Circle Academy began in 1982 when two women envisioned an alternative to public school education. After researching alternative teaching methods, their goal was to provide smaller class sizes and respect each child’s unique learning pace. The cornerstone of the Montessori philosophy was built on this vision of individuality, focusing on educating the whole child and making parents a prominent part of that journey. With this mission, they presented their ideas to the Board of Regents and were granted an Absolute Charter to educate children from Nursery through Grade 6.

As the academy grew and diversified, parents saw the success of this philosophy firsthand. We are presently licensed by the New York City Department of Health to accommodate children ages 2–5 years. To ensure a safe environment, all staff must attend specialized training, receive Department of Health certifications, and pass state-cleared fingerprinting and annual medical exams. Additionally, our teachers are state-certified and licensed in Early Childhood education, and we continue to hold an Absolute Charter from the New York State Department of Education.