Tessa International School
Secular
Updated July 2026
IB PYP
Cognia
AEFE
Tessa International School is a private, bilingual international school in Hoboken, NJ, serving students from nursery through 5th grade. It offers immersion programs in French, Mandarin, or Spanish, combined with a rigorous curriculum based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme.
Curriculum
Term structure
Teaching approach
The school is built on the pillars of bilingualism, excellence, and happiness, aiming to prepare children to be leaders of the 21st century and global citizens. It fosters a "Culture of Care" where students feel safe, valued, and supported, with an educational approach deeply aligned with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profile. The school emphasizes social-emotional development alongside academic challenge to nurture the whole child.
Programmes
The school offers a bilingual curriculum for Nursery, Preschool, Kindergarten, and Elementary (Grades 1-5) students. The academic framework integrates the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), the French National Curriculum, and US standards, covering subjects such as Science, Social Studies, Language & Literacy, Math, the Arts, and Physical Education. Instruction is delivered through full immersion in early childhood and a dual-language model in the elementary grades.
Outcomes
Graduates are prepared to transition into the global IB network or other private and public schools. The curriculum aims to develop bilingual, culturally adaptable, and inquiring world citizens who possess strong academic foundations and critical thinking skills. Students are encouraged to become leaders who are socially responsible and capable of making a positive difference.
Student support
Learning support
The school integrates social-emotional learning into daily life, following the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence approach to build resilience, confidence, and emotional intelligence. Language support, including English as a Second Language (ESL) and support in French, Spanish, or Mandarin, is included in the tuition. The school also provides differentiated instruction to meet individual student needs.
Frequently asked questions(6)
- What curriculum does Tessa International School offer?
- Tessa International School offers IB PYP.
- How much is tuition at Tessa International School?
- Annual tuition at Tessa International School is $20.8K–$35K. Fees vary by year group — confirm the current schedule with the school.
- Is Tessa International School a day or boarding school?
- Tessa International School is a day school.
- What accreditations does Tessa International School hold?
- Tessa International School holds accreditations including IB, Cognia and AEFE.
- Is Tessa International School co-educational?
- Tessa International School is a co-ed school.
- Where is Tessa International School located?
- Tessa International School is an international school in New York City, United States.
Tuition & fees
Annual tuition by grade
2026-27| Grade | Ages | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery & Preschool - Part Time (School Year Commitment) | 2–4 | $20.8K |
| Nursery & Preschool - Full Time (School Year Commitment) | 2–4 | $30K |
| Nursery & Preschool - Full Time + Extended Hours (School Year Commitment) | 2–4 | $34.5K |
| Kindergarten - Full Time (School Year Commitment) | 5–5 | $30K |
| Kindergarten - Full Time + Extended Hours (School Year Commitment) | 5–5 | $34.5K |
| Grade 1 to Grade 5 - Full Time (School Year Commitment) | 6–10 | $31K |
| Grade 1 to Grade 5 - Full Time + Extended Hours (School Year Commitment) | 6–10 | $35K |
Other fees(5)
| Application fee | $85 |
|---|---|
| Registration fee· One-time new registration fee on the first enrollment year (no fees in subsequent years) | $995 |
| Materials· Included (includes foreign books and material) | — |
| EAL· Included (English as a Second Language, Spanish, French, or Mandarin) | — |
| Registration fee· Parent organisation fee (managed by the Parents Association) | $85 |
Discounts
- Sibling discount: 20%
- Full-payment discount: 3%
- Full-payment discount: 2%
Admissions
Tessa International School welcomes inquiries through its website, email, or phone. The admissions process includes options for private school tours, open houses, and virtual information sessions to introduce families to the bilingual curriculum and school community. Prospective families are encouraged to RSVP for events in advance due to limited space.
Calendar
The school operates on a 10-month academic year. Detailed academic calendars for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years are available for download on the school's website.
Facilities
About the campus
Located on three floors of the historic Monroe Center in Hoboken, the campus features bright, modern classrooms and purpose-built learning spaces. Facilities include a gym, a multi-purpose room, a library, a STEM lab with dedicated science and math corners, and a music room. Outdoor amenities include a plaza, the "Plaza Tessa" playground, and access to a public playground.
Co-curriculars
The school offers over 30 after-school activities, including chess, soccer, fencing, piano, dance, coding, and various language classes. Additionally, students participate in field trips, themed events, and specialized programs like the Science Expo and Engineers Week. Auxiliary programs include extended hours, vacation care, and summer camps for children aged 2–10.
- Kathleen ViscontiHead of School
Kathleen Visconti has over 30 years of experience in senior leadership at international schools, including roles at the United Nations International School and Washington International School. She holds an MA in Administration and Supervision and is a graduate fellow of The Klingenstein Heads of School at Columbia University. In 2024, she was appointed as a global ambassador for the NAIS international global leadership board.
- Léa PeanDeputy Head of School for Enrollment Management
Léa Pean holds a Master’s degree in International Management and has been with Tessa since 2018. She previously served as Auxiliary Director and Director of Admissions before assuming her current role.
- Sarah ScanzoniDeputy Head of School for Teaching, Learning & Curriculum
Sarah Scanzoni earned a BA and M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education and Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She has extensive international teaching experience in Kuwait and China, with a focus on the IB PYP framework.
- Kristina PogueHead of Primary
Kristina Pogue holds an MA in Private School Leadership from Teachers College and an MBA from Columbia Business School. She has over a decade of experience leading in public, charter, and international schools, including four years at an international school in the Dominican Republic.
- Linda El KhedriDirector of Auxiliary Programs
Linda El Khedri holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing. She has five years of experience as a School Director at a bilingual private school in Manhattan and previously served as a School Director at The Goddard School.