The British International School of New York vs United Nations International School

	T The British International School of New York New York, United States	U United Nations International School New York, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $44,250 - 66,900	Fees / year $48,456 - 53,767
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 300	Pupils 1,450
Typical class size	Typical class size 14	Typical class size 19
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2006	Opened 1947
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Located at 20 Waterside Plaza, Manhattan, NY 10010, BIS-NY sits in the Kips Bay neighborhood on Manhattan's East Side, alongside the East River. Access is via 23rd Street, and the campus is near Gramercy Park, Murray Hill and Stuyvesant Town. The riverfront setting provides a calm, light filled environment with open views and space to breathe, and many families reach BIS-NY from Long Island City and Greenpoint.	Location New York, United States. Campus: 24-50 FDR Drive, New York, NY 10010-4046.
Stages	Stages Early Years (2.9 – 5 years); Lower School (5–11 years); Middle School (11–14 years); Upper School (14–18 years).	Stages Pre-K through 12th grade (PreK-12).
School type	School type The school is a private international day school in New York for students aged 3 to 18.	School type Day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Over 40 nationalities represented across BIS-NY.	Pupil nationality mix 97 countries are represented by UNIS students.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school has a dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) team and EAL specialists; a full-time Nurse and a School Counselor support student wellbeing.	Additional learning support The UNIS Student Support Team provides assistance to UNIS students and families from Pre-K through 12, including social, emotional, health and wellness support, learning support, and college preparation.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation British/UK curriculum (English National Curriculum).	Country affiliation Affiliation with the United Nations.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Drop-off begins at 8:15 am; a full-day program ends at 3:30 pm, with late care until 5:30 pm. Nursery offers full-day or half-day schedules, with half-day ending at 12:30 pm including lunch.	School day structure Junior School begins around 8:30 a.m. with homeroom at 8:45 a.m.; JA pick-up is at 2:55 p.m.; Tutorial House ends around 2:50 p.m., with some courses meeting until 4:10 p.m.; lunch lasts about 30–60 minutes and there are scheduled recess periods.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details There are free NYC school buses for students in kindergarten through sixth grade who live within five miles of the school; private buses may be arranged by parents; UNIS students may also receive MetroCards.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Academic year covered - The fees and payment terms below correspond to the school's published tuition and fees schedule for the 2025/26 academic year. Application and admissions fees - Application Fee: USD 125, payable at the time of application. - New Student Enrollment Fee (one-time, non-refundable): USD 2,500, payable upon enrollment for all new students. Annual tuition by year group (full-year amounts) - Nursery (3s program, full year, 5 days/week): USD 44,250. - Reception (Pre-K / 4-year-olds, full year, 5 days/week): USD 49,500. - Primary & Middle School (Year 1 – Year 9): USD 64,750. - Upper School (Year 10 – Year 13): USD 65,800. Mandatory trip / excursion fees - Excursion Week (Years 7–9 only, mandatory): Year 7 fee USD 1,900; Years 8 & 9 fee USD 2,150. These amounts are subject to change based on actual trip costs; installment schedule below applies. Payment schedule, deposits and instalment options - Amounts due on enrollment (new students): - New Student Enrollment Fee (one-time, non-refundable): USD 2,500. - Tuition Deposit (non-refundable): Nursery & Reception: USD 3,500; Years 1–9: USD 3,500; Years 10–13: USD 6,000. The tuition deposit is applied against the full-year tuition and is non-refundable. - Remaining tuition balance (examples shown as amounts due under the single-instalment option): - Nursery: Balance due USD 40,750. - Reception: Balance due USD 46,000. - Years 1–9: Balance due USD 58,750. - Years 10–13: Balance due USD 59,800. - Two-installment option (balance divided 70% / 30%): - 70% of the balance due May 1, 2025; 30% of the balance due December 15, 2025. Example amounts (balance portion only): - Nursery: 70% = USD 28,525; 30% = USD 12,225. - Reception: 70% = USD 32,200; 30% = USD 13,800. - Years 1–9: 70% = USD 41,125; 30% = USD 17,625. - Years 10–13: 70% = USD 41,860; 30% = USD 17,940. - Ten-installment option (monthly): ten equal installments covering the balance; the published example monthly amounts are: - Nursery: USD 4,075 per month. - Reception: USD 4,600 per month. - Years 1–9: USD 5,875 per month. - Years 10–13: USD 5,980 per month. - Ten-installment timing and requirement: the ten-installment plan runs