Lawsuit claims a British empire at the World Class Learning Academy on East 2nd Street

An axed admissions director at the World Class Learning Academy — a U.K.-based independent school for kids from 3 to 11 — claims in a lawsuit that British employees are treated much better than their American counterparts, the Post reports today.

In the suit claiming national-origin, sex and age discrimination, Sarah Bottoms, who lives in Brooklyn, alleges that administrators at the school on East Second Street "gave British employees greater allowances for time off, raises, excusal from student supervisory duties and subsidized lunches."

The school, at the site of the former LaSalle Academy, is run by Brits John and Dawn Taylor.

Also, there's this claim:

"On more than one occasion, Ms. Taylor told Ms. Bottoms that men preferred Asian woman because" their sexual organs were smaller, the suit claims.

Bottoms says she went to HR — and was fired.

An attorney for the school, where tuition is upwards of $34,000 annually, said that they will conduct a thorough investigation of the allegations.

[Image via Facebook]

Looking at an elementary school that costs $31,900 annually on East Second Street

[Rooftop rendering via the World Class website]

Back in July 2010, we had a post about the World Class Learning Academy taking over the LaSalle Academy space on Second Street and Second Avenue. As we learned, tuition for the U.K.-based independent school (for ages 3 to 11) could go as high as $32,000.

Anyway, the school opened back in September ... yesterday afternoon, Business Insider dropped a feature about the school. Abby Rogers reported how the older kids are learning about chocolate. They have a tasting day. The students will also visit a local chocolate maker and learn about chocolate-related issues, such as fair trade.

"That's what really sets us apart from everybody else," Headmaster John Taylor said when discussing the school's unique take on learning.

As Business Insider noted, students in kindergarten through fifth grade pay $31,900 in tuition annually. There's also a $50 application fee and a one-time $2,000 "new student" fee.

Anyway, in case you want a look inside the school, there's a slideshow here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Blimey!: World Class Learning Academy takes over La Salle Academy space on Second Street

New school in East Village will cost upwards of $31,000 annually

As you may have heard, the World Class Learning Academy is taking over the LaSalle Academy space on Second Street and Second Avenue... It's a U.K.-based independent school (rich kid's school) for ages 3 to 11. (The old LaSalle space is currently getting spruced up...)

An EV Grieve reader asked if I had seen the tuition for the school.

I had not.

Tuition for 2010/2011 School Year, payable in two installments:

Foundation Stage 1 (Pre-K 3/Nursery), Half Day: $14,000

Foundation Stage 1 (Pre-K 3/Nursery), Full Day: $22,500

Foundation Stage 2 (Pre-K 4/Reception): $25,500

Years 1-6 (Kindergarten-Grade 5): $31,900

Noted the reader: "It's like a pre-K for NYU Dubai."

By the way, LaSalle, which has had 160 years of presence on the Lower East Side, is moving into part of St. George Ukrainian Catholic School on Sixth Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Blimey!: World Class Learning Academy takes over La Salle Academy space on Second Street

Blimey!: World Class Learning Academy takes over La Salle Academy space on Second Street

Crain's reports that the World Class Learning Academy — a U.K.-based independent school for kiddies age 3 to 11 — is taking over the La Salle Academy space on Second Street and Second Avenue. According to Crain's, "It will be the group’s sixth outpost in the U.S. and the first in New York. Its other American locations are in Boston, Charlotte, N.C., Chicago, Houston and Washington." The school opens in September.

And what will become of LaSalle, a Catholic boys school? They'll be moving into part of St. George Ukrainian Catholic School on Sixth Street.

Here's the happy-faced news release from LaSalle:

La Salle 6th Street is Born!
One of New York City’s oldest and most respected Catholic school secures its future on the Lower East Side.

La Salle Academy, an award-winning Catholic high school with over 160 years of presence in New York City’s Lower East Side, is expanding its educational programs to 6th Street, where they will be sharing space with St. George Ukrainian Catholic Schools, another historic neighborhood institution. The two schools will coexist in one building, but remain two completely distinct institutions. La Salle will also remain, in part, on the corner of 2nd Avenue and 2nd Street, in a building that will house an alumni center, administrative offices, a residence for the Brothers, and various rooms for student use.

The relocation comes after years of planning by the school administration and Board to address challenges that face inner-city Catholic education, including increased operating costs and decreased enrollment.

“With so much news about Catholic schools struggling, I’m delighted to state here and now that La Salle Academy will continue to provide its exceptional college preparatory education on the Lower East Side for generations to come,” said Dr. William Hambleton, the school’s president.

I knew money was tight for La Salle when they accepted a wrap-around ad for their building.