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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

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average
Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2023-2024 NYC School Survey

How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
84%
80% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
56%
56% Citywide Average
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
60%
76% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
2%
1% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
67%
78% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
2.9

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
61%
42% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
66%
51% Citywide Average

From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
72%
51% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
797
Asian
4%
Black
23%
Hispanic
28%
White
39%
Other
6%
Free or reduced priced lunch
46%
Students with disabilities
21%
English language learners
5%

From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
93%
90% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
21%
34% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

This school offers Dual Language classes in French.

How does this school serve special populations?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
0%
7% Citywide Average
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Programs & Admissions

From the 2024 High School Directory

International Baccalaureate (K21A)

Admissions Method: Screened

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 Directory

Language 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

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

284 Baltic Street
Brooklyn NY 11201

Trains: A Line, C Line to Hoyt & Schermerhorn; F Line, G Line to Bergen St

Buses: B103, B41, B45, B57, B61, B62, B63, B65, B67


Contact

Principal: Samantha Schmoeger

Parent Coordinator: Aerial Best

Phone: 718-330-9390

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the building with the Digital Arts and Cinema Technology High School and Success Academy Cobble Hill Charter School

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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