International School of Brooklyn

Since 2018, Joe Santos BSc (zoology, uni of Reading), PGCE (Canterbury Christ Church University) MA (educational management, uni of Bath). Following a few years teaching science in state schools in the south of England, Mr Santos, a Gibraltarian by

Rolling admissions for international applicants but for US based families the cut-off date is December 1st (for entry the following academic year). This is in line with ISAAGNY (Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York) rules

Students move on to a wide range of high schools (9th – 12th grade) in the New York City area - both public (state) and private. A notice on the wall of the middle school (completed by the 8th graders themselves – nice touch) shows where each child

The school’s main attraction is the total immersion language programme and that really is the heart and soul here. Parents choose for their child to join either the French or Spanish speaking ‘track’ in kindergarten and lower school. While some

Discussed with families on entry on a case-by-case basis. While there is no dedicated learning support department, the school has two learning support specialists with a combination of ‘push in’ or ‘pull out’ support on offer. Small classes (maximum

No language fluency requirements in French, Spanish or English on admission. The immersion programme is well designed to support non-native speakers to gain fluency as they progress through the grades.

A busy little school with much going on beyond lessons. Parents of younger children are happy to see their children perform in little plays, music showcases etc and the once-a-week assembly gives children ample opportunity to present and gain

PE is on the curriculum from kindergarten, with sports teams in place from 5th grade onwards. It is accepted in city schools that families look beyond the school for sporting clubs and opportunities and so while there is a ‘decent soccer team’ (as

Described by one parent as ‘warm, open and happy’ and, with its small community a definite attraction for many families, the school feels friendly and refreshingly informal. Mr Santos says the school isn’t ‘super strict’. Small classes and year

Parents choose this school for many reasons – some children have a French or Spanish-speaking parent or grandparent. Other parents place a high value on the academic and life opportunities that bilingualism will inevitably bring their child; the

The school is non-profit. A board of trustees oversees financial management, long term planning and so on. Most members of the board are existing or past parents with Ms Rebecca Skinner, the school founder, and subsequent head now a life trustee ex

The school’s language immersion curriculum and its commitment to bilingualism are clearly the main reasons to come here. The school manages to have both a local feel to it as well as a much more international outlook. It’s a great choice for