Accreditations and Affiliations
Organizations that attest to the excellence of the school and support our approach
Tessa International School is authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program. The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) is a nonprofit educational organization founded in 1968. The four programs offered by the IBO are taught in more than 5,500 schools around the world. A student leaving Tessa International School is prepared to transition smoothly into any schools in the IB network worldwide, and has the skill base to enter any other private or public school.
Tessa International School has received accreditation for its French preschool through kindergarten classes (maternelle) and is listed on the official roster of the French Schools in Foreign Countries (AEFE). It is part of the French Ministry of Education network , which includes over 566 schools worldwide. A student leaving Tessa International School is prepared to transition smoothly into any schools in the AEFE network in the US, France, or any country in the world.
AEFE member schools embrace the universal values of tolerance, humanism, equal opportunity, intellectual curiosity, and critical thinking.
Cognia is an internationally recognized accrediting agency. It has accredited over 32,000 institutions in 71 countries that serve over 20 million students. Using a standards-driven and student-centered evaluation approach, its goal is to assist educators ensure that they are providing exceptional 21st century educational experiences to their students.
Tessa International School has been awarded the “EFE3D” Level 1 certification by the French Ministry of Education. This distinction recognizes our ongoing commitment to integrating sustainable development practices into our educational approach.
NAIS is a prestigious association that provides services to more than 1,800 schools and associations of schools in the United States and abroad, including more than 1,500 independent private K-12 schools in the U.S. The association offers research and trend analysis, leadership and governance guidance, and professional development opportunities for school and board leaders. Tessa is a subscriber of NAIS. Tessa International School is part of the innovative educational model list compiled by the NAIS.
Our acceptance into the Parents League of New York (PLNY) is a strong endorsement of the exceptional education we offer at Tessa International School. Established in 1913, the PLNY is a highly respected organization that supports families navigating private schools in the New York City area. Their membership provides members with access to valuable resources, including expert school advisory services, a comprehensive directory featuring over 300 member schools, informative events with top educators, and a wealth of parenting and educational resources.
Tessa International School is a member of the Mission Laïque Française (MLF), an educational institution promoting French language and culture through the education of children. MLF’s network reaches across the globe, with 108 affiliated schools worldwide.
AFSA was created in 1985 to bring together the North American schools following the French National Curriculum and to advance the cause of bilingual education. There are currently 45 AFSA schools in the United States and Canada. All member schools are accredited by the French Ministry of Education. They also belong to an international network of more than 450 schools. The AFSA schools bring together the best of the French and American education systems and prepare students to meet the demands of the best universities in North America, France and Europe, in French and in English.
Tessa is a member of the Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE). The AAIE is a not-for-profit association of international schools around the world promoting exemplary school leadership and research-based, effective and innovative educational practices. As an autonomous organization, AAIE was legally incorporated in 1966 with a mandate to further and continuously improve international education and cultural understanding across independent overseas schools. AAIE serves a diverse global community providing leadership development across the ever-changing and expanding spectrum of educational programming initiatives and issues.