across the published dates and requires automatic ACH payment setup through the school's payment processor (TADS) as noted on the schedule. - Excursion Week payment timing (Years 7–9): 50% due October 15, 2025 and 50% due March 15, 2026 (subject to change by itinerary). What tuition covers and what it does not cover - Tuition includes: educational materials, lunch, snacks, athletics, extracurricular programs (including school play, set design, athletics, debate) and educational day trips. - Tuition does not cover: school uniforms, private music lessons, after-school activities and late club, residential (overnight) trips for Years 7–13, transportation to/from school, and computing devices for Upper School (BYOD requirement). After-school care is charged separately at USD 23 per hour. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable; the school operates as a day school and no boarding fee schedule is published. Refund and cancellation terms (key points) - New Student Enrollment Fee: one-time and non-refundable. - Tuition Deposit: non-refundable and applied against the year's tuition balance. - Financial aid application processing: the third-party FAST portal charges a USD 60 administrative fee per financial aid application. If the school is unable to meet a family's demonstrated need, the school will refund the application fee. - Pro‑rata for partial-year attendance: published proration is One term = 50% of full-year tuition; Two terms = 75% of full-year tuition. Fees are prorated by term for mid‑year entry or departure only when agreed in advance; this proration does not apply to unplanned withdrawals or non-attendance once a student is enrolled. Late payment, penalties and consequences - A late fee of 1.5% per month is assessed on all past-due invoices by the school's billing agent (TADS). Significantly past-due accounts may result in student withdrawal. Fee payment methods and administrative processing - The school uses TADS for tuition billing and payment management. TADS accepts multiple payment methods including automatic bank withdrawal (ACH), major credit and debit cards, e-checks, and paper checks/money orders depending on the contract and options selected in the TADS tuition agreement. The ten-installment plan specifically requires ACH authorization. Other regular or occasional charges - After-school care: USD 23 per hour (charged separately). - Residential / overnight trip fees (Years 7–13) and private lessons or certain extracurricular items may be charged separately when applicable. Excursion Week charges for Years 7–9 are mandatory and billed as noted above. Contact / billing administration - Billing and financial-aid administration are handled through the school's stated contacts and the TADS/FAST portals as part of the admissions and tuition process. Families may arrange payment plans and employer/third‑party invoicing in coordination with the school's admissions and finance teams.	Fee details Application and acceptance fees - Admissions fee (payable upon acceptance): USD 250. - Tuition pre-payment (payable upon acceptance): USD 1,000. - Security deposit (refundable upon graduation or withdrawal, subject to the school's conditions): USD 300. - One-time New Parent Levy (per new family, payable upon acceptance): USD 3,500. Total payable on acceptance (Admissions fee + Tuition pre-payment + Security deposit + New Parent Levy): USD 5,050. Tuition fees (2026–27) — annual amounts by year group - Junior School (Pre-K through Junior 4 / Grade 4): USD 46,856 per year for each grade in this range. - Middle School - Middle 1 (Grade 5): USD 48,592 per year. - Middle 2 (Grade 6): USD 48,592 per year. - Middle 3 (Grade 7): USD 48,592 per year. - Middle 4 (Grade 8): USD 49,259 per year. - Tutorial House (Grades 9–12) - Tutorial 1 (Grade 9): USD 50,911 per year. - Tutorial 2 (Grade 10): USD 50,911 per year. - Tutorial 3 (Grade 11): USD 51,390 per year. - Tutorial 4 (Grade 12): USD 52,167 per year. Billing schedule and payment terms (2026–27) - Re-enrolling students: a nonrefundable re-enrollment deposit of USD 4,000 is due on March 12, 2026; the balance of tuition is paid in two installments: 70% of the annual tuition due on August 1, 2026, and 30% due on January 1, 2027. - Payable upon acceptance (new enrolments): Admissions Fee (USD 250), Tuition Pre-Payment (USD 1,000), Security Deposit (USD 300), and One-time New Parent Levy (USD 3,500) for a total of USD 5,050 due when the place is accepted. Example installment amounts (70% / 30% split) for 2026–27 (rounded to nearest USD) - Junior School (annual USD 46,856): 70% = USD 32,799; 30% = USD 14,057. - Middle 1–3 (annual USD 48,592): 70% = USD 34,014; 30% = USD 14,578. - Middle 4 (annual USD 49,259): 70% = USD 34,481; 30% = USD 14,778. - Tutorial 1–2 (annual USD 50,911): 70% = USD 35,638; 30% = USD 15,273. - Tutorial 3 (annual USD 51,390): 70% = USD 35,973; 30% = USD 15,417. - Tutorial 4 (annual USD 52,167): 70% = USD 36,517; 30% = USD 15,650. Additional and incidental fees - Capital surcharge: USD 1,400 per child, charged in addition to tuition. - UNIS Parents' Association membership dues: USD 200 per