Brooklyn Friends School vs German-American School Manhattan - Elementary School

	B Brooklyn Friends School New York, United States	G German-American School Manhattan - Elementary School New York, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $31,630 - 65,575	Fees / year $32,500 - 42,500
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 11 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 12
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language German, English
Opened	Opened 1867	Opened 2018
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Downtown Brooklyn, New York. Main Building at 375 Pearl Street serves Early Childhood through Middle School; Upper School is located at 116 Lawrence Street.	Location German-American School Manhattan operates two Tribeca campuses: GSM Kita Preschool & Kindergarten at 85 Warren Street and GSM Dual Immersion Elementary School at 74 Warren Street. It is described as a Premier Tribeca Location with access via most subway lines. The Kita campus is at 85 Warren St and the Elementary campus is at 74 Warren St, New York, NY 10007.
Stages	Stages Early Childhood; Grades K-1; Grades 2-4; Grades 5-8; Grades 9-12	Stages The program serves children from age 2 through 5th grade. GSM Kita Preschool & Kindergarten serves ages 3–5 (2 years German immersion) and GSM Dual Immersion Elementary School serves Grades 1–5.
School type	School type Independent day school rooted in Quaker values	School type Bilingual IB World School (Preschool and Lower School) in Manhattan.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Subjects are taught in German and English by native speakers; teachers address each child's individual needs with attention to language level and developmental skills.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation United States	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Quaker (Religious Society of Friends)	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details Private bus service on select routes; $4,200 per child for the school year	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Annual tuition (2026–27) — by program - Grades K–12 (Day school): USD 65,575. - Early Childhood (2s): Half Day (9:00–11:50 a.m.) USD 31,630; Full Day (9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) USD 47,050. - Early Childhood (3s): Half Day (9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) USD 35,150; Full Day (9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) USD 49,750. - Early Childhood (4s, full day): USD 57,660. Application fees and how they are collected - A non-refundable application fee is required at the time of application; the application is submitted through the school's online application system (Ravenna) and the fee is collected as part of that process. Billing schedule and payment terms - Families contract for the full academic year via an enrollment contract and must submit the signed contract together with the required enrollment deposit to reserve a place; the enrollment deposit is non-refundable. - The school provides payment-plan options administered through a tuition-management vendor (TADS). Families select a plan on their enrollment agreement; specific installment schedules and due dates are set on the enrollment contract and by the Business Office. - Typical plan structures available through the tuition-management vendor include payment-in-full, two large installments, or multi-month installment plans; the vendor withdraws payments on scheduled dates and invoices detail the chosen plan. The Business Office will notify families of the available plan options and exact due dates on the enrollment materials. Payment methods and fees - Payments are processed via the school's tuition-management service (TADS). Accepted methods include ACH/bank transfer, paper check or money order, and credit card (Major cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) when enabled for a given family account. A convenience fee applies for credit-card payments as set by the tuition-management vendor. Boarding fees - Brooklyn Friends School is a day school; boarding is not offered. There are no boarding fees. Other costs and typical additional fees - Lunch: Lunch service is included in the tuition for Grades K–12. - Extended Day / Afterschool (BFX) and specialty after-school offerings: these programs require separate registration and additional fees; the Extended Day program (BFX) is billed separately and fees vary by schedule (examples from a recent BFX session show per-day pricing for terms). Expect separate term- or session-based charges for after-school Xplorations and specialty classes. - Summer programs and camp carry separate charges and deposits distinct from the school-year tuition. - Athletics: team uniforms are provided on loan with a deposit; the deposit is returned when the uniform is returned or carried over to the next season; failure to return a uniform may result in forfeiture of that deposit. Additional team or trip-specific fees may apply for some competitive and out-of-town activities. - Materials, special trips, or