Brooklyn Friends School vs Harrow International School New York
Brooklyn Friends School and Harrow International School New York are both in New York. Both schools offer IB programmes. Brooklyn Friends School also offers Bespoke, and Harrow International School New York also offers British and American. Published annual fees are $31,630 - 65,575 at Brooklyn Friends School and $50,044 - 76,875 at Harrow International School New York, which puts Harrow International School New York roughly 31% higher. Brooklyn Friends School takes pupils from 2 to 18, and Harrow International School New York from 11 to 18.
IB (MYP), IB (DP), British Curriculum, American Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
—
Pupils
20
Typical class size
Typical class size
—
Typical class size
10
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1867
Opened
2025
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Downtown Brooklyn, New York. Main Building at 375 Pearl Street serves Early Childhood through Middle School; Upper School is located at 116 Lawrence Street.
Location
Midway between New York City and The Hamptons, Harrow New York sits on a waterfront campus in Oakdale, New York. The Bourne Mansion is the central building on the campus. It is located at 500 Montauk Highway, Oakdale, NY 11769, United States, with travel options including a 1 hr 25 min train ride from Penn Station via Oakdale LIRR Station (1.5 miles from campus) and driving times of about 15 minutes to Long Island MacArthur Airport, 45 minutes to JFK, and 50 minutes to LaGuardia.
Stages
Stages
Early Childhood; Grades K-1; Grades 2-4; Grades 5-8; Grades 9-12
Dedicated EAL/ELL support; MYP English Language Acquisition; IB Diploma Programme English B.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
United States
Country affiliation
Affiliated with Harrow School as part of the Harrow Family of Schools.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Quaker (Religious Society of Friends)
Religious affiliation
—
School day structure
School day structure
—
School day structure
—
Bus service details
Bus service details
Private bus service on select routes; $4,200 per child for the school year
Bus service details
—
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Annual tuition (2026–27) — by program - Grades K–12 (Day school): USD 65,575. - Early Childhood (2s): Half Day (9:00–11:50 a.m.) USD 31,630; Full Day (9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) USD 47,050. - Early Childhood (3s): Half Day (9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) USD 35,150; Full Day (9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) USD 49,750. - Early Childhood (4s, full day): USD 57,660.
Application fees and how they are collected - A non-refundable application fee is required at the time of application; the application is submitted through the school's online application system (Ravenna) and the fee is collected as part of that process.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Families contract for the full academic year via an enrollment contract and must submit the signed contract together with the required enrollment deposit to reserve a place; the enrollment deposit is non-refundable. - The school provides payment-plan options administered through a tuition-management vendor (TADS). Families select a plan on their enrollment agreement; specific installment schedules and due dates are set on the enrollment contract and by the Business Office. - Typical plan structures available through the tuition-management vendor include payment-in-full, two large installments, or multi-month installment plans; the vendor withdraws payments on scheduled dates and invoices detail the chosen plan. The Business Office will notify families of the available plan options and exact due dates on the enrollment materials.
Payment methods and fees - Payments are processed via the school's tuition-management service (TADS). Accepted methods include ACH/bank transfer, paper check or money order, and credit card (Major cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) when enabled for a given family account. A convenience fee applies for credit-card payments as set by the tuition-management vendor.
Boarding fees - Brooklyn Friends School is a day school; boarding is not offered. There are no boarding fees.
Other costs and typical additional fees - Lunch: Lunch service is included in the tuition for Grades K–12. - Extended Day / Afterschool (BFX) and specialty after-school offerings: these programs require separate registration and additional fees; the Extended Day program (BFX) is billed separately and fees vary by schedule (examples from a recent BFX session show per-day pricing for terms). Expect separate term- or session-based charges for after-school Xplorations and specialty classes. - Summer programs and camp carry separate charges and deposits distinct from the school-year tuition. - Athletics: team uniforms are provided on loan with a deposit; the deposit is returned when the uniform is returned or carried over to the next season; failure to return a uniform may result in forfeiture of that deposit. Additional team or trip-specific fees may apply for some competitive and out-of-town activities. - Materials, special trips, or course-specific fees: while regular co-curricular activities, student books, field trips, technology, supplies, facilities and (K–12) lunch are covered in tuition, certain out-of-town trips, optional programs, and some outside vendors or specialty activities may assess separate fees. Expect incidental program charges to be billed separately when applicable.
