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Tessa International School

United States, Hoboken

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, French, Mandarin, Spanish
Fees $32,630 - 33,710
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 280
Type Co-educational
Opened 2017
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), French Curriculum, American Curriculum
Taught languages French, Mandarin, Spanish
Typical class size 18
Strengths Languages, Visual and Creative Arts, Outdoor Education
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary
Introduction

Tessa International School in Hoboken, New Jersey, is a private bilingual international school that blends French and English-language schooling with IB principles. It offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, integrated with the French National Curriculum through Mission Laïque Française, to create a coherent Programme of Inquiry across six transdisciplinary themes. Instruction is bilingual, with English plus language tracks in French, Mandarin, or Spanish; Preschool immersion reaches 80% in the target language and Primary immersion is 50/50. The campus occupies three floors of the Monroe Center, featuring bright classrooms, a STEM Lab, a Library, a Music Room, and dedicated language spaces. Students benefit from daily outdoor time, gymnasium facilities, and on-site playgrounds. After-school programs total more than 30, including language, sport, art, coding, and chess, with language clubs and science/tech activities aligned to the bilingual international focus. The school is IB-accredited (2021) and Cognia-accredited (2019). It welcomes families worldwide today.

720 Monroe St Suite E105-106, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States

The Essentials

Tessa International School has 280 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English, French, Mandarin, Spanish.

Location
The school is located in the Monroe Center in Hoboken, New Jersey. The address is 720 Monroe Street, Suites E105-106, Hoboken, NJ 07030 (between 7th and 8th Streets). It sits in a renovated historic industrial site with nearby parks and high-end apartment buildings, in the heart of Hoboken and convenient for families in Hoboken, Jersey City, and the surrounding area. Access is via the Hudson Light Rail stop at 9th Street/Congress Street, NJ Transit Bus Route 126 stops at 8th Street & Willow Avenue or 8th Street & Washington Street, and there is parking nearby at 700 Harrison Street.

Stages
Nursery, Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary (PK2 through 5th Grade).

Type
Private bilingual international school.

Country affiliation
France

Religious affiliation
Secular

School day structure
School hours: 8:30 AM – 3:15 PM, with before-care from 7:30 AM and after-care until 7:00 PM.

Bus service
Van transportation is available with student pickups typically in Port Imperial and north of Hoboken; arrangements are made via transportation@tessais.org. The school is accessible by NJ Transit Bus Route 126 (stops at 8th Street & Willow Avenue or 8th Street & Washington Street) and by the Hudson Light Rail (9th Street/Congress Street); there is parking nearby.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
No overnight boarding. Extended Hours program provides before- and after-school care from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM, with holiday coverage and Vacation Care.

Governance and Ownership
Be Lingual Preschool Limited Liability Company operates the school.
Fees

Annual tuition at Tessa International School ranges from USD 32,630 to USD 33,710 for 2026/27.

Overview (2026–27 academic year)
Tuition is charged on a 10‑month school‑year basis with monthly and alternative payment options. A 20% sibling discount is available for additional children. Fees listed below reflect the school's published 2026–27 schedule.

Application and enrollment fees
- Application fee: USD 85 (non‑refundable).
- One‑time new‑student registration fee (first enrollment year only): USD 995.
- Parent organisation administration fee: USD 85 (managed by the Parents Association).

Tuition fees by year group (2026–27) — monthly rates are shown as monthly amounts over a 10‑month school year; annual totals below are monthly × 10
- Nursery / Preschool / Kindergarten (PK2–K)
- Part‑time (5 half days or 3 full days): USD 2,245 / month (10 months) — annual: USD 22,450.
- Reduced monthly rate shown for eligible payment plans: USD 2,075 / month (10 months) — annual: USD 20,750.
- Full‑time (5 full days): USD 3,245 / month (10 months) — annual: USD 32,450.
- Reduced monthly rate shown for eligible payment plans: USD 2,995 / month (10 months) — annual: USD 29,950.
- Full‑time + Extended Hours (7:30 AM–7:00 PM): USD 3,725 / month (10 months) — annual: USD 37,250.
- Reduced monthly rate shown for eligible payment plans: USD 3,445 / month (10 months) — annual: USD 34,450.

