EF Academy New York vs The École

	E EF Academy New York New York, United States	T The École New York, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $43,700 - 76,600	Fees / year $41,000 - 50,500
Age range	Age range 14 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP)	Curriculum French Curriculum, American Curriculum, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 290	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language French, English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 2009
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Thornwood, Westchester County, New York, USA. The campus sits on 97 acres in a suburban setting, a short train ride from downtown Manhattan.	Location The École is in New York City's Flatiron District, with two campuses a short distance apart. The Maternelle Building is at 206 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010. The Elementary & Middle School Building is at 115 East 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010. The campus is easily accessible by foot or bike, and a city bus service is available for eligible grades.
Stages	Stages High school. Students graduate with a U.S. high school diploma; the program also offers the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or IB/AP courses.	Stages Maternelle (Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten), Elementary (1st to 5th), Middle School (6th to 8th), High School (9th to 12th); Léman High School with The École offers a French-American bilingual IB curriculum.
School type	School type Private boarding high school in New York. On-campus boarding is available; day students are also accepted.	School type Independent, French-American bilingual day school that teaches in French and English.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix 60+ nationalities represented.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Counseling Department includes a school counselor and a French psychologist; Educational Support Team (EST) provides assessments and interventions; STRIVE Department delivers differentiated instruction with both push-in and pull-out support, including support for newcomers to English or French.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation International	Country affiliation France (fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education and a member of the AEFE network; affiliated with Mission Laïque Française).
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure EF Academy New York operates a mixed day- and boarding-school model. Local students may enroll as day students or board five days a week with weekends at home.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details A weekend shuttle operates from campus to Pleasantville train station, from which trains go to Manhattan and other destinations.	Bus service details Yellow School Bus is available for Kindergarten to 6th Grade; the service is provided by the City of New York and serves downtown, the Upper East Side, and the Upper West Side; OMNYCards are provided for eligible students living more than 0.5 miles from the Elementary & Middle School Building. Bus inquiries: bus@theEcole.org.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application & Enrollment fees - Application fee: USD 75. - Enrollment (one‑time) fee: USD 700. - Refundable security deposit: USD 1,000. Annual tuition and boarding — fees by student type - Full seven‑day boarding (annual): Tuition USD 47,200 + Boarding fee USD 29,400 = Total USD 76,600. - Five‑day (weekly) boarding (annual): USD 68,700. Student Life & Activities fee for weekly boarders: USD 3,900/year. - Day student (annual): USD 43,700. Student Life & Activities fee for day students: USD 3,500/year. Per‑term items and room upgrades - Annual charges are invoiced; room upgrade (single room or other upgrade) is charged in addition and is billed per term where applicable (example: single‑room upgrade listed as USD 2,000 per term in published fee inserts). - Examination and some optional items may be billed per term or locked after course add/drop deadlines; invoices will show exact per‑term installments. Mandatory Student Life & Activities fee and exam fees - Student Life & Activities (mandatory): amounts vary by student type (examples published: Full boarding USD 4,900/year; 5‑day boarding USD 3,900/year; Day students USD 3,500/year). - Exam fees (applied depending on course selection): IB Diploma fee (example published) USD 895; IB Certificates USD 495; Advanced Placement (AP) exams incur an additional fee. Exam fees depend on actual exams taken and are charged accordingly. What is included in tuition and boarding (cost items) - Included in tuition: academic support and tutoring, university advising, English language support, materials and books, school‑related apps/tech support, and specified domestic immersion trips. - Included in boarding: airport transfers at start of term, standard shared rooming, Welcome Days, weekend activities and transportation (entrance fees/tickets may not be included), laundry card, and meals (weekday meals and weekend brunch/dinner as applicable by boarding option). - Travel insurance: group travel/medical insurance coverage is included for non‑US/Canadian residents; US and Canadian residents are required to provide their own evidence of adequate insurance. Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoices are issued ahead of each academic year; the invoice sets the instalment amounts and deadlines. By paying the First Installment a place is secured and the family becomes responsible for the full cost of tuition subject to the school's cancellation/refund provisions. - Methods of payment: payments can be made via the school's payment partner (Flywire) or by bank transfer; bank charges for sending/receiving banks are payable by the sender and may be applied to the student's account. - Payment timing for new students: an initial deposit/first instalment is payable immediately upon admission; each student receives an individual payment schedule with the initial invoice, and final balances are required by the deadline on the invoice (continuing‑student guidance shows 50% of program fee due as part of securing a place and final balances due by June 30 in the calendar year of course start in published agreement examples). Late fees and additional charges apply where invoices are not paid by their due dates. Refunds, cancellations and withdrawals - Cancellation and refund rules are applied according to the school's published cancellation schedule and the date the written cancellation notice is received. The school's standard terms state that: cancellations made well before the start of the course may receive full or partial refunds (subject to specified non‑refundable fees); cancellations closer to arrival will incur larger retention amounts; withdrawals after the course start are generally charged the full annual tuition and mandatory fees; expulsion results in no refund. The school's enrollment agreement defines the exact timelines, monetary amounts, and forfeiture rules. Other costs and typical extras - Refundable security deposit (USD 1,000) to cover potential damage. - Optional/occasional extras that may be charged separately: entrance fees or tickets for certain weekend activities, some off‑campus trips, certain elective program supplements, AP exam fees when applicable, and room upgrades. - Uniform: there is no formal uniform requirement for students; therefore no standard uniform fee is charged. Important notes about payments and penalties - Application and enrollment fees are one‑time fees and are non‑refundable. - If fees become overdue the school may suspend or cancel enrollment and apply late fees; outstanding financial obligations can affect a student's ability to remain on campus. Summary of the most common numeric items (USD) - Tuition (example full boarding split): Tuition USD 47,200; Boarding fee USD 29,400; Total USD 76,600. - Weekly boarding: USD 68,700; Day student tuition: USD 43,700. - Mandatory Student Life & Activities fee: USD 3,500–4,900 depending on student type. - Application fee USD 75; Enrollment fee USD 700; Refundable security deposit USD 1,000. If you need a precise instalment amount or an exact invoice schedule for a specific enrolment date or student type, that instalment information is provided on the individual invoice and in the school's enrollment agreement and payment schedule documents.	Fee details Application fees and one-time enrollment fees - Application fee: USD 300 per application. - One-time Enrollment Fee (first year only): - Pre-Nursery and Nursery: USD 1,000. - Pre-K to 8th Grade: USD 3,500. - Tuition deposit: USD 5,500 required at the time of enrollment or re-enrollment; this deposit is non-refundable and will be deducted from the overall tuition. Tuition fees by year group (annual) - Pre-Nursery and Nursery (full-year, full-day program): Tuition USD 46,500 per year. - Pre-K through 8th Grade (full-year, full-day program): Tuition USD 50,500 per year. Per-term / per-installment equivalents (by year group) - Two equal installments (each installment = 50% of the annual tuition): - Pre-Nursery and Nursery: USD 23,250 per installment. - Pre-K to 8th Grade: USD 25,250 per installment. - Nine monthly installments (payments due monthly via FACTS): - Pre-Nursery and Nursery: gross installment ≈ USD 5,166.67 per month (9 payments). Note: the USD 5,500 deposit is deducted from the overall tuition when calculating the balance due. - Pre-K to 8th Grade: gross installment ≈ USD 5,611.11 per month (9 payments). Note: the USD 5,500 deposit is deducted from the overall tuition when calculating the balance due. - Payment in full (single payment) – early payment discount: - A USD 500 reduction in tuition is applied when full payment is made by the early deadline. Example amounts before deposit consideration: - Pre-Nursery and Nursery: USD 46,000 if paid in full by the early payment deadline. - Pre-K to 8th Grade: USD 50,000 if paid in full by the early payment deadline. - The USD 500 reduction is not available to recipients of financial assistance and does not apply when an employer is responsible for payment. Billing schedule and payment terms - Enrollment window referenced for the schedule: enrollment before April 30 (for the 2026–2027 schedule shown). The tuition-deposit is required at the time of enrollment or re-enrollment. - Payment-in-full option: single electronic payment due before the early-payment deadline (May 1). A USD 500 discount applies when paid by that date (subject to the exceptions above). - Two-installment option: first installment due before May 1; second installment due before October 1. Each installment equals 50% of the total amount due. - Nine-month plan via FACTS: payments due on the 1st of each month, beginning April 1 and ending December 1 (nine payments). - Mid-year arrivals: prorated tuition rules apply and must be paid in full