course-specific fees: while regular co-curricular activities, student books, field trips, technology, supplies, facilities and (K–12) lunch are covered in tuition, certain out-of-town trips, optional programs, and some outside vendors or specialty activities may assess separate fees. Expect incidental program charges to be billed separately when applicable. Refund information and withdrawal - Enrollment deposit: the enrollment deposit required to reserve a place is non-refundable. Families who wish to reverse their enrollment decision must follow the contract's specified cancellation window; if cancellation occurs by the contract's deadline they will not be obligated for additional tuition beyond the non-refundable deposit. After the contract cancellation deadline, families are typically obligated for the full year's tuition regardless of attendance. - Tuition Insurance and partial refunds: the school maintains an arrangement with an external tuition-insurance provider (A.W.G. Dewar, Inc.) to provide a partial refund of tuition if a student withdraws after the school year has begun; families should review the tuition-insurance plan details and enrollment options if they wish coverage for withdrawals. Summary of practical items for parents - Annual tuition amounts (2026–27) are listed above for each program; billing and installment details are set on the enrollment contract and administered through the school's tuition-management vendor. - Expect separate, additional charges for Extended Day/BFX, afterschool specialty classes, summer programs, some out-of-town trips, and certain athletics/team items. Athletic uniform handling is deposit-based per season. (End of fees overview)	Fee details Application fee - Application fee: USD 200 (one-time, required with application). Tuition fees (school year 2025/26) - Preschool & Pre-K (full program): USD 35,500 per year. - Preschool — half day or 3 days/week option: USD 32,500 per year. - Elementary (Grades K–5): USD 42,500 per year. Note: The school's published figures are given as annual tuition amounts for the 2025/26 school year; no published per-term (semester/quarter) breakdown of those exact amounts is available. Families are required to sign the school contract and pay a first installment to reserve a spot. Billing schedule and payment terms - A signed school contract and payment of the first installment are required to reserve a place after acceptance. Acceptance notices begin to be sent December 1 and enrollment is secured once the contract and first installment are received. - No detailed published schedule for remaining installments, due dates, late fees, or tuition refund deadlines is available in the published materials for the 2025/26 school year. Boarding fees - Boarding fees: Not applicable. The school operates GSM Kita Preschool & Kindergarten and a Dual Immersion Elementary School (Preschool through Grade 5) at day-school locations in Manhattan; no boarding program or boarding fees are published. Other costs and fees - After‑school care and camp programs are offered, but specific fees for after‑school care, camps, extended day, or extracurricular programs are not published. - Uniform fees: No published uniform requirement or uniform fee is listed. - Typical ancillary charges such as lunch/meals, classroom materials, field trips, technology fees, instrument or supply fees, or activity fees are not itemized in the published fee information. - Financial assistance: Financial aid is offered to qualifying families through SSS (School and Student Services). Refund information - No published refund policy for deposits, first installments, or tuition refunds appears in the school's published 2025/26 tuition materials. The only published procedural detail is that families sign a contract and pay a first installment to reserve a spot. Fee payment options - Specific payment methods (credit card, ACH/bank transfer, online payment portal, or checks) are not itemized in the published tuition materials. The main office contact details are provided for billing or admissions inquiries: phone (646) 869-1152 and info@germanschoolmanhattan.org. Brief summary of findings and gaps in published information - Published, load-bearing figures are: USD 200 application fee and annual tuition amounts for 2025/26 (Preschool & Pre-K USD 35,500; Preschool half day 3 days/week USD 32,500; Elementary K–5 USD 42,500). - The published materials confirm that a signed contract and a first installment are required to reserve an offered place, and that financial aid is available through SSS. - The published materials do not provide a full per-term instalment schedule, itemized charges for ancillary services (meals, materials, uniforms, trips), payment-method options, detailed refund policy language, or any boarding fees (the school is a day school). These items are not published in the 2025/26 tuition materials. (For billing or contract specifics not published above, contact the school's admissions/finance office at the provided phone number or email for the authoritative contract and payment schedule.)
