International Charter School of New York (ICS) founded in 2014 is a Charter School currently serving students grades K-2 in District 13. The school is located on Willoughby Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
The core values of the school are a content-rich curriculum, strength of character and diversity. The school has a strong emphasis on history as “the leadership at ICS believes strongly that to become competent readers and citizens, kids need background knowledge. Their English curriculum has coherent units in history, science and literature, with lots of read alouds, to help students develop their oral vocabulary. For example the 1st graders spend about two weeks studying ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, comparing and contrasting their cultures and economies. The unit ends with a filed trip to the Metropolitan Museum to visit the Egypt wing.”
Students have music, arts and gym 1 to 2 times per week in cluster rooms as well as Spanish two times a week. Each classroom has around 25 students with two teachers. Each grade also features one integrated classroom. Recess takes place at MetroTech as the school has no outdoor space. School days are from 8 am to 4 pm four days a week. Thursdays are half days from 8 am to 12.30 pm. Nap/rest time is available for Kindergarteners. After school programs are provided until 6 pm daily. No homework up to 2nd Grade.
The school currently has 219 students enrolled and will outgrow its current location soon. The school’s leadership is in the process of finding a bigger school location within District 13 as they are planning to make ICS a K through 8th Grade school.
Charter schools are like public schools tuition-free schools. For the fall of 2017, ICS will enroll students in grades K-3. Your child must turn 5 before December 1st, 2017. There is a preference for siblings and children who live in District 13. Applications for the lottery, that will take place in April, are open now. Apply here.
Want to know it all about local elementary school options? We are hosting an info session for parents considering Pre-K and Kindergarten in public, private and Charter schools in our neighborhood on Monday 1/23/17. We will cover everything you need to about local zoned schools, un-zoned schools, Charter and private school options, application details and deadlines, waitlists, free universal Pre-K options, languages and dual language programs, G&T programs and more. Tickets here.
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