- Grade 1 to Grade 5
- Full‑time (5 full days, 8:30 AM–3:15 PM): USD 3,345 / month (10 months) — annual: USD 33,450.
- Reduced monthly rate shown for eligible payment plans: USD 3,095 / month (10 months) — annual: USD 30,950.
- Full‑time + Extended Hours (7:30 AM–7:00 PM): USD 3,785 / month (10 months) — annual: USD 37,850.
- Reduced monthly rate shown for eligible payment plans: USD 3,495 / month (10 months) — annual: USD 34,950.

How the billing schedule and payment terms work
- Standard billing presentation: monthly amounts are shown as payments over a 10‑month school year (school‑year commitment = 10 months).
- Payment plan options and discounts: one annual payment for the school year receives a 3% discount; two equal payments in the school year receive a 2% discount. Monthly (10‑month) payment schedules are available at the published monthly rates. The school requires a signed financial agreement and a non‑refundable deposit to secure an offered enrollment contract.

Boarding
- Boarding is not offered. Tessa operates as a day school and provides extended hours/before‑and‑after care for enrolled students.

Extended hours, after‑school and similar additional services
- Extended hours (before/after care) are available (typical coverage 7:30 AM–7:00 PM). Extended‑hours options are included in the Full‑time + Extended Hours tuition packages above; separate before/after care and vacation care rates exist for families using only extended‑hours services. Published extended‑hours and vacation‑care rate examples include nominal monthly and per‑week rates for before care, after care, combined BC+AC and vacation care (see the school's extended hours rates).
- After‑school activities are charged per class: USD 25 to USD 50 per class.

Other recurring or one‑off costs
- Book and materials fee: included in tuition (includes foreign language books and materials).
- Technology fee: included in tuition.
- Language‑support fee (ESL / language support): included in tuition.
- Field trips & experiences fee: USD 95 per year (published as a standard additional charge).
- Summer camp and vacation‑care programs have separate registration and rate schedules; camp cancellations are refundable under the school's camp cancellation policy (full refund minus registration fees when cancelled up to two weeks before camp start).
- Uniforms and clothing: the school runs family community activities such as a Uniform Swap; uniform purchases or replacements are the responsibility of families and are not included in tuition.

Refunds and cancellation terms (where published and applicable)
- The application fee (USD 85) is non‑refundable. A signed financial agreement and a non‑refundable deposit are required to secure an offered enrollment contract.
- Before/aftercare cancellations: no refund is granted for cancellations two weeks or less before the beginning of the before/aftercare period enrolled; no refund is given for absences, changes, withdrawals, or dismissal for cause under the before/aftercare terms.
- Summer camp cancellation: a full refund (minus registration fees) is granted up to two weeks before the start of the camp session per the school's camp policy.

Fee payment methods and administration
- The school manages admissions and tuition billing through a third‑party tuition/tuition‑management provider (TADS / Ravenna). Families use that system to submit application payments and to set up tuition payment plans.
- Common payment methods supported through typical TADS tuition management implementations include: major credit cards, automatic bank withdrawal (ACH/e‑check), mailed checks or money orders, and wire transfers. Credit card payments may carry a convenience fee as determined by the payment processor/school policy. Families manage payment methods and schedules through the tuition‑management portal.

Discounts
- Sibling discount: 20% off tuition for each additional child from the same family.

Summary of the most common one‑off fees
- Application fee (non‑refundable): USD 85.
- First‑year registration fee (one‑time): USD 995.
- Parent organisation fee: USD 85.
- Field trips & experiences fee: USD 95.
- After‑school classes: USD 25–50 per class.

(End of fees overview.)
Academics

Tessa International School teaches IB (PYP), French Curriculum, American Curriculum.

Curriculum
Integrates the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme with the French National Curriculum as part of Mission Laïque Française. The Primary Years Programme is structured around six transdisciplinary themes developed into a Program of Inquiry. Language/Literacy follows the IB PYP scope and sequence and, where possible, the French Cycle 1 standards; instruction is bilingual in English and the target language (French, Mandarin, or Spanish). Mathematics follows the IB PYP scope and sequence and the French Cycle 1 standards. Social/Emotional Learning uses the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence approach with the RULER framework, and Arts, Music and PSPE are integrated across the units. The school offers English plus language tracks in French, Mandarin, or Spanish, with Preschool immersion at 80% in the target language and Primary immersion at 50/50.

