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VisitInquire
A Multilingual IB World School in Lower Manhattan

Where curiosity connects to the world.

We believe inquiry, grounded in curiosity and real-world learning, helps children think expansively, act with purpose, and make a meaningful difference in the world.

3 ivy leaves from the Pine Street School logo
WHO WE ARE

Pine Street School is an independent school serving students from Nursery 1s through Grade 8 in Lower Manhattan. Language immersion is at the core of the Pine Street School experience, alongside the International Baccalaureate framework from Preschool through Middle School and Montessori principles in the early years. Students learn by asking questions, making connections across subjects, and taking increasing ownership of their learning, while intentionally small class sizes allow teachers to know each child well and challenge them as individuals.

Our Divisions

Pine Street School nursery student playing under wooden structure in the Movement Room

Nursery 1s and 2s

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Preschool students touching a bug during an Art Farm visit to Pine Street School.

Preschool 3s and 4s (Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4)

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Elementary student smiles while writing at her desk in the classroom.

Elementary School

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Four middle school students and their Science Teacher gather around the science experiment in the Middle School Science Lab at Pine Street School

Middle School

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Two students working with Mandarin character cue cards at Pine Street School
Learn Through Language

Language Immersion

Language immersion is central to how students learn at Pine Street School. Our youngest students begin in a trilingual environment with English, Spanish, and Mandarin; from Preschool, families choose Spanish or Mandarin immersion through Elementary School, while Middle School students continue Spanish or Mandarin or pursue advanced German. Students use language throughout the day to learn, collaborate, solve problems, and communicate with confidence.

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Student presenting an IB Unit of Inquiry to his family in a Pine Street School classroom.
The IB Difference

An Education Built for What's Next

Through the International Baccalaureate program, students at Pine Street School learn how to think, ask the right questions, and approach problems from different perspectives. By focusing on inquiry, critical thinking, and learning how to learn, the IB builds skills that stay relevant even as the world changes. That foundation gives students the confidence to navigate the world and the tools to help shape the future.

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Parent Testimonials

Pine Street has been a dreamscape of a jumping-off point for my son and for our young family. The early childhood guides could not have been more supportive as we navigated our two-year-old's entry into a full-time learning environment. He has blossomed through the two's, three's, and now pre-K, organically inspired by his elder peers to keep reaching further. And the parent community is beautifully diverse and genuinely appreciative of one another — the universal respect is infectious in the best possible way.

Anne
Current Parent

I have had 3 children in the program at Pine Street and the education and opportunities that they have received could not have been better. The school is perfectly sized to truly know each child and be able to deliver what they need. My children have been exposed to so many incredible opportunities that are unlike those of anyone else I know. The IB program works for a multiple of learning styles and it has created critical thinkers and children that can navigate many different situations. Last but definitely not least, the educators and administrators are beyond compare. They truly care. Truly a hidden gem of NYC.

Amy
Current Parent

Our child moved to Pine Street School from a long-established and respected NYC private school, where she was frankly thriving socially and academically. But when she expressed sustained boredom about school, and a yearning to be able to ‘learn as much as possible for as long as possible,’ we took the leap for the inquiry-based program and individualized approach. The project-based learning allows our child to do the ‘deep dive’ learning she so craves. Our child is so happy here and now says she wishes every school could be like this.

H
Current Parent
August 1, 2025
Preparing Your Child for Nursery and Preschool: Supporting a Smooth Transition

Starting school is a big milestone: not just for your child, but for your whole family. As summer fades and the excitement of fall begins, many families in Lower Manhattan prepare for the transition to preschool. For young children, it’s often their first time in a structured environment without parents or primary caregivers, a shift that can bring a mix of joy, curiosity, and anxiety.

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March 13, 2026
Building Resilient Children: A Partnership Between School and Home

At Pine Street School, resilience is not something we expect children to simply “have.” It is a set of skills we intentionally teach and practice throughout the school day.

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March 17, 2026
How Pine Street School Prepares Students for Exceptional High School Placement

For families in New York City, the transition from middle school to high school can feel overwhelming. With dozens of competitive independent schools, specialized public schools, and international programs to consider, the process requires thoughtful planning and guidance.

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March 19, 2026
Why Digital Fluency For Students Starts with Teachers

Imagine it’s 800,000 BCE. You’re sitting with friends who have just discovered fire. They’re cooking their food, unlocking nourishment and energy in ways no one thought possible.

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March 30, 2026
What Are Our Students Walking On? A Deeper Look at Learning, Cognitive Development, and Student Success

While walking through the streets of Old San Juan, I was reminded of something I often tell students: Be open to seeing the world around you — look up, look down, and look all around. And in fact, there is a great deal to be learned about perspective when we take time to notice what is beneath our feet, not just what is in front of us. The blue cobblestone bricks in Old San Juan, dating back to the 1780s, while beautiful and historic, are not perfectly even. Some stones are steady. Others shift slightly. Some require you to slow your pace and adjust your footing without even realizing it.

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At a glance

What Makes Pine Street School Distinctive

100%

Top-choice high school placement

4:1

School-wide student-to-faculty ratio

75%

Faculty hold advanced degrees

3

Language Immersion tracks: Mandarin, Spanish, and Advanced German

50

Nationalities represented by our families

2

Educational frameworks. The only school in Lower Manhattan that begins with Montessori and transitions into the IB.

2027–28 Applications Are Now Open

Give your child a joyful and academically rigorous education in the heart of Lower Manhattan. At Pine Street School, children learn across Mandarin, Spanish, or German while building a strong academic foundation. Priority applications are due November 1, 2026.

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