The Brownstone School

The Brownstone School
The Brownstone School has been operating since 1963 and has been providing a welcoming and nurturing community for children and families on the Upper Westside of Manhattan in New York City. The caring and motivating teachers at the school enable kids to experiment, cooperate, and create via both supervised and unsupervised play, supporting the educational tenet that kids are always working to develop emotional, social, intellectual, and physical maturity.
The school's teaching staff are highly trained to provide appropriate experiences and activities within a suitable environment that helps children achieve their goals. They contend that giving kids the tools they need to grow strong identities and senses of value will help them succeed as lifelong learners. Additionally, the school recognizes that children's developmental differences due to age, individual rates of development, personality, learning styles, cultural backgrounds, and the ways in which each family functions should be taken into account when helping children grow and achieve.
At the Brownstone School, the teachers are passionate about working with young children, who are in a pivotal stage of development where laying the foundation for their future is essential. The teachers thoroughly enjoy watching children explore materials and seeing their language skills rapidly develop during these years. Watching children interact with one another and make sense of the world around them is fascinating for the teachers. All in all, the Brownstone School provides a nurturing and supportive environment that fosters social, emotional and educational skills essential for a joyful approach to learning.

Programs in The Brownstone School
The educational approach at the Brownstone School is based on play. The school focuses on three key areas - social/emotional, intellectual, and physical development - for all students. The children are encouraged to be curious, independent, and compassionate through a curriculum that is interdisciplinary and based on their individual stages of development. The aim is to prepare them for their future while still enjoying the essence of childhood, developing self-confidence, and learning foundational skills that are vital for success.
The Brownstone School prioritizes the process of learning over the product and believes that how children learn is just as important as what they learn. Teachers utilize positive language and clear expectations to create an emotionally responsive classroom environment. The Handwriting Without Tears program is also used to help children develop their fine motor skills and letter formation through multisensory activities and music. The Brownstone School's program schedule for the 2023-2024 school year is as follows:

For Two-Year-Old Classrooms:

• 3-day schedule from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
• 5-day schedule from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
• Extended Day program from 12:00 pm to 2:15 pm available 1 to 4 afternoons a week, Monday through Thursday

For Three-Year-Old Classrooms:

• Monday to Friday schedule from 8:45 am to 12:15 pm
• Extended Day program from 12:15 pm to 2:30 pm available 1 to 4 afternoons a week, Monday through Thursday

For Four/Five-Year-Old Classrooms:

• Monday to Thursday schedule from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm
• Friday schedule from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm

The play-based approach to education at the Brownstone School is centered around promoting the social/emotional, intellectual, and physical development of each student. Through interdisciplinary learning, students are encouraged to be independent, curious, and compassionate, while also gaining the skills necessary to reach their full potential. The Brownstone School values the process of learning, creating a classroom environment that is emotionally responsive, and using the Handwriting Without Tears program to promote fine motor skills and letter formation.
The Brownstone School's program schedule offers flexibility to accommodate the needs of families, with extended day options available. In each classroom, a daily schedule is followed, providing children with a sense of routine while engaging them in structured and unstructured activities. These activities include artistic mediums, blocks, literature, cooking, dramatic play, manipulatives, music and movement, and outdoor play. Music, movement, and art are integrated into the curriculum on a daily basis, with classroom teachers incorporating these elements into their lessons. The Brownstone School also has enrichment teachers who specialize in music and movement education for young children. These specialists visit the classes once a week, introducing students to a diverse range of musical instruments, styles, and songs, expanding their knowledge of musical traditions across cultures.
The Brownstone School recognizes that young children have a natural inclination to move their bodies and develop gross motor skills. To support this development, the school has a yoga specialist who helps children manipulate their bodies in new and different ways. The yoga program focuses on building strength, coordination, mobility, and balance while also improving proprioception and spatial awareness. Beyond the physical benefits, yoga promotes mindfulness, improves listening skills, and increases focus, helping children manage emotional upsets and stressful events. The school also utilizes Bilingual Birdies, a company that provides a fun and interactive way for students to learn Spanish through live music, movement, dance, puppetry, and theater-based games. During these sessions, students will learn ten to fifteen basic vocabulary words and short phrases, all while having fun and engaging in playful activities.

