Brooklyn Friends School vs The École

	B Brooklyn Friends School New York, United States	T The École New York, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $31,630 - 65,575	Fees / year $41,000 - 50,500
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum French Curriculum, American Curriculum, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language French, English
Opened	Opened 1867	Opened 2009
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
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 The École is in New York City's Flatiron District, with two campuses a short distance apart. The Maternelle Building is at 206 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010. The Elementary & Middle School Building is at 115 East 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010. The campus is easily accessible by foot or bike, and a city bus service is available for eligible grades.
Stages	Stages Early Childhood; Grades K-1; Grades 2-4; Grades 5-8; Grades 9-12	Stages Maternelle (Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten), Elementary (1st to 5th), Middle School (6th to 8th), High School (9th to 12th); Léman High School with The École offers a French-American bilingual IB curriculum.
School type	School type Independent day school rooted in Quaker values	School type Independent, French-American bilingual day school that teaches in French and English.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Counseling Department includes a school counselor and a French psychologist; Educational Support Team (EST) provides assessments and interventions; STRIVE Department delivers differentiated instruction with both push-in and pull-out support, including support for newcomers to English or French.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation United States	Country affiliation France (fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education and a member of the AEFE network; affiliated with Mission Laïque Française).
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 Yellow School Bus is available for Kindergarten to 6th Grade; the service is provided by the City of New York and serves downtown, the Upper East Side, and the Upper West Side; OMNYCards are provided for eligible students living more than 0.5 miles from the Elementary & Middle School Building. Bus inquiries: bus@theEcole.org.
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 fees and one-time enrollment fees - Application fee: USD 300 per application. - One-time Enrollment Fee (first year only): - Pre-Nursery and Nursery: USD 1,000. - Pre-K to 8th Grade: USD 3,500. - Tuition deposit: USD 5,500 required at the time of enrollment or re-enrollment; this deposit is non-refundable and will be deducted from the overall tuition. Tuition fees by year group (annual) - Pre-Nursery and Nursery (full-year, full-day program): Tuition USD 46,500 per year. - Pre-K through 8th Grade (full-year, full-day program): Tuition USD 50,500 per year. Per-term / per-installment equivalents (by year group) - Two equal installments (each installment = 50% of the annual tuition): - Pre-Nursery and Nursery: USD 23,250 per installment. - Pre-K to 8th Grade: USD 25,250 per installment. - Nine monthly installments (payments due monthly via FACTS): - Pre-Nursery and Nursery: gross installment ≈ USD 5,166.67 per month (9 payments). Note: the USD 5,500 deposit is deducted from the overall tuition when calculating the balance due. - Pre-K to 8th Grade: gross installment ≈ USD 5,611.11 per month (9 payments). Note: the USD 5,500 deposit is deducted from the overall tuition when calculating the balance due. - Payment in full (single payment) – early payment discount: - A USD 500 reduction in tuition is applied when full payment is made by the early deadline. Example amounts before deposit consideration: - Pre-Nursery and Nursery: USD 46,000 if paid in full by the early payment deadline. - Pre-K to 8th Grade: USD 50,000 if paid in full by the early payment deadline. - The USD 500 reduction is not available to recipients of financial assistance and does not apply when an employer is responsible for payment. Billing schedule and payment terms - Enrollment window referenced for the schedule: enrollment before April 30 (for the 2026–2027 schedule shown). The tuition-deposit is required at the time of enrollment or re-enrollment. - Payment-in-full option: single electronic payment due before the early-payment deadline (May 1). A USD 500 discount applies when paid by that date (subject to the exceptions above). - Two-installment option: first installment due before May 1; second installment due before October 1. Each installment equals 50% of the total amount due. - Nine-month plan via FACTS: payments due on the 1st of each month, beginning April 1 and ending December 1 (nine payments). - Mid-year arrivals: prorated tuition rules apply and must be paid in full before the student's start date: - Students beginning between December 15 and April 1: prorated tuition = two-thirds (2/3) of the full-year tuition, in addition to the one-time enrollment and application fees. Examples: Pre-Nursery & Nursery 2/3 = USD 31,000; Pre-K–8 2/3 ≈ USD 33,667. - Students beginning after April 1: prorated tuition = one-third (1/3) of the full-year tuition, in addition to the one-time enrollment and application fees. Examples: Pre-Nursery & Nursery 1/3 = USD 15,500; Pre-K–8 1/3 ≈ USD 16,833. Boarding fees - The École operates as an independent day school for Maternelle through