At Tessa International School, we understand that the primary school years are a crucial juncture in a child’s educational journey. This pivotal time lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning, shaping not only academic aptitude but also fostering essential socialization skills. Our Primary Curriculum is thoughtfully designed to ignite curiosity, inspire critical thinking, and instill the values that transform students into lifelong learners.
In our vibrant learning community, we go beyond the traditional approach to education. Through the International Baccalaureate and French Curriculum, our program is crafted to provide a comprehensive learning experience that encompasses not only academic excellence but also the development of vital life skills. From the moment children step into our primary classrooms, they are introduced to a diverse spectrum of knowledge, skills, and behavioral adjustments that form the bedrock of their future success.
At a Glance
Grade 1 to 5
Dual-Language Program
(50% English, 50% Target Language)
Choose from Spanish, French or Mandarin tracks
Upcoming Events
Primary Division Open House (KG & Up)
- When? December 9 at 9:30AM
- What? Tour of the School & Presentation of our Primary Program
- Lego Activity for children (5 and up) with Bricks 4 Kidz
- Where? On Site
Framework
Acquiring Foundations of Life-long Learning
The curriculum of the primary school relies on the traditional essentials of reading, writing, and mathematics. Because our children come from many nations, we stress social studies and the concept that we are all citizens of one world. We also emphasize traditional preparation for further education such as work and study habits, neatness, intellectual discipline and respect for the environment in general.
A Bilingual Program
Students are not taught a language but rather IN a language. Daily exposure to various languages builds confidence and communication skills, and prepares our students to become bilingual, adaptable, and active citizens. In Primary School, our students spend half of the week with their English teacher, and half of the week with their target language teacher (French, Mandarin or Spanish). Our educators regularly collaborate to streamline the learning.
A World-Class Education
Tessa’s unique offering, which combines the official French curriculum and the International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years Program (IB), creates many academic and social emotional growth opportunities for its students. This dynamic and goal-oriented program provides children with the skills to challenge themselves in an environment that holds them to the highest academic standards.
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. Our small teacher to students ratio allows our educators to differentiate and individualize the learning, making sure our students attain their full potential.
The IB PYP
The IB PYP is a curriculum framework designed for students aged 3 to 12. It focuses on the development of the whole child as a learner both in the classroom and in the world outside.
It is a curriculum framework which centers around a series of transdisciplinary themes that address human commonalities. The Program of Inquiry reflects our philosophy, our knowledge and experience, and the requirements of the NJ Department of Education as well as of the French Curriculum. We review and revise it annually, keeping it relevant, challenging and engaging for our students.
The students are exposed to units of learning that promote inquiry, exploration, and investigation. These units integrate all subject areas and provide meaningful learning experiences for students. The goal is to connect the students’ learning to the real world, both locally and globally. We want our students to develop a deep understanding of the concepts and topics being studied. Read more about the IB.
Assessments
- Daily formative assessments (rubrics, checklists, anecdotal assessments, exit tickets, etc.)
- Periodical assessments: Twice a year, we assess our students on various attributes, including academic skills as well as creativity, collaborative planning, and innovation. The scores are recorded and shared with parents. The goal of these assessments is to look at the growth of our students over time, from when they began studying at Tessa, to the moment that they graduate.
- MAP tests by NWEA: these include math, language, and a reading assessment.
- Twice per year, we administer a survey related to your child’s relationship with his or her teacher, to make sure that we are doing our absolute best to care for our students.
Tessa International School
Office: (201) 755-5585 | Location: 720 Monroe St. Hoboken, NJ 07030