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements No boarding is offered. Extended Day after-school care is available for Early Childhood through Grade 8 with separate registration and additional fees.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Lunch is included in tuition for Grades K–12. Preschool and Kindergarten through 2nd grade bring lunch from home; grades 3–8 eat lunch in the Pearl Street cafeteria and grades 9–12 in the Lawrence Street cafe. The Pearl Street cafeteria also serves breakfast (7:30 am–9:15 am) for cash using a card system. A main weekly lunch menu is posted on the BFS website.	Food options Breakfast and lunch breaks occur at the students' desks. Lunch is packed by parents and eaten at the desks; no shared lunch facility is used. Water bottles are refilled by teachers as a precautionary measure.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The Board of Trustees governs Brooklyn Friends School. The Board sets high-level policies, hires and supports the Head of School, plans for the future of the school, and leads the financial support of the school.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Brooklyn Friends School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for grades 11 and 12. Students take IB courses across six subject areas: English, World Languages (French and Spanish), History, Sciences, Mathematics, and Arts. Diploma students complete core requirements: Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and Creativity, Activity and Service. Students may follow the Diploma pathway or take IB courses for individual credit, with many combining IB coursework with BFS classes. The program runs over two years (11th and 12th grades) and emphasizes critical thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration; the Diploma is held in high regard by colleges and universities.	Curriculum details GSM is a bilingual IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) offered for Preschool (2s–4s) through Grade 5, with two campuses at 85 Warren Street (Kita Preschool) and 74 Warren Street (Dual Immersion Elementary). The curriculum blends German grade-level competencies with New York State Education standards and is aligned with IB principles. After establishing a solid bilingual foundation in kindergarten, instruction in grades 1–5 is split evenly between German and English, with native German teachers guiding German reading, writing, math, social studies, and ethics and native English teachers guiding English reading, writing, social studies, science, and math. Art, music, and movement are taught in both languages, and Spanish is introduced in Grade 3. Classes are small (maximum 20 students per class) to support personalized instruction, reflection, independence, and collaboration within an inquiry-based learning framework. The Kita/Preschool program (ages 2–4) uses a bilingual approach to early childhood learning. The school operates across two campuses: Kita Preschool at 85 Warren Street and Dual Immersion Elementary at 74 Warren Street.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Small class sizes.	Student teacher ratio Class sizes are small. Maximum class size is 20 students per the Academics page; another page notes a maximum of 16 with an average of 12.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates have been admitted to prestigious colleges and universities in the United States and around the world.	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented A customized Upper School program within the IB Diploma Programme allows tailoring of the course load across six IB subject areas and core requirements. Students can pursue the full IB Diploma or take IB courses alongside BFS credits.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Wholeness and Well-Being is a shared responsibility across the BFS community, led by the Counseling Team and the Learning Support Team. The approach is holistic, strength-based, affirming of belonging, and integrated throughout the school. All students experience social emotional learning (SEL) in their classrooms, health and wellness programming, middle and upper school advisory programming, health classes, and other aspects of the curriculum. The Learning Support Team focuses on diverse learning styles and uses a tiered system embedded in daily learning to provide appropriate interventions. Counselors work with teachers, families, Leadership, and outside providers to meet health and wellbeing needs, and partner with health teachers to deliver wellness programming. The programming evolves with research and best practices to respond to students' needs.	Social & emotional learning GSM is child-centered and international, fostering a joyful learning environment and shaping learners to be knowledgeable, caring, and responsible global citizens. GSM cultivates a culture of empathy and open-mindedness and promotes cultural diversity and critical thinking within a safe learning community. Students are encouraged to take mindful actions as part of their education. The language departments collaborate to support socio-emotional well-being as an essential element of the bilingual learning experience.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The Learning Support Team honors diverse learning styles and fosters belonging, with diversity, equity, and belonging practices at the center. Learning support uses a tiered system embedded in everyday learning to increase access to curricula. Learning specialists support teachers and may work directly with students who need additional interventions. They collaborate with divisional leadership and the Counseling team, and coordinate with families to align support in and out of school. The goal is for students to gain independence and to generalize strategies beyond the classroom.	