Preschool today often looks very different from earlier generations.
Some of the most expensive preschools in the United States offer multilingual instruction, individual tablets, organic catered meals, rooftop playgrounds and specialty classes like fencing. These programs aim to expand young minds through global exposure, ergonomically designed classrooms and enriched extracurricular offerings.
Early childhood education first gained broad attention in the 1960s with government-funded programs designed to prepare children from low-income families for school. Since then, preschool options have diversified: some parents view elite preschools as a stepping stone to top colleges, while others prefer simple, unstructured outdoor play for young children.
Below is an overview of twenty of the most expensive private preschools in the U.S., summarizing their tuition, locations, philosophies and what families can expect.
The Center for Early Education
The Center for Early Education in West Hollywood, Calif., was founded in 1939. Center for Early Education
Tuition: $25,890
Location: West Hollywood, Calif.
Contact: centerforearlyeducation.org
Founded in 1939, the Center for Early Education emphasizes respect for each child’s inner world and development at a natural pace. The school lists responsibility, honesty, inclusion and caring as core values. With more than 60 faculty members, including master teachers and specialists, the school serves roughly 540 students who enjoy multiple rooftop and ground-level play spaces and a central courtyard.
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley
The Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley is a bilingual program that teaches students from preschool to 8th grade
Tuition: $26,995
Location: Berkeley, Calif.
Contact: www.eb.org
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley offers daily instruction in English and French, with additional exposure to Spanish and Mandarin. The school promotes bilingualism as preparation for global opportunity and cites alumni who have matriculated to notable universities. Lunches are prepared fresh by a private caterer offering organic, grass-fed and free-range options.
GEMS World Academy Chicago
GEMS World Academy Chicago focuses on preparing its students for the global community.
Tuition: $27,800
Location: Chicago
Contact: www.gemsworldacademy-chicago.com
GEMS World Academy Chicago centers on global citizenship, offering daily instruction in languages such as French, Spanish and Mandarin, and an International Baccalaureate curriculum. The campus is expansive, with technology-rich learning labs, coding and robotics programs, and a one-to-one iPad Mini ratio. Families also benefit from a large parents’ lounge, multiple after-school options and a rooftop play area.
Aidan Montessori School
Aidan is located in the Woodley Park neighborhood in Northwest Washington, D.C. Aidan
Tuition: $28,091
Location: Washington, D.C.
Contact: www.aidanschool.org
Aidan, located in Woodley Park, is accredited by regional and international Montessori organizations. Founded after a community study of Maria Montessori’s methods, the school emphasizes self-directed learning for children ages 2½ to 6. Teachers act as guides while children choose their activities and develop independence at their own pace.
Calhoun
Calhoun on the Upper West Side in New York City.
Tuition: $28,200
Location: Manhattan, N.Y.
Contact: www.calhoun.org
Calhoun follows a “learning by doing” philosophy that encourages interdisciplinary, project-based study. Located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the school integrates special initiatives such as sustainability, performing arts and social justice topics to deepen students’ engagement. Alumni include creative professionals who benefited from Calhoun’s progressive approach.
Rodeph Sholom School
Rodeph Sholom is the only nursery-8th grade Jewish Independent School in New York City.
Tuition: $29,325
Location: Manhattan, N.Y.
Contact: www.rodephsholomschool.org
As the city’s only Nursery–8th grade Jewish independent school, Rodeph Sholom eases young children into school through home visits and gradual transitions to the classroom. The school uses learning centers to balance cognitive, cultural, language, physical and social-emotional development. Small class sizes and a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio enable individualized attention, and Judaics and Hebrew are integrated throughout the day.
Kingsley Montessori School
Kingsley Montessori in Boston’s Back Bay.
Tuition: $29,455
Location: Boston
Contact: www.kingsley.org
Kingsley Montessori serves children ages 2 through 12 and emphasizes a “Foundational Decade of Learning.” Core themes—respect, independence, self-paced and self-constructed learning—guide students from early years through elementary levels. The school also offers co-curriculars in arts, languages, science, library and outdoor education.
Presidio Knolls
Presidio Knolls School in San Francisco is based on Reggio Emilia-inspired teaching methods.
Tuition: $29,490
Location: San Francisco
Contact: www.presidioknolls.org
Presidio Knolls combines Reggio Emilia-inspired practices with Mandarin immersion, aiming to build an innovative learning environment. The school has been expanding toward a full preK–8 model and plans campus renovations to include dedicated spaces such as a library, art and music studios, science lab, gym, teaching kitchen and expanded outdoor play areas.
Packer Collegiate Institute
Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn Heights neighborhood of New York.
Tuition: $29,700
Location: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Contact: www.packer.edu
Packer traces its origins to 1845 and has evolved into a coeducational independent school that emphasizes academic growth built on social and emotional development. Practices like Morning Meetings help students cultivate interpersonal skills and a sense of belonging while pursuing rigorous academics.
City and Country
City and Country in New York’s Greenwich Village neighborhood.
Tuition: $31,100
Location: Manhattan, N.Y.
