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A preschool student at a French immersion school at a graduation presentation

Preschool vs. Pre-kindergarten: Similarities and Differences

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As you explore early childhood education options for your child, you may encounter terms like “preschool” and “pre-kindergarten” (pre-k). While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, you may wonder, what’s the difference between preschool and pre-k?

At Tessa International School, we understand the importance of knowing the subtle yet meaningful differences between various educational programs to choose the best one for your child’s developmental stage and learning needs.

This blog post defines preschool and pre-k, highlights their key differences, and explains how our preschool program prepares children for future academic success.

Defining Preschool and Pre-kindergarten

Preschool at our French international school and its other two bilingual tracks, Mandarin and Spanish, is an early childhood education program designed for children aged 2 to 4. It focuses on social, emotional, and cognitive development through play-based learning and structured activities. Preschool aims to nurture a child’s curiosity, creativity, and social skills, laying a solid foundation for lifelong learning.

Pre-Kindergarten, on the other hand, is a program specifically designed for children aged 4 to 5, typically the year before they enter kindergarten. Pre-K emphasizes school readiness with a curriculum that includes early literacy, math concepts, and social skills. The goal is to prepare children for the structured kindergarten environment and beyond.

Students at a French immersion school working together at a table

The main difference between preschool and pre-kindergarten is the age of students.

What’s the Difference Between Preschool and Pre-K

What’s the difference between preschool and pre-k? Preschool programs are for younger children, usually between 2 and 4, while pre-k programs are for children 4 to 5. What is the best age to start preschool? Preschool programs are for younger children between ages 2 and 3. The average age to start is three; however, this depends on the child.

The curriculum focus also varies; preschools concentrate on play-based learning and socialization, whereas pre-k programs have a more structured curriculum emphasizing academic readiness.

Additionally, preschools offer flexible duration options, including half-day and full-day attendance, while pre-k programs often follow a more standardized schedule, similar to a full school day.

Lastly, while both programs aim to foster holistic development, preschools focus more on social and emotional skills, creativity, and basic cognitive abilities. Pre-k programs emphasize preparing children for kindergarten academic demands, focusing more on literacy, numeracy, and school readiness skills.

The Preschool Program at Tessa International School

At our French immersion school program and its other two bilingual tracks, Mandarin and Spanish, we believe early childhood education is the cornerstone of a child’s academic journey. Our preschool program is designed to nurture the whole child, providing a warm, multicultural environment that fosters curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning.

We offer bilingual education, allowing children to learn in English, Spanish, French, or Mandarin, fostering early language acquisition and cultural awareness.

A French immersion school class learning math with their teacher

Preschool at our French international school prepares children to excel in kindergarten.

Our preschool program focuses on social-emotional development, prioritizing developing social skills, emotional regulation, and empathy. We emphasize cognitive growth through play-based learning and hands-on activities, encouraging critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.

Physical well-being is another key component, with activities and outdoor play incorporated to promote healthy development and motor skills. As an international school, we celebrate cultural diversity, encouraging children to appreciate and learn from different cultures.

By providing a holistic and nurturing preschool experience, we prepare our children not just for pre-K or kindergarten but for a lifetime of learning and discovery.

Choosing the right early childhood education program is crucial for your child’s development. Understanding the differences between preschool and pre-kindergarten can help you make an informed decision that best suits your child’s needs.

At Tessa International School, our preschool program offers a unique blend of play-based learning, language immersion, and cultural diversity, preparing children for academic success and global citizenship. If you want to learn more about our preschool program, we invite you to visit our campus and experience the Tessa difference.

Are you ready to explore one of the best Hoboken private schools?

Contact Tessa International School to learn more!

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is the best age to start preschool?

Answer: Preschool programs are for younger children between ages 2 and 3. The average age to start is three; however, this depends on the child.

Question: What’s the difference between preschool and pre-k?

Answer: Preschool programs are for younger children, usually between 2 and 4, while pre-K programs are for children 4 to 5.

A teacher and her student on Graduation Day

Excellence in Education

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Excellence, by definition, is the unwavering commitment to do anything to the best of our ability. At Tessa International School, it is not an abstract ideal. Excellence is one of the three pillars of our fundamental philosophy that underpins everything we do. 

Cultivating excellence in our students goes beyond academic achievement. It encompasses developing positive character traits, fostering global visions, and instilling a lifelong passion for learning. We are committed to helping students internally embrace the notion of excellence and strive towards it. 

