Ivy Primary Prep is expanding in Jersey City’s SoHo West neighborhood after its existing school, which will remain open, reached its 60-child capacity. — Courtesy: RXR
By Joshua Burd
An early education center is expanding in Jersey City after securing space at Radio Lofts, one of two newly opened rental buildings in the SoHo West neighborhood.
According to the operator, Ivy Primary Prep will occupy 8,800 square feet at 316 15th St. under the lease with RXR. That will include a 2,800-square-foot section that focuses primarily on infant and toddler care, while a separate 6,000-square-foot portion will offer classrooms for older students and a children’s sports and activity area.
The new location will significantly expand Ivy Prep’s presence in the neighborhood, where its existing school has reached its 60-child capacity and will remain open, according to a news release. Expected to begin welcoming students in spring 2027, its new space at Radio Lofts will accommodate some 150 children ranging in age from three months through five years old.
It’s among the newest retail and service tenants at Hudson House, a three-phase project by RXR and its development partners, following other recent leases with Dogdrop and CULTR Athletic Club.
“We opened our first center in this neighborhood in 2021 and quickly discovered how much demand there is for a highly personalized early education experience that combines strong academics with a genuine sense of community,” said Mary Christian, owner and director of Ivy Primary Prep. “Radio Lofts gives us the space to serve many more families while remaining in the neighborhood we consider home. With Hudson House’s larger residences and family-friendly amenities, as well as Coles Street Park directly across the street, it felt like a natural fit for our next chapter.”
Hudson House in Jersey City
Ivy Prep distinguishes itself from traditional daycare and preschool programs through its emphasis on early academics, small classes and individualized instruction, the news release said. Its curriculum balances structured learning with guided activities and play-based experiences designed to support children academically, socially and emotionally.
The school maintains lower student-to-teacher ratios than required by the state, including a five-to-one ratio in its preschool classrooms and counts as low as three to one for infant care, the operator said. Preschool students also learn from dedicated subject teachers specializing in areas such as mathematics, literacy and science, while parents of infants have access to secure classroom cameras that allow them to check in throughout the day.
“Ivy Prep is an ideal addition to Hudson House and the growing mix of services available to our residents and the surrounding neighborhood,” said Whitney Arcaro, an executive vice president with RXR. “Mary has created a highly regarded early education program with deep roots in this community, and the new Hudson House location will allow the school to meet the growing demand from families throughout Jersey City.”
Christian founded Ivy Prep in 2021 after her own experience searching for an early education program for her young son, the organizations said. A 15-year Jersey City resident who has lived in SoHo West since opening the school, she saw an opportunity to create a program that placed equal importance on academics, personal attention and support for parents.
The new location will provide convenient access for Hudson House residents, including those whose children already attend Ivy Prep, allowing parents to handle drop-off and pickup without leaving the community, the news release said. The school also draws students from throughout Jersey City, including the Heights and Journal Square, as well as New York City and communities beyond the immediate area.
Ivy Prep is also exploring individualized sports instruction and after-school programming that could include basketball and soccer.
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