Kindergarten
A year of transition
The transition to kindergarten marks a significant shift in a child’s educational experience. Play-based learning, characteristic of preschool, is gradually integrated with a more structured curriculum emphasizing foundational literacy and numeracy skills. Kindergarteners develop essential routines, fostering self-regulation and time management. Collaborative activities promote the development of teamwork and social skills, laying the groundwork for positive peer interactions throughout their academic journey.
“The combination of the IB program, the culture, the staff, the teachers, the kids, it made it really easy. Every time you come in the building, you just feel the energy and you know you’re making a good decision because you see your kids making improvements every day.”
Approach to Learning
Bilingual Program
With 80% immersion in the target language, students are not taught Spanish, French or Mandarin, but rather IN Spanish, French or Mandarin. Daily exposure to various languages builds confidence and communication skills, and prepares our students to become bilingual, adaptable, and active citizens.
World-Class Education
Tessa International School’s dynamic and goal-oriented program fosters academic success in core subjects like Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, and Math. Rooted in the inquiry-based framework of the International Baccalaureate (IB), our program not only imparts knowledge but also actively cultivates vital skills such as critical thinking, research, communication, conceptual understanding, self-management, and social-emotional development. With a structured curriculum drawing from both the French Ministry of National Education and US Standards, we establish a strong foundation for future success.
Academic challenge
Our program is structured so that it encourages and facilitates creative and critical thinking skills, while engaging students in discovery, inquiry, and problem-solving. They are constantly and positively challenged, so that they are used to and enjoy giving their best.
Curriculum Overview
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) is a curriculum framework which centers around a series of transdisciplinary themes that address human commonalities. The students are exposed to units of learning that integrate all subject areas and provide meaningful learning experiences for students. With a structured curriculum drawing from both the French Ministry of National Education, Spanish and Chinese national programs, and US Standards, we establish a robust foundation in core subjects such as Science, Social Studies, Language & Literacy, and Math, all the while fostering vital competencies, including critical thinking, research, communication, conceptual understanding, self-management, and social & emotional development.
Click the link below to download our curriculum outline:
Specials
In Kindergarten, the curriculum is supplemented by a multifaceted program of “Specials” classes, fostering holistic student development. These specialized courses provide students with opportunities to delve deeper into specific domains beyond the traditional academic subjects.
- STEM: Liberty Science Center monthly visits + 40 minutes weekly (lab)
- Physical Education (PE): 2×40 minutes weekly
- Library: 30 min weekly
- English Reinforcement: 4×40 minutes weekly
- Music: 2×30 minutes weekly
Assessments
At Tessa International School, we are committed to fostering a school-wide culture of assessment that supports academic excellence and personal growth. Our assessments are thoughtfully designed to align with international and local curricula, including the U.S. Common Core Standards, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and the French, Spanish, and Chinese National Curricula. This ensures a holistic, inquiry-based approach that nurtures critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.
View our full assessment policy here.
Join us at Tessa International School
Discover why our bilingual curriculum is recognized as one of the best. Learn how we combine academic excellence with engaging, interactive experiences that foster global awareness.
Office: (201) 755-5585 | Location: 720 Monroe St. Hoboken, NJ 07030