Refund information and withdrawal - Enrollment deposit: the enrollment deposit required to reserve a place is non-refundable. Families who wish to reverse their enrollment decision must follow the contract's specified cancellation window; if cancellation occurs by the contract's deadline they will not be obligated for additional tuition beyond the non-refundable deposit. After the contract cancellation deadline, families are typically obligated for the full year's tuition regardless of attendance. - Tuition Insurance and partial refunds: the school maintains an arrangement with an external tuition-insurance provider (A.W.G. Dewar, Inc.) to provide a partial refund of tuition if a student withdraws after the school year has begun; families should review the tuition-insurance plan details and enrollment options if they wish coverage for withdrawals.
Summary of practical items for parents - Annual tuition amounts (2026–27) are listed above for each program; billing and installment details are set on the enrollment contract and administered through the school's tuition-management vendor. - Expect separate, additional charges for Extended Day/BFX, afterschool specialty classes, summer programs, some out-of-town trips, and certain athletics/team items. Athletic uniform handling is deposit-based per season.
(End of fees overview)
Fee details
Application fees
- Non‑refundable admissions application fee: applicants pay a non‑refundable application fee via the online applicant portal when submitting the application. - Financial aid application fee (third‑party platform): USD 60.
Tuition fees (by academic year and attendance type)
- Items included in published tuition: meals, textbooks and standard co‑curricular activities.
Tuition per term (academic structure and simple division)
- The school operates an academic calendar with named terms (for example Winter Term), consistent with a three‑term academic year. Using a three‑term division, the 2026–27 per‑term amounts are as follows (annual tuition divided by three): - Day student: USD 16,848 per term (USD 50,544 ÷ 3). - 5‑day boarding: USD 24,000 per term (USD 72,000 ÷ 3). - 7‑day boarding: USD 25,625 per term (USD 76,875 ÷ 3).
Additional mandatory fees and deposits
- Annual incidental fees (mandatory): USD 1,875 per year. Items listed under this fee category include: technology, required excursions, Parents Association, academic enrichment and Harrow hat. - Boarding fees (incidental charge): USD 425 (covers boarding deposits/security deposit and personal expenses, laundry, transportation, weekend activities). - Dormitory damage deposit: refundable after end‑of‑year inspection if no chargeable damage is found. - Enrollment deposit: 10% of the published tuition; this 10% Enrollment Deposit is applied to the tuition account for the 2026–2027 school year. - Onboarding fee for new students: USD 250 (one‑time). - Administrative fee for the 10‑month tuition payment plan: USD 150.
Boarding fees (summary by boarding option)
- 5‑day boarding (annual): USD 72,000 for 2026–27. This amount covers full 5‑day boarding tuition and is separate from the Boarding Fees incidental charge (USD 425). Meals, standard co‑curriculars and textbooks are included in tuition. - 7‑day boarding (annual): USD 76,875 for 2026–27. This amount covers full 7‑day boarding tuition and is separate from the Boarding Fees incidental charge (USD 425). Meals, standard co‑curriculars and textbooks are included in tuition.
Other costs or fees
- Uniforms and Harrow hat: the Harrow hat is listed under the Annual Incidental Fees; other uniform items are part of the school's uniform policy but specific uniform‑purchase prices are not published in the school's public fee summary. - Excursions, technology and specified academic enrichment are covered by the Annual Incidental Fees; premium or optional trips, tournaments, some specialised activities or personal expenses may incur extra charges beyond the incidental fee.
Refund information
- The dormitory damage deposit is refundable after a satisfactory end‑of‑year inspection. - The school states that the admissions application fee is non‑refundable when paid at application submission.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Enrollment deposit: 10% of tuition is required as an enrollment deposit and is credited to the student's tuition account for the academic year referenced. - Payment plan: a 10‑month tuition payment plan is offered (administrative fee USD 150). The administrative fee is charged in association with that plan. - The school publishes an academic calendar with named terms that is used for scheduling and billing cycles; per‑term billing for parents can be calculated by dividing the annual tuition by the number of academic terms.
