Brooklyn Amity School to Offer PreK-3 Program, Add to UPK Program

This Brooklyn UPK program aims to provide an integrated curriculum that produces well-rounded students.

By Nina Rodríguez-Marty March 6, 2019

Brooklyn Amity School, a private collage preparatory school in Sheepshead Bay, will add programs to its current UPK program as well as add a tuition-based PreK-3 Program in September. In August 2018, Principal and Head of School John Amelio joined the school.

The UPK program provides an integrated curriculum of activities that balance emotional, social, physical and intellectual development while building the self-esteem, competence, and basic motor skills of the children. The additions to the UPK program include developmental electives such as yoga/dance, foreign language, computers, music, and nature walks. UPK at Brooklyn Amity School will also be adding drop-off van service with 3pm and 6:30pm extended-day options, an after-school enrichment program, free hot breakfast, and early drop-off at 7:15am.

The new PreK-3 program will offer half-day (8am-12pm) and full day (8am-3pm) options. It will serve families seeking an earlier enrichment experience for their child before their UPK year.

Over the past ten years, in various private schools around NYC, Amelio has taught at the middle school level, served as Head of Middle School, and acted as Assistant Headmaster. Amelio also boasts a varied professional background. Prior to joining Brooklyn Amity, he was the Traffic Manager at Van Wagner Communications, the regional manager at AMC Theatres, and even studied at the New York Film Academy. This year, he hopes to nurture an academic environment honed on promoting inquisitive learning, self-exploration and acceptance.

When a student has an unbridled interest and passion when arriving each morning,” says Amelio, “helping them grow as students and as individuals is easily attainable. My job is to lay the foundation in creating an environment that fosters such potential and development.”

Other additions to the Brooklyn Amity School include an Amity ensemble/band, community outreach, and growing athletics programs. Also new is its entrepreneurship program for students grades 11-12. The program began in August 2018 and will give students a chance to learn what it takes to run a business by operating an actual business: Brooklyn Blended, a juice and smoothie bar.

Brooklyn Amity School is a private, college preparatory institution for students in pre-K to grade 12. By integrating STEAM education with athletics and project-based learning, the school aims to equip students for success post-graduation. With just over 200 students, the small student-to-teacher ratio of 9 to 1 ensures that every student receives the individualized guidance they need.

Image courtesy Brooklyn Amity School