FAQ

What is the student body size and student-teacher ratio?

The A. Fantis student body is under 200 total students, as K-8 classes are capped under 20 students per class. A 7:1 student to teacher ratio is maintained. All preschool classrooms have a lead teacher and assistants.

If we are not Greek or Greek Orthodox, can we apply?

Yes! Fantis is a welcoming community and we are open to all Christian denominations and nationalities. A baptismal certificate from your respective church is required for K-8 students.
We are happy to assist with this process if needed. Please contact us with any questions.

How is religion incorporated throughout the day?

Faith and love of God are foundational components of our A. Fantis education. K-8 students begin each morning in the cafeteria with a prayer. Religion class is held weekly and teaches the basics of Christianity before deeper study of iconography, service learning and comparative religion analysis in middle school. Monthly liturgy is held in the Cathedral adjacent to the school, to celebrate holy days and help students practice their faith. Rooted in the Greek Orthodox tradition, the majority of the religion curriculum and liturgy overlap the core tenets of Christianity. Please note there is no religion or religious instruction in UPK4 classrooms.

What if my child does not speak Greek?

That is fine! Students do not need to know any Greek in order to enroll. The Hellenic Studies Department has developed a Greek Language Transition Program, which includes tutoring, online learning and materials. Students entering after Kindergarten with no background in Greek must complete the program. For details, click here.
In middle school, Greek language classes are separated into beginner and advanced levels. The primary school curriculum allows teachers to provide differentiated instruction within the classroom. The type of Greek language examinations administered at graduation—Level B1 and the Greek Regents High School Exam—will depend on each student’s current progress.

What are breakfast and lunch options?

A Fantis School is proud to partner with Sanpanino, a neighboring sandwich shop, to provide our K-8 students with fresh, made-to-order sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit, drinks and more. Families can place their order online before 9:00am the day of delivery. Lunches will be delivered directly to the school in individually wrapped and labeled bags. We also offer Pizza Friday for students in Grades K-8, with net proceeds for the yearbook. Free breakfast and lunch options are also provided through the NYC DOE for all students.

What happens during a Family Visit and Buddy Day?

Check out our FAQ.

Do you offer transportation?

A. Fantis offers free, privately chartered bus service to students in several locations of Brooklyn. Contact us for more information.

What is the age cut-off date?

PreK3 : 3 years old by December 31 of entry year. PreK4 : 4 years old by December 31 of entry year. For K-8 students, the age cutoff is more flexible. Each candidate is considered on an individual basis.

What are the hours of the school day?

Preschool begins at 8:10am and ends at 2:30pm. K-8 students arrive at 8:05am and dismiss at 3:00pm. Please note preschool siblings are able to stay in our Beyond the Bell program until 3:00pm without a fee.

What are before and after-school options?

At 7:45am, K-8 students can arrive for complimentary free play in the gymnasium or breakfast in the cafeteria. After-school options include Beyond the Bell, which operates from dismissal to 6:00pm, as well as a variety of daily after-school clubs, sports, private music lessons & more.What extracurricular activities are offered?

What extracurricular activities are offered?

Fantis offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities, which are interest based. During school hours, weekly Middle School Clubs are held and range from pottery to debate teams. Daily after-school clubs and activities are available for all grades. Explore them further on our website: after-school life and athletics.What resources are available for special needs students?

What resources are available for special needs students?

A. Fantis is proud to serve students with special needs and 504 plans. Our special education coordinator works with families and teachers on each student’s goals and services. Incoming students are reviewed on an individual basis. We work with each K-8 family to ensure Fantis is able to provide the appropriate setting for the success of each student.

Do students take standardized tests?

We believe that frequent, ongoing test prep is a misguided approach and not a good use of the school day. Rather, high achieving students will naturally do well on exams. A. Fantis uses a variety of ongoing assessments—formal and informal—strategically and with purpose so teachers have a clear portrait of each student’s growth and development across several domains. NY state exams in English and Math for students in grades 3-8 provide another piece of data, including comparison of overall school achievement to other schools across the city and state. Our advanced coursework allows 8th grade students to take high school Regents exams in Algebra I, Living Environment, English, Greek, and US Government & History.

Our child was placed on the waitlist. What are the next steps?

If you are placed on the waitlist, kindly advise us if you would like to hold your place. School policy does not allow sharing specific information about waitlist placement. Should the opportunity arise and a seat becomes available, we will notify you immediately.

Register for a School Tour

Find answers to our most common questions.