International Schools in New York

For information only. This guide is an editorial orientation resource. It does not constitute educational or admissions advice, and does not endorse any specific institution. School profiles, fees, and curricula change; always verify current information directly with each school and confirm your eligibility for any financial assistance through your mission or organisation.

Overview

New York is the most expensive city in this guide for international schooling. The average annual tuition at an international school in New York for a 12-year-old is approximately USD 50,631 (2026 data, excluding one-time fees), roughly double the London equivalent and materially higher than Geneva or Paris. The market is also highly competitive: the most sought-after schools have significant waitlists, and early application is not optional. The good news is that New York’s school landscape is genuinely diverse, with strong IB, French, British and bilingual options, and one school specifically created for UN families.

The UNIS question for UN staff

The United Nations International School (UNIS) was founded in 1947 specifically to serve UN families. If you are posted to New York with a UN organisation, UNIS is the natural first school to investigate, and children of UN staff have a specific admission pathway. UNIS maintains two campuses: the primary Manhattan campus on FDR Drive near 25th Street, and the Queens campus in Long Island City.

UNIS is a full IB continuum school (PYP, MYP, Diploma) for ages 4 to 18. It offers nine languages of instruction and a mother tongue programme, and it is the school most closely aligned with the daily reality of UN mission life: many families know each other across postings, and the school’s rhythms accommodate the schedule pressures of UNGA season and the General Assembly calendar.

Fees 2025-26: approximately USD 45,500 to USD 50,658 per year depending on year group. One-time capital contribution applies.

Applications from UN staff families should be submitted as early as possible. Even with the admission priority, popular year groups fill. Contact the UNIS admissions office directly for current procedures and documentation requirements. unis.org

Curricula available in New York

International Baccalaureate (IB). New York has twelve IB-authorised schools within the city, with strong IB continuum offerings at UNIS, Dwight, Léman Manhattan and others. For families on rotating postings, the IB Diploma’s portability across 160+ university systems makes it the strongest long-term choice.

American curriculum. New York public schools (which are free and open to all residents, including those with valid visas) follow the New York State curriculum and can be excellent depending on the district. For families on postings of 2-4 years who prefer a low-cost option or whose children speak English as a first language, selected public schools in the Upper East Side or Upper West Side are genuinely strong. This option requires a Manhattan address in the catchment area.

French curriculum. The Lycée Français de New York and the French-American School of New York (FASNY) serve French-speaking families and those maintaining a French curriculum track.

British curriculum. The British International School of New York offers the English National Curriculum through IGCSE and A-Levels, with IB approaches in the earlier years.

Bilingual and national-language schools. New York hosts Italian (La Scuola d’Italia), German (Deutsche Schule New York, German-American School Manhattan), Spanish and other national-language options for families maintaining a home-curriculum track.

Key schools

United Nations International School (UNIS) FDR Drive at 24-50, Manhattan + Queens campus (Long Island City). Ages 4-18. Full IB continuum. Founded for UN families; admission priority for UN staff children. Nine languages. 2025-26 fees: approximately USD 45,500-50,658. unis.org

Dwight School New York Upper West Side, Manhattan. Full IB continuum from nursery through Grade 12. One of the oldest IB schools in New York. Consistently high IB Diploma results. Strong college placement. 2025-26 fees: approximately USD 56,000-65,000. dwight.edu

Léman Manhattan Preparatory School Financial District, lower Manhattan. Full IB continuum K-12 plus boarding option. Over 50 nationalities. Fees 2025-26: USD 14,400 (early childhood) to USD 68,600 (upper school). The broad fee range reflects the very different programmes across age groups. lemanmanhattan.org

Lycée Français de New York (LFNY) Upper East Side, Manhattan. French national curriculum from Maternelle through Terminale, with IB Diploma option. AEFE-affiliated. One of the largest French lycées outside France. Fees are meaningfully lower than the fully independent international schools listed above. The natural choice for French-speaking families. lfny.org

The British International School of New York (BIS-NY) Kips Bay, Manhattan (East River). British curriculum (EYFS through National Curriculum), with IGCSE and A-Levels in the upper school and IB approaches in the middle years. Ages 3-18. Fees: approximately USD 42,000-60,000. bisny.org

French-American School of New York (FASNY) Harbor campus in Mamaroneck, Westchester County (suburban; about 45 minutes from Midtown). The only school in the New York metropolitan area authorised to offer both the IB Diploma and the French Baccalaureate. Grades 9-12. fasny.org

Fees

Realistic 2025-26 annual fee ranges for New York international schools (day only; boarding adds significantly):

Early years (ages 3-5): USD 30,000-50,000
Primary (K-Grade 5): USD 38,000-55,000
Middle school (Grades 6-8): USD 44,000-60,000
Upper school/IB Diploma (Grades 9-12): USD 50,000-68,000+

Add one-time enrolment fees (typically USD 500-2,500), application fees, and annual extras (trips, materials, exam fees) which can add 10-15% to the headline figure.

These figures are in US dollars and are not subject to VAT (unlike the UK since January 2025). However, they are materially higher than comparable schools in any other city in this guide.

Confirm whether your mission, sending government or organisation provides an education allowance and which schools are covered before shortlisting.

Admissions timing

Apply to UNIS and Dwight at least 12 months before your expected entry date for popular year groups, and up to 18 months ahead for competitive entry points. Léman and BIS-NY are somewhat more flexible, but mid-year arrivals are easier at some schools than others.

Documents typically requested: two years of school reports (with translation if not in English), teacher reference, passport copy for the child, vaccination records, language assessments for secondary applicants, and evidence of posting.

Official and reference sources

Last reviewed 6 July 2026.