Excellent Educational Practices: Our Global Accreditations

Tessa’s program has been built on the principle of incorporating the world’s best practices in education. Our school holds three premier global accreditations, which highlight the high standards we maintain and our commitment to academic excellence. 

These renowned accreditations ensure a seamless transition for students into similar institutions in the US and around the world, facilitating their global mobility and fostering their continued success.

Excellent Teachers: Our Foundation and Support

Central to our pursuit of excellence is our team of passionate and experienced teachers, who dedicate themselves to the educational experience at Tessa. Our teachers are highly credentialed professionals, mostly holding advanced degrees and specialized training in their subject areas. 

The group photo of teachers

Our teachers create a supportive community that inspires students to reach their full potential.

We provide a child-centered approach tailored to each student’s unique needs and interests. With a low teacher-to-student ratio, we prioritize personalized attention, ensuring that each student receives the support and guidance they need to thrive academically and emotionally. Simultaneously, language immersion, project-based learning, and an international perspective are integral to our curriculum. 

Each member of our team is a native speaker. With their diverse backgrounds, our educators bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom, enriching the learning environment and fostering multicultural exchange. At Tessa, we celebrate our differences. It is through understanding and respect that we cultivate knowledgeable, caring, and excellent individuals who are equipped to navigate an increasingly interconnected world. Our teachers may have different origins, but they all share the same love of language and culture, and the common goal of empowering students in a warm and supportive environment. 

 

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”

– Will Durant, paraphrasing Aristotle.

 

By all means, we aim to motivate our students to pursue excellence intrinsically. It is not just a destination but a journey we embark on. Through the incorporation of world’s best educational practices and a team of highly credentialed native-speaking teachers, we strive to provide a world-class education that promotes students for excellence in an ever-changing global landscape. 

 

Are you ready to explore the only international leading private school in Hoboken? 

Contact Tessa International School to learn more!

A girl is showing her IB Learner Profile activities to her mother.

A Closer Look at Student-Led Conferences

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Student-Led Conferences are an integral part of the assessment and learning process of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP). Unlike traditional school conferences where teachers primarily lead discussions, Student-Led Conferences place students at the center of their learning journey, encouraging them to share their progress with their families. But what exactly are Student-Led Conferences, and why are they so crucial? 

A girl is showing her IB Learner Profile activities to her mother.

Student-Led Conferences can be highly beneficial for students and their educational experience.

Defining Student-Led Conferences

Student-Led Conferences involve students and parents. The main purpose is for students to take the responsibility for their learning. Students are responsible for leading the conference and sharing their learning process with their family. The conference may involve students demonstrating their understanding through a variety of different learning situations. 

During conferences, students will discuss and reflect upon samples of work that they have previously chosen to share with their parents. These samples have been selected with guidance and support from the teacher. With their parents, students are expected to reflect on their own learning journey, showcase their current progress, and set goals for the future. 

A girl shows her samples of work to her parents during her Student-Led conference.

Students presents their work and guides the discussion in the conference.

Benefits of Student-Led Conferences

  1. Learner Agency: Student-Led Conferences encourage students to exercise more agency over their learning. Students will lead all stages of the conference. They prepare work samples, plan the agenda, and reflect on the feedback from parents. These conferences establish chances and conditions for students to have voice, choice, and ownership for their own learning. In turn, students can exhibit higher levels of motivation and engagement in their journey to become an IB Learner. 
  2. Self-Reflection: Student-Led Conferences require students to give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development. Students may reflect on the following topics during conferences: 
    1. Ways in which students learn: inquiry-based learning, visible thinking, etc; 
    2. What students have been learning: knowledge, skills, etc; 
    3. Outcomes arise from our learning: stories written, dramas performed, artworks, speeches, etc.
  3. Communication ability: Leading a conference helps students develop stronger communication skills. They learn to articulate their thoughts, share their accomplishments, and discuss their challenges. This experience can enhance their ability to express themselves effectively, both in and out of the classroom.
  4. Parent involvement: Student-Led Conferences enable parents to become partners who work alongside students in their learning process, giving parents an insight into the progress and process of their child’s learning. The conferences promote open communications between parents and students, where parents can realize the process in which students transfer concepts into actions. The conference is an opportunity to empower students and parents with an emphasis on growth, progress, and development.
  5. Teachers’ Partnership: Working as a facilitator to support students’ ownership of learning can give teachers new insights that allow them to make the learning environment more effective. By observing the interactions between students and parents and reading the feedback, teachers can also provide parents suggestions about how to support their children at home during Parent/Teacher conferences.
Student's self-reflection for their Student-Led Conference.

