Professional Children's School, grades 6-12, provides a rigorous college preparatory program for busy actors, dancers, athletes, musicians, artists, entrepreneurs and others who are serious about their studies.
PCS emphasizes the importance of classroom learning while offering the option of a flexible schedule and distance learning, allowing students to balance time in the classroom with outside pursuits.
Juggling the demands of an outside pursuit with traditional schooling can be a challenge for any young person, however committed they and their families are to an academic education. PCS solves this problem through the hybrid Guided Study program, customized schedules, and a personal advisory experience.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Top Ranked NY School
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 125 students
- Yearly Tuition: $57,500
- Acceptance rate: 85%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Professional Children's School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New York for:
Category
Attribute
ACT Score
Advanced Degrees
School History
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 6-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Year Founded
1914
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
125 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
33%
State avg.: 40%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
27 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
100%
Average Class Size
12 students
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
Advanced Biology, Advanced Calculus, Advanced Drama, Advanced Physics, Advanced Spanish through Literature and Film, Advanced Studio Art, French V/Advanced, Senior Honors Seminar in History, Spanish V/Advanced
Average SAT score
1250
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
32
(Out of 36)
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$57,500
Tuition Notes
Tuition includes all books, school supplies, field trips and lunch/snacks.
Summer Program Cost
$2,000
Summer Program Cost Notes
Cost varies depending on what subjects you take.
% on Financial Aid
40%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$15,000
Acceptance Rate
85%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Lori Gigliotti Murphy
Admissions Associate
Jean Scales
Endowment Size
$6.8 million
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
7 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Literary Magazine, Student Association, Various Student-Led Clubs
Arts and Music Programs:
Middle School Musical, PCS Concert Series, Upper School Play
Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Literary Magazine, Student Association, Various Student-Led Clubs
Arts and Music Programs:
Middle School Musical, PCS Concert Series, Upper School Play
School Notes
- Since our founding in 1914, PCS has been providing an academic education especially designed for talented young people pursuing goals in the performing arts, entertainment and competitive sports.
- PCS provides all of the necessary academic tools to ensure success in leading colleges, universities and conservatories, as well as throughout life, while enabling students to pursue their individual goals outside of school. Our academic program ensures that our students can focus on both school and their outside interests by incorporating flexible academic schedules, the hybrid guided study program for remote learning while away from school, and an understanding environment of accommodation and advance planning on the part of the faculty.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Scarlett Johansson - Scarlett Johansson is an American actress. The world's highest-paid actress in 2018 and 2019, she has featured multiple times on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list. Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2021. Her films have grossed over $14.3 billion worldwide, making Johansson the highest-grossing box office star of all time.
- Vera Wang - Vera Wang is an American fashion designer, best known for her elegant and sophisticated wedding dress and haute couture collections. She later branched into other lines, including menswear, jewelry, fragrances, eyewear, and home products.
- Jack Antonoff - Jack Antonoff is an American singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. Antonoff is the lead singer of rock band Bleachers, and was a guitarist and drummer in the pop rock band Fun. He was previously the lead singer of the indie rock band Steel Train. Aside from his work with Bleachers and Fun, Antonoff has worked as a songwriter and record producer with various artists, including Taylor Swift, The 1975, Lorde, St. Vincent, Florence and the Machine, Lana Del Rey, Fifth Harmony, Kevin Abstract, Carly Rae Jepsen, the Chicks, Tegan and Sara and Clairo. Antonoff has often been credited with having a significant impact on the sound of contemporary popular music.[1][2]Antonoff has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award and won seven Grammy Awards, including the 2022 Grammy for Producer of the Year. He has also won Grammy Awards for his work with Fun, for production on Swift's albums 1989 and Folklore, for production on St. Vincent's album Daddy’s Home, and for co-writing the title track on St. Vincent's Masseduction.
- Wendy Whelan - Wendy Whelan is an American ballet dancer. She was principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and performed with the company for 30 years, and toured in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Whelan has also been an influential guest artist with Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company. In 2019, Whelan was named Associate Artistic Director of New York City Ballet.
- Yo-Yo Ma - Yo-Yo Ma is an American cellist.[2] Born in Paris to Chinese[3] parents and educated in New York City, he was a child prodigy, performing from the age of four and a half. He graduated from the Juilliard School and Harvard University and attended Columbia University and has performed as a soloist with orchestras around the world. He has recorded more than 90 albums and received 19 Grammy Awards.
- Christina Ricci - Christina Ricci is an American actress. Known for playing unusual characters with a dark edge,[2] Ricci predominantly works in independent productions, but has also appeared in numerous box office hits: to date, her films have grossed in excess of US$1.4 billion.[3] She is the recipient of several accolades, including a National Board of Review Award and a Satellite Award, in addition to nominations for a Golden Globe, two Primetime Emmys, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
- Carol Heiss - Carol Heiss is an American former figure skater and actress. Competing in ladies' singles, she became the 1960 Olympic champion, the 1956 Olympic silver medalist, and a five-time World champion (1956–1960).
- Rita Moreno - Rita Moreno is a Puerto Rican actress, dancer, and singer.[2] Noted for her work across different areas of the entertainment industry, she has appeared in numerous film, television, and theater projects throughout her extensive career spanning over seven decades. Among her numerous accolades, Moreno is one of a few performers to have been awarded an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony (EGOT).[3][4] She is also one of 24 people who have achieved what is called the Triple Crown of Acting, with individual competitive Academy, Emmy and Tony awards for acting.
- Julia Stiles - is an American actress. Born and raised in New York City, Stiles began acting at the age of 11 as part of New York's La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club.[2] Her film debut was a small role in I Love You, I Love You Not (1996), followed by a lead role in Wicked (1998) for which she received the Karlovy Vary Film Festival Award for Best Actress. She rose to prominence with leading roles in teen films such as 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), Down to You (2000), and Save the Last Dance (2001). Her accolades include an NBR Award, a CFCA Award, a Gold Derby Award, a Teen Choice Award and two MTV Movie Awards, as well as Satellite Award, Gotham Award, Golden Globe Award, and Emmy Award nominations.
- Jerry O'Connell - is an American actor and television host. He is known for his roles as Quinn Mallory in the television series Sliders, Andrew Clements in My Secret Identity, Vern Tessio in the film Stand by Me (1986), Joe in Joe's Apartment (1996), Frank Cushman in Jerry Maguire (1996), Derek in Scream 2 (1997), Charlie Carbone in Kangaroo Jack (2003), and Detective Woody Hoyt on the drama Crossing Jordan. He starred as Pete Kaczmarek in the single 2010–2011 season of The Defenders. He also had a starring role in the comedy horror film Piranha 3D (2010). Currently, he voices Commander Jack Ransom on the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks, Jerry O'Connell is co-host of The Talk, and hosts a version of Pictionary syndicated on Fox stations.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Professional Children's School cost?
Professional Children's School's tuition is approximately $57,500 for private students and $2,000 for summer students.
What is the acceptance rate of Professional Children's School?
The acceptance rate of Professional Children's School is 85%, which is higher than the national average of 79%.
Who are famous alumni from Professional Children's School?
Professional Children's School famous alumni include: Scarlett Johansson, Vera Wang, Jack Antonoff, Wendy Whelan, Yo-Yo Ma, Christina Ricci, Carol Heiss, Rita Moreno, Julia Stiles and Jerry O'Connell.
Does Professional Children's School offer a summer program?
Yes, Professional Children's School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Professional Children's School's ranking?
Professional Children's School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New York for: Highest average ACT score, Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Professional Children's School?
The application deadline for Professional Children's School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
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