Contact: www.cityandcountry.org
Founded in 1914 by Caroline Pratt, City and Country follows a play-based, constructivist philosophy. The school’s classrooms are stocked with open-ended materials—blocks, paint, clay, sand and water—that children use to explore and create. This hands-on approach has nurtured notable artistic alumni and encourages children to learn through guided play and experimentation.
University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
The Laboratory Schools are part of the University of Chicago.
Tuition: $31,218
Location: Chicago
Contact: www.ucls.uchicago.edu
The Laboratory Schools center the child’s curiosity, providing classrooms arranged for independent movement and exploration. Daily activities vary widely—from kitchen projects to library story time—with enrichment in language, science, art and media. The school’s laboratory model fosters innovation and observational learning.
Bank Street School for Children
Bank Street on the Upper West Side of Manhattan near Columbia University.
Tuition: $32,000
Location: Manhattan, N.Y.
Contact: www.bankstreet.edu/school-children
Bank Street operates as a “school within a college,” pairing a children’s school with a graduate program that prepares educators. This model creates a dynamic learning environment where children benefit from research-based practices and teachers in training. The curriculum attends to emotional, social, physical and intellectual development and includes Spanish, music, science and the arts.
John Winthrop School for Young Children
The John Winthrop School for Young Children in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood.
Tuition: $32,100
Location: Boston
Contact: www.johnwinthropschool.org
Serving children from 15 months to 5 years, John Winthrop School emphasizes self-directed play and whole-child development. Founded in 1966, the school has NAEYC accreditation and a curriculum designed to build social-emotional foundations while promoting exploratory learning and age-appropriate skills.
National Child Research Center
The National Child Research Center is the oldest operating preschool in Washington, D.C.
Tuition: $32,295
Location: Washington, D.C.
Contact: www.ncrcpreschool.org
Founded in 1928, the National Child Research Center is Washington, D.C.’s longest-running preschool. Serving children ages 2½ to 5, the school balances structured lessons and open play through Circle Time, small groups, free-choice time and outdoor play. Enrichment options include yoga, creative movement, music and an optional Spanish immersion program.
Children’s Day School
The Children’s Day School in San Francisco.
Tuition: $32,930
Location: San Francisco
Contact: www.cds-sf.org
Children’s Day School follows constructivist principles—learning by doing—and emphasizes interdisciplinary thinking, emotional intelligence and civic engagement. The school draws a diverse student body and actively involves parents in community life, hosting shared gatherings and celebrating cultural and social milestones.
92 Street Y
The 92 Street Y has a nursery school for children ages 2.6 to 5 years old.
Tuition: $36,000
Location: New York City
Contact: www.92y.org
The 92nd Street Y is an iconic cultural and community center on Manhattan’s Upper East Side with an inclusive mission rooted in Jewish values. Its nursery school serves children ages roughly 2½ to 5 and emphasizes holistic development through creative expression in music, art and movement. The program operates on the sixth floor and includes a library, outdoor terraces and a rooftop playground.
Saint Ann’s
Saint Ann’s in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y.
Tuition: $38,330
Location: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Contact: saintannsny.org
Saint Ann’s is an independent progressive school serving preschool through 12th grade. Known for blending academic rigor and the arts, the school tailors curricula to individual talents and interests rather than strict grade-level requirements. The preschool environment prioritizes imaginative play and creative exploration; notable alumni include artists and cultural figures.
British International School
The British International School on the Upper East Side in New York City.
Tuition: $47,600
Location: Manhattan, N.Y.
Contact: www.bis-ny.org
The British International School brings British-style education to Manhattan, serving nursery through middle school with plans to expand to upper grades. Classrooms emphasize light, color and ergonomics. The curriculum balances structured learning and play, with specialist lessons in languages, music, PE and swimming, and after-school clubs like yoga, fencing, chess and robotics.
Horace Mann School
Horace Mann School’s Nursery Division is housed in a historic brownstone in Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Tuition: $48,600
Location: Bronx, N.Y.
Contact: www.horacemann.org
Horace Mann’s main campus sits on a large Riverdale campus, while the Nursery Division occupies a historic Manhattan brownstone. The nursery serves three-year-olds through kindergarten and emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking and parental involvement. Facilities include a library, studio, outdoor areas and a rooftop play space.
Avenues: The World School in New York City
Avenues’ campus opened in 2012 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
Tuition: $54,000
Location: Manhattan, N.Y.
Contact: www.avenues.org
Avenues opened its flagship Chelsea campus in 2012 and its Early Learning Center serves 3- and 4-year-olds with a focus on the individual child. The program emphasizes social-emotional development through small-group work, motor skill development, introductory science, and immersion in Chinese and Spanish. Avenues also includes a global studies World Course as a central element of its curriculum. Their purpose-built early learning facility prioritizes age-appropriate ergonomics and design.
Whether families prioritize language immersion, project-based learning, Montessori independence, arts integration or a technology-rich environment, these top-tier preschools reflect a range of philosophies and resources available in contemporary early childhood education.