Student-Led Conferences require students to be reflective, a key component to IB learning.

Expectations

Student

  • Demonstrate responsibility for their learning journey.
  • Plan the conference ahead of time.
  • Provide an oral and written reflection of their learning journey.
  • Lead his or her parent(s) through a variety of activities independently. 
  • Acknowledge their strengths and areas for improvement from parent’s feedback. 

Parent

  • Encourage and support their child in describing their learning journey by asking questions.
  • Provide feedback to their child; help them set goals for the future and create a corresponding action plan.

Teacher

  • Provide time for students to plan, organize, and practice for the conference. 
  • Mentor students when setting learning goals. 
  • Offer guidance and expectations for student reflection. 
A boy shows his samples of work to his parents during his Student-Led Conference.

Student-Led Conferences are an effective method for promoting parent participation.

According to this study by Cheryl Lambert of Austin Peay State University, Student-Led Conference “offers students the opportunity to take the lead in the conference using their own work evidence; thereby, encouraging ownership and responsibility for quality outcomes.” The conference is a way of letting students shine and for providing opportunities for transdisciplinary development in planning and evaluation across the school.

 

Do you want to explore how this works at one of the top Hoboken private schools?

Contact Tessa International School to learn more!

A group of kindergarten students working on assignments together

The Unique Appeal of French Immersion Schools for Bilingual Education

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In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to speak multiple languages is precious, offering students academic, future career, and personal benefits. At Tessa International School, we understand the importance of bilingual education and are dedicated to providing an immersive learning experience that prepares our students for global success.

Here, we’ll explore the benefits of bilingual education, the unique advantages of learning French, and how our French immersion program sets the stage for lifelong achievement.

The Power of Bilingual Education

Bilingual education offers a wealth of advantages that extend beyond the ability to converse in another language. Research has shown that bilingual children exhibit enhanced cognitive flexibility, improved problem-solving skills, and greater cultural empathy. These attributes are beneficial in academic settings and highly sought after in the professional world.

Bilingualism even fosters specific social skills that help children connect with others, such as understanding varying perspectives and communication. At Tessa, our full-immersion (preschool) and dual-language (primary school) teaching approaches ensure that students fully benefit from bilingual education’s critical cognitive and socio-emotional benefits. Why is French a particularly appealing choice? Let’s explore the answer.

A class of young students reading books

The bilingual education at our French school promotes several valuable skills.

Why Choose a French School for Your Child?

French school provides a rich cultural heritage and a gateway to numerous global opportunities. French is considered a ‘world language,’ spoken by over 300 million people across the globe, making it the fifth most spoken language in the world. 

Students proficient in French can navigate our globalized society with confidence and ease. Your child gains access to a world of possibilities by choosing French immersion at Tessa International School.

French Immersion at Tessa International School

How does the instruction at Tessa International School stand out among other French schools? At Tessa, we pride ourselves on offering a French immersion program that goes beyond traditional language learning.

From Nursery through Kindergarten, our students are taught in French 80% of the time, allowing them to build robust and lifelong language foundations at a uniquely advantageous developmental stage. In primary school, students spend half their week with their English teacher and the other half with their French teacher, ensuring a balanced bilingual education.

A young student posing with two of her teachers

The instruction style at Tessa stands out among other French schools.

Accredited by the French Ministry of Education and inspired by the French school system, our unique approach also emphasizes teaching content in French. This means that students learn subjects like science, math, and social studies in French, encouraging students to practice thinking in French and providing a deeper and more meaningful language learning experience. Our highly qualified educators, native French speakers from around the world, collaborate to streamline learning, ensuring that what is taught in one language is applied in the other, building language skills simultaneously.

Preparing for Success

The benefits of bilingualism for the developing brain are undeniable, and research indicates that the brain circuits associated with language learning are more flexible at a young age. That’s why we started French immersion at Tessa at two years old. This early exposure facilitates language acquisition and prepares students for a future where bilingualism is a significant asset.

