THINK DEEPLY. LISTEN ACTIVELY. SPEAK COURAGEOUSLY.
ACT WITH PURPOSE AND HEART.
“Packer
teachers and staff are phenomenal—truly in every subject. Their passion and interest are contagious and their caring for the kids is evident. The content and depth of the classes is impressive, and when it is too much at any given time, teachers have been very receptive to my child requesting an extra day or extra support.”
-Middle
School Parent
At Packer, we balance the head and the heart.
Our academic program promotes both rigorous inquiry and social-emotional growth. We believe that relationships and a sense of belonging create the conditions for transformative learning to happen.
Located on a historic campus in downtown Brooklyn, Packer serves over 1,000 students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade. We offer:
A rigorous, inquiry-based curriculum that prepares students for success in a dynamic world
A focus on developing endurable, transferable skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and communication
A supportive and nurturing community where relationships and belonging flourish
MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES 5 - 8
Packer’s Middle School is designed to foster engaged, reflective learners who work hard, make meaningful connections, and discover joy and purpose in their academic journey. As students progress through these formative years, their coursework grows more sophisticated, and they gradually take on greater responsibility and independence.
In 5th and 6th Grades, English and history are taught as an interdisciplinary humanities class, while math and science feature an inquiry-based approach rooted in collaboration, experimentation, and reflection.
Throughout Middle School, students benefit from a robust advising program and a wealth of co-curricular opportunities in athletics, the arts, and student-led clubs. These experiences, along with intentional programming focused on social-emotional growth and identity development, help students understand themselves and others in a diverse, interconnected world.
Students visit NYC companies and organizations
Meet with experts across fields
Hands-on, real-world learning experiences
FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Spanish, French, Latin, or Chinese
THE ARTS
Dance, Digital Video, Theater, Visual Arts, Chorus or Instrumental Music
COMPUTING + DESIGN
Focus on information literacy, creativity and digital citizenship.
UPPER SCHOOL GRADES 9 - 12
In a high expectations, high support environment, Packer students learn to collaborate, communicate, and persist to solve complex problems. Our expert faculty, student-centered approach, and commitment to experiential learning equip students with the transferable skills they will need for success in college and beyond.
The Upper School curriculum is both rigorous and expansive, offering more than 40 upper-level electives across the humanities, STEM, and the arts. Students can pursue in-depth independent research and choose from over 20 Advanced Topics (AT) courses—Packer’s immersive, intentionally designed alternative to Advanced Placement. AT courses offer students deep immersion in a wide range of subjects, from organic chemistry and imperialism to studio art and archival research at the Center for Brooklyn History.
Throughout the Upper School experience, academic rigor is thoughtfully balanced with personal development. Strong relationships between students and teachers create a foundation of trust, where students feel supported and known. A comprehensive health education program and a robust network of student support professionals foster adolescent well-being in what we call a “community of care.”
Packer student-athletes excel in competition while embodying our values of scholarship, integrity, and respect. Our graduates go on to attend a wide range of outstanding domestic and international colleges and universities.
From Brooklyn to beyond—scan to see where our students are going.
The Packer Symposium offers short-term, experiential courses between semesters, designed by faculty to extend learning beyond the classroom. All juniors travel abroad—at no additional cost—for International Symposium, an immersive program focused on cross-cultural connection and ethical engagement.
Packer’s Independent Science Research Program allows students to conduct multi-year research in university labs alongside professional scientists. Participants have earned national recognition, publication in leading journals, and in some cases, college credit through the SUNY system.
Packer’s three-year Journalism Program emphasizes writing, research, and real-world experience. Students produce the school newspaper, attend Columbia’s Scholastic Press Association conference, engage with awardwinning journalists, and mentor younger peers.
This two-year program recognizes students with a passion for English. It requires consistent high achievement, additional coursework, and an independent project culminating in a written and oral defense.
Beginning in junior year, this two-year program supports advanced study in ancient languages and history. Students complete original research, culminating in a capstone thesis and oral defense.
Through a selective process, students are trained as peer mentors. They meet weekly with adult facilitators to strengthen leadership and facilitation skills, offering informal counseling, tutoring, and mindfulness support to younger peers.
Through our mission-driven Global Learning and Community Engagement programs, students are empowered to apply their collaborative and problem-solving skills in real-world contexts, working toward sustainable solutions in partnership with communities.
Students pursue advanced, self-directed projects with faculty mentors, deepening their interests and presenting their research to the community.
Founded in 1845
Packer is the oldest independent school in Brooklyn
It’s older than the Brooklyn Bridge!
$12 million+
Awarded in financial aid annually > More than 25% of students receive financial aid
1,080 students
110 Early Learning Center students
5 boroughs represented (plus NJ & LI)
270 LS students
48% students of color
300 MS students
400 US students
20+
Advanced Topic Courses offered annually
Health + Wellness
We offer more health education than any other independent school in New York City
Scholarship
Promoting rigorous inquiry leading to deep understanding
Equity
Embracing diversity, expanding access, and nurturing belonging
Creativity
Fostering discovery, imagination, and innovation
Integrity
Cultivating decency, honesty, grace, and personal responsibility
Joy
Creating a community of positive energy and lively engagement
20+ Varsity Athletic Teams
Respect
Caring for oneself, for one another, and for the world around us
We’re committed to ensuring that a Packer education is accessible to students from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Admissions decisions are made independent of financial aid awards. So that every student can benefit from all that Packer has to offer, non-tuition financial aid is available for after school programs and other auxiliary expenses.
ENTRY POINTS
Most new students enter Packer in the Pre-K Threes, Kindergarten, or Ninth Grade. Families are welcome to apply for any grade except Twelfth, but should understand that space may be extremely limited in other grades.
TRANSPORTATION
The Borough Hall subway station (2, 3, 4, 5 and R trains) is at the end of our block, on Joralemon and Court Streets. Several MTA city buses stop at Borough Hall as well. Jay Street Metrotech (A, C, and F trains) is a short walk away. Packer does not offer bus service.