Avenues New York vs United Nations International School

	A Avenues New York New York, United States	U United Nations International School New York, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $15,725 - 75,300	Fees / year $48,456 - 53,767
Age range	Age range 1 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 1,450
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 19
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin, Spanish	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2012	Opened 1947
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The New York campus is located at 259 10th Avenue and 536 W 26th Street in the West Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. The campus is adjacent to the High Line Park and a short walk from Hudson Yards. By public transport, it is accessible via the subway (C, E, 1, or Path to 23rd Street) and by bus on the M23-SBS and M11 routes.	Location New York, United States. Campus: 24-50 FDR Drive, New York, NY 10010-4046.
Stages	Stages Small World (ELC) – Nursery through Kindergarten; Lower Division (Grades 1–5); Middle Grades (Grades 6–8); Upper Grades (Grades 9–12)	Stages Pre-K through 12th grade (PreK-12).
School type	School type Independent school	School type Day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix 97 countries are represented by UNIS students.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Learning specialists provide strategies to support learning needs. The Acceleration Center offers small-group or targeted instruction in math, Chinese, English or Spanish for Lower Division students, with teaching by Avenues faculty and outside providers.	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 United States	Country affiliation Affiliation with the United Nations.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Nursery through Kindergarten day runs 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. with a schedule including arrival, Morning Meeting, snack, specials, Literacy and Math blocks, a World Course, lunch, rest, outdoor time, and Closing Circle.	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 Selby Busing (Nursery–12th Grade) is a private bus service provided at an additional cost. Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) Busing (Kindergarten–6th Grade) is provided to all eligible students; bus stops are typically within 0.25 miles of home. M23-SBS and M11 bus routes also serve nearby stops for access to the campus.	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 Application fees - One-time general application fee for Avenues New York: USD 175. - Financial-aid application fee charged through the school's Clarity platform: USD 65 (covers Clarity applications). Tuition fees (annual) — 2026–27 academic year - Nursery–Grade 12 (annual, comprehensive): USD 75,300. This annual tuition is comprehensive and explicitly includes books and materials, lunch and snacks, athletic uniforms, all field trips, transport to/from activities, and educational technology (e.g., iPads and MacBooks). - Small World (toddlers) — annual rates by schedule: - Small World 1s (one-year-olds): 2 days — USD 15,725; 3 days — USD 20,525. - Small World 2s (two-year-olds): 2 days, half day — USD 23,550; 3 days, half day — USD 31,250; 5 days, half day — USD 45,100; 5 days, full day — USD 75,300. - Small World tuition is described as comprehensive for the listed schedules and includes materials, snacks, and field trips. Per-term detail - The school publishes annual tuition amounts as shown above. A published per-term breakdown (for example, by semester or term) is not provided in the publicly posted tuition materials accessed. Parents should note the annual amounts above when calculating per-term values for budgeting. Billing schedule and payment terms - Admissions rounds and parent reply deadlines are published for the admissions process (First Choice Round and Regular Notification) and include specific parent reply dates by division; these dates are used for confirming enrollment offers. Examples of reply deadlines: ELC (Small World–Pre-K) reply deadline March 3; Kindergarten reply deadline February 10; Grades 1–8 reply deadline February 24; Grades 9–12 reply deadline March 6. These admissions reply deadlines are published as part of the admissions calendar. - A detailed public billing schedule (e.g., invoice dates, required enrollment deposit amounts, installment dates, late payment penalties) is not published in the tuition and admissions materials that were available. The school's tuition page describes what the annual tuition includes but does not show a standard term or installment billing schedule in the publicly posted materials. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable to Avenues New York; the New York campus is a day school (no boarding program listed). Other costs or fees - The annual tuition is described as comprehensive and includes many routine costs (books, materials, lunch/snacks, athletic uniforms, field trips, activity transport, educational technology). Optional supplementary program fees may be charged for: personal purchases at the school store or café, after-school enrichment programs, summer camp, international programs (study abroad), and transportation to/from school if offered as an optional service. These items are described as optional extras outside the comprehensive tuition. - Uniform requirement: Avenues New York lists a uniform/dress code requirement; athletic uniforms are explicitly included in the comprehensive tuition. Any additional uniform items beyond standard issued athletic uniforms or optional branded items available at the school store may be an extra cost. Refund information (withdrawals / refunds) - No publicly posted, detailed refund or tuition-withdrawal policy (for example, prorated refunds, deadlines for refundable deposits, or conditions under which tuition is refunded) was found in the tuition and admissions materials accessed. Specific refund or withdrawal terms are not published in the public tuition pages reviewed. Fee payment options (methods) - The publicly available tuition and admissions pages reviewed do not list a comprehensive set of accepted payment methods (for example, specifying credit card, bank transfer/wire, ACH, check, or online payment portals) for tuition or enrollment deposits. The application and financial-aid platforms referenced (OpenApply for admissions listings and Clarity for financial-aid applications) use their standard payment workflows for application processing, but a specific, publicly posted list of accepted tuition payment methods and transactional instructions was not provided in the materials accessed. Summary of items not publicly specified in the materials accessed - Per-term invoicing amounts and an official billing-installment schedule (how the annual tuition may be divided into terms or installments) are not published in the school's publicly posted tuition or admissions material accessed. - Specific enrollment-acceptance deposit amounts (if any), the timing and refundability of deposits, explicit tuition refund/proration rules on withdrawal, and an explicit list of accepted tuition payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, check, etc.) are not published in the tuition and admissions pages reviewed. (For reference: annual tuition figures and Small World schedules above are the school's published 2026–27 tuition listings; application-fee and financial-aid application-fee amounts are published in the admissions/third-party application listings and the Clarity guidance document cited.)	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 —	Uniform requirement Uniforms are not worn at UNIS; students dress in neat and clean attire.