French immersion at Tessa differs from other French language schools, offering a uniquely immersive approach to bilingual education. Exposing students to a rich linguistic and cultural environment equips them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a global society. If you’re considering a bilingual education for your child, Tessa International School’s French immersion program is an excellent choice for laying the foundation for a successful future.

Still curious about bilingualism at Tessa?

Download this webinar titled The Gift of Bilingualism by Kathleen Visconti here.

Do you want to explore one of the top Hoboken private schools?

Contact Tessa International School to learn more!

A student in the international baccalaureate at TESSA working at a table

What Is the IB Primary Years Programme?

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If you’re exploring educational options for your child, you’ve likely heard of the international baccalaureate. What Is the IB Primary Years Programme? Rooted in the belief that education should go beyond the confines of traditional classroom learning, an IB education aims to nurture well-rounded leaders equipped with the skills, knowledge, and mindset to thrive in an interconnected world. Today, we’ll explore the philosophy at the heart of the IB Primary Years Programme, its benefits, and why you should choose the program at Tessa International School.

What Is the IB Primary Years Programme?

What does the international baccalaureate mean? The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an internationally recognized educational program that provides a comprehensive and holistic approach to learning. Specifically, the IB Primary Years Programme is a transdisciplinary, inquiry-based, and learner-centered educational framework. The curriculum is meant to be engaging, significant, challenging, and tailored to suit the individual learning levels and developmental needs of students.

A student in the international baccalaureate program waving two flags

The international baccalaureate program at Tessa is an intellectually enriching environment.

With a focus on international-mindedness, the IB organization encourages students to appreciate different cultures, follow their natural curiosity, and develop a sense of social responsibility – all values we cherish at Tessa International School.

The IB Primary Years Programme offers a challenging and rigorous curriculum based on constructivist and social-constructivist learning theories. Under the constructivism learning theory,  students construct a knowledge of themselves and their community. The PYP curriculum emphasizes collaborative inquiry, agency, voice, and the student’s involvement in their learning. Students are encouraged to engage their sense of personal agency and self-efficacy to take positive action within the school environment and throughout their lives.

Graduates of the IB Primary Years Programme are poised to move on to the next level of their IB education. Ultimately, they will lead fulfilling lives and positively contribute to the global community. Now that you know the initial question: what is the IB primary years programme? It’s time to explore the benefits waiting in store.

Benefits of the IB Diploma Program

So, what benefits can you expect for your child? Here at Tessa, we understand the advantages of introducing children to IB teachings early on. Academic advantages include:

  • Global Recognition: The international baccalaureate program is recognized and respected worldwide, opening doors to higher education institutions and career opportunities globally. Universities often value IB graduates for their well-rounded skill set and commitment to community service.
  • Critical Thinking Skills: The program’s emphasis on agency, self-directed learning, collective inquiry, and curiosity equips students with skills beyond memorization. These skills are essential for success in any educational endeavor and the professional world.
  • Producing Well-Rounded, Confident  Leaders: By incorporating agency, student-centered learning, IB PYP students develop a strong self-concept and awareness of their community. As a result, they become academically capable, socially responsible, culturally aware, and ready to lead.
A student in the international baccalaureate program working with a teacher at a desk

The international baccalaureate program at Tessa offers students a solid foundation for success.

Why Choose the IB Primary Years Programme at Tessa?

At Tessa International School, we are committed to providing an exceptional IB education through our accredited Primary Years Programme. Our dedicated and highly qualified faculty are passionate about fostering a love of learning and guiding students through the intellectual challenges of this rigorous program. Their expertise ensures that students receive the support they need to excel in their studies.

Many opportunities for our students to participate in skill-based extracurricular activities allow them to fulfill the requirements of the curriculum while exploring their passions and interests. The IB Diploma Program at Tessa International School empowers young leaders by fostering critical thinking, global awareness, and social responsibility. The earlier students are introduced to these benefits, the better. Start exploring a bright educational future for your child now!

FAQs

Q: What does the international baccalaureate mean? 

A: The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an internationally recognized educational program that provides a comprehensive and holistic approach to learning.

Q: What does having an IB diploma do?

A: The international baccalaureate offers students a broader range of benefits and opportunities, such as Global Recognition and various skills.

 

Are you ready to explore Hoboken private schools?

Contact Tessa International School to learn more!

Start Your Journey With Us

Tessa International School

Office: (201) 755-5585 | Location: 720 Monroe St. Hoboken, NJ 07030