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language GSM uses dual immersion with content-based instruction in German and English. It welcomes students with no prior German knowledge and integrates English Language Arts with the German curriculum. The school aligns instruction with international standards through its bilingual model.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Counseling is a central component of BFS's mental wellbeing support. The Counseling Team works holistically, integrates considerations of identity and development, and collaborates with teachers, families, leadership, and outside providers to address health needs. Across learning communities, counselors support wellbeing through advisory programming, health classes, and wellness initiatives. All students access SEL through their daily learning and health programming and have a dedicated counselor if needed. The program uses a tiered approach to meet varying wellbeing needs and provides immediate care during crises when needed, connecting with outside providers as appropriate. The programming evolves with current research and best practices to respond to students' needs.	Mental wellbeing GSM emphasizes socio-emotional well-being as part of its mission and approach. It promotes empathy, open-mindedness, and a safe learning community where students are encouraged to act mindfully. The bilingual program supports well-being through collaborative teaching and a focus on student welfare.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school informs parents at the earliest appropriate juncture about any disciplinary event and its consequences. If the event is serious, a three-way conference with the parent, child, and school administration may be required. The school handles these situations in its in loco parentis role, balancing the needs of the individual child with maintaining a learning environment that is respectful and free of disruptive behavior. The overriding goal is to provide a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for all. If a child reports alarming behavior or a potentially dangerous situation, the school investigates thoroughly and protects the reporting individual from retaliation.	Safeguarding GSM published a reopening plan for 2020 detailing safety, health monitoring, social distancing, PPE, and a sick policy to protect students and staff. The plan describes health monitoring, enhanced cleaning, and communication with families, with remote learning options if needed.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview 375 Pearl Street houses Early Childhood through Middle School with 45 classrooms, two libraries, two media centers, five science laboratories, two dance studios, two gymnasiums, six art studios (including a woodshop and a ceramics studio with kiln), a cafeteria, rooftop playground, and a 280-seat theater. The Upper School at 116 Lawrence Street spans more than 40 classrooms, seminar rooms, and faculty offices, with four visual art studios, three music studio classrooms, four science laboratories, a black box theater classroom, a dance studio, a fitness center, a modern research library, and a cafe. Three libraries serve the school: the Upper School Library, the Middle School Library, and the EC/LS Library. The facilities support instruction across Preschool through Grade 12 in Downtown Brooklyn.	Facilities overview Two Tribeca campuses: GSM Kita Preschool & Kindergarten at 85 Warren St and GSM Dual Immersion Elementary School at 74 Warren St. The campuses are Premier Tribeca Location and are easily accessible by subway (Chambers Street A, C, 2, 3; City Hall R, W; PATH). The sites are surrounded by parks and playgrounds, providing an outdoor context for daily activities in a city setting. Enrollment is open for Preschool starting at age 2 and for Elementary School through 5th grade, reflecting the two-campus arrangement. The Warren Street locations are convenient for families from NYC neighborhoods and New Jersey.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Lower Gym is located in the Pearl Street building and the Upper Gym is on the 8th floor of the same campus. The Fitness Center is on the first floor of the Upper School at 116 Lawrence Street. Cross Country competes at Cadman Plaza; Soccer, Baseball, and Softball use Cadman Plaza and other venues such as Red Hook Park and Van Vorhees Park; Indoor Track is held at Park Slope Armory, while Outdoor Track locations include Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Red Hook Park, and Van Vorhees Park.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities 375 Pearl Street includes 45 classrooms, two libraries, two media centers, five science laboratories, two dance studios, two gymnasiums, six art studios (including a woodshop and a ceramics studio with kiln), a cafeteria, rooftop playground, and a 280-seat theater. The Upper School at 116 Lawrence Street includes more than 40 classrooms, seminar rooms, and faculty offices, plus four visual art studios, three music studio classrooms, four science laboratories, a black box theater classroom, a dance studio, a fitness center, a modern research library, and a cafe. Three libraries serve the school: the Upper School Library, the Middle School Library, and the EC/LS Library. The libraries and classroom spaces support multiple academic programs across divisions.	