Food options	Food options Lunch and snacks are included in tuition for Nursery–12. Meals are provided during the school day.	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 —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership Independent school located in Chelsea, Manhattan. It is accredited by the NEASC.	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 World Elements framework guides the curriculum, integrating rigorous academics with real-world experiences. Lower Division (Grades 1–5) offers a transformative academic program in two languages. Middle Division (Grades 6–8) fosters innovative thinkers with an increasing sense of ownership for their learning. Upper Division (Grades 9–12) develops architects of lives that transcend the ordinary through rigorous and joyful learning experiences. Language immersion runs from 12-month-olds through 5th grade in Mandarin or Spanish.	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 —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates are studying at colleges and universities around the world, including the University of Chicago, Harvard, New York University, the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford.	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 Early Learning Center is bilingual, with instruction split 50% English and 50% in a target language (Spanish or Mandarin). Fostering social-emotional wellbeing is a core part of the program. Dedicated teachers provide personalized support to young learners to help them master everyday tasks and build confidence. The program emphasizes self-help skills, self-regulation and independence. Literacy and math are taught in both languages, and World Course is integrated across grades. Wellness and Movement (WAM) supports social-emotional growth and healthy development as part of the curriculum.	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 provides structured student support through the Deans and the Student Success Team. Deans are full-time mentors whose primary responsibility is the social-emotional wellbeing and academic success of students. The Student Success Team comprises counselors, psychologists and learning experts who work with faculty to provide appropriate challenge and support. These teams collaborate with faculty to ensure students are supported and appropriately challenged. Wellness and Movement (WAM) supports student well-being across grades.	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 language immersion program runs from nursery through 5th grade, with half the time in English and half in the target language (Spanish or Mandarin Chinese). Nursery through kindergarten learn in both English and their target language. In the middle grades, students take either Spanish or Mandarin in sections based on proficiency. The Avenues Language Scale places students according to proficiency levels from Novice Low to Advanced, and courses are aligned to these levels. Our English program is designed to help students become skilled readers and writers. Literacy and World Course are taught in both languages in the early years.	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 Wellness and Movement (WAM) is a signature health and physical education program spanning K–12, rooted in positive psychology and dynamic play. WAM provides knowledge, skills and values to live healthy, active, and meaningful lives. In Wellness classes, students explore personal identity and social responsibility, and deepen their understanding of healthy decision-making around relationships, sexual health, substances, sleep, and nutrition. The Deans are full-time mentors whose primary responsibility is the social-emotional well-being and academic success of their students, working with a Student Success Team (counselors, psychologists and learning experts) to support students. The Early Learning Center prioritizes social-emotional wellbeing and independence through guided approaches.	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 Avenues New York maintains a comprehensive safety plan for campus operations. The plan uses classroom cohorts (pods) and reduced density to limit student mixing, with emphasis on proper hand hygiene, enhanced ventilation and cleaning protocols, and health monitoring through technology. A privacy policy protects student and family data. COVID-19 testing before the first day of school has been part of safety guidance. Safety measures apply to all staff and students across the campus.	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 The school is located in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, New York. Avenues New York operates a toddler–grade 12 independent campus with the Early Learning Center (toddler through kindergarten) housed in a state-of-the-art facility designed for two-language immersion and learning through play. The ELC features a fully landscaped outdoor playground, a multipurpose movement room, a patio for growing plants, and a teaching kitchen. English-speaking classrooms are connected to target-language classrooms to support Mandarin or Spanish immersion, with language immersion extending from 12 months to 5th grade. The campus is organized into Lower Division (Grades 1–5), Middle Division (Grades 6–8), and Upper Division (Grades 9–12), and the campuses are interconnected and interdependent.	