Student Teacher Ratio
Adult-to-child ratios do not exceed 1:6 in Nursery, 1:10 in Preschool, 1:12 in Kindergarten, and 1:15 in Primary; class size does not exceed 18 students.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school prioritizes social-emotional growth and well-being. This focus is featured as the Happiness pillar in the three-pillar framework. The program is supported by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Immersive language programs enhance empathy and understanding across cultures. The school has a diverse, cohesive community representing 70+ countries. These elements together help develop students' social-emotional skills.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school offers bilingual tracks in French, Mandarin, or Spanish with robust English instruction. Language tracks include English in addition to the target language. English is taught as part of the core curriculum across tracks. The bilingual program supports multilingual fluency and global citizenship.

Mental Wellbeing
The school prioritizes social-emotional growth and well-being under the Happiness pillar, aided by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.

Safeguarding
The Terms and Conditions – Before and Aftercare specify safeguarding measures. For the safety and general welfare of all participants, instances of physical aggression and/or concern for safety can lead to immediate dismissal. A policy on the release of children restricts who may take a child from the school, with emergency release procedures. The Medical Permission Statement authorizes taking a child to hospital or outside doctor in an emergency, and parents are responsible for medical bills. School staff will notify parents prior to medical attention when possible.
Parent Experience

History
Tessa International School opened in December 2017 in Hoboken, starting with a few classrooms on the first floor of the Monroe Center. Isabelle Bonneau founded the school to blend multilingual education with a global perspective. Cognia accreditation was achieved in 2019, and the Elementary School division was launched the same year. IB World School accreditation was awarded in 2021, and French Ministry of Education accreditation for PK–KG was granted in 2021, with a second-floor expansion begun in 2020 and a third-floor expansion completed in 2023. In 2025, the Primary School wing was inaugurated, and today the school reflects Isabelle's vision to equip students to succeed in a diverse and dynamic world.

Community
The Tessa community maintains an active events calendar featuring Engineers Week (February 22–28) and KG/Primary Parent-Teacher Conferences (February 23–27). The calendar also highlights cultural observances and global celebrations, including Francophonie Month Begins (March 1) and Women History Month Begins (March 1), as well as Pi Day (March 14) and Saint Patrick's Day (March 17). Open House sessions and parent webinars are scheduled to engage families and showcase the school's programs.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parent Organization is a volunteer group made up of parents, teachers, and administrators who are dedicated to the happiness and successful education of our children so they may flourish as global citizens. It is the School's and PTO's joint mission to build a cohesive, global-minded community and invites all parents in every grade to volunteer and participate in PO events. The PO plans exciting events throughout the school year, including Heritage Day Celebration, Food Drive, Family Social Events, Career Week, Teachers Appreciation Week, End of Year/Graduation Celebration, and more. PO meetings occur regularly to discuss upcoming events, issues, ideas, and to work toward a better community. Each year, the PO undertakes the task of creating Tessa's yearbook, and Class Representatives welcome new families, share information, resolve conflicts, encourage attendance at PO and School events, and help organize class events.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Located on three floors of the Monroe Center in Hoboken, NJ, the facility is modern, bright and warm. The campus promotes healthy learning, improves students' focus and generates a positive attitude. Bright classrooms and purpose-built spaces prioritize wellbeing for students and staff. The address is 720 Monroe St., Hoboken, NJ 07030.

Sports Facilities
A gymnasium supports physical education. A Multi-Purpose Room provides space for various activities. Outdoor spaces include the Plaza and Tessa Playground for active play. Public Playground adjacent to Monroe Center offers additional outdoor space.

Academic Facilities
Preschool & Kindergarten have dedicated French, Mandarin, and Spanish classrooms, with English taught in dedicated spaces. Elementary classrooms include language-track spaces and a Library for reading and research. A STEM Lab provides Science Corner and Math Corner for hands-on investigations. A Music Room supports music education and performance.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Afterschool activities total 30+ programs, including languages, sport, art, chess, dance, coding and more. The program supports multiple interests beyond the classroom. Activities align with the bilingual and international focus, offering language clubs, cultural activities, and clubs in science and technology. Afterschool options are designed to complement the core curriculum and foster social-emotional development.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Primary Years Program is structured around six transdisciplinary themes and implemented through a Program of Inquiry. The curriculum merges the official French curriculum with the International Baccalaureate approach to develop language, mathematics, science and social studies through inquiry. Language learning follows the IB PYP language Scope and Sequence and is taught in authentic contexts, with a focus on developing the language and content together. The program also emphasizes the holistic development of students, integrating social and emotional learning into academics.

