General Questions
What is WCL Academy?
WCL Academy opened our doors in September 2011 to students from the ages of 2 to 11. The first of its kind in New York City, WCL Academy offers an internationally-respected, learning-focused curriculum that is used in over 1000 schools in 65 countries. WCL Academy is part of a network of schools called World Class Learning Schools, with schools located in Boston, Chicago, Charlotte, Houston, Washington, Madrid (Spain), Al Khor (Qatar), and Doha (Qatar). With these schools, we are a member of a larger entity, World Class Learning Group, that has provided quality education products and services globally for over 25 years.
What year groups (grades) do you offer?
In our inaugural year, we are offering Nursery through Year 6 (US: Nursery through 5th Grade). We opened a new 2-year-old program in November 2011.
Do you have plans to offer a middle or high school curriculum in the future?
We plan to offer a middle and high school curriculum in the future, culminating with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, but at this time our focus is on the nurturing and growth of our classes for children ages 2-11.
What does the academic year look like?
Our academic year consists of three terms: Autumn (September-December), Spring (January-March), and Summer (April-June). The school hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with half-day students finishing at 12:00 p.m.
Where is the school located?
Our international school is located in Manhattan, New York, at 44 E. 2nd Street, which is at 2nd Street and 2nd Avenue. WCL Academy is also within easy walking distance of SoHo, NoHo, and NoLita. Subway stations at 2nd Avenue and Bleecker give easy access to the school’s location from Midtown, Chelsea, West Village, Gramercy and Brooklyn.
Do you offer transportation to and from school?
We offer transportation services based on the needs of our families.
How can parents get involved in WCL Academy?
Parental contribution is valued in our school community. We are committed to working closely with parents to provide high quality education for our students, and we welcome them regularly into the school to discuss progress. There are several ways to get involved as a parent, from leadership roles in the School Consultative Group to supporting new families through the Parent Welcome Group. There may also be opportunities for parents to volunteer in the classrooms. This is arranged in consultation with the classroom teacher.
What is the dress code? Are there uniforms?
Yes, there is a uniform. Upon enrolling, parents receive an information pack with all the necessary uniform information.
What facilities do you have?
Located in Manhattan’s East Village, World Class Learning Academy is a spacious environment with an abundance of natural light. Generously-sized classrooms are complemented with the latest in learning resources and technology, including SMART boards. A large gymnasium (where The Basketball Diaries was filmed!), indoor recreation area, and rooftop playground give children exciting opportunities for exercise and play. The school’s facilities also include plans for a Learning Resource Center, a Visual & Performing Arts Center with drama, dance, and art studios, and music practice and performance areas.
Do you have a track record of college placement?
World Class Learning Academy is part of a larger group of schools that has a distinguished track record of college placement in the United States, Europe, and beyond. Year after year, exam results across all our schools demonstrate a commitment to exceptional standards of learning and student outcomes. Students graduating from our schools have been accepted by some of the world’s leading colleges and universities, including:
- Harvard (US)
- Princeton
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Johns Hopkins
- UCLA
- Oxford (UK)
- Durham University
- University of Manchester
- University College London
- University of St. Andrews
- University of Edinburgh
- University of British Columbia (Canada)
- University of Toronto
- McGill University
Admissions
May we visit the school for a tour?
Prospective families and other interested parties are most welcome to visit the school and meet key personnel at any time by calling 212.600.2010.
What are the application requirements?
To apply for a place at WCL Academy, please follow the procedures outlined in the Admissions section of this site.
Is there a minimum ERB score?
At this time, ERB tests are not a part of WCL Academy's admissions requirements. We believe that school records and personal visits are the best ways to assess a child's fit for the school.
Tuition/Financial
How much is tuition?
Nursery (3 Year Olds), Half Day: $14,000
Nursery (3 Year Olds), Full Day: $22,500
Reception (4 Year Olds): $25,500
Years 1-6 (Kindergarten-Grade 5): $31,900
In addition, there is a $2,000 New Student Fee. Families that wish to enroll reserve their child's space with a $3,000 deposit, which is applied towards the tuition fee for the second term of school.
Is there any fundraising at the school?
No. We believe that tuition and fees alone should cover the cost of providing a world class education. Therefore, we do not ask for any other financial contribution to the running of the school or the capital development of our facilities.
Academics
What is the educational program for a child in Nursery and Reception (3 and 4 Year Olds)?
Students in Nursery and Reception classes (3 and 4 Year Olds) follow the International Primary Curriculum and the UK government's Early Learning Goals. These programs cover six distinct areas of learning: personal and social and emotional development, communication, language and literacy, mathematical development, knowledge and understanding of the world, physical development and creative development. Literacy and Numeracy concepts are developed through fun and practical activities. Children also begin to learn a foreign language at age 3.