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 On-campus facilities include a Regulation Size Gymnasium, a Fitness Center, a Dance and Yoga Studio, an Aviator Weight Room, and Locker Rooms. Wellness and Movement (WAM) provides a movement-based health and physical education program for nursery through 10th grade, featuring activities such as gymnastics, soccer, baseball, basketball, European team handball, floor hockey, volleyball, badminton, tennis, track and field, golf, ice skating, and strength and conditioning. The Athletics program offers opportunities to participate in a wide range of team sports and competitions, guided by core values; there are 37 athletic teams overall with 17 at the varsity level, and about 55% of upper-grade students participate on at least one team. Seasonal offerings include cross country, soccer, basketball, fencing, tennis, volleyball, lacrosse, golf, and more, with leagues such as AIPSL, ACIS, ISAL, ISFL, IVY and MMSTFA. There are on-campus clinics and intramurals, including Saturday clinics and spring intramurals.	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 Avenues is an Apple Distinguished School with a technology-rich environment that supports collaboration across campuses. The libraries hold 63,587 books, and the community uses 7,586 computers and iPads for learning. The World Elements curriculum provides a global framework for learning across grades, and technology and library media specialists support interdisciplinary inquiry. The school's facilities include a newly developed Early Learning Center with multilingual spaces—English-speaking classrooms connected to target-language classrooms to support language immersion and the dual-language pedagogy. The ELC and main campus emphasize a combination of language immersion, literacy and world studies across grade levels.	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 Avenues offers after-school programming starting in Nursery, with Stay and Play available until 5:15 p.m. for younger students and a wide range of specialty classes (e.g., chess, robotics, dance, cooking) for Small World–K. Middle and upper grades have a broad array of clubs and athletics. There are 136 student clubs across the campuses, and the athletics program supports 37 teams, including many sports across seasons; Dance Now Avenues is part of the performing arts opportunities. Students can participate in a variety of activities beyond the classroom, including organized sports, clubs and team-based competitions.	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 Avenues New York is an independent toddler–12th grade school located in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. Since opening in 2012, it has grown to more than 1,900 students. The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Language immersion is offered for ages from 12 months through 5th grade in Mandarin or Spanish, building fluency in a world language. The World Elements framework guides the curriculum, blending rigorous academics with real-world experiences, and graduates pursue higher education at universities worldwide, including Harvard, New York University, the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford, and the University of Chicago.	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 The Avenues New York community hosts virtual and in-person events for families, including virtual Parent Introductory Events for all grades and Spring Tours for the Upper Division. A language immersion program allows students from 12 months through 5th grade to study in Mandarin or Spanish, building fluency in a world language. The World Elements framework guides the curriculum, integrating rigorous academics with real-world experiences. Upcoming events listed on the calendar demonstrate ongoing opportunities for parent and student engagement.	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 —	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 HIP (High-Intensity Practice) develops cognitive flexibility and advanced problem-solving across math, writing and coding. The Avenues Institute for Advanced Mathematics (AIAM) provides an advanced mathematics pathway with courses such as Advanced Multivariable Calculus and Data Science. The Mastery Learning System supports personalized progress through advanced electives in math and related disciplines. J-Term is an annual leadership‑oriented program where students can partner with local organizations or pursue specialized studies in arts, math or entrepreneurship, and Global Journeys take upper‑division students on study‑abroad experiences to deepen academic inquiry and broaden global perspectives.	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 The arts are central to student life at Avenues New York, with programs in visual art, music and drama across divisions. Lower Division offers painting, drawing, collage, ceramics, construction and printmaking; music includes choral singing, percussion, recorders, xylophones, Glockenspiels and instrumental music. Middle Grades offer art, drawing labs and a range of electives such as storytelling, Playmaking/Architecture, fiber arts and art history. Upper Grades offer electives including Introduction to Creative Process: Art, Visual and Digital Arts Workshop, Orchestra/Band, Vocal Workshop, Musical Theater, Film Arts, Senior Studio in Art, plus more than 10 arts‑focused student clubs.	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 From Small World through 5th grade, language immersion provides 50% of time in English and 50% in Mandarin Chinese or Spanish; the program is language immersion rather than language teaching. World Elements frames language and culture learning across divisions. Upper Grades offer Mandarin Chinese and Spanish language tracks with year‑long courses from beginner to advanced levels. Campus exchanges with peers in São Paulo and Shenzhen and Global Journeys study abroad experiences (e.g., Taiwan, Greece, Costa Rica) deepen cultural understanding.	