About Internationals:
FAQ
Are International High Schools part of the public school system?
Yes, all International High Schools in New York City are part of the New York City public school system and receive the standard amount of per pupil funding allocation prescribed by the New York City Department of Education. Internationals provides extra resources and support to its schools through its own fundraising and partnership efforts.
How are International High Schools different from other public schools?
In many public schools, the services for English Language Learners (ELLs) can be very limited. Internationals serve this population exclusively. By serving this population specifically in a small school setting, our schools provide a safe and collaborative learning environment where students gain confidence in speaking English while benefiting from a strong education that prepares them for high school graduation and beyond.
Are there any admission requirements for your New York City schools?
To be eligible to attend an International High School, a student must be a New York City resident, in the United States for four years or less, and qualify as an ELL.
Does Internationals charge tuition?
As public schools, Internationals does not charge tuition.
Is your school bilingual?
Traditional bilingual programs are organized to include students with a common native language and whose teachers speak to classes in the students' native language for some or part of the time and give reading and writing assignments in the common native language.
In our schools, students come from various native language backgrounds and are not grouped in classes on the basis of their native language. Teachers, while often bilingual, must speak in English to the whole class, so as not to exclude any student.
Assignments are distributed in English, but students may use their native language in assignments in a variety of ways, and may read native language materials for their projects. Most projects are completed and shared in English.
Our students are, or become bilingual. Many of our teachers are bilingual. But our program is not a traditional bilingual program.
Is your school ESL?
ESL stands for English as a Second Language. ESL programs focus on English language acquisition, sometimes through the content areas. Our teachers often utilize language development techniques that ESL teachers use: scaffolding, paraphrasing, etc. They also construct opportunities for students to use their native language, and recognize that both languages will be developed as students acquire academic content and skills. Most ESL programs don't have as a goal supporting students' native languages.
So which are you, bilingual or ESL?
We are neither, and we are both. We are a hybrid utilizing best practices from both approaches.
What do you call what you do?
We use a language development approach because we want students to develop both their new and their native language. We recognize the centrality of language to human culture and individual being. Language, as the instrument of thinking and feeling, is the key to learning, and learning, the key to language development. Learning involves communicating. Personalizing teaching and learning requires incorporating the languages of the learners.
How do students learn English?
Schools promote the language development of all students in both English and their native languages as they simultaneously explore interdisciplinary academic content. We create a language rich environment with heterogeneous, interdisciplinary classes in which students work on content area projects which require students to read, write, listen and speak in both English and their native languages. Students work together in small groups and produce projects in English and/or their native language.
What are the advantages of small groups?
If students talk to each other, they will use language. If they use language, they learn it. If teachers talk for most of the period, they use English; they are getting the practice, not the students.
What happens to a student who doesn't speak any English?
Students help each other, using their native language, and other kinds of scaffolding. Faculty, parents, families and community members are also resources for language development.
How big are International High Schools?
International High Schools are small, so that individual students are personally known and students do not "slip through the cracks." At full enrollment (9-12 grades), our schools total about 300-450 students.
What are the average class sizes at International High Schools?
International High Schools have a student: teacher ratio of 25:1. In addition, students spend part of their day in classes with ratios as small as 10:1.
What are the academic levels of the students who enter your schools?
Students come to International High Schools anywhere between grade level and having little previous formal education. Most of our schools have or are developing summer programs, after school and Saturday programs and in-school support programs for those students who are not at grade level. The schools recognize that a great deal of extra work must be done with our students to prepare them for college, and students must come prepared to work hard to improve their academic skills.
Is Internationals a nonprofit organization?
Yes. Internationals Network for Public Schools is an independent 501(c)(3) organization with nonprofit status.
Does Internationals operate any charter schools?
Currently, Internationals does not operate any charter schools.
Can I schedule a visit to one of the International High Schools?
All International High Schools are available for visits by appointment only. Many of the schools will have scheduled/set dates for visitors. If you would like to visit any Internationals' schools, please email Visit Coordinator.
If we are interested in having an International High School in our area, whom should we contact?
Please contact Claire Sylvan, Executive Director, at (212) 868-5182 or email her.