The Weekday School

The Weekday School is a progressive, play-based, independent early childhood school that has been serving families in New York City since 1930. We are conveniently located on the Upper West Side, and we welcome families with children ages two through five. Our diverse community fosters a culture of sharing, understanding, and respect, creating an environment where each child can thrive.

Our program focuses on the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of each child. We celebrate each child's individuality and are dedicated to teaching them to become confident learners, passionate explorers, and discerning risk-takers. The Weekday School is licensed by the New York State Department of Health and is a proud member of the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY).

Our Mission & Philosophy

At The Weekday School, we cherish and respect the diversity and uniqueness of each individual child. We create a safe, positive, and nurturing environment that fosters self-awareness, self-respect, and a sense of responsibility as part of a larger community. We strive to build a community of responsible and compassionate young citizens of the world.

We believe that each child is a unique individual with gifts that we celebrate and nurture. Our progressive, play-based curriculum is designed to foster creativity, imagination, and a love of learning. We provide a variety of opportunities for children to explore the world around them, including neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and several indoor and outdoor play areas.

Our History

The Weekday School was established in 1930 as a progressive, play-based school on the Upper West Side of New York City. We have a rich history of providing high-quality early childhood education to families in our community. Over the years, we have evolved to meet the changing needs of children and families while staying true to our mission and philosophy.

Our Faculty & Staff

Our faculty and staff are highly trained and experienced educators who are passionate about early childhood education. We believe that strong relationships between teachers and children are essential to promoting healthy social and emotional development. Our teachers provide a warm, nurturing environment that fosters a sense of belonging, promoting each child's confidence and competence.

Our Calendar

We offer a variety of events and activities throughout the year, including special events, family events, and professional development opportunities for our faculty and staff. We believe that active participation from families and the local community helps enrich our curriculum and creates a bridge between the school and the community in which the children live.

Kindness at WDS

Kindness is at the heart of everything we do at The Weekday School. We believe that promoting kindness and empathy helps children develop a strong sense of self and community. Our kindness curriculum is designed to help children understand and practice kindness in their daily lives.

Programs and Curriculum

Our programs are designed to meet the developmental needs of each child. We offer preschool and kindergarten classes that provide a rich learning environment that fosters creativity, imagination, and a love of learning. Our curriculum is based on the latest research in early childhood education and is designed to promote healthy social and emotional development, language and literacy development, cognitive development, and physical development.

We offer a variety of specials, including music, movement, and art, that provide children with opportunities to explore their creativity and talents. Our curriculum is also designed to promote diversity, inclusion, and empathy, helping children develop a strong sense of community and responsibility.

Side by Side Summerside Camp

Our summer camp program, Side by Side Summerside Camp, provides children with a fun and engaging summer experience that builds on the foundation established during the school year. Our camp program is designed to promote healthy social and emotional development, language and literacy development, cognitive development, and physical development.

Our camp program includes a variety of activities, including swimming, sports, arts and crafts, and field trips. We believe that active participation in summer activities helps children develop a strong sense of self and community.

Admissions

We welcome families to apply to The Weekday School throughout the year. Our admissions process includes a tour of our school, an application, and a meeting with our director. We believe that strong relationships between families and our school are essential to promoting healthy social and emotional development.

Tuition and Financial Assistance

We believe that high-quality early childhood education should be accessible to all families. We offer a variety of tuition assistance options to help families afford our programs. We also work with families to develop payment plans that meet their