Top 5 Best Preschools in the USA

The best preschools in the USA combine the ability to provide child care services with an atmosphere that helps stimulate young minds and prepare children for their formal education later on.

Whether you’re looking at Montessori schools, Waldorf schools, or traditional nursery schools, there are several factors to consider when you’re choosing which preschool is right for your child. You need to assess the school safety, curriculum and other considerations that can impact your child’s future success.

This list of the 5 best preschools in the USA will help you narrow down your choices and make an informed decision about where to send your child once they reach their third birthday.

What is a Preschool?

A preschool, also known as a nursery school, pre-primary school, playschool or kindergarten, is an educational establishment or learning space offering early childhood education to children before they begin compulsory education at primary school. It may be publicly or privately operated and may be subsidised from public funds.

Preschool can give your child a head start on their education and help them socialise and learn to interact with other children. It can also ease your transition into parenthood by giving you some time to yourself while your child is being cared for by professionals.

What’s the appropriate age for Preschool?

The appropriate age for preschool varies from state to state. In general, most states consider three years old to be the appropriate age for preschool. At this age, children are typically able to sit still for short periods of time, follow simple instructions, and begin to socialize with other kids.

However, some states allow children as young as two years old to attend preschool. It’s important to check with your state’s department of education to see what the requirements are for your child’s age group.

How much does a Preschool cost?

When it comes to finding the best preschool for your child, there are many factors to consider. But one of the most important considerations is cost.

The cost of a preschool can range from free to over $889 per month. The average cost of a preschool is about $10,000 or more per year. However, there are many factors that can affect the cost of a preschool, such as location, type of program, and whether or not the school is accredited.

Top 5 Best Preschools in the USA

1. Riverdale Country School

Situated on 27 acres of a combined two campuses, Riverdale Country School is an independent co-educational college-prep institution established in 1907 by Frank Sutliff Hackett and his first wife, Francis Dean Allen Hackett. Riverdale is one of the oldest country institutions in the United States of America and it first commence service as an all-boys school but became co-educational in 1972.

There are approximately 1,200 students currently enrolled at Riverdale. Students here get to take various college-prep courses in science, maths, arts, humanities, and many more. There is also a “maker” program that includes STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) courses, as well as robotics and programming.

The Riverdale Country School also participates in interscholastic sports with over 30 varsity teams in sports such as football, hockey, volleyball, tennis, basketball, fencing, swimming, squash, softball, crew, ultimate frisbee, and much more.

Some of Riverdale Country School’s notable alumni are:

• Richard Blumenthal, an American politician and the US Senator from Connecticut
• Varian Mackey Fry, a journalist who helped a rescue team that helped over 4,000 Jewish refugees to escape Nazi Germany and the Holocaust
• Sosie Ruth Bacon, an American actress who rose to fame after her first role in the “Loverboy” movie
• Ronald Tae Sok Kim, a politician from New York and a member of the New York State Assembly

2. Horace Mann School

Horace Mann School or just Horace Mann, as it’s called locally, is one of the most prestigious and oldest schools in the US. HM is a member of the Ivy Preparatory School League and was founded in 1887 by Nicholas Murray Butler as a co-educational and college preparatory institution.

Students are challenged academically, while also being given opportunities to explore their interests and passions. The school provides a well-rounded education that prepares students for success throughout their academic journey.

Horace Mann School is also one of the most diverse schools in the country. With its strong commitment to social justice and diversity and a student body that is socioeconomically, racially, and ethnically diverse.

Some of Horace Mann School alumni are:

• Jennifer Fleiss, an entrepreneur and co-founder of ‘Rent the Runway“, an e-commerce platform
• Ivan S. Fisher, a prominent New York City lawyer
• Morris Leopold Ernst, an American lawyer and co-founder of the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union)
• Leland Hayward, an Hollywood and Broadway agent
• Ely Jacques Kahn Jr, an American writer, author, and journalist for “The New Yorker“
• Edward Benjamin Ed Koren, a New York writer and cartoonist

3. Rye Country Day School

Located in Rye, New York, Rye Country Day School is a co-educational, independent college preparatory school for grades Pre-K through 12.

