In 2008, the Wood family started their search for the quintessential international academic environment for their children. Multilingual and multicultural themselves, passionate about their vision of global education and eager to create a diverse, accessible and open learning environment, Jeremy Wood joined forces with Yves Rivaud and Clyde Javois to develop the concept that would become The École, the first school of its kind in Manhattan.
With the support of equally passionate, committed parents, The École—then known as Ecole Internationale de New York—opened its doors six months later at 111 East 22nd Street on September 8th, 2009. There were 22 students enrolled in Nursery through Fifth grade.
Within its first eight years, The École outgrew its entrepreneurial phase to become an established, respected international school designed to welcome over 200 students from Nursery through 8th Grade.
In 2017, Philippe and Laurence Roux, parents of two of our Elementary students, joined The École leadership family. Taking on ownership of the school as it looked to its second decade, they worked with Yves Rivaud to clarify the school’s philosophy, strengthen its capabilities, and expand its community, ensuring The École’s early successes would continue well into the future.
All of the Roux’s efforts have been focused on achieving two core goals. First, to restore the spirit of the school’s initial community, bringing together a diverse group of international families in close bonds of friendship. And second, to reimagine the future of The École, ensuring its unique French and American dual learning system can help even more students to grow and broaden their horizons.
In 2020, Jean-Yves Vesseau was recruited as head of school with the mission to lead The École through its growth and stabilization phases. In 2021, The École opened its first Pre-Nursery class. The Pre-Nursery is fully integrated in the school program and constitutes the very first year of the Maternelle, allowing students to benefit from The École’s unique bilingual curriculum starting at the age of two! In 2022, The École opened a high school track in partnership with Léman High School offering a French-American, bilingual IB curriculum to The École graduates and French speakers from other middle schools throughout New York. Moving forward The École aims to continue pursuing sustainable growth, developing its unique bilingual program, being a great place to work, and cultivating a close-knit, diverse community!