Middle School in New York City; no boarding program or boarding fees are listed. Other costs and optional fees - Lunch program: The school's hot lunch program is provided by Little Green Gourmets; participation and pricing for hot lunch are arranged directly with that provider. Lunch program fees are not included in the standard tuition figures above. - Uniforms: All uniform items must be purchased from the school's designated retailer, Untold Horizons; a Uniform Guide is provided by the school. Uniform purchase costs are separate from tuition. - After-school activities, overnight field trips, and Camp activities: these are additional to the tuition and invoiced separately; some families may opt into a bundled “Global Tuition” that can include some of these options. Specific prices for after-school classes, trips, and camps are itemized separately from core tuition. - Transportation, specialty programs, supplies, or optional services where applicable may incur additional charges; these are not included in the base tuition figures above. Refund information - The USD 5,500 tuition deposit is explicitly stated as non-refundable and will be deducted from the overall tuition. No other explicit refund policy for withdrawals or mid-year departures is provided in the published tuition schedule. Mid-year arrivals are required to pay prorated tuition in full before their start date. Fee payment options (methods and platforms) - Payments may be made by electronic payment directly to The École for single or two-installment payments. FACTS is used for the nine-month payment plan (monthly installments). The early-payment reduction applies to electronic payments made by the early deadline. Specific payment instruments (for example, exact credit card or bank transfer acceptance) are handled through the school's electronic payment processes and through FACTS. Brief note on information gaps found - The published schedule provides clear annual tuition figures, enrollment/application fees, the USD 5,500 non-refundable deposit, payment schedules (dates and installment structure), the early-payment discount, and mid-year proration rules. Exact prices for uniforms, lunch, after-school activities, overnight field trips, and camp activities are not listed in the tuition schedule and are shown as separate costs (uniform vendor and lunch provider are identified). No additional refund/withdrawal policy beyond the non-refundable deposit is published on the tuition page.
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 Uniforms are available through Untold Horizons, and uniform items must be purchased from Untold Horizons; a Uniform Guide explains it as a set uniform policy, not a dress code. Every student must have at least one polo in their House color for House days, field days, and special events. The policy is gender-neutral; students may choose any item from the formal, casual, and physical education dress codes.
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 The École offers a European-style hot lunch program with LiTTLE GREEN GOURMETS, with seasonal menus and options for dietary needs. If not participating, students may bring lunch; the school has a nut-free policy and prohibits sodas and candies; packed lunches should use plastic containers and Thermos bottles are allowed. Special dietary options include Vegetarian, Vegan, Kosher-style, Gluten-free, Egg-free, Dairy-free, Sesame-free.
House system	House system —	House system The École uses a House system; every student must have at least one polo in their House color for House days, field days, and special events. House color polo is integrated into the Uniforms policy.
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 The École is an independent school in New York City. It is fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education and is a member of AEFE; it is affiliated with the Mission Laïque Française and a NAIS member; it is also a member of the Parents League of New York, AFSA, and FISNA.
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 The École is an independent French-American bilingual school serving students aged 2 to 14 in New York City's Flatiron District. It offers a bilingual curriculum in French and English for preschool through middle school. The program develops bi-literate, bi-cultural thinkers who see the world from two perspectives. In 2022, a high school track was opened in partnership with Léman High School, offering a French-American bilingual IB curriculum for graduates and French-speaking middle-school students. There are two classes per grade from 1st through 8th grade, and in 2025 the Elementary & Middle School Building moved to 115 East 22nd Street.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Small class sizes.	Student teacher ratio —
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 The École adopts a holistic approach to social, emotional, and academic development. The Counseling Department includes a school counselor and a French psychologist and provides counseling in French or English for individuals or groups. Social-emotional learning is central and is delivered through guidance lessons, advisory classes, and both short-term and longer-term counseling. The counseling team is a visible presence in all grades, offering crisis counseling and support for conflict resolution as needed. Regular guidance lessons cover friendship, bullying, diversity, feelings, and kindness, and Counselor Chats for parents complement the school program.
