Founded in 1845, The Packer Collegiate Institute is currently the oldest independent school in Brooklyn, offering programs for children from preschool through 12th grade. Packer Collegiate currently has more than 1,000 students enrolled. The school offers a laptop program for students in the fifth grade and above, which supplies each student with a free laptop. By the 6th grade, Packer students begin learning foreign languages such as French, Spanish, Latin and Mandarin Chinese.
Saint Ann's School is an independent, non-sectarian day school hosting students from preschool age through 12th grade. Founded in 1965, as of 2011 the campus has seven buildings in Brooklyn Heights, New York. In addition to general education courses of study, Saint Ann's offers programs in art, computer sciences, music, recreational arts, romance languages, theater and seminars. Admission to Saint Ann's School is based on personal interviews and testing as well as a holistic assessment of the student.
Launched in 2003, the International School of Brooklyn has approximately 165 students from nursery school through 4th grade. The mission of the School of Brooklyn is to provide "an intimate, progressive and multicultural education that is ideal for preparing our children--tomorrow's business and civic leaders--to face the challenges and opportunities of an international future." This French and Spanish immersion school also offers after-school classes, extended care programs and summer camp.
The Montessori method is taught at the Brooklyn Heights Montessori school. The belief that children should be recognized as individuals and individual learners pervades the curriculum. Children learn at their own pace, and are encouraged to practice compassion, respect and independence. Brooklyn Heights Montessori is a dual accredited school, offering programs for children from preschool through 8th grade. A strong athletics program is offered as students have weekly physical education classes as well as opportunities to play on competitive school teams in soccer, basketball and squash.
The Brooklyn Friends School is a pre-kindergarten through 12th grade Independent Quaker School founded in 1867. This college prep school is "committed to educating each student intellectually, aesthetically, physically, and spiritually in a culturally diverse community." Brooklyn Friends enrolls more than 640 students with a staff of approximately 160. The Brooklyn Friends preschool program, which was added in 1992, is known as one of Brooklyn's premier early learning centers as of 2011.
The Berkeley Carroll School is an independent college prep school founded in 1886; it hosts children from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Berkeley Carroll employs more than 110 teachers and enrolls over 800 students. Berkeley Carroll administration believes that a close relationship between students and teachers and a challenging curriculum and strong community make the difference. Berkeley Carroll also offers many extracurricular activities including several school newspapers, math club, chess club, theatrical productions, jazz bands and school choruses.
Poly Prep Country Day School was founded in 1854 and as of 2011 has two campuses located in Brooklyn, New York. This co-ed school hosts children from nursery school through 12th grade. The mission of Poly Prep is to not only prepare students for college, but to prepare them for life as well. Parents of Poly Prep students play a large role in providing a family atmosphere to help students embark on new intellectual, social and moral adventures.