Tessa International School Photo #10

Tessa International School

Tessa International School is an independent, bilingual school in Hoboken, New Jersey, offering Spanish, Mandarin or French programs to its families.
Incorporating best practices from around the world, students are challenged through the teaching and learning every day.
Tessa follows the International Baccalaureate approach, in conjunction with official Spanish, Mandarin and French curricula, and provides a strong educational foundation for children aged 2 through elementary.
The school aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, caring and respectful children of the world.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Top Ranked NJ School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-5
  • Enrollment: 230 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $29,950
  • Acceptance rate: 90%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Tessa International School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New Jersey for:

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-5
Year Founded
2017
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Student Body

Total Students
230 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Students by Grade
Tessa International School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
39 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
91%
Average Class Size
12 students
Classroom Dress Code
Formal

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
% on Financial Aid
20%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$14,500
Acceptance Rate
90%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Lea Pean
Admissions Associate
Summer Bolton

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
20 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
animation & cartooning, Chess Club, coding, fashion & design, French, Hebrew, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, STEM

Arts and Music Programs:
art class, guitar, piano, Story builder Drama

Recreational Athletic Programs:
dance, gym, soccer, taekwondo, yoga, Zumba

School Notes

  • A bilingual education is unparalleled to any other learning approach and shows benefits that will be carried throughout your child`s lifetime. Research indicates that the brain circuits associated with language learning are more flexible at a young age. That is why here at Tessa, we start learning French, Spanish or Mandarin as early as 2 years old with 80% of learning in the target language. In Primary School, classes are taught 50% in the target language, and 50% in English.
  • At the heart of our curricula isthe International Baccalaureate (IB). The IB provides your child with the essential skills for lifelong learning and leads to theworld-respected IBDiploma.The IB Primary Years Program (PYP) is a curriculum framework which centers around a series of transdisciplinary themes that address human commonalities. The students are exposed to units of learning that promote inquiry, exploration, and investigation. These units integrate all subject areas and provide meaningful learning experiences for students. The goal is to connect the students` learning to the real world, both locally and globally. We want our students to develop a deep understanding of the concepts and topics being studied.
  • Our program features the French National Curriculum and curricula from Spanish and Chinese-speaking countries. We also consider the NJ standards. This dynamic and goal-oriented learning environment provides students with the skills to challenge themselves in an environment that holds them to high academic standards.
  • Our program is structured so that it encourages and facilitates creative and critical thinking skills, while engaging students in discovery, inquiry, and problem-solving. They are constantly and positively challenged, so that they are used to and enjoy giving their best.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Tessa International School cost?
Tessa International School's tuition is approximately $29,950 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Tessa International School?
The acceptance rate of Tessa International School is 90%, which is higher than the national average of 78%.
Does Tessa International School offer a summer program?
Yes, Tessa International School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Tessa International School's ranking?
Tessa International School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New Jersey for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for Tessa International School?
The application deadline for Tessa International School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (10 reviews)
5  
We loved the French Preschool program at Tessa for our daughter. She thoroughly enjoyed the curriculum, her classmates, the learning environment, and her teachers. The aftercare and administrative staff are accommodating and caring. We highly recommend it to someone looking for an IB-certified PYP program in Hoboken.
- Posted by
5  
My daughter is making steady and solid progress in acquiring literacy skills in both English and Spanish. Her understanding of culture and the importance of diversity is strengthened unit by unit. We Love the Teachers and Community at Tessa!
- Posted by
5  
It is the second year that my son goes to this school and he is really happy there, he feels safe, and motivated and learns more every day... the teachers are very committed to the kids and show them a lot of love and kindness... It is an excellent option if we want a quality education and love for our kids.
- Posted by
5  
We enrolled our son in Grade K Tessa and he could not be happier. He is speaking Spanish, has friends, reading both in English and Spanish, and looks forward to school. We could not recommend Tessa enough.
- Posted by
5  
Our daughter started at Tessa this fall and loves it. She is in the PreK2 Spanish program. Her teachers are fantastic educators and caring people. She talks about her friends and teachers constantly. The school has a great community as well. We feel very fortunate to be able to send her to Tessa!
- Posted by
5  
We have been at Tessa for the past 4 years and we love it. We`ve had a fantastic experience thanks to the amazing teachers, the IB curriculum, the bright and clean facilities, and the overall Tessa community. Our daughters are 100 percent bilingual and they continue to grow their academic qualities as well as their whole being. One of the main reasons we chose Tessa was the teachers, who are affectionate and caring and in constant communication with us. We truly recommend it to all our friends.
- Posted by
5  
We got to know Tessa shortly after moving to Hoboken about 3 years ago. Our son entered Pre-K4 in September 2020; our daughter started Pre-K3 in September 2021. Our experience with the school has been excellent. We`ve encountered the most wonderful teachers. They have all been educators who truly love being in the classroom with kids, and they go the extra distance to ensure each student is encouraged and motivated in a way that resonates. While imparting knowledge and critical developmental skills, the teachers are also kind, generous, and compassionate. Both of our kids were happy going to school each morning and also eager to talk about what they learned when coming home each afternoon - or insist on rehearsing the song for the upcoming concert! Tessa is a tremendous school for parents in the Hoboken area who are interested in bilingual education. We consider ourselves fortunate to be part of the Tessa community - awesome and inclusive families, phenomenal teachers, and a supportive administration.
- Posted by
5  
Tessa was my son`s first school. It`s been such a nurturing place for two years old. We had a bumpy start, but the administration remained professional and supportive throughout. The teachers were always kind and patient. They helped my boy to acclimate in a big way. Now, the cherry on top: my son picked up a brand new language - thx to the immersion program.
- Posted by
5  
Tessa does a great job at guiding the students in a loving manner and is very aligned with my parenting style- they do great at communicating with parents and keeping them safe (ie: Covid protocols).
- Posted by
5  
We are very pleased with the education Tessa has been providing for our son. We feel they offer an environment in which he can thrive and shine. In the few months he`s been there, his knowledge of Spanish has grown tremendously. We love hearing him count and sing in Spanish! And we can tell the teachers and administration care about each and every one of the students; he is genuinely happy to go to school each day. We are very happy to be a part of the Tessa family!
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Top Ranked NJ School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-5
  • Enrollment: 230 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $29,950
  • Acceptance rate: 90%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Hoboken, NJ is $22,083 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Hoboken, NJ is 74% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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