family. - Textbooks and field trips: variable (as required by Middle School and Tutorial House). - 1:1 device assignment insurance deductible deposit (Grades M1 to T4): USD 250 per family; refundable upon return of devices in good condition subject to the school's device-return conditions. - Optional fees (examples): after-school programs, lunches (contracted on an annual basis), private music lessons and instrument rental; these are charged in addition to tuition and other mandatory fees. Boarding - Boarding is not applicable. UNIS is a PreK–12 day school; there are no boarding facilities or boarding fees. Refund information - All payments are generally non‑refundable, with stated exceptions for return of computer devices in good condition and the security deposit upon graduation (or withdrawal where the school's policy allows refund of the security deposit). Specific refund timing and conditions for the New Parent Levy and the Security Deposit are stated in the school's fee policy (examples for prior-year enrollment deadlines are included in the school's terms). Fee payment options - The school provides a Parent Portal (portal access is available for families) for account management. For other electronic payment channels used by the school for financial transactions (including donations), accepted methods include online credit-card payments, electronic funds transfer, Venmo, checks, phone payments, and securities transfer where applicable. (These electronic and check/EFT channels are used by the school for institutional payments and giving transactions.)
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements The school is a day school; there is no boarding.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Lower School and Middle School wear a formal uniform; Upper School follows a smart dress code. The official supplier is Lands' End, BIS-NY provides house-color ties and swim caps, and house colors are Shakespeare (Blue), Glennie (White), and King (Red).	Uniform requirement Uniforms are not worn at UNIS; students dress in neat and clean attire.
Food options	Food options Healthy, fresh meals are prepared onsite daily by the Elior team; lunch is provided for all BIS-NY students and includes hot entrées, vegetarian options, soups, sandwiches, fruits and vegetables, and a Friday dessert. All meals are nut-free and hormone- and antibiotic-free and include a healthy morning snack.	Food options UNIS offers a dining program through Elior Independent School Dining. Dining plans are 100% optional and available for students in grades J1 through Tutorial 4. UNIS is allergy aware.
House system	House system The school has a house system with Shakespeare (Blue), Glennie (White), and King (Red). Nursery and Reception wear red polos.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership BIS-NY is part of Affinitas, a global family of bilingual and international schools. Affinitas supports growth and provides access to a wider community of educators and best practices while preserving BIS-NY's identity.	Governance and ownership UNIS is a not-for-profit organization under U.S. law and is chartered by the New York Regents to provide an international education for UN-affiliated families and other families seeking a similar education. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the mission and policies of UNIS and is composed of eighteen Trustees; members are appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations and regulated by UNIS By-Laws. The School recognizes Honorary Trustees from UNIS, the United Nations and UN member states and observers.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Early Years combines the UK Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. Lower School uses the English National Curriculum taught within the IB framework. Middle School provides IB-based inquiry alongside preparation for IGCSE. Upper School follows the Cambridge IGCSE and A Level programmes. The overall curriculum blends the English National Curriculum with IB approaches in the Lower and Middle Schools and Cambridge qualifications in the Upper School.	Curriculum details The UNIS curriculum is a Pre-K-12 International Baccalaureate program. The school is accredited by the International Baccalaureate, the Council of Independent Schools, and the New York State Association of Independent Schools. The UNIS curriculum aligns to Common Core Math Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards, NY Next Generation ELA standards, and British Columbia Social Studies Standards. UNIS is a founding IB school, and the IB learner profile is reflected in UNIS's approach to learning.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Small class sizes and small student-teacher ratios. Form teachers, division leaders and specialist staff provide personalised attention.	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates have gained places at leading institutions around the world since the first graduating class in 2021. Cambridge qualifications are accepted by more than 880 universities in the United States (including all Ivy League and Ivy Plus institutions) and by every UK university, with strong A Level results often earning up to one year of university credit. Merit scholarships total over $2 million each year.	