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) The Educational Support Team (EST) is composed of a French-speaking psychologist, a school counselor, special education teachers, administrators, and outside providers. They meet weekly to review students who require additional academic or social support and design tailored interventions, monitoring progress. If a deeper evaluation is necessary, EST guides families and teachers and refers to outside providers. The STRIVE Department provides flexible, personalized learning with push-in support in the classroom and pull-out small-group instruction to meet students where they are. STRIVE includes two full-time certified French teachers and two full-time certified English teachers who differentiate across all subjects and support newcomers to English or French, spanning Pre-Nursery through 8th Grade.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language STRIVE supports students who are newcomers to English or French. The program uses push-in support delivered in the classroom and pull-out small-group instruction for targeted language development. The STRIVE team includes two full-time certified French teachers and two full-time certified English teachers who differentiate across all subjects, including English, French, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Instruction is designed to meet students where they are and to accelerate bilingual proficiency across Pre-Nursery through 8th Grade. Language support is integrated with the school's bilingual curriculum to support overall academic achievement.
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 The Counseling Department centers on social-emotional learning and mental health. They provide short-term, longer-term, and crisis counseling available in French and English across all grades. Counseling lessons cover mental health topics and preventive health classes (addictions, sex education, and digital wellbeing) to support overall wellbeing. Counselors maintain a visible presence in the school and collaborate with families and outside providers as needed. The STRIVE Department complements wellbeing by creating flexible, personalized learning environments that support students' social and emotional growth.
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 The École requires all students and parents/guardians to sign The École's Code of Conduct and Anti-Bullying Policy at the start of each school year. Crisis counseling is available to provide immediate support after traumatic events. The Counseling Department offers guidance on safety, and safeguarding is supported by collaboration among the EST and outside providers as needed. The school provides ongoing safeguarding resources through in-class guidance and advisory programs to support student safety and wellbeing.
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 The École has two campuses in Manhattan's Flatiron District: a Maternelle Building at 206 Fifth Avenue for Pre-Nursery through Kindergarten, and an Elementary & Middle School Building at 115 East 22nd Street for 1st through 8th grade. The Maternelle Building is five stories tall and houses seven light-filled classrooms, plus multi-purpose spaces that serve as a gym, auditorium, and cafeteria, with an outdoor rooftop playground and garden. The Elementary & Middle School Building contains sixteen classrooms, a dedicated library, and spaces for performing arts, music, art, sport, and STEM/design technology. In 2025, the school moved the Elementary & Middle School Building from 111 East 22nd Street to 115 East 22nd Street, doubling its square footage from 23,000 to 46,000 square feet over two and a half floors to support two classes per grade from 1st through 8th. The campuses combine tranquil learning spaces with active environments close to Madison Square Park.
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 The Maternelle Building includes a full-floor space that serves as a gym, an auditorium, and a cafeteria, and a rooftop playground and garden provide outdoor space for recreation. The Elementary & Middle School Building includes dedicated spaces for sports among other subjects. Baruch College provides access to state-of-the-art sports facilities and equipment for physical education year-round.
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 The Elementary & Middle School Building houses sixteen classrooms, a stunning library, and dedicated spaces for performing arts, music, art, sport, and STEM/design technology.
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 After-School offers over 110 activities in Semester 2 2025-2026 across four categories: Academic & Character, Art & Music, Sports & Fitness, and Science & Technology. Activities include language classes (Arabic, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish, Russian), SHSAT Enrichment, Little Ecologists, The Little Workshop; Construction Games and Lego, Chess, Genius Gems, Scratch Coding, Robot Genius League, Club STEAM, Weird Science Television, Kidz Architects; Model-Making Workshop, Cooking, Knitting & Crocheting, Studio Art, DJ, Broadway Musical, Theatre, Photo & Graphic Design, Embroidery; Judo, Swimming, Team Sports, Tennis, Capoeira, Gymnastics, Parkour, Intro to Taekwondo, Fencing, Dance, Momentum Athletics, Ping Pong, Pickleball, Yoga, Gravity Gym. The second-semester runs from January 26, 2026, to June 18, 2026.