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 Avenues Explorers is the after‑school program with activities ranging from chess to dance to coding. Stay & Play provides extended care for nursery through 5th grade. Upper Grades have 80+ clubs and affinity groups, including Debate, Model UN, Film Club, Food and Hunger Advocacy, International Student Council and more.	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 Community engagement and service learning are woven throughout the Avenues curriculum from nursery through 12th grade. In the upper grades, students volunteer and intern with local non‑profits and community leaders and lead Community Days in partnership with faculty to engage in service with local organizations. The Early Learning Center days include service learning through Avenues Community Engagement, assemblies, guest speakers and more.	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 J-Term is an annual leadership‑focused learning experience where students can partner with local organizations or pursue specialized studies in arts, math or entrepreneurship. Global Journeys offer study‑abroad programs combining experiential learning and cultural immersion. High‑Intensity Practice (HIP) develops thinking skills through coding and Mastery, and the Avenues Institute for Advanced Mathematics (AIAM) provides an advanced math pathway. The Deans Program and College Counseling offers full‑time mentors for social‑emotional well‑being and college admissions guidance.	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 Wellness and Movement (WAM) spans nursery through 10th grade, combining movement, sport and social‑emotional learning to build physical literacy and wellbeing. The Athletics program provides opportunities to participate in team sports and emphasizes life skills such as time management, leadership, goal‑setting and teamwork. Movement course options include Studio WAM, Personal Fitness, Court Sports, Community WAM and Independent Movement, supporting lifelong healthy habits.	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 English is the language of instruction alongside the target language (Spanish or Mandarin). Nursery–Kindergarten learn in both English and the target language; Literacy, Math and World Course are taught in both languages, while science, music, Wellness and Movement, art, and library are taught in either English, the target language, or both. Language immersion begins in the Small World program for very young children and continues through 5th grade.	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 The school offers bilingual language immersion in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese from Small World through 5th grade. From Nursery to Kindergarten, students learn in both English and the target language, with Literacy, Math and World Course taught in both languages, and specialty classes taught in either English, the target language, or both. From Small World to 5th grade, students spend 50% of their learning time in English and 50% in the target language.	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 Small World provides dual-language immersion for one- and two-year-olds, with exposure to Spanish and Mandarin (in addition to English) and scheduling options in the morning, afternoon, or full day. The program serves children from about 12 months to two years old and continues into the Early Learning Center where 50/50 English and target-language instruction is maintained for core subjects.	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 Submit a preliminary application form as soon as possible and ahead of the deadlines. Avenues has two admission rounds for the 2026–27 academic year: First Choice Round (binding) and Regular Notification. First Choice Round decisions were released on December 12, 2025. Regular Notification accepts applications until January 8, 2026, and notification and parent reply dates are published below. Late applications may be considered for any remaining openings after Regular Notification. Application timeline by round: • First Choice Round: Preliminary Application Form Due November 1; Application Completion Deadline November 19; Notification Date December 12. • Regular Notification: Preliminary Application Form Due December 1; Application Completion Deadline January 8; Notification Date January 30–February 20. Regular Notification Dates by grade are: ELC (Small World–Pre-K) February 20; Kindergarten January 30; Grades 1–8 February 9; Grades 9–12 February 13. Parent Reply Dates by grade are: ELC March 3; Kindergarten February 10; Grades 1–8 February 24; Grades 9–12 March 6. Global Admissions provides cross-campus transfer opportunities to São Paulo when appropriate. The school hosts virtual and in-person events to connect families with campus leaders, faculty, and current students; events include Parent Introductory Events (All Grades) and campus tours with the listed dates. For questions about admissions, the team can be reached via the contact channels listed on the admissions page.	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 Financial aid is available for all grades—Small World through Grade 12—and the school aims to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need at the time of admission. Financial aid is need-based, not merit-based, and the aid budget is finite. If the application fee poses a hardship, a fee waiver is available by contacting waiver@avenues-ny.org.	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 Applicants not offered admission in the First Choice Round may be waitlisted or not admitted, which is a final decision for the academic year.	Waitlist —
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