The Khalil Gibran International Academy (KGIA)
Official NYC Department of Education Website
KGIA Website
The Arab-American Family Support Center (AAFSC) is lead partner in the development of the Khalil Gibran International Academy (KGIA), a new nonreligious Arabic intensive public school that the New York City Department of Education opened in fall 2007.
The all-volunteer KGIA Design Team was comprised of educators, parents, community organizations and high school students working in partnership with New Visions for Public Schools. New Visions is the largest education reform organization dedicated to improving the quality of New York City’s public schools. Working with both public and private sectors, New Visions develops programs and policies to energize teaching and learning and to raise the level of student achievement.
KGIA, located in Brooklyn, provides rigorous academic instruction and support to students. The school began with a 6th grade class and then will expand through the 12th grade, graduating its first class in 2014.
The school enrolls children from all backgrounds, enabling them to learn and grow together and to become ambassadors of peace and hope. They will learn the skills they need to collaborate with others and succeed in a globally interdependent world.
KGIA students have the opportunity to study Arabic language and the history, culture and traditions of all of the world’s peoples. As the school grows, students and staff will work together to create a school culture based on care, trust and inclusion.
AAFSC maintains an active presence and a full-time coordinator to liaise between students, families and AAFSC, ensuring that all of our services are available. Our collaborating partners also offer academic and cultural enrichment opportunities for KGIA students (see below).
For more information, please call or email AAFSC School Coordinator at (718) 596-3519 or info1@aafscny.org
Our collaborating partners will provide a wide range of services at the school, including artistic and cultural programs, conflict resolution classes, internship opportunities and technology classes. The following organizations are the collaborating partners in KGIA:
Lutheran Medical Center
The Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
MSI Computers & Net Inc
Alwan for the Arts
The American Mideast Leadership Network
National Arab American Medical Association
The Association of Muslim American Lawyers
Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility
Teacher’s College of Columbia University
The Salaam Club of New York
The Brooklyn Museum
The Network of Arab-American Professionals of New York
Brooklyn Queens Conservatory of Music
International Education and Resources Network (iEARN)
New York Theater Workshop
New York Writers Coalition
