Khalil Gibran International Academy

Khalil Gibran was born into a political controversy it did not create, but it now seems to be charting a course forward by instituting an International Baccalaureate program with a principal committed to the school's mission of teaching Arabic and fostering bi-cultural understanding.

Five principals in five years, staff turnover, several moves, plus political attacks in the tabloids because of its Arab language theme sent the school off course. It has now re-focused itself in a convenient location close to the Atlantic Avenue hub of Brooklyn's Arab population. The building, shared with Metropolitan Corporate Academy until 2014 when that school closes, has been renovated with a nice new cafeteria.

Khalil Gibran, which opened as a middle school in 2007, has struggled with low enrollment. Now it is a high school where students can earn an IB diploma. (The school's final class of 8th graders will graduate in June 2013.) The IB is recognized by universities around the world and is in some ways more academically demanding than an Advanced Regents degree. The school also offers half a dozen Advanced Placement courses, and its middle school students made academic progress during the 2011-12 school year, as measured by state exams.

The school emphasizes bi-cultural awareness and understanding. Khalil Gibran's aim is to use an international curriculum to prepare students for college and careers in international business, diplomacy, linguistics, and journalism. The Arab American Family Support Center has partnered with the school to provide lots of extra services: support for families, health care for recent immigrants, a social worker to aid students' integration into the school community, free SAT prep and a range of after-school activities.

Principal Winston Hamann is a former teacher and assistant principal who spent close to 20 years at a middle school in Red Hook and is a native Spanish speaker. His ability to identify students who need extra help is complemented by his ability to make sure everyone "feels like they have a seat at the table," said a New Visions official who provides support to the school.

During the 2011-2012 school year, five of the teachers were bilingual Arabic-English speakers and two more were blingual Spanish-English. About a quarter of the students were native Arabic speakers. "Everybody's all excited," said the New Visions official. "This is a chance at renewal."

Afterschool: There is tutoring and clubs like chess, music, debate and drama. Arts organizations provide field trips to cultural sites.

Admissions: Priority to Brooklyn students or residents who attend an information session. (Meredith Kolodner, interviews & web reports, September, 2012)