Tuition Fees at The Brownstone School
The Brownstone School's Board of Trustees approves tuition rates on an annual basis. The tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year are outlined below. It's important to note that the school's programs may change over time. For the 2s program, there are two options - a 3-day program and a 5-day program. The half-day program for the 2s program costs $25,550 USD and $28,343 USD respectively. The extended day program for the 2s program offers a range of options, including 1 to 4 days, with fees ranging from $27,492 USD to $36,113 USD. The 3s program offers a 5-day program, with a half-day program fee of $28,343 USD, and an extended day program that offers 1 to 4 days, with fees ranging from $30,285 USD to $36,113 USD. The 4s/5s program runs from Monday to Thursday, with a half-day program on Friday. The tuition for this program is $36,113 USD.
It's worth noting that the extended day program is an optional add-on that extends the child's day and is only offered from Monday to Thursday. The tuition fees listed include the cost of the half-day program.
Facilities in The Brownstone School
Located in a picturesque tree-lined neighborhood, The Brownstone School is situated in a landmarked building on West 80th Street. The school's prime location is just a short distance from Central Park and a mere half-block from the American Museum of Natural History. The Brownstone School's five classrooms are thoughtfully designed with child-directed and teacher-directed activities in mind, and feature age-appropriate areas for children to explore and learn. Each classroom is spacious and bright, equipped with bathrooms and sinks to promote hygiene and convenience. In addition, the classrooms are air-conditioned to ensure the children's comfort throughout the year. The outdoor playground is a state-of-the-art facility that offers ample space for physical activities and imaginative play. The playground is designed to foster the children's creativity, while also promoting physical development and healthy play.
Accommodation in The Brownstone School
The Brownstone School is a distinguished educational institution situated in an exquisite landmarked building on West 80th Street, in the charming Upper Westside of Manhattan, New York City. Although the school does not provide housing for students, it recognizes that some international students may require assistance in finding comfortable and affordable accommodations in the area.
Fortunately, there are several options for students seeking housing in the Upper Westside of Manhattan. One such option is to rent an apartment in the neighborhood. Many apartment buildings in the area cater to a wide range of budgets, from luxury high-rises to more affordable options. Several rental websites allow students to browse apartments based on their preferences. Depending on the location and amenities, prices for a one-bedroom apartment range from $2,500 USD to $5,000 USD per month.
Another feasible option is to rent a room in a shared apartment or house, which can be more economical and also provides opportunities for students to connect with others in the community. Renting a room in a shared apartment can cost between $1,000 USD to $1,500 USD per month.

Future Prospects after study in The Brownstone School
At the Brownstone School, it is believed that education is the foundation for a bright and successful future. The school understands that the students have big dreams and aspirations, and they are committed to helping them achieve their goals. That's why the Brownstone School want to make sure the students are aware of the post-graduation work permits available to them.
The Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) programs are two options available for international students who want to work in the United States after graduation from higher institutions. These programs allow students to gain valuable work experience in their field of study and build their professional networks, all while earning a paycheck. The OPT program allows students to work for up to 12 months, while the CPT program allows students to work while they are still in school.
For those who wish to stay in the United States permanently, there are options available to obtain permanent resident status. One way to do this is through employment-based immigration. If a student is able to secure a job in the United States after graduation, their employer may be able to sponsor them for a green card.
Finally, for those who choose to make the United States their permanent home, applying for American citizenship is also an option. As a prosperous society with a wealth of opportunities, America is a place where dreams can be realized and goals can be achieved. Citizenship offers many benefits, such as the right to vote and the ability to travel freely with a U.S. passport.

In case, if you need help with Homestay and Accommodation in order to study in The Brownstone School or other schools in the USA, please fill in application below or contact us directly.