Founded in 1869 by a group of local parents who contacted Reverend William Life and his wife, Susan. Rye Country Day has a long tradition of academic excellence, focus on developing the whole child, offering a rigorous and well-rounded curriculum combined with a wide range of extracurricular activities and opportunities for personal growth.

There is an estimated 900 plus students in RCDS upper, middle, and lower school combined.

Top-notch education isn’t the only thing that Rye Country Day School offers its students. The school also boasts a variety of athletics programs that help students develop teamwork and leadership skills.

In addition to traditional sports like basketball and football, Rye Country Day School also offers unique sports like fencing and rowing. With such a diverse range of options, there’s sure to be a sport for everyone at Rye Country Day School.

Some of Rye Country Day School’s notable alumni are:

• Elizabeth Weinberg Smith, former government employee and the currently serving CEO of the Central Park Conservancy
• Nicholas Kroll, an actor, comedian, writer, producer, and voice actor
• Taylor Washington, an American football player playing for Nashville SC in the MLS (Major League Soccer)
• Emily B. Lazar, an American Grammy-winning mastering engineer

4. Georgetown Day School

Established in 1945 as the first “racially integrated” school in Washington, the George Day School (GDS) is an independent co-educational and preparatory institution situated on 10 acres of land located in Davenport, Washington D.C.

There is an estimate of 1075 students in elementary, middle, and high school on Georgetown Day. Students at GDS will have the opportunity to take 18 AP (Advanced Placement) courses and a rigorous curriculum covering topics like maths, science, and arts.

They have a great athletics program that helps kids stay active and engaged. Plus, their academic program is top-notch, preparing kids for the rigours of elementary school and beyond. If you’re looking for a preschool that will set your child up for success, Georgetown Day School is a great choice.

Some of Georgetown Day School’s notable alumni are:

• Benjamin Frederick Mankiewicz, an American TV personality and the host of “Turner Classic Movies“
• Matthew Makinski, an American journalist and Editor in Chief of “Politico“, a political news company
• Jamie Ben Raskin, an attorney and politician elected to the House of Representatives from Maryland

5. Sidwell Friends School

Sidwell Friends School is one of the most prestigious and competitive preschools in the country. It’s also one of the most expensive, with tuition costing over $60,000 a year. But for many families, the price is worth it. The school has a long waiting list, and only accepts students who live within a certain radius of the school.

It was established in 1883 by Thomas W. Sidwell as a private college preparatory day institution located in downtown Washington.

Some of Sidwell Friends School’s notable alumni are:

• Daniel H. Mudd, the former CEO and president of Fannie Mae, a government-sponsored enterprise
• Omar Soliman, an American entrepreneur and co-founder of “College Hunks Hauling Junk”
• Alida Anderson, a professor at the School of Education at American University in Washington
• Sonya Clark, an American singer with an Afro-Caribbean heritage
• Tracye McQuinter, an African-American vegan activist
• John Mark Deutch, a physical chemist and civil servant who was the United States Deputy Secretary of Defense from 1994 to 1995
• William Henry Harrison III, an American politician and the Republican Representative from Wyoming

Final Words

In conclusion, these are the top 5 best preschools in the United States. All of these schools offer a great education and can help prepare your child for formal education and more. With so many options available, you are sure to find a school that is right for your family. Do some research and visit each school to see which one is the best fit for your child.

REFERENCES

• Niche.com – Best Preschools in the USA
• Cadence-education.com – How much does a Preschool cost?
• Riverdale.edu – Riverdale Country School
• Horacemann.org – Horace Mann School
• Ryecountryday.org – Rye Country Day School
• Gds.org – Georgetown Day School
• Sidwell.edu – Sidwell Friends School