Academic facilities GSM is an IB World School authorized to teach the Primary Years Programme (PYP). The school is a German-English dual immersion program, welcoming students from all language backgrounds. Small classes (maximum 16 students, average 12) enable individualized attention. The curriculum blends proven teaching methods from Germany and the United States and uses content-based instruction in German and English, meeting high standards in both the US and Europe. Transdisciplinary, inquiry-driven learning underpins the program.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Drama and theater are offered across divisions, with performances supported by a Pearl Street theater space (the facility houses a 280-seat theater). The Upper School Writing Center provides one-on-one writing support for students. Three BFS libraries—Upper School, Middle School, and EC/LS—support research and reading as part of after-school and enrichment activities. The Extended Day Xplorations program offers after-school activities, while athletic facilities and nearby field sites support sports and clubs.	Extra curricular facilities The school offers an after-school program for enrolled GSM students and a range of programs for non-GSM students and siblings, including languages, music, theater and art. GSM runs bilingual Summer Camps and Summer Break Programs in partnership with Galli Theater and Deutsche Sprachschule, with July and August offerings for ages 2–12 and options for single- or multi-week enrollments. Partnerships with cultural organizations enrich the cultural and educational experience, including collaborators such as Galli Theater NYC and KinderBooks NYC.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History The school was founded in 1867 as a co-educational grade school by the Religious Society of Friends. An initial student body of 17 started the school at the Brooklyn Monthly Meetinghouse on Schermerhorn Street. A kindergarten was added in 1902 and a high school division in 1907. In 1969, Brooklyn Friends School purchased 375 Pearl Street from Brooklyn Law School; the seven-story building, built in 1928, became the Pearl Street campus in the early 1970s.	History German-American School Manhattan opened in September 2018 with its inaugural Kindergarten class, becoming Manhattan's first German-English bilingual IB Preschool and Lower School. It uses a 50/50 mixed model, with subjects taught in German and English by native speakers. The program serves children from age 2 through 5th grade. It operates two Tribeca campuses, 85 Warren Street (Kita Preschool & Kindergarten) and 74 Warren Street (Dual Immersion Elementary School). It is authorized to teach the Primary Years Programme (PYP) as part of the IB World School network.
Community	Community The school is rooted in Quaker beliefs and fosters a diverse, values-based community in Downtown Brooklyn. Global Social Impact is a core school pillar within the BFS community, guiding students to become changemakers. Diversity is a core value, and BFS is actively committed to building a racially, ethnically, and socio‑economically diverse community. Quaker practices inform student life, emphasizing careful listening, compassion, non-violence, and social action.	Community German-American School Manhattan is growing into a meeting point for cultural exchange among multilingual families in downtown Manhattan. It operates as an IB World School with a Program of Inquiry that aligns with US and German benchmarks across core subjects and uses a transdisciplinary approach connecting social studies, STEAM, and arts. The school hosts open-house tours and community playdates, inviting families from across boroughs and New Jersey to engage with GSM's programs. The two Tribeca campuses and a calendar of events and news serve the GSM community as a hub for language, culture, and learning.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association All parents and guardians are automatically members of the Brooklyn Friends and Families (BFF). BFF partners with the school to support its mission and goals and to engage families to foster community and school spirit. The BFF leadership includes Co-Clerks, Clerks for the Early Childhood, Lower, Middle, and Upper School divisions, a secretary, treasurer, and committee clerks. Classroom Family Leads connect families to their classrooms, advisory, and the larger BFS community, welcome new families, and foster communication between parents, BFF, and school leadership. BFF coordinates volunteer efforts and school events, including initiatives such as Colleague Appreciation Week.	Parent teacher association GSM has a Parent Association (GSM PA) that coordinates community events. PTA-led activities include a community flea market coordinated with GSM and hosted at 74 Warren Street on June 11, 2025. The GSM PA also sponsors partnerships like the McNally Jackson x GSM PA Book Fair (December 2, 2025) in the Lower School Theater, with 20% of net sales supporting GSM's English library. These events bring families together to support language, literacy, and community, and illustrate active parent involvement in GSM's school life.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, and all Brooklyn Friends School graduates complete Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) during 11th and 12th grade. CAS may involve dance, theatre, music, leadership, and designing a service project.	Academic & intellectual IB PYP Dual Immersion Preschool & Lower School combines German and U.S. curricula in an inquiry-based, concept-driven program. Native German and English teachers guide students through bilingual instruction, fostering reflection, independence, and collaboration. Small classes maximize personalized attention with a maximum size of 16 (average 12). Units culminate in grade-wide presentations that showcase learning and language skills in both languages.