before the student's start date: - Students beginning between December 15 and April 1: prorated tuition = two-thirds (2/3) of the full-year tuition, in addition to the one-time enrollment and application fees. Examples: Pre-Nursery & Nursery 2/3 = USD 31,000; Pre-K–8 2/3 ≈ USD 33,667. - Students beginning after April 1: prorated tuition = one-third (1/3) of the full-year tuition, in addition to the one-time enrollment and application fees. Examples: Pre-Nursery & Nursery 1/3 = USD 15,500; Pre-K–8 1/3 ≈ USD 16,833. Boarding fees - The École operates as an independent day school for Maternelle through Middle School in New York City; no boarding program or boarding fees are listed. Other costs and optional fees - Lunch program: The school's hot lunch program is provided by Little Green Gourmets; participation and pricing for hot lunch are arranged directly with that provider. Lunch program fees are not included in the standard tuition figures above. - Uniforms: All uniform items must be purchased from the school's designated retailer, Untold Horizons; a Uniform Guide is provided by the school. Uniform purchase costs are separate from tuition. - After-school activities, overnight field trips, and Camp activities: these are additional to the tuition and invoiced separately; some families may opt into a bundled “Global Tuition” that can include some of these options. Specific prices for after-school classes, trips, and camps are itemized separately from core tuition. - Transportation, specialty programs, supplies, or optional services where applicable may incur additional charges; these are not included in the base tuition figures above. Refund information - The USD 5,500 tuition deposit is explicitly stated as non-refundable and will be deducted from the overall tuition. No other explicit refund policy for withdrawals or mid-year departures is provided in the published tuition schedule. Mid-year arrivals are required to pay prorated tuition in full before their start date. Fee payment options (methods and platforms) - Payments may be made by electronic payment directly to The École for single or two-installment payments. FACTS is used for the nine-month payment plan (monthly installments). The early-payment reduction applies to electronic payments made by the early deadline. Specific payment instruments (for example, exact credit card or bank transfer acceptance) are handled through the school's electronic payment processes and through FACTS. Brief note on information gaps found - The published schedule provides clear annual tuition figures, enrollment/application fees, the USD 5,500 non-refundable deposit, payment schedules (dates and installment structure), the early-payment discount, and mid-year proration rules. Exact prices for uniforms, lunch, after-school activities, overnight field trips, and camp activities are not listed in the tuition schedule and are shown as separate costs (uniform vendor and lunch provider are identified). No additional refund/withdrawal policy beyond the non-refundable deposit is published on the tuition page.
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 EF Academy New York awards a U.S. high school diploma, with the option to pursue the full International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme or select individual IB or Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Learners tailor their schedules with IB and/or AP courses aligned to their goals and strengths. Advisors help each student design a personalized pathway to graduation, supported by daily mentorship and a 24/7 care team. Classes emphasize immersive, student-centered learning with hands-on projects and field studies in smaller groups. The campus welcomes a global community of 60+ nationalities on a 97-acre setting near New York City, and offers opportunities such as the Nobel Prize Museum partnership to broaden experiences.	Curriculum details The École is an independent French-American bilingual school serving students aged 2 to 14 in New York City's Flatiron District. It offers a bilingual curriculum in French and English for preschool through middle school. The program develops bi-literate, bi-cultural thinkers who see the world from two perspectives. In 2022, a high school track was opened in partnership with Léman High School, offering a French-American bilingual IB curriculum for graduates and French-speaking middle-school students. There are two classes per grade from 1st through 8th grade, and in 2025 the Elementary & Middle School Building moved to 115 East 22nd Street.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression One-to-one university counseling helps students gain admission to universities, and customized counseling supports the admissions process as students prepare their applications. Daily mentorship and university counselors guide students through planning for higher education.	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented Advisors tailor a personalized academic plan for each student based on talents and strengths, helping set growth goals and select courses and co-curricular activities.	Gifted and talented —