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 Founded by the Wood family with Yves Rivaud and Clyde Javois in 2008, The École launched as Manhattan's first school of its kind. It opened on September 8, 2009 at 111 East 22nd Street with 22 Nursery–5th grade students. By its first eight years the school grew to over 200 students across Nursery–8th grade. Philippe and Laurence Roux joined the leadership in 2017 to refine the philosophy, expand the community, and restore the spirit of the original group for a bilingual French-American program. In 2020 Jean-Yves Vesseau became head of school, Pre-Nursery began in 2021, and a Léman High School bilingual IB track started in 2022; in 2025 the building moved to 115 East 22nd Street, doubling space and enabling two classes per grade.
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 The École serves an international community in New York City's Flatiron District as a French-American bilingual school. The community is strengthened by active parent involvement through the Parents Association, which partners with faculty and administrators to enhance student life. The Association has spearheaded numerous initiatives and helped form lasting bonds across the school. The leadership emphasizes bringing together a diverse group of international families in close friendships and collaboration.
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 Active and engaged parents are essential to The École's education and student life. The Parents Association has spearheaded many initiatives over the years and helped form lasting bonds across the community. The Association collaborates with school leadership on events, volunteer programs, and family activities to support students. The PA's work reflects the school's bilingual, international focus and commitment to a welcoming, inclusive community. The PA's activities are central to the school experience and contribute to a supportive school culture.
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 The École offers a French-American bilingual program across Maternelle to High School, built on two complementary educational systems for learning. In Elementary, humanities, math, and social sciences are taught in English and French by native-speaking teachers; art, STEAM, music, and theatre are taught in English or French, and Mandarin and Spanish begin in 3rd Grade. In Middle School, foundational subjects are taught in both French and English by native-speaking specialists, with art, STEAM, theatre, sport, and music taught by either French or American faculty; students continue studying Spanish or Mandarin through 8th Grade. In High School, Léman High School with The École provides a French-American bilingual IB curriculum, extending the dual-language program through 9th–12th grade.
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 The École extends Art & Music through after-school and daytime programs. Elementary students study art, STEAM, music, and theatre in English or French, guided by native-speaking teachers. The After-School program offers 110+ activities per semester, including swimming, judo, capoeira, parkour, DJ Master, Broadway Musical, and studio art, led by school staff or partner organizations. Camps also feature daily art, music, and theater workshops in a bilingual immersion experience.
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 École teaches in English and French through a French-American bilingual program across all grades. In Maternelle, the classroom is co-taught by a native English speaker and a native French speaker, delivering a fully immersive bilingual experience. In Elementary, Mandarin and Spanish begin in 3rd Grade, and in Middle School students continue with Spanish or Mandarin through 8th Grade. In High School, Léman High School with The École offers a bilingual IB curriculum, with electives taught in French as part of the two-language program.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Activities and an exploratory curriculum provide Middle Schoolers opportunities to learn about their interests and assume leadership roles.	Social & hobbies The Student Council, recess clubs, and the House system provide regular opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork, and social skills in Elementary and Middle School. Elementary notes these initiatives build a strong sense of character, while Middle School highlights involvement in the student council, clubs, and the House system. After-School offers 110+ activities each semester across categories such as Academic & Character, Art & Music, Sports & Fitness, and Science & Technology, including options like swimming, judo, capoeira, parkour, and language classes. Camps also include language and performance workshops that encourage social engagement and exploration.
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 The École has an active Parents Association that partners with faculty and administrators to enhance student life. The Parents Association has spearheaded numerous initiatives to support the school community. TEPA also maintains a scholarship fund to assist families with financial need for after-school programs, uniforms, and lunches. This reflects the school's commitment to community and family involvement.
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 Leadership development is embedded in programs across the grades. The Elementary program includes Student Council, recess clubs, and the House system, while Middle School expands these opportunities with clubs and leadership initiatives. In High School, Leadership and Service is emphasized as part of the bilingual IB pathway, with students participating in leadership-building activities and community service to prepare for university and global citizenship. The bilingual IB pathway strengthens collaborative and leadership skills through interdisciplinary learning.