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The school has performing arts and visual arts. Middle School students take dance, drama, chorus, and orchestra; fifth graders study dance and chorus or orchestra; seventh and eighth graders choose electives in painting, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, video, and video animation.	Arts & creative Art, music, and movement are taught in German and English beginning in kindergarten. The arts are integrated across the curriculum. GSM partners with Galli Theater NYC to offer bilingual theater camps and with Deutsche Sprachschule for Camp Wunderbar, which blends arts, crafts, and language activities. These programs provide hands-on creative experiences for GSM students and non-GSM participants.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Foreign language study begins in the middle school, with fifth graders continuing Spanish from the Lower School; Beginning in sixth grade, students choose Spanish, French, or Mandarin. The IB program includes language study such as Spanish AB/B, French AB/B, and Mandarin AB at BFS.	Cultural & language The school uses a bilingual program of inquiry blending German and English through the IB Primary Years Programme. Content-based instruction in German and English is guided by native-speaking teachers. GSM fosters an international community with families representing more than 20 languages and cultural connections with German-speaking artists and partner organizations. Non-GSM programs are available for learners hoping to study languages, music, theater and art.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Activities and an exploratory curriculum provide Middle Schoolers opportunities to learn about their interests and assume leadership roles.	Social & hobbies After School Care is available for Lower School (K–5) and Preschool Hort for ages 2–4, with daily free play and guided discovery on a rotating theme. After School runs 3:35 pm–5:10 pm at 74 Warren Street; Preschool Hort runs 3:35–5:10 pm at 85 Warren Street. The program is open to non-GSM students, with sign-up details provided by GSM. Costs are $1500 per weekly activity/year for lower school and $1400 per weekly activity/year for preschool.
Community & service	Community & service The school emphasizes service to the community through a Service Learning and Civic Engagement program and the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) requirements of the IB program.	Community & service GSM fosters an international community with families representing more than 20 languages and cultural exchange. Cultural connections include German-speaking artists and partner organizations enriching the educational experience. In addition to the after-school program for enrolled GSM students, the school offers programs for non-GSM students, siblings, and learners hoping to study languages, music, theater and art, with partnerships including Galli Theater and other community organizations.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Upper School offers Student Led Activities such as Model UN and other clubs; Later @Lawrence after-school programming includes American Sign Language, Girls Who Code, and Figure Drawing.	Leadership & professional GSM promotes knowledgeable, caring, and responsible global citizens and fosters mindful, reflective leadership in learners. Students are prepared to be thoughtful, compassionate leaders who engage in inquiry-based, cross-cultural learning. The team comprises experienced teachers from Germany and the United States, with native German and English-speaking faculty guiding instruction. Community partnerships support collaborative learning and leadership development across language and cultural activities.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Wholeness and Well-Being is integrated across the community, led by Counseling and Learning Support teams, with a holistic, strength-based approach that affirms belonging.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Personal well-being is the foundation for all learning, with a child-centered approach that supports socio-emotional development. The curriculum includes movement, outdoor activity, and access to local parks to complement art and music experiences. Summer programs emphasize curiosity, collaboration, and empathy through outdoor exploration and inquiry-based themes, reinforcing IB Learner Profile attributes.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Spanish is taught in the Lower School as a specialist subject. In the Upper School, BFS offers French and Spanish as language courses within the IB program. The IB Diploma Programme emphasizes developing language skills to become culturally aware through the development of a second language. Languages are integrated across grade levels as part of a globally oriented curriculum.	Language provision Languages taught include German, English, and Spanish. German reading and writing, math, social studies, and ethics are taught by native German teachers; English reading and writing, math, social studies, and science are taught by native English teachers (beginning in 1st grade, math is taught in English). Art, music, and movement are taught in German and English from kindergarten. Spanish-language instruction is introduced in 3rd grade.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching German-English bilingual IB Preschool and Lower School. Subjects are taught in German and English by native speakers. The bilingual program blends German and U.S. curricula within the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP).