Higher education progression Graduates attend colleges and universities across the United States and in many other nations. UNIS students apply to and enroll at universities in ten or more countries. The College Counseling Office provides a structured program with events such as the UNIS College Fair, which hosts over 150 colleges, and a College Counseling Timeline to guide students through the process.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school places wellbeing at the center of its approach with a Welcoming, Connected Community. From day one, families are supported to feel at home through activities and a warm community. The school fosters Respect, Inclusion and Every Child Feeling Seen, drawing on a diverse community of over 40 nationalities. The small student–teacher ratios, dedicated form teachers, division leaders and specialist staff provide trusted adults who know each child well. Regular communication between families and leadership ensures a transparent, supportive environment where students feel safe to speak up and seek help. Daily safeguarding practices are underpinned by the Affinitas Culture of Care to support student wellbeing.	Social & emotional learning The UNIS Student Support Team (SST) provides assistance to Pre-K through 12 students and serves as a liaison with higher education, health and psychological services, educational specialists, and other schools. The program aims to promote students' social, emotional, physical, and intellectual well-being, with a focus on social and emotional competency, general health and wellness, safety and risk prevention, learning support, and college preparation. It supports smooth transitions for families entering UNIS and for students moving between grades and divisions.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school has a dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) team that supports students with diverse needs and helps them access learning. The SEN team collaborates with other staff to provide appropriate support and inclusion across divisions. The EAL specialists and other specialist staff coordinate with the SEN team as part of the overall inclusion approach. The SEN provision sits within BIS-NY's holistic wellbeing framework and safeguarding approach.	Special educational needs (SEN) Learning support is provided to UNIS students through the School-wide Student Support Team, with proactive and responsive programs for individual needs and differences.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The EAL program offers focused small-group and in-class support from Nursery through Year 9. This support helps students build English skills to access the curriculum with confidence. EAL specialists are part of the staff to provide targeted language assistance within lessons. Learners are supported socially and academically to feel included within BIS-NY's multilingual community.	English as an additional language English is the common and primary language of instruction at UNIS. The community includes students who speak many languages, and the school honors and celebrates home languages while English remains the primary language of instruction. ELL support is offered at beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels, and as proficiency develops, the amount and type of support adapts to meet individual growth and learning needs.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Wellbeing comes first at BIS-NY with a welcoming and connected community. A full-time Nurse and a School Counselor support student welfare and access to care. The school maintains structures for student wellbeing and regular communication with families. The Affinitas Culture of Care informs daily practices to keep students safe, heard and thriving. Respect and inclusion are central to mental wellbeing in the BIS-NY community.	Mental wellbeing The Student Support Team promotes social, emotional, physical, and intellectual well-being for all students, focusing on social and emotional competency, general health and wellness, safety and risk prevention, learning support, and college preparation.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school maintains a strong safeguarding framework with a full-time Nurse, a School Counselor, a Special Educational Needs team and EAL specialists. These roles collaborate to prioritise student safety and welfare. Daily practices reflect international safeguarding standards. The Affinitas Culture of Care informs staff responses to safeguarding concerns. Staff receive regular welfare training to keep students safe, heard, and supported to thrive.	Safeguarding The school places emphasis on safety and risk prevention within its student support programs.