🎒 Day Program in Park Slope
Brooklyn Apple Core
Why this rec for Nadine? We think Brooklyn Apple would be a great fit for Nadine because is gifted and loves making arts and crafts. The caring, intuitive teachers will help her come out of her shell and make friends at her own pace.
Brooklyn Apple Academy (BAA) is a homeschool community and resource center located in Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 2011 by Noah Mayers, a teaching artist and puppeteer with over two decades of experience, BAA was established to nurture the innate curiosity and playfulness of childre
Ages: 6-11
Schedule: Wednesdays 9-2:45pm
Cost: $445/month (1 day a week)
Pre-requisites: None
About
Brooklyn Apple Overview
Brooklyn Apple Academy (BAA) offers a part-time, hands-on homeschool program in Brooklyn, NY. Focused on self-directed learning, it combines creative projects, outdoor adventures, and community engagement to foster curiosity, inclusivity, and a love of learning.
🏆 What sets Brooklyn Apple Apart
Brooklyn Apple Academy stands out for its focus on self-directed, experiential learning, combining creative projects, NYC field trips, and a nurturing community. Its adaptability supports diverse needs, including special needs and gifted learners, in a joyful setting.
🌹 The ideal learner
Brooklyn Apple Academy is an ideal fit for families seeking a part-time, hands-on, and experiential learning environment that complements their homeschooling efforts. It’s particularly suited for children who thrive in self-directed learning settings and enjoy exploring diverse subjects through real-world experiences.
☀️ Typical Day
A typical day at Brooklyn Apple Academy begins with 2.5 hours of creative ELA and math through games, projects, and hands-on activities. After lunch, kids have 3 hours of self-directed project time, exploring interests like art, science, nature, and NYC history.
📆 Sample Schedule
9:00 AM - Morning Circle
Tea and project discussion, with the “Apple of the Day” serving tea.
9:30 AM - Creative ELA & Math
Games like word puzzles or math scavenger hunts.
Group storytelling activity to build narrative skills.
Hands-on math project: building a cardboard city and calculating dimensions.
12:00 PM - Lunch
Community picnic-style lunch, fostering collaboration and communication.
12:45 PM - Self-Directed Project Time or Outdoor Exploration
Constructing a stomp rocket in the woodshop.
Painting and crafting in the art corner.
Exploring a blacksmith’s trade through video and hands-on demos.
Chess club: designing custom chess sets and strategizing games.
A nature hike in Prospect Park to identify plants or journal observations.
2:30 PM - Sharing project highlights and plans for the next session.
📚 Skills
History and Social Studies: Exploring New York City’s history through field trips and discussions.
Art and Creativity: Engaging in various art projects and visiting artists’ studios.
Science and Nature: Participating in hands-on science projects and nature explorations.
Practical Skills: Learning woodworking, tool safety, and other hands-on skills.
Physical Education: Incorporating activities like hiking and outdoor play.
🌈 Special Needs
Autism: BAA’s structured yet flexible environment and small group settings provide predictability and opportunities for social and creative engagement tailored to individual strengths.
ADHD: Movement-rich activities, hands-on projects, and outdoor learning allow children with ADHD to focus their energy productively in an active and stimulating setting.
Dyslexia: Audiobooks, oral storytelling, and experiential learning minimize reliance on text-heavy materials, making learning accessible and enjoyable for children with dyslexia.
Sensory Sensitivities: Quiet spaces, nature-based activities, and tactile projects offer a sensory-friendly environment that adapts to individual needs.
Anxiety: The supportive, inclusive atmosphere and small, close-knit community foster emotional safety and confidence, helping anxious children feel secure and connected.
Gifted, 2e, and Profoundly Gifted: BAA’s child-led approach, deep dives into projects, and opportunities for intellectual exploration allow gifted and twice-exceptional learners to thrive, with individualized attention to their strengths and challenges.
❤️ What families love
Families appreciate Brooklyn Apple Academy for its nurturing environment that brings joy back into education. Parents have noted the program’s ability to integrate learning into real-world experiences, such as constructing stomp rockets, building catapults, and running stands at local farmers’ markets. BAA’s approach allows children to explore their interests deeply, fostering a love for learning.
🚫 Non-fit
Families looking for a full-time, structured curriculum may find that Brooklyn Apple Academy does not fully meet their needs. Those who prefer a traditional classroom setting with a fixed schedule and standardized assessments might not find the academy’s flexible and unstructured approach aligning with their educational goals
🔎 Alternatives for a non-fit
Families looking for a more structured approach with a greater focus on traditional academics might appreciate the Midwood co-op, also in Brooklyn which takes a more traditional approach to academics.
👧🏻 About your learning guide
Manisha Snoyer is a teacher and entrepreneur from Brooklyn. She has 20 years of experience teaching in public and private schools to over 2k students. Manisha discovered Brooklyn Apple five years ago when Noah invited her for her first visit and she fell in love with the way this learning environment allowed the natural curiosity and exuberance of children to be set free. Manisha selected BAA as one of her top picks due to the high quality teaching, nurturing environment, great field trips and caring, diverse community. Contact Manisha with questions about Brooklyn apple here.
Location
545 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Hours
Monday–Friday
10am–6pm
Phone
(555) 555-555
Reviews
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"Noah Apple, in creating this fairly unstructured, but incredibly rich environment for the kids, has created a school which makes his young scholars feel excited about taking part in their own education."
Laurie Payton
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"Within his first five minutes at the Brooklyn Apple Academy, our son had the chance to learn some tool safety and then use a handsaw to help construct a stomp rocket."
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"Brooklyn Apple Academy is a vision of joy and exploration in our daughter’s heart and memory."
Lindsey Beumer
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"Brooklyn Apple Academy is awesome. Noah brings endless creativity in classroom activities and field trip adventures.”
Keith Finley
FAQs
Is BAA a school?
No, Brooklyn Apple Academy is a homeschool resource and community center. Students are homeschoolers who attend BAA as part of their program, choosing the amount of time they participate, whether occasional or regular, to suit their learning goals.
When is Brooklyn Apple in session?
BAA aligns with NYC public school schedules. For the 2024/2025 year, offerings run Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM–2:45 PM, beginning September 9th. Families can choose part-time or full-time participation based on their homeschool needs.
What does self-direction mean?
Self-direction at BAA means students choose what, how, and with whom they learn. We trust them to follow their interests without coercion, punishment, or rewards. They can engage with offerings that suit them or simply show up as they are in our supportive space.
How much is tuition?
Tuition varies by days attended, sibling discounts, and offering length. For the 2023/24 year, most full-day programs were $4,500 per day/per year. Specific costs depend on the selected schedule; contact us for details.
What are the class sizes?
Brooklyn Apple Academy (BAA) doesn’t follow traditional grade levels or classes. Instead, offerings are intentionally small, with 6-12 students per group. Throughout the day, we maintain a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio, fostering strong connections and individualized support.
What are the ages of the students?
BAA serves students ages 4.5-18 in its main offerings. For younger learners, we offer the “Crab Apples” program. Contact us directly to learn more about opportunities for early childhood involvement.
Noah has been a teaching artist, puppeteer, and artisan since 2001. He has had the honor of teaching at such august institutions as Eugene Lang College/New School University, Village Community School, LEAP, R.A.D. School, Brooklyn Free School, and with Teachers and Writers Collaborative.
Noah is passionate about exploring the unique learning environment of New York City. He’s thrilled to share his enthusiasm for investigating the mechanisms that give the city life. As a young adult, he was inspired by his alternative schooling experience, and he is honored to pass on the same gift.
Contact Noah
Do you have questions about Noah’s program? Be in touch!