Uptown Schools - School Shopping on the Upper West and East Sides
Families relocating to Manhattan often start with one big question: Where should we live if schools are a priority?
On both sides of Central Park, the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side have long been magnets for families because they offer an unusual concentration of excellent schools within a relatively compact area.
Within a few square miles you’ll find some of the city’s most sought-after public schools, selective gifted programs, prestigious charter networks, and independent schools whose names carry weight around the world.
Still, the variety is extraordinary. And because the neighborhoods themselves are so walkable and well served by subways, many families find that their daily school commute can be as simple as a ten-minute walk down the block.
Below is a practical guide to the schools that come up most often when clients are deciding between the Upper West Side and Upper East Side.
Schools on Manhattan’s Upper West Side
The Upper West Side stretches roughly from West 59th Street to West 110th Street between Central Park and the Hudson River. It’s known for leafy blocks, classic prewar buildings, and cultural anchors like the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the American Museum of Natural History.
For families, one of the biggest advantages is transit. The New York City Subway lines running through the neighborhood — especially the 1/2/3 along Broadway and the B/C along Central Park West — make it easy for parents commuting downtown or to Midtown while kids attend schools nearby.
Most public schools here fall within District 3, which has developed a reputation for strong elementary and middle schools.
Highly regarded Upper West Side public schools
Several neighborhood public schools consistently come up in conversations with relocating families.
P.S. 87 William Sherman
Located on West 78th Street, this zoned elementary school has long been one of the anchors of the neighborhood. Families often describe it as the quintessential Upper West Side public school: strong academics, active parent participation, and a diverse student body drawn largely from nearby brownstones and co-ops.
Homes inside the zone are coveted. It’s common to see buyers specifically targeting the catchment area to secure kindergarten placement.
P.S. 199 Jesse Isidor Straus
Near West 70th Street closer to the Hudson River, PS 199 is another top-tier zoned elementary. The school benefits from proximity to newer residential developments around Riverside Boulevard, and many families consider it among the strongest elementary options in Manhattan.
Because the zone is relatively small, apartments that fall inside it often command a noticeable premium.
P.S. 166 The Richard Rodgers School of the Arts and Technology
Located around West 89th Street, PS 166 stands out for its arts and technology programming. It also hosts one of the more prominent gifted tracks on the Upper West Side, drawing interest from families beyond the immediate neighborhood.
The Anderson School (PS 334)
If you hear parents talking about one of the most selective public elementary programs in New York City, they’re often referring to Anderson. The K–8 school is a citywide gifted program with accelerated coursework and very small class sizes.
Admission is highly competitive and not tied to neighborhood zoning, so families from across the five boroughs apply.
Upper West Side middle and high schools
As students move into middle and high school, a few Upper West Side institutions stand out.
Booker T. Washington Middle School
Located around West 108th Street, Booker T. has built a reputation for rigorous academics and strong preparation for competitive high schools. Many families across District 3 list it among their top choices during the middle-school application process.
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
Known simply as “LaGuardia,” this school near Lincoln Square is one of the most famous public high schools in the country. Students pursue intensive training in dance, drama, music, or visual arts while completing a full academic program.
Admission is based on audition, not neighborhood zoning, and students travel from across New York City to attend.
Frank McCourt High School
A smaller high school located on West 84th Street, McCourt focuses on collaborative learning and project-based coursework. Families often view it as a more intimate alternative to larger city high schools.
Charter and alternative options
Charter schools are also part of the Upper West Side education landscape.
Success Academy Upper West
Part of the larger Success Academy Charter Schools network, this campus serves grades K–8 and is known for a structured academic approach and strong standardized test results. Admission is through a citywide lottery rather than zoning.
Upper West Side private schools
The Upper West Side is home to some of the most historic independent schools in the country.
Trinity School
Founded in the early 18th century, Trinity is one of New York’s oldest and most academically prestigious schools. Its Upper West Side campus on West 91st Street serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade and is known for extremely selective admissions.
Collegiate School
Another historic institution, Collegiate is an all-boys school whose roots date back to the Dutch colonial era. The school recently moved into a striking modern campus near Riverside Boulevard while maintaining deep ties to the neighborhood.
Schools on Manhattan’s Upper East Side
Across Central Park, the Upper East Side has its own educational ecosystem. The neighborhood runs roughly from East 59th Street to the mid-90s between Central Park and the East River and is known for elegant residential blocks, museums along Fifth Avenue, and a long tradition of elite private schools.
Public schools here are mostly part of District 2, widely regarded as one of the strongest districts in the city.
Standout Upper East Side public schools
Several public schools on the Upper East Side consistently attract attention from relocating families.
P.S. 6 Lillie D. Blake School
Located on East 81st Street between Park and Madison, PS 6 is often considered one of the most desirable zoned elementary schools in Manhattan. It has strong academics and an extremely active parent community.
The school’s reputation means the surrounding catchment area is one of the most sought-after residential pockets on the Upper East Side.
P.S. 77 Lower Lab School
Lower Lab is a gifted program serving elementary students with advanced academic interests. Located in Carnegie Hill, it draws applicants from across District 2 and tends to have limited seats.
East Side Middle School
For middle school, East Side Middle on East 91st Street has long been one of the most competitive options in the district. Its reputation for strong academics and high-performing students makes it a frequent choice among Upper East Side families.
Hunter College Campus Schools
One of the most unusual public school pathways in New York City sits quietly in Carnegie Hill.
Hunter College Elementary School and Hunter College High School operate under the umbrella of Hunter College rather than the city’s Department of Education. Admission is entirely merit-based through testing and evaluation.
The elementary school’s acceptance rate is famously tiny, with only a small number of students admitted each year. Those who attend typically continue through the high school program, which consistently ranks among the most academically elite public schools in the United States.
Upper East Side high schools
One standout neighborhood option is Eleanor Roosevelt High School, a small college-prep high school on East 76th Street. Known for strong academic outcomes and a tight-knit student body, it is often popular with families already living in District 2.
Upper East Side private schools
If the Upper West Side has historic institutions, the Upper East Side has what many people call “prep school row.” Several world-famous independent schools are clustered within a few blocks of Park and Madison Avenues.
Among the most prominent are:
The Dalton School
The Spence School
The Brearley School
The Chapin School
Nightingale-Bamford School
Convent of the Sacred Heart
Lycée Français de New York
Many of these schools have educated generations of New York families and maintain global reputations for academic rigor and college placement. Tuition at the most selective programs is now typically in the mid- to high-$60,000 range annually.
Admission is competitive, often involving interviews, recommendations, school visits, and testing.
What relocating families should understand
One of the biggest misconceptions about Manhattan schools is that simply living in a neighborhood guarantees access to the best options. In reality, the system has multiple layers.
Zoned public elementary schools depend primarily on address, which is why certain blocks command a premium in the housing market. Gifted programs and specialized schools admit students through separate applications or testing, meaning residence alone doesn’t guarantee entry.
Private schools offer another path but require early planning and often long waiting lists.
For many families relocating to Manhattan, the best strategy is to think about schools and housing together. Narrowing the home search to the right school zones or within walking distance of target private schools can make daily life significantly easier.
And fortunately, on both sides of Central Park, families will find something Manhattan does unusually well: neighborhoods where exceptional schools, beautiful residential blocks, and an easy subway ride to the rest of the city all exist within a few minutes of each other.