Arts & Creative
Music is an essential part of the French National Curriculum and the Arts under the Primary Years Program, with music incorporated throughout the day. Tone Music Academy visits weekly for the Suzuki Method to support musical learning. Visual Arts is also integral to the Arts under the PYP and is woven into daily learning in alignment with Units of Inquiry.

Cultural & Language
Students choose from three bilingual tracks—French, Mandarin, or Spanish—combined with English instruction. Preschool and Kindergarten are immersed 80% in the target language, while Primary uses a 50/50 immersion model with native-speaking teachers. Language learning is taught through the Program of Inquiry in authentic, context-rich ways.

Social & Hobbies
Social-emotional learning is integrated through Yale's RULER approach, including the Mood Meter, the Charter and the Meta-Moment to help students manage emotions and behavior. The classroom framework is guided by essential agreements and a strong social-emotional program. Students spend time outdoors every day, and the outdoors is viewed as an extension of the classroom with on-site playground facilities. Enrichment programs, including weekly offerings from the Liberty Science Center, complement academic learning.

Leadership & Professional
Kathleen Visconti is the Head of School. All teachers hold certifications from their home countries, and Tessa provides IB and PYP training for staff. The school holds accreditations including the International Baccalaureate, French Homologation, and Cognia.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Students have daily outdoor time and access on-site playground facilities, reflecting the view of the outdoors as an extension of the learning environment. The program emphasizes social-emotional development through structured supports like RULER, mood monitoring, and reflective practices. Lunch options include bringing from home or using external catering services, and aftercare offers language and culture activities to support families.
Languages

Language Provision
The school teaches four languages: English, French, Mandarin, and Spanish. There are bilingual tracks in French, Mandarin, and Spanish with English instruction. The curriculum integrates language learning with content instruction.

Bilingual Teaching
The school offers bilingual education with tracks in French, Mandarin, or Spanish, combined with English instruction. Preschool uses full immersion in the target language, with about 80% of the day taught in the target language, while English enrichment and other specials are taught in English. In elementary, the school uses a dual-language model, with half of the week taught by an English-language teacher and half by a teacher in the target language.

Immersion Programs
Full immersion is provided in preschool (Nursery through Kindergarten) in the target language (French, Mandarin, or Spanish). English enrichment and other specials are taught in English. Starting in Grade 1, immersion becomes dual-language, with half the week taught by an English teacher and half by a teacher in the target language.
Reputation

Awards
null

Accreditations
French Homologation, International Baccalaureate, Cognia + NAIS Model School
Admissions

Admissions
Age requirements: Nursery (PreK2) 2 by December 31; PreK3 3 by December 31; PreK4 4 by December 31; Kindergarten 5 by December 31; Elementary students generally advance to the next grade. Toilet training: Nursery and PreK3 do not require toilet training; PreK4 requires full potty-training. Language proficiency: Preschool and Kindergarten accept students with all levels of fluency in the target language; for Grades 1-3, beginners and all levels in Spanish, French, and Mandarin are accepted, with additional language support available as needed. Applicants may reapply for the next admissions year. Application: online submission with an $85 application fee. Admissions are rolling, with decisions typically made within a few weeks after the application is completed.

Scholarships
French government scholarship: Means-tested scholarships are available to French families and are allocated to the school; they may cover all or part of annual tuition, the new student registration fee, or transportation; the 2026-2027 scholarship campaign is open with a February 20, 2026 deadline. Financial aid: Financial assistance is available to families with demonstrated need; applicants must submit the financial aid application concurrently with the admissions application, and only accepted students who have completed the financial aid process are considered; the school uses a third-party evaluator (TADS) to assess financial need, with a $60 application fee for financial aid.

Waitlist
If no place is available, the child may be placed on a waitlist.
School Events
The school has not added events
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