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Located at 20 Waterside Plaza via 23rd Street and the East River, BIS-NY sits in the Kips Bay neighborhood on Manhattan's East Side, with a riverfront setting that is calm, light-filled and close to family-friendly areas. The campus hosts purpose-built spaces for all age groups on a single site where Early Years through Upper School learn. Students have outdoor playgrounds, an onsite swimming pool, fully equipped science labs, art studios, libraries and dedicated spaces for music, languages, STEM and design. Younger children benefit from smooth transitions, while older students gain independence in spaces designed for their stage of learning. The campus environment is secure, inspiring and supports a broad range of academics, arts, sports and co-curricular activities.	Facilities overview UNIS operates across two campuses: a four‑story Manhattan campus on the East River and a smaller Queens campus near the site of the original UNIS. The Manhattan campus, built in 1973, spans about 226,000 square feet and houses PreK–12 with roughly 200 classrooms, 15 science laboratories, and three libraries. Many classrooms and offices on the Manhattan campus overlook New York City from its riverfront site, and the campus includes a roof gym in a bubble and an outdoor running track on the roof. The Queens campus serves Grades K–8, including the Junior and Middle Schools, and is located near the original UNIS site.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Competitive sports include soccer, basketball, swimming, and track and field, with BIS-NY Bulldogs representing the school. The campus supports PE and sport through an onsite swimming pool used for physical education and aquatic activities. Students participate in a varied after-school sports program and school teams. The sporting program complements academic and co-curricular offerings, helping students develop teamwork and resilience.	Sports facilities UNIS uses gymnasia, playgrounds, and rooftop field spaces for physical education and athletics; the Manhattan campus features a roof gym in a bubble and an outdoor running track on the roof. The school maintains an extensive athletics program with 38 school teams and participates in interscholastic competition.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Facilities include fully equipped science labs, art studios, and libraries. There are dedicated spaces for music, languages, STEM and design. BIS-NY's campus features purpose-built spaces designed to support learning from Early Years through Upper School. The riverfront location and light-filled environment support independent and collaborative learning across subjects.	Academic facilities The Manhattan campus has approximately 200 classrooms, 15 science laboratories, and three libraries within about 226,000 square feet of space. The Queens campus provides the K–8 Junior and Middle School programs.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities After-school clubs and competitive sports are a hallmark of BIS-NY. Competitive sports include soccer, basketball, swimming, and track and field, with BIS-NY Bulldogs as the team name. Robotics, Debate and the student-led Green Team offer engaging pathways for students who love building, experimenting and leadership. Performing arts are a standout, with middle and upper school students participating in mainstage musicals or plays, and younger students performing in smaller showcases. BIS-NY partners with the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art for additional in-school and extracurricular performance opportunities.	Extra curricular facilities UNIS offers a broad range of language and travel opportunities, with nine languages offered and a full mother‑tongue program; Grade 8 includes an exchange trip with schools in Spain and France. The Arts program includes drama and theatre, with productions and performances such as citywide events at venues like Carnegie Hall. UNIS‑UN is a student‑run conference held in the General Assembly Hall at the United Nations. After‑school care and environmental programs augment the curricular offerings, and the school supports extensive travel, clubs, committees, and community‑service opportunities.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History The British International School of New York opened in 2006. September 2016 marked BIS-NY's tenth anniversary. In September 2018 the school launched an Upper School programme offering Cambridge International IGCSE and A Level courses.	History UNIS was established in 1947 by United Nations parents to provide an international education while preserving diverse cultural heritages. The school opened in Lake Success, NY to 36 children from 15 countries who spoke 10 languages. In November 1950 the formal opening of the new quarters included the presentation of the United Nations Flag by Henri Laugier on behalf of the Secretary-General. In 1967 UNIS was one of eleven schools participating in the newly founded International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. A cornerstone for the permanent UNIS building was dedicated by Secretary-General U Thant, with opening planned for September 1972 to accommodate 1,200 pupils, and UNIS celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2017 and its 75th anniversary in 2022.
