In the world of New York City private schools, standing out in the crowd isn’t just desirable— it’s essential. Claremont Preparatory School, the first independent nonsectarian institute of learning below Canal Street, fits the bill with unparalleled academics, a focus on well-rounded learning, and a well-honed sense of fun.
“Claremont’s mission is to offer a wide variety of academic, social, nutritional, and physical education elements,” says executive director Michael C. Koffler. “We want to present [a wide range of] concepts in all forms of arts and sciences to children and their families, so that our children can achieve excellence and esteem as well as knowledge and skills.”
Providing classes for three-year-olds through eighth graders, Claremont (located in the middle of the Financial District) is housed in what was the Bank of America International Building, built in 1929. The school takes advantage of the original architecture of the building: The auditorium is in the lofty former banking hall, the cafeteria is in the old bank vaults, and a spacious rooftop deck has been fitted with custom play equipment that allows the kids to have the outdoor fun they crave.
Born out of the needs of students in a handful of Claremont’s preschools (Claremont Children’s School and Williamsburg Northside Preschool), Claremont Prep delivers what every parent (and child) wants from a school—a fun place to learn, with a crop of dedicated, enthusiastic teachers and a curriculum that thinks outside the box just enough to keep things fresh.
“Parents are interested in the highest quality of education, and our dream was to create the finest ongoing school possible,” says Koffler. “After creating these top-quality preschools, parents get excited about the next step. Claremont Prep is the natural extension, continuing all the same qualities and principles of the preschools.” Aiming to extend the child’s educational path even further, Claremont will open a high school in September, starting with the ninth grade and adding more grades each year. Only a stone’s throw from Claremont Prep, the school includes a state-of-the-art library and tech center, a media production facility, and art, music, and science labs. Kids these days, indeed.
