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A middle school built to

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care

We are Brooklyn Independent.

Founded in 2019, we are a nonprofit, independently-funded middle school (6th-8th grade) that believes students should be cared for and educated as unique individuals so they thrive as confident learners.

We dare to serve kids differently.

About our mission

The BKI Difference

We have the middle school know-how

Middle school is a complex chapter in the student journey. As experienced middle school teachers with science-based knowledge, we’re versed in how to help students navigate each unique school year emotionally and intellectually. Our goal is to build a bridge that helps every child steadily and confidently transition from a nurturing elementary school setting to the demands of a high school environment.

Our staff

Our middle school journey

We design classrooms for community

In a BKI classroom, we are all teachers and learners. Our teachers are coached not just as instructors but as nurturers of discussion, partner and group work, which comprise 75% of class time. And our classroom design encourages community, too: we’ve transformed the traditional column and row setting into collaborative grouping configurations, so students are active participants rather than passive learners. The outcome is to foster trust amongst students so they can teach one another, find their voice and confidently lead.

We offer learning for real life

Our academics take a more progressive approach to rigor that rejects high pressure in favor of joyful, intentional learning. Kids get to know and love their learning style through use of higher order thinking and building metacognitive awareness. This way, they get lifelong mental tools to tackle new subject matter in ways that best suit their unique brain—so they confidently conquer high school and beyond.

More about our curriculum

We make sure all families feel seen

We’ve intentionally designed a smaller school setting (~100 students) so that we can serve every student’s specific needs, skills, and circumstances. We build distinct schedules for each child to suit their preferences, and reserve dedicated time to craft their unique identities. We go above and beyond in making sure we’re there for you and your child.

Contact Gabriela & Kelsey

Who should apply to BKI?

BKI is built for ALL Brooklyn kids. With a sliding scale tuition and inclusive admission practices, we are committed to a student body that reflects the diversity and dynamism of the borough that inspires and teaches us every day.

How we make tuition accessible

We are for families who:

Care about the advancement of a child’s personhood as equally as their academic performance

Share our belief in equity and inclusion and recognize the importance of all kids rising together

Want to be brought along the learning journey every step of the way

We are for students who:

Thrive in high energy, intimate classrooms where they can partner and participate in group work

Love to learn through end-of-unit projects and connections to the real world

Are empathetic and believe in a world that celebrates us all

Our Results

100% of kids accepted into their top 3 choice high schools

100% of 2023 graduates passed the Living Environments & Algebra Regents

One of the most diverse private schools in NYC

High School Acceptances

Public Schools

Academy Software Engineering

Art & Design School

Bard

Beacon

Bedford Academy

Boerum Hill

Brooklyn College Academy

Brooklyn Collegiate

Brooklyn High School of the Arts

Charter School of Wilmington

Christiana High School

Clinton

Design Works

Edward R. Murrow

Essex St. Academy

Frank Sinatra School of the Arts

Glasgow High School

High School for Environmental Studies

High School of Telecommunication Arts

ICE

Leon Goldstein

Manhattan Hunter Science

Manhattan Village Academy

Midwood

Millenium Manhattan & Brooklyn

Murrow

NEST+m

Newark High School

Newark Charter School

NYC iSchool

NYC Lab School

NYC Museum School

Professional Performing Arts School

Richard R Green

School of the Future

University Neighborhood

Urban Assembly NY Harbor School

Urban Assembly Maker Academy

Williamsburg High School

Parochial Schools

Bishop Loughlin

Christ the King

Cristo Ray (Brooklyn)

Dominican Academy

Grace Church

Holy Cross

LaSalleNazareth Regional

Nazareth Regional

Notre Dame

Saint Saviour

Saint Vincent Ferrer

St. John's Prep

Xaverian

Xavier

Private Schools

Avenues

Bay Ridge Prep

Berkeley Carroll

Brooklyn Friends

Friends Seminary

Leman

LREI

Mary McDowell

Packer

Peddie

Poly Prep

Summit

UNIS

Specialized High Schools

High School of American Studies

Brooklyn Latin

Brooklyn Tech

LaGuardia

Stuyvesant

Testimonials

Nadal, BKI Student Class of 2024

"I love how the school treats you so well. Teachers treat everyone with so much respect. They care about every kid in the class. It's not just about teaching the material to the class, they pay attention to each kid in the classroom and make sure that everyone progresses as a person and then as a class.”