Fee payment options
- Applications and fee transactions are processed through the school's online applicant portal. The school also uses third‑party platforms for financial aid submissions. Specific accepted payment instruments (credit card, bank transfer/wire, ACH, check) are handled via the school's payment and tuition management processes; specific publicly posted lists of accepted payment instruments are not provided in the school's public fee summary.
Brief notes on items not published in the public fee summary
- The exact dollar amount of the general admissions application fee (the non‑refundable application fee collected in the applicant portal) is not published on the publicly accessible admissions pages. - Detailed billing calendar dates, full payment schedule options (single payment vs. multiple plans beyond the referenced 10‑month plan), specific late‑payment penalties, and a comprehensive tuition refund/withdrawal policy are not provided in the school's public tuition and admissions pages. The dormitory damage deposit is explicitly described as refundable after inspection.
(End of fees overview.)
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
—
Boarding arrangements
—
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
—
Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
—
Food options
—
House system
House system
—
House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
—
Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Brooklyn Friends School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for grades 11 and 12. Students take IB courses across six subject areas: English, World Languages (French and Spanish), History, Sciences, Mathematics, and Arts. Diploma students complete core requirements: Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and Creativity, Activity and Service. Students may follow the Diploma pathway or take IB courses for individual credit, with many combining IB coursework with BFS classes. The program runs over two years (11th and 12th grades) and emphasizes critical thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration; the Diploma is held in high regard by colleges and universities.
Curriculum details
The curriculum combines British, American, and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme curricula. Harrow New York is an IB Candidate School for the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme. The school offers Pre Shell (Grade 6), Shell (Grades 7–8), Remove & Fifth (Grades 9–10), and Sixth Form (Grades 11–12). Upon graduation, students receive the International Baccalaureate Diploma and a Harrow International School New York Diploma, a New York State High School Diploma. Three competencies—digital, social, and cognitive—shape learning and how students apply knowledge in the real world. All lessons and examinations are conducted in English, with the exception of modern and classical languages.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Small class sizes.
Student teacher ratio
—
Exam results
Exam results
—
Exam results
—
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Graduates have been admitted to prestigious colleges and universities in the United States and around the world.
Higher education progression
Nearly all students progress to university after completing the IB Diploma. University Counselors provide bespoke guidance to help students apply to top universities. The Careers program supports understanding of the world of work and planning beyond Harrow New York.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
A customized Upper School program within the IB Diploma Programme allows tailoring of the course load across six IB subject areas and core requirements. Students can pursue the full IB Diploma or take IB courses alongside BFS credits.
Gifted and talented
Harrow New York offers a Super-Curriculum that expands the academic program beyond examinations, focusing on research skills and the ability to debate, communicate confidently, solve problems, and think critically and creatively. The Super-Curriculum includes wide and habitual reading, extended project work, debate, public speaking, research, competitions, lectures, study trips and our extensive program of student-led societies. It also includes an Electives program taught through university-style seminars to foster independent, enquiry-led learning from the outset.
