th floors of the Community House at St. Bartholomew’s Church. The preschool entrance is located on 50th Street, between Lexington Avenue and Park Avenue.

Classrooms


The classrooms are spacious and bright, offering a flexible layout for large group, small group, and individual activities. Each classroom has a play area equipped with age-appropriate blocks, games, puzzles, toys, a sand table, and a dramatic play space. Additionally, each has tables and chairs for completing projects and special work, as well as enjoying snack together. Bulletin boards can be found throughout the school displaying the children’s original artwork. The preschool also has access to several large multi-purpose rooms, used for dance/movement classes and parent gatherings.

Library


The preschool library has built-in stadium seating that allows all of the students to easily view the pictures as stories are being read. The library has approximately 2,500 volumes and averages the addition of 125 new books each year!

Rooftop Playground


The preschool’s rooftop playground offers an amazing outdoor play space for our students. The area includes two climbing apparatuses and ample room for riding tricycles, running, and skipping. A perfect place for playing!

Swimming Pool


The heated pool is located in the basement of the Community House. Students in Class III, IV, and V receive weekly swimming instruction by skilled, certified swimming instructors. Twice a year, parents are invited to “Swimming Observation.” During this time, parents may observe their son/daughter during their lesson from the first-floor pool observation deck (an excellent photo opportunity)! The pool area was completely renovated during the summer of 2015.

Gymnasium


The gym is also located in the basement of the Community House. Children use the gym on Fridays following swimming and on days with inclement weather. Afterschool tennis classes are also conducted in the gym. The gym was completely renovated during the summer of 2018, with new lighting, flooring, painting, and pads.

Chapel


St. Bartholomew Community Preschool is a nondenominational school that embraces our diverse school community. Class I and Class II attend chapel together, and Classes III, IV, and V attend together. Both services are led by the preschool chaplain. Children’s chapel provides an intimate setting for the time together. In December, parents, grandparents, siblings, and caregivers are all invited to attend a family chapel service.

Visit Us


St. Bartholomew Community Preschool

325 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022
(212) 378-0238/0223 Fax (212) 378-0281

CONTACT US