Frequently Asked Questions
How many children are in each class?
In the maternelle we have 2–3 teachers per classroom for 12–16 students. In Grande Section (Kindergarten), our student to teacher ratio is 1:6.
What is the background of your teachers?
Lead Teachers are native French speakers and have Master’s Degrees or are in the process of pursuing their advanced degrees. Assistant Teachers are native or fluent French speakers and have Bachelor’s Degrees. We have rotating French speaking Specialty Teachers in Art, Music, and Physical Education.
We are not a French-speaking family. Is my child eligible to attend Smith Street Maternelle?
Absolutely! While Smith Street Maternelle is a French immersion program, with the intention of building fluency in the most productive and crucial years of language development, we welcome and support non-French speaking students through Kindergarten.
How many incoming students are fluent/native French speakers?
About 50% of the students in each class speak French at home. 25% have had some exposure to the language, and the remaining 25% are English speakers with no French exposure yet.
How much of the instruction is in French?
100%. Teachers do speak some English at the beginning of the year to help nonnative speakers adjust to full immersion, but after about 6 weeks, all language input is exclusively in French. Occasionally, however, if a child is in emotional distress or if there is a safety issue, the teacher will address them in their native language.
How long is the school day?
In the maternelle, parents have the option to register for a Morning only schedule (9:00am-11:30am), Full Day (9:00am-2:30pm) or Extended Day (8:30am-4:00pm). Starting in Grande Section (K), the school day is from 8:30am to 3:00pm. We offer after school care until 6:00pm at the Gowanus and Brooklyn Heights locations.
Do the students play outside every day?
Outdoor play is an important part of our curriculum. All full and extended day students visit local parks within walking distance and/or spend time in our outdoor play area for at least 30 minutes a day. In cases of extremely cold weather, we still go out for a short period.
Are lunch and snack provided?
Students bring a snack and lunch from home and eat in the classrooms with their teachers. As of this year, families may opt to pay for hot lunch service using an external provider.
What is your potty training policy?
Ideally children should be potty trained before beginning our program, but we understand that training may be in process for our youngest students. Our teachers work with families to support potty training.
Which speciality classes are offered?
We integrate weekly classes in music, art, and chess in French into our curriculum. We also offer workshops for the students in “La Sophrologie” (mindfulness and meditation) as well as yoga, science, and “la motricité” (movement).
How many campuses does Smith Street have?
We have three campuses in Brooklyn:
Carroll Gardens:
607 Henry Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Gowanus:
388 Carroll Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Brooklyn Heights:
80 Clinton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Are there opportunities for parents to become involved in Smith Street Maternelle?
Yes! You can get involved in the classroom in multiple ways. Our doors are always open for parents. Often, parents come in and share a tradition, skill, talent, a story, or a book with the group. There are also opportunities to help out with special projects, etc.
What is the school calendar?
We follow the 10 month public school calendar with a few minor exceptions: We are closed for 2 weeks at Christmas and we finish a week earlier in June. We offer a 6 week summer camp program with the same hours available as during the school year. See our calendar page here.
Is Financial Assistance available?
Smith Street Maternelle is committed to ensuring that high-quality education is financially accessible to any family who wishes to join our community, regardless of socio-economic backgrounds. The ability to pay tuition and fees is determined by an independent party (SSS) and the financial information provided to them.
To learn more, visit our our Financial Aid page, and/or send us an email.
What medical/immunization records are required?
Please review the Health & Immunization Requirements before submitting an application.