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
—
Academic calendar
—
Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
—
Social & emotional learning
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
—
English as an additional language
—
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
—
Mental wellbeing
—
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
—
Safeguarding policy
—
Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
—
Facilities overview
—
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
—
Sports facilities
—
Academic facilities
Academic facilities
—
Academic facilities
—
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
—
Extra curricular facilities
—
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
—
History
—
Community
Community
—
Community
—
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
—
Parent teacher association
—
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
—
Academic & intellectual
—
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
—
Arts & creative
—
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
—
Cultural & language
—
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
—
Social & hobbies
—
Community & service
Community & service
—
Community & service
—
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
—
Leadership & professional
—
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
—
Lifestyle & wellbeing
—
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
—
Language provision
—
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
—
Bilingual teaching
—
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
—
Immersion programs
—
Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
—
Awards
—
Accreditations
Accreditations
—
Accreditations
—
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
The school serves students from two years old through 12th grade. The first step in applying is to visit Ravenna, submit a preliminary application, and schedule a visit. Apply By Grade sections are available for Early Childhood (2s, 3s, & 4s); Grades K-1; Grades 2-4; Grades 5-8; Grades 9-12. The Enrollment Team includes Julia Friedman (Assistant Director of Admissions, 2s–1st Grade) & Enrollment Systems Manager; Beth Horboychuk (Assistant Director of Admissions, 1st–6th Grades); Tristan Kishonis (Associate Director of Enrollment Management & Upper School Admissions & Marketing); Jamie Pine (Director of Enrollment Management). Main Building 375 Pearl Street Brooklyn, NY 11201; Upper School 116 Lawrence Street. The school enrolls students of any race, color, national origin, or ethnicity to all rights and privileges generally accorded to students, and does not discriminate in its admissions, policies, scholarship programs, or athletic programs on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, national origin, or ethnicity.
Admissions
Step 1. Application: Families submit the application form via the applicant portal, pay the non-refundable application fee, and submit the required supporting documents. They upload three years of transcripts and the current year through the applicant portal, and request two recent teacher recommendations from their current school. Grade placement is determined by the School using the student's date of birth, grade-appropriate social preparedness, academic history, and results of the admissions assessments.
Step 2. Interaction: Connection Call is an optional 20-minute private video meeting with the Admissions Team, including the Director of Admissions, arranged online through the applicant portal. A Campus Tour is offered through virtual and on-campus events; on the Harrow Test day a campus tour is included. For overseas or long-distance applicants who cannot travel to New York, the admissions assessment and interviews may be conducted remotely via video conferencing.
Step 3. Review & Decision: The Admissions Committee and the Principal review the applicant's assessments, school records, interview results, proper grade placement, and residency status to make the admissions decision. Once all requirements are fulfilled, families are notified of the decision typically within two weeks of completing the file, and admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. All lessons and examinations are conducted in English, with exceptions for modern and classical languages; for non-native English speakers, evidence of English language ability is required, with potential support through English as an Additional Language (EAL) if needed.
Step 4. Rolling Admissions: Applications are being accepted for Grades 6-10 for the 2026-2027 academic year and for Grades 6-9 for the 2025-2026 founding year; Grades 11-12 will open in subsequent years. The school operates on a rolling admissions basis and encourages prompt applications due to limited spaces.
Step 5. Financial Aid: If applying for financial aid, submit all PFS (Parent Financial Statement) forms via the School's financial aid platform; there is a $60 financial aid application fee. The Financial Aid Committee reviews materials promptly, with aid decisions based on demonstrated need and the availability of funds. Financial aid is need-based and awarded in relation to need and funds; most aid is allocated early, and any rolling admissions awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis with remaining funds.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Financial aid is available based on need. An admissions acceptance does not guarantee a grant. If eligible, a member of the New York Quarterly Meeting may apply for aid through the New York Quarterly Education Fund.
Scholarships
Pioneer's Scholarship: A two-year award recognizing families joining Harrow New York in its formative years. Open to all new day and boarding students entering Grades 6-10 in September 2026. Value: $15,000 reduction in base annual tuition per year for two consecutive academic years (total award $30,000). Automatic Award: Automatically applied upon acceptance and enrollment—no separate application is required, and the scholarship is reflected as a Pioneer's Scholarship credit on the tuition invoice. Renewal Terms: Renewable for the second year (2027-2028) provided the student remains in good academic and disciplinary standing. Financial Aid Note: The Pioneer's Scholarship does not disqualify eligible families from applying for or receiving additional need-based financial aid; financial aid is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Enrollment Cut-off: This scholarship is limited to students who enroll for the 2026-2027 school year. Most families joining in Fall 2026 may also pursue need-based aid, with awards determined by need and funds available.
In addition to the Pioneer Scholarship, financial aid for need-based support is offered. Financial aid is awarded based on need and availability of funds, with most aid allocated early in the process; any additional awards for rolling admissions follow a first-come, first-served basis.