Our Insights
What’s Special
International Baccalaureate program; French and Spanish instruction
The Downside
IB for all may not suit every learner
Boerum Hill School for International Studies (grades 6-12) offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, a challenging curriculum that combines academics, the arts, and hands-on learning like field trips and projects that connect different subjects. IB helps students be aware of the world around them, and has a strong focus on research and writing.
Students begin studying both French and Spanish in middle school and continue through high school. The approach is flexible so students can learn at their pace. Beginners start in French or Spanish I. Students with some background are placed at the appropriate level. Those with native or near-native fluency can take Language & Literature or self-study.
Instead of traditional English or social studies classes, students engage in IB courses such as Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, and Individuals and Societies. Lessons focus on communication, social-emotional awareness, research, and analytical skills.
Boerum Hill offers the IB Middle Years Program (MYP) in grades 6–10 and the IB Diploma Program (DP) in grades 11–12. In the Middle Years Program, each grade explores theme—for example, 6th graders study global relationships, while 8th graders explore how ideas become movements. By 10th grade, students tackle complex issues like constitutional foundations and 3D modeling and complete a research project.
In the Diploma Program, 11th and 12th graders take courses in six subject areas and complete core components: a 4,000-word research paper, reflection on big questions like “Who owns knowledge?” (leading to an essay and a presentation), and a year-long project involving creativity, activity, and service, along with final exams.
Boerum Hill blends Illustrative Mathematics with the IB approach. That means more writing, global context, and math as a tool for understanding the world.
The school offers arts, music, and sports during and after school. Partnerships with the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and Community Counseling and Mediation (CCM) bring music, theater, dance, visual art, STEM, and chess to students. Middle schoolers can join free after-school programs with cooking, step team, crafts, and more.
As a PSAL school, students can compete in sports like basketball, soccer, volleyball, track, and flag football. The school also works with Counseling in Schools to provide mental health services and wellness support for families.
Boerum Hill builds community and leadership through daily group activities. The school uses a restorative approach to discipline, where students reflect on their actions and take responsibility. Peer Mediators help resolve conflicts.
All students take IB courses, which some appreciate for its academic challenge and global focus, while others feel it limits flexibility or dilutes rigor.
Two full-time college counselors support students through the application process, helping with school selection, financial aid, and scholarships. Graduates attend a variety of colleges, including CUNY, SUNY, and top private schools.
The school shares a large building with the Digital Arts and Cinema Technology High School , Success Academy Cobble Hill Charter School and STAR Academy. Students can leave the building for lunch or enjoy the expansive schoolyard with climbing equipment, sports fields and a basketball court. (Lydie Raschka, web reports and email correspondence, April 2025)
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School Stats
Is this school safe and well-run?
From the 2023-2024 NYC School Survey
From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card
From this school's most recent Quality Review Report
From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report
How do students perform academically?
From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database
From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide
Who does this school serve?
From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot
From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide
From the 2020 School Directories
How does this school serve special populations?
From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryInternational Baccalaureate (K21A)
Program Description:
All students experience IB coursework that emphasize problem-solving and collaboration through project-based learning. Students complete capstone projects: Personal Project, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity and Service Learning project, and IB Internal Assessments. Students meet in advisory groups for social-emotional and academic support, and community building.
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
French, Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), Chemistry (Advanced Science), IB Chemistry HL, IB Dance HL, IB English HL, IB French ab initio, IB French HL, IB History SL, IB Mathematics HL, IB Spanish HL, IB Theater HL, IB Theory of Knowledge, IB Visual Arts HL, Other (International Baccalaureate), Science (International Baccalaureate), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Soccer
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Flag Football, Volleyball
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
284 Baltic Street
Brooklyn
NY
11201
Trains:
,
to Hoyt & Schermerhorn;
,
to Bergen St
Buses: B103, B41, B45, B57, B61, B62, B63, B65, B67
Contact
Other Details
This school shares the building with the Digital Arts and Cinema Technology High School and Success Academy Cobble Hill Charter School
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