Packer Collegiate Institute: A Tradition of Education and Innovation
The Packer Collegiate Institute, the oldest independent school in Brooklyn, stands as a testament to enduring educational values while embracing progress. Founded in 1845 in the historic district of Brooklyn Heights, Packer offers coeducational programs from Preschool through Grade 12. Grounded in rich traditions while embracing the future, Packer is a diverse community that balances the value of scholarship and the intellect with the importance of meaningful and sustained relationships.
Historical Overview
Packer's story began with a group of landowners and merchants in Brooklyn Heights who sought to enhance the education of girls. In 1845, they pooled their resources to establish the Brooklyn Female Academy on Joralemon Street. A pivotal moment arrived when Harriet L. Packer, the widow of William S. Packer, offered a significant donation of $65,000 to rebuild the school, provided it was named in honor of her late husband. This act of generosity marked the largest gift ever made for the education of girls at the time.
The new building, designed by the renowned architect Minard Lafever, known for his Brooklyn churches, opened its doors in November 1854. Further expansion occurred in 1969 when the Episcopal parish of St. Ann's, whose James Renwick-designed church at Livingston and Clinton street was around the corner from the school, moved into the abandoned Holy Trinity Church on Montague Street - also designed by Minard Lafever - , selling its original church to the school.
Until 1972 Packer was primarily a girls’ school, with boys attending only kindergarten through fourth grade while girls and young women were enrolled through high school as well as a two-year junior college.
Curriculum and Academic Environment
Packer Collegiate Institute is an independent college preparatory school for students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Packer's academic program is enriched by an array of Advanced Placement courses as well as a breadth of offerings in the fine and performing arts, world languages and athletics. Extra-curricular activities provide many opportunities for independent study, travel abroad, leadership, and community service.
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A 5-year-plan completed reshaped student life at Packer. A traditional 5-weekday schedule was replaced with a 7-day rotating schedule with "bands" instead of periods, the maximum number of classes a day changed from 6 to 5, the last class of every day was extended from 50 minutes to 90 minutes (with each of a students' maximum 7 total classes - down from 8 - having a 90-minute period once during each cycle), the addition of a time of day called "community" dedicated to clubs and other activities so that each student had a lunchtime, and the revamping of the advising program, study hall, and independent reading.
Packer's commitment to diversity is reflected in its student body, and its ongoing support for broad and inclusive programming. Packer's beautiful landmarked campus expanded with the opening of a state-of-the-art Preschool and Kindergarten at 100 Clinton Street, one block from the main campus.
Technology Integration
Packer has a laptop program, describing itself as a "laptop school where technology is woven into the curriculum at all levels." The guidelines of the program state that every student must have a laptop from fifth grade through graduation in twelfth grade. All assignments, handouts, work sheets, what-have-you are distributed electronically. Students take notes on their laptops in class, then take their laptops home and do their homework on them. To turn in an assignment, they simply drag and drop it into the appropriate folder, where the teacher can wirelessly retrieve it.
Arts and Culture
Packer offers visual arts, photography, media arts, dance, drama, orchestra, brass choir, chamber music, wind ensemble, chorus and a Middle and Upper School jazz band. Among Packer's facilities lies the Janet Clinton Performing Arts Center, which features instrumental and choral music classrooms, a dance studio and the Pratt Theater. The James Renwick-designed former St. Ann's Church, now part of the school, has stained glass by Henry E.
Faculty and Leadership
A dedicated and capable faculty offers a rich and challenging curriculum that supports students' learning and nurtures their social and emotional growth. Early in 2018, Headmaster Bruce Dennis (1949-2022) announced that he would retire at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. On October 3, 2018, Packer announced that Dr. Jennifer Weyburn had been selected to become headmaster.
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Financial Aid and Accessibility
Packer is a diverse community of learners in which each person is valued and challenged. As part of our vision for excellent education, we strive to be knowledgeable, empathetic, and engaged members of an interconnected and dynamic world. We realize that to achieve these goals, all students and their families, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds, must be able to participate fully in the Packer experience. We designate a higher percentage of our operating budget for financial aid - 20% - than many of our peer schools.
Tuition and Fees
The average private school tuition in Brooklyn, NY is $22,974 for elementary schools and $25,164 for high schools. Packer Collegiate Institute's yearly tuition is $11,500.
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