Packer Admissions Viewbook: Middle and Upper School

HINK DEEPLY. LISTEN ACTIVELY. PEAK COURAGEOUSLY. CT WITH PURPOSE AND HEART. MIDDLE SCHOOL AND UPPER SCHOOL

“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

Why Packer?

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

Growing Independence 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.

WinterSession Learning beyond the classroom Students visit NYC companies and organizations Meet with experts across fields Hands-on, real-world learning experiences

Middle School Electives 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

Prepared for What’s Next 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.

UPPER SCHOOL SIGNATURE PROGRAMS THE PACKER SYMPOSIUM 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.

INDEPENDENT SCIENCE RESEARCH 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.

JOURNALISM 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.

ENGLISH SCHOLARS 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.

CLASSICS SCHOLARS 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.

PEER SUPPORT 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.

GLOBAL LEARNING 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.

INDEPENDENT STUDY & SENIOR THESIS Students pursue advanced, self-directed projects with faculty mentors, deepening their interests and presenting their research to the community.

It’s older than the Brooklyn Bridge!

Founded in 1845 Packer is the oldest independent school in Brooklyn

$12 million+

Awarded in financial aid annually > More than 25% of students receive financial aid

A DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS

1,080 students

110 Early Learning Center students

5 boroughs represented

48% students of color

(plus NJ & LI)

270 LS students

300 MS students

400 US students

HIGH EXPECTATIONS, HIGH SUPPORT

20+ Advanced Topic Courses offered annually

Health + Wellness

We offer more health education than any other independent school in New York City

20+ Varsity Athletic Teams

OUR VALUES

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

Respect

Caring for oneself, for one another, and for the world around us

FINANCIAL AID 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.

admissions@packer.edu (718) 250-0200 www.packer.edu/admissions @packercollegiate PACKER COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE 170 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, New York