Frequently Asked Questions
Here, you can find details on our unique IB curriculum, language immersion programs, admissions process, and vibrant community. We invite you to explore the answers below to learn more about preparing your child for a successful future.
Application & Admissions
The first step is to inquire online and schedule a tour. Applications are submitted through our online portal, and our admissions team supports families at every step—from inquiry to enrollment.
We recommend applying in the fall for the following school year. Select spaces may be available throughout the year depending on grade level.
The process includes an online application, parent conversation, child visit and/or assessment (depending on age), writing samples (depending on age), and review by our admissions committee. We aim to keep the process warm, personal, and transparent.
The best way to experience Pine Street School is to attend an Open House or schedule a personalized tour.
About Pine Street School
Pine Street School is a Nursery–Grade 8 independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School located in Lower Manhattan’s Financial District. We offer immersive Spanish and Mandarin tracks through 5th Grade, and add advanced German as an option in Middle School. With a rigorous IB curriculum and a nurturing community, we prepare children for success in high school and beyond.
Our campuses are in the heart of downtown Manhattan - 25 Pine Street and 156 William Street - easily accessible by subway, bus, and ferry. Families come to us from across NYC and nearby communities.
We are the only IB World School in Lower Manhattan offering continuous IB programming from Primary Years (Nursery–Grade 5) through Middle Years (Grades 6–8). Families choose us for our combination of academic rigor, language immersion, global citizenship, and a warm, inclusive community.
We welcome students from Nursery Ones (age 1) through Grade 8.
Yes. Pine Street School is an authorized IB World School, accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organization and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). We are also proud to be recognized as an Apple Distinguished School.
In Preschool, Pine Street School follows the Montessori approach in the Ones and Twos classrooms, fostering independence, exploration, and hands-on learning from the earliest years. Both Montessori and the International Baccalaureate (IB) share a constructivist philosophy—children don’t just absorb knowledge, they actively build it through exploration, collaboration, and reflection, with teachers guiding rather than directing their learning.
This shared foundation ensures a smooth transition as students enter our Threes program and begin the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), which continues through Elementary and Middle School. These inquiry-based programs build on the Montessori foundation and inspire students to think critically, collaborate meaningfully, and take action as global citizensOur middle school offers a unique blend of IB academics, immersive language, and personalized high school placement support. Through our partnership with Smart City Kids and Smart City Tutors, families receive 1:1 counseling, workshops, and test prep included in tuition.
Yes. Students engage in a well-rounded education including STEM, music, art, physical education, and design thinking, all integrated with the IB approach. Additional enrichment offerings are available after school.
Yes. Students may participate in a wide range of after-school clubs, sports, and enrichment activities that extend learning and fun beyond the classroom.
Families often describe our school as warm, inclusive, and globally minded. Parents are active partners, and students feel a strong sense of belonging.
We pride ourselves on small class sizes and personalized attention, with ratios that allow teachers to know and support every child.
Language Immersion
Mandarin is taught by first-language educators through our immersive bilingual program. Students engage with the language daily in authentic contexts—whether through classroom instruction, inquiry-based projects, or cultural experiences—helping them build both fluency and confidence.
We teach Simplified Chinese, which is the writing system most widely used in mainland China and internationally. Our curriculum is designed to ensure students develop literacy alongside speaking and listening skills.
Mandarin and Spanish are introduced from the very first year of school, beginning in our early childhood classrooms, and continue through the Elementary and Middle Years programs.
Unlike “exposure” or “enrichment” programs, our model is immersive and continuous. Students spend a significant portion of their school day learning content in either Mandarin or Spanish (or German in middle school), which accelerates fluency and long-term mastery.
We have a trilingual model in our 1s and 2s programs; a dual language immersion program in our 3s and 4s programs; and a third of the day in language immersion for our K through 8th grade student populations.
While language acquisition depends on each child’s starting point and time spent in the program, our goal is for our graduates to consistently demonstrate advanced proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, preparing them for global communication.
Tuition
Tuition varies by grade level. Please visit our Tuition & Financial Aid page for current rates.
Yes. Pine Street School is committed to accessibility. Families may apply for need-based financial aid through School and Student Services (SSS). Awards are based on demonstrated need and availability of funds.
In addition to financial aid, Pine Street School offers special opportunities such as our Pine Street School & Me: Passport to Possibility Scholarship for public-school students entering Grades 3–6.