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs GSM uses a 50/50 mixed immersion model. Beginning in 1st grade, instruction is split evenly between German and English, with native speakers guiding the learning. The program follows IB PYP and blends German grade-level learning competencies with New York State standards. Spanish-language instruction is introduced in 3rd grade.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions The school serves students from two years old through 12th grade. The first step in applying is to visit Ravenna, submit a preliminary application, and schedule a visit. Apply By Grade sections are available for Early Childhood (2s, 3s, & 4s); Grades K-1; Grades 2-4; Grades 5-8; Grades 9-12. The Enrollment Team includes Julia Friedman (Assistant Director of Admissions, 2s–1st Grade) & Enrollment Systems Manager; Beth Horboychuk (Assistant Director of Admissions, 1st–6th Grades); Tristan Kishonis (Associate Director of Enrollment Management & Upper School Admissions & Marketing); Jamie Pine (Director of Enrollment Management). Main Building 375 Pearl Street Brooklyn, NY 11201; Upper School 116 Lawrence Street. The school enrolls students of any race, color, national origin, or ethnicity to all rights and privileges generally accorded to students, and does not discriminate in its admissions, policies, scholarship programs, or athletic programs on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, national origin, or ethnicity.	Admissions 1. Apply: Request our application form any time. You will be asked to include the birth certificate, report cards of prior schools and a $200 application fee. Enrollment is rolling for the 2025/26 school year for Preschool through Grade 5. 2. Interviews & Playdates: For Grade 1 or higher, schedule an interview with the child and parent(s)/guardian(s). The interview should be scheduled after submitting the application two days prior. Please request an appointment from the admissions team. Prior knowledge of German is not a prerequisite for admissions K-2; students with strong academic records can be admitted without German language into Grades 3-5. For Preschool or Kindergarten (ages 2-4), open-format playdates are offered; playdates typically occur on Tue/Thu/Fri at 4 PM. 3. Acceptance: Acceptance letters of preferred admissions are sent starting December 1. Families sign the school contract and pay the first installment to reserve a spot (first come first served). 4. Admissions Timetable: For the 2026-27 admissions season, two cycles are used: Early Admissions for siblings and partner-school students; Regular Admissions across all grades. Application Submission Deadline: December 1; Acceptance Notification Date: December 15. Rolling admissions apply for the current year. 5. Current Admissions: We are currently accepting applications for the 2025/26 school year for GSM bilingual Kita Preschool (ages 2-4), GSM bilingual Kindergarten (age 5), and GSM Dual Immersion Elementary School (grades 1-5); interviews are required for the elementary. 6. Open Houses & Tours: In-person open house tours are held at 74 & 85 Warren Streets. Spring tour season includes dates such as 3/5, 3/9, 3/12, 3/26; sign up for open houses online. Virtual Zoom tours are available; community playdates are scheduled on dates such as 3/12, 4/16, 5/14, 6/11; sign up for playdates online. 7. Tuition & Financial Information: Tuition for School Year 2025/26: Preschool & PreK $35,500/year; Preschool half-day 3 days/week $32,500/year; Elementary K-5 $42,500/year. Financial aid is available to qualifying families through SSS.
Scholarships	Scholarships Financial aid is available based on need. An admissions acceptance does not guarantee a grant. If eligible, a member of the New York Quarterly Meeting may apply for aid through the New York Quarterly Education Fund.	Scholarships GSM offers financial aid to qualifying families through SSS.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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