Community	Community From the very first days BIS-NY supports families to feel at home with playdates before term begins, introductions to local classmates and a warm Parents' Association. The community represents more than 40 nationalities and fosters a culture of respect, inclusion and being seen. A team of trusted adults and safeguarding practices ensures students are safe, heard and supported, with regular, open communication between families and school leadership.	Community UNIS has a close connection to the United Nations, offering opportunities to meet and visit the UN through programs such as UNIS-UN and UN Day. UN Day marks the day the United Nations officially came into being and celebrates the school's diversity and shared humanity. The school hosts Master Classes during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown featuring distinguished guests including a US Supreme Court Judge, the Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a Tony Award-winning actor, and the creator of The Daily Show. The Global Citizens United Nations Connection reinforces the UN spirit in the curriculum and experiences.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The Parents' Association (PA) creates a close, vibrant, and supportive BIS-NY community. Class Representatives attend PA meetings and communicate PA information to their class; volunteering for PA events is coordinated by parents. PA meetings are held quarterly; PA dues of $225 per student are billed at the start of the school year and fund student-focused initiatives and events, including holiday and year-end class parties and gifts for teachers and staff. Dues are overseen by the PA Treasurer and questions about PA finances may be sent to bisnypa@gmail.com.	Parent teacher association UNIS has a Parents' Association (UNIS PA) that partners with the school administration, faculty, and staff. All UNIS families are automatically members and pay PA dues annually. Monthly PA meetings are held and members contribute through committees and activities. The PA committees include Arts, Bridge2UN, Cultural Events, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), New2UNIS, UNIS Athletic Association, and Social Responsibilities Committee. New families are welcomed through New2UNIS. The PA sponsors events such as Deepavali (the Festival of Lights) and the International Food and Fun Fair, with 20+ PA-sponsored events and thousands of attendees.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Debate Club and Robotics are offered as after-school clubs, supporting critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative work. Clubs and teams vary from term to term and are age-appropriate. These activities expose students to new skills beyond the classroom and help develop communication and teamwork. The BIS-NY program emphasizes intellectual growth through a range of after-school opportunities.	Academic & intellectual The school offers a wide range of activities beyond the classroom, including travel programs, clubs, committees, publications, and community-service opportunities. Students participate in travel programs and a broad selection of student clubs and conferences that emphasize research, debate, and global issues.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Drama and school productions are a core part of BIS-NY's arts program. Each year, two full-scale annual musical productions are staged for Years 4–9, with after-school rehearsals. There are set-design and backstage roles that engage students as makers and builders, and young musicians support performances. The School Choir meets weekly at lunch, and the Empire State of Sound touring choir rehearses after school and performs at local events, including concert tours.	Arts & creative UNIS arts programs offer opportunities for studio practice, problem solving, and cultural investigation through classical and contemporary music, acting, directing, and playwriting, drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, computer graphics, and digital photography. Programs include Music, Visual Arts, Theatre, and Film.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Arabic and Mandarin language clubs are offered to support language development and cultural learning. The diverse after-school program also includes other clubs connected to culture and creativity, such as Ballet, Chess, and Global Chefs.	Cultural & language Students can engage in international programs through UNIS Model United Nations and UNIS-UN Conference, reflecting international engagement. Equity and Inclusion Board involves cross-cultural initiatives and student leadership.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The after-school clubs include School Choir, Debate Club, the School Play, Set Design, and Brownies / Girl Scouts, providing social and creative outlets. Most clubs run from 3:30–4:30 pm and operate in two semesters (Sept–Jan and Feb–Jun). There is a Late Club option until 5:30 pm, and a Breakfast Club begins at 7:45 am to support families.	Social & hobbies Students can participate in more than fifty student clubs and conferences; there is an annual Club Fair for Tutorial House students to explore and join clubs. UNIS supports student-led conferences and a variety of clubs such as UNIS-UN Conference, UNIS Model United Nations, Equity and Inclusion Board, and UNIS Student Council.
Community & service	Community & service The BIS-NY Green Team is a student-led group committed to improving sustainability within the school and the wider community. Brownies / Girl Scouts participate in service-oriented activities as part of the after-school program.	Community & service Community service is a core component at UNIS; Tutorial 1 and Tutorial 2 students are required to complete thirty hours by the end of the school year, with at least ten hours completed off campus. There are many volunteer opportunities; past projects include Habitat for Humanity, Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen, NYC Parks Conservation Corps, and museum internships. UNIS Community Cares projects showcase acts of kindness and student-led initiatives to support care providers and first responders.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The Green Team is student-led, providing leadership opportunities and the chance to develop project-management and collaborative skills. Participation in various clubs and activities also supports peer leadership and teamwork.	