What is the educational program for a child in Years 1-6 (Kindergarten-Grade 5)?
We use a unique combination of The International Primary Curriculum and National Curriculum for England that provides a proven, innovative framework for learning and personal and social development. Throughout the world, these curricula are highly regarded for their exceptional standards, for developing a student driven focus on learning and as gateways to esteemed colleges and universities in North America and around the world. The concepts and skills are also highly transferable, helping children make an effective transition to schools worldwide if relocation is necessary in the future.
How is WCL Academy different than other schools?
World Class Learning Academy’s unique curriculum combines the best of both worlds—the National Curriculum of England’s strengths in literacy, numeracy, and social development, as well as the thematically-based and learning-focused International Primary Curriculum. Students learn in a personalized, interactive environment that allows them to participate fully in their own education, acquiring skills they will need for a future that is vastly different than the world of today. The flexibility of our curriculum allows teachers to take greater advantage of the environment around them, using the City as a classroom and drawing on the experiences of our diverse student and parent community.
What is the International Primary Curriculum?
The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) is a highly-respected, internationally-recognized curriculum used in over 1300 schools in more than 65 countries worldwide. Children in IPC schools are active participants in their education and true citizens of the world: they understand and appreciate other cultures, are encouraged to question and discover, and develop personal skills such as adaptability, thoughtfulness, and respect. They learn how to learn. They problem solve and think critically, looking towards a future in which what we know now will be vastly different from what we will know.
Do you give homework?
Homework is given to children to reinforce and/or extend the learning that takes place in school. The amount of time spent on homework tasks increases as children go through the school. Activities in younger year groups include reading, basic math and discussion tasks. Older children, in addition to these, will have one Literacy, Numeracy and IPC task set per week.
Teachers
What are the qualifications for teachers at WCL Academy?
All teachers at World Class Learning Academy have full United Kingdom teaching qualifications. Competition for positions is keen and, as a result, we recruit some of the very best educators. Teachers are passionate and knowledgeable about their subject areas, and seek to inspire all our students to succeed.
What kind of training do they receive?
Teacher training in the United Kingdom is learning-focused: rather than lecture or teach from the front of the classroom, teachers are trained to engage actively with students in the learning process and use a variety of techniques to enhance learning in the classroom.
What level of experience do they have?
The level of experience of individual teachers varies, as some teachers are just beginning their career in education, and some are veterans. We employ teachers with a range of experience levels, as it allows collaboration, learning and mentoring within the faculty community. Many of our teachers have worked in different types of schools all over the world. As a result, our teachers are able to identify with students from a variety different backgrounds and cultures.
Extracurriculars
What types of activities do you offer?
Activities vary by age and will largely depend on the interests of students enrolling at WCL Academy. We are responsive to our school community and offer activities that we know the students will enjoy. Cultural and sporting activities will include the following, given sufficient interest to make them viable:
- Music: singing (all students will sing in a choir), instrumental (all students will learn the recorder), composition
- Drama: acting, public speaking, debating
- Dance: ballet, hip-hop, street dancing, jazz
- Visual Arts: painting, sculpture, photography, design, collage
- Linguistic: languages other than Spanish and French (these are taught in the curriculum)
- Individual Sports: fencing, martial arts, ice skating, golf, tennis, swimming, yoga
- Team Sports: basketball, soccer, baseball, volleyball, tag football, lacrosse, rugby
- Outdoor and Adventure: trekking, climbing, canoeing, skiing
Do you have a physical education program?
Physical education is an integral part of the curriculum for all students. As such, our gym, indoor recreation space, and rooftop playground all allow for age-appropriate physical activity during the school day. Activities will include: gymnastics, games, swimming, music & movement, including skill development of balance, hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, teamwork, and leadership. Outdoor and adventure activities will be introduced for older children.
School Structure
What does for-profit mean, and how does this affect me?
The basic difference between a for-profit and a non-profit school is how the end-of-year “profit” is invested. Responsible for-profit schools such as World Class Learning Academy choose to re-invest a sizeable portion of the profit back into the school so that it can grow and thrive. This re-investment comes in the form of increased staff support, added special programs for children, capital improvements, and countless other improvements the school makes each year.
Is there a Board of Trustees?
While there is not a board at the school level, there is an over-arching Board of Directors that advises all the World Class Learning Schools, as well as the schools’ parent organization, World Class Learning Group. This board functions much the same way a board at the school level functions: its job is to ensure the enduring viability and health of the group of schools, as well as to chart a path for the future for all our schools.
Who runs the school?
The Head of School runs the everyday operations of the school, collaborating with the Senior Leadership Team. The Head works with members of World Class Learning Group to set the school’s long-term goals and receives support from the WCL Group team in the form of professional development, HR, marketing, and other operational activities.