CPE1: Central Park East 1 Elementary School

CPE 1 is a New York City public school located in East Harlem in Manhattan’s Community School District 4. Since the school’s inception, it has been an unzoned school. Admission to CPE 1 is not based on a family’s address, but rather on their interest in the school’s progressive educational approach. Because the school is located in East Harlem, many of our families are from the neighborhood, but we also draw families from the Upper West Side, Washington Heights, Inwood, the Bronx, and other boroughs. Families choose to enroll their children at CPE 1 because they value its small diverse school community, rich arts program, and excellent progressive education which recognizes and fosters a variety of learning styles.

Families who wish to apply to CPE 1 must attend a parent tour. Tours are scheduled approximately every other week from late October through January. The tours are led by current CPE 1 parents. Ample time is allotted for questions. Parents will visit all the classrooms, as well. Applications will be given out at the end of the tour.

Within a couple of weeks of the parent tour, Beth Wood, CPE 1’s parent coordinator, will call prospective parents to schedule a classroom visit for their child(ren). The visits generally happen during January and February and last from 8:45-11:30am. The children spend the morning participating in the classroom activities and are not tested or interviewed. This visit also gives parents an opportunity to observe the school and ask more questions of Beth, CPE 1 parents and staff.

The first round of acceptance letters are sent out in mid-February. This process continues until early April.

Available tour dates are Thurs., Nov. 29, Weds., Dec. 5th & Weds., Dec. 12th at 9am. The tours last an hour and a half. Tour dates will soon be set up for January. Please contact Beth Wood, parent coordinator, 212-860-5821/ 917-751-6679, to sign up for a tour.