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 EF Academy New York uses English in all programs. English level should be appropriate for the student's grade and program; fluency is not required, but English proficiency is demonstrated. For international applicants, English listening, reading, writing, and speaking are tested and a personal interview is conducted to place students on the right track. If English support is needed, the EF Academy Preparation Program is available for students entering 9th or 10th grade to accelerate language development. How to apply provides the steps to apply to EF Academy New York. There are three enrollment options: full boarding, weekly boarding, or day student. Tuition, fees, and scholarships are described under Tuition, Fees, & Scholarships. There are upcoming deadlines: November 14: Early admissions applications due; November 21: All early admissions recommendations and transcripts due; November 26: Recommendations and transcripts, including progress reports; December 5: Early admissions decisions announced; December 12: Early admissions deadline to enroll with early enrollment discount of $1,000; January 8: Application deadline for regular decision admissions and EF Academy Community Scholarships; January 17: Recommendations and transcripts including semester 1 reports; February 20: Regular admissions decisions announced; March 12: Parent reply and enrollment deadline for Fall 2026. A visa can be arranged with assistance if needed; take a virtual tour or visit the campus.	Admissions A simple admission process with three steps for all grades: 1. an Open House for parents, 2) an online application, and 3) an invitation for the whole family to meet the head of school. If you wish to apply for financial assistance, consult the Financial Assistance information. Maternelle age requirements for the 2026-2027 school year: Pre-Nursery two years old by September 1, 2026; Nursery three by December 31, 2026; Pre-Kindergarten four by December 31, 2026; Kindergarten five by December 31, 2026; from Nursery onward, potty-training is required before the first day of school. Required documents for online application: a copy of your child's birth certificate, a copy of your child's passport, a copy of your child's visa (if applicable), a picture of your child, report cards, and a confidential recommendation form completed by your child's current teacher. Admissions Calendar highlights: Quick Acceptance Applications from September 2025 to December 31, 2025 (decision in less than two weeks; if accepted, one week to sign the contract and pay the deposit); Standard Applications from September 2025 to January 11, 2026 (open houses encouraged; deadline to submit complete application January 11, 2026; decision notice February 2, 2026; deadline to sign the contract and pay the deposit February 9, 2026); If accepted but you prefer to wait, the child will be placed on a waiting list with the seat guaranteed only after the enrollment agreement and tuition deposit are paid; Late Applications after January 11, 2026 are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis; if spaces remain, you will be invited to a family interview; depending on the grade, the child may be accepted or placed on the waiting list; if accepted, three days to accept (sign enrollment agreement and pay tuition deposit); if on the waiting list, an enrollment agreement will be sent as soon as a seat becomes available. Language requirements: 1st through 8th Grade students must speak French. Start the online application by creating an account in the online tool and submitting the required documents.
Scholarships	Scholarships Merit-based scholarships range from $1,500 to $15,000, subject to availability. EF Academy offers merit scholarships and need-based financial aid to help make an EF Academy education possible. All merit scholarship and financial aid applications must be submitted with the completed application for admission. Terms and conditions apply.	Scholarships Financial Assistance: For 2026-2027, The École will allocate $2 million to enable more students to benefit from the dual French-American curriculum. The amount awarded is based on demonstrated financial need, and both financial need and academic excellence are considered for Middle School applicants. About 20% of families receive financial assistance. Financial assistance is open to all families and can complement grants provided to French citizens attending French-government-accredited schools through the French Consulate in New York. The need assessment is processed through NAIS School & Student Services; applicants must submit via the family portal using the school code and pay a submission fee. Third-party payments do not affect eligibility, and families enrolled for less than two years are not eligible to apply until after enrollment. French citizens may also apply for a bourse through the French Consulate; applicants must be registered with the Consulate and meet with its Social Services. For help with the process, contact Mireille Desalm, Director of Admissions.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist If your child is accepted and you prefer to wait before enrolling, they will be placed on a waiting list; their seat will be guaranteed only when the enrollment agreement and tuition deposit have been paid. After January 11, 2026, late applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis; if accepted, you will be invited to a family interview; depending on the grade, the child may be accepted or placed on the waiting list. If accepted, you will have three days to sign the enrollment agreement and pay the tuition deposit; if placed on the waiting list, an enrollment agreement will be sent as soon as a seat becomes available.
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