Leadership & professional Student leadership opportunities include UNIS Student Council and the Equity and Inclusion Board, which organize school-wide initiatives and forums. The Office of Student Activities publicizes opportunities and helps with placements.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing BIS-NY offers a varied and robust competitive sports program, including soccer, basketball, swimming, track & field, and tennis. Teams compete against local independent schools in the American International Private School League, promoting teamwork and school spirit. Competitive sports are available to students in Year Six and above, with access to Asphalt Green and other facilities for practice.	Lifestyle & wellbeing UNIS has an extensive Athletics program, running across three seasons for students in 7th–12th grades, and consists of 38 school teams.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The school teaches in English and delivers the English National Curriculum through the International Baccalaureate framework. World Languages are central to learning, with Modern Languages offered in French and Spanish. An English as an Additional Language (EAL) program supports students for whom English is not their first language, with small-group pull-out lessons and in-class support. During EAL, pull-out lessons are provided in place of French or Spanish to help students access the curriculum.	Language provision Nine languages are offered at UNIS. English is the language of instruction. The nine languages include French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Mandarin, Arabic, German, Japanese, and English, and UNIS also offers seven self-taught languages. The Language A program includes Language & Literature and Humanities in French from Kindergarten through Grade 10, and IB DP Group 6 French and Group 6 Spanish.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching UNIS offers bilingual diplomas. The Section Française Internationale welcomes francophone students from Grande Section (Kindergarten) through Terminale (12th grade) and provides instruction in French for Literature, Humanities, and Mathematics, following the official French curriculum in parts of the program. The Section Française Internationale is affiliated with the Mission Laïque Française. The Sección Internacional Española serves Spanish-speaking students, with coursework in Spanish Language and Geography & History in Junior and Middle School and the first two years of Tutorial House, and includes a curriculum integrated with UNIS, with 3 hours per week of Spanish and 3 hours per week of Humanities.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs Immersion is provided through the Section Française Internationale for francophone students from Kindergarten to 12th grade, with instruction in French in key subjects and alignment to the French Ministry of Education. The Sección Internacional Española provides Spanish-language immersion for Junior and Middle School and the first two years of Tutorial House, including three hours per week of Spanish and three hours per week of Humanities under an integrated curriculum. Both sections embody UNIS's multilingual, international-baccalaureate framework.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions STEP ONE Inquire by completing our short inquiry form to share a little about your family. A member of our admissions team will contact you to answer questions and schedule a video call or private campus tour. This is the best way to get to know BIS-NY and determine if it is the right fit for your child. STEP TWO Apply Online After your initial conversation or tour, families who wish to continue the process will be invited to complete the full application form. The form includes family contact information and additional details that help us better understand your child and their educational needs. Please note there is a $125 application fee, payable when the application is submitted. STEP THREE Submit Supporting Documents Once your application has been reviewed, our admissions team will guide you through the final step: submitting the required supporting documents based on your child's age. A checklist of required documents can be found in the dropdowns below. The documents required vary by age.	Admissions 1. Create a Ravenna account to begin the UNIS application. Through Ravenna you submit the UNIS application, register for a tour and assessment, email a teacher recommendation form directly to your child's teacher, submit additional admissions materials, and check the status of your application. The $75 application fee is paid by credit card and is waived for financial aid applicants. 2. Submit the UNIS application in Ravenna. 3. Schedule the assessment or interview: Prekindergarten to Fourth Grade participate in an in-person assessment; parents attend a panel discussion led by the Director of Admissions; Fifth to Eighth Grades may have a group activity or an interview; Ninth to Twelfth Grades are interviewed. 4. Send the ISAAGNY Confidential Information Sheet via Ravenna to delegate to your child's current teacher. 5. Take an Admission Test: ISEE or SSAT; testing can be online or at a Prometric testing center; MAP or PSAT may be submitted as substitutes. 6. Receive the Admission Decision: PK decisions on February 26, 2026; Kindergarten on February 5, 2026; 1st–4th on February 11, 2026; 5th–8th on February 11, 2026; 9th–12th on February 20, 2026. For entry in 2026-27, the Manhattan campus window runs September 1, 2025 to November 15, 2025 with interviews by mid-January 2026; midyear entries are possible when spaces exist, with midyear applications due by March 1, 2026 and enrollment by March 17, 2026.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships A need-based financial aid program provides awards to newly admitted students based on demonstrated financial need. Financial aid is based on need and UNIS uses its own Financial Aid form; an aid application will not prejudice admission decisions. Financial aid decisions are coordinated after admissions decisions, and submission timing helps the process. SSS begins processing financial aid information on November 1, 2025; it is recommended to submit by December 31, 2025 for consideration in the February/March notification cycle. For more information on eligibility and process, contact Margaret Chiu at (212) 584-3034 or mchiu@unis.org.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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