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 Sports and Fitness are core components of After-School life, with activities such as swimming, judo, capoeira, parkour, tennis, and team sports. The campus includes outdoor recess during Camps at Madison Square Park or the rooftop, and maintains a nut-free environment to protect students with allergies. The school's European-style lunch program promotes healthy eating, with nut-free policies and locally sourced ingredients. Mindfulness and structured physical activity are integrated to support students' overall well-being.
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 French and English are the languages of instruction. Non-French-speaking students can enroll up to Kindergarten and receive STRIVE language support (Stimulate, Transform, Reach, Identify, Value, and Enrich). Each class maintains a minimum of 60% French-speaking students. The École serves an international community from Maternelle through High School, including a bilingual IB program at Léman High School for 9th–12th grade.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The École teaches in French and English as part of a French-American bilingual program. Instruction runs from Maternelle (Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten) through Middle School, with Léman High School providing a French-American bilingual IB curriculum for 9th–12th grade. The École serves an international community across Maternelle to High School. Non-French-speaking children can enroll up to Kindergarten and receive personalized language support through STRIVE (Stimulate, Transform, Reach, Identify, Value, and Enrich). There is a minimum of 60% French-speaking students per class.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
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 A simple admission process with three steps for all grades: 1. an Open House for parents, 2) an online application, and 3) an invitation for the whole family to meet the head of school. If you wish to apply for financial assistance, consult the Financial Assistance information. Maternelle age requirements for the 2026-2027 school year: Pre-Nursery two years old by September 1, 2026; Nursery three by December 31, 2026; Pre-Kindergarten four by December 31, 2026; Kindergarten five by December 31, 2026; from Nursery onward, potty-training is required before the first day of school. Required documents for online application: a copy of your child's birth certificate, a copy of your child's passport, a copy of your child's visa (if applicable), a picture of your child, report cards, and a confidential recommendation form completed by your child's current teacher. Admissions Calendar highlights: Quick Acceptance Applications from September 2025 to December 31, 2025 (decision in less than two weeks; if accepted, one week to sign the contract and pay the deposit); Standard Applications from September 2025 to January 11, 2026 (open houses encouraged; deadline to submit complete application January 11, 2026; decision notice February 2, 2026; deadline to sign the contract and pay the deposit February 9, 2026); If accepted but you prefer to wait, the child will be placed on a waiting list with the seat guaranteed only after the enrollment agreement and tuition deposit are paid; Late Applications after January 11, 2026 are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis; if spaces remain, you will be invited to a family interview; depending on the grade, the child may be accepted or placed on the waiting list; if accepted, three days to accept (sign enrollment agreement and pay tuition deposit); if on the waiting list, an enrollment agreement will be sent as soon as a seat becomes available. Language requirements: 1st through 8th Grade students must speak French. Start the online application by creating an account in the online tool and submitting the required documents.
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 Financial Assistance: For 2026-2027, The École will allocate $2 million to enable more students to benefit from the dual French-American curriculum. The amount awarded is based on demonstrated financial need, and both financial need and academic excellence are considered for Middle School applicants. About 20% of families receive financial assistance. Financial assistance is open to all families and can complement grants provided to French citizens attending French-government-accredited schools through the French Consulate in New York. The need assessment is processed through NAIS School & Student Services; applicants must submit via the family portal using the school code and pay a submission fee. Third-party payments do not affect eligibility, and families enrolled for less than two years are not eligible to apply until after enrollment. French citizens may also apply for a bourse through the French Consulate; applicants must be registered with the Consulate and meet with its Social Services. For help with the process, contact Mireille Desalm, Director of Admissions.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist If your child is accepted and you prefer to wait before enrolling, they will be placed on a waiting list; their seat will be guaranteed only when the enrollment agreement and tuition deposit have been paid. After January 11, 2026, late applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis; if accepted, you will be invited to a family interview; depending on the grade, the child may be accepted or placed on the waiting list. If accepted, you will have three days to sign the enrollment agreement and pay the tuition deposit; if placed on the waiting list, an enrollment agreement will be sent as soon as a seat becomes available.
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