Brooklyn Friends School vs United Nations International School

	B Brooklyn Friends School New York, United States	U United Nations International School New York, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $31,630 - 65,575	Fees / year $48,456 - 53,767
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), 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	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1867	Opened 1947
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Downtown Brooklyn, New York. Main Building at 375 Pearl Street serves Early Childhood through Middle School; Upper School is located at 116 Lawrence Street.	Location New York, United States. Campus: 24-50 FDR Drive, New York, NY 10010-4046.
Stages	Stages Early Childhood; Grades K-1; Grades 2-4; Grades 5-8; Grades 9-12	Stages Pre-K through 12th grade (PreK-12).
School type	School type Independent day school rooted in Quaker values	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 —	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 Quaker (Religious Society of Friends)	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	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 Private bus service on select routes; $4,200 per child for the school year	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 Annual tuition (2026–27) — by program - Grades K–12 (Day school): USD 65,575. - Early Childhood (2s): Half Day (9:00–11:50 a.m.) USD 31,630; Full Day (9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) USD 47,050. - Early Childhood (3s): Half Day (9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) USD 35,150; Full Day (9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) USD 49,750. - Early Childhood (4s, full day): USD 57,660. Application fees and how they are collected - A non-refundable application fee is required at the time of application; the application is submitted through the school's online application system (Ravenna) and the fee is collected as part of that process. Billing schedule and payment terms - Families contract for the full academic year via an enrollment contract and must submit the signed contract together with the required enrollment deposit to reserve a place; the enrollment deposit is non-refundable. - The school provides payment-plan options administered through a tuition-management vendor (TADS). Families select a plan on their enrollment agreement; specific installment schedules and due dates are set on the enrollment contract and by the Business Office. - Typical plan structures available through the tuition-management vendor include payment-in-full, two large installments, or multi-month installment plans; the vendor withdraws payments on scheduled dates and invoices detail the chosen plan. The Business Office will notify families of the available plan options and exact due dates on the enrollment materials. Payment methods and fees - Payments are processed via the school's tuition-management service (TADS). Accepted methods include ACH/bank transfer, paper check or money order, and credit card (Major cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) when enabled for a given family account. A convenience fee applies for credit-card payments as set by the tuition-management vendor. Boarding fees - Brooklyn Friends School is a day school; boarding is not offered. There are no boarding fees. Other costs and typical additional fees - Lunch: Lunch service is included in the tuition for Grades K–12. - Extended Day / Afterschool (BFX) and specialty after-school offerings: these programs require separate registration and additional fees; the Extended Day program (BFX) is billed separately and fees vary by schedule (examples from a recent BFX session show per-day pricing for terms). Expect separate term- or session-based charges for after-school Xplorations and specialty classes. - Summer programs and camp carry separate charges and deposits distinct from the school-year tuition. - Athletics: team uniforms are provided on loan with a deposit; the deposit is returned when the uniform is returned or carried over to the next season; failure to return a uniform may result in forfeiture of that deposit. Additional team or trip-specific fees may apply for some competitive and out-of-town activities. - Materials, special trips, or course-specific fees: while regular co-curricular activities, student books, field trips, technology, supplies, facilities and (K–12) lunch are covered in tuition, certain out-of-town trips, optional programs, and some outside vendors or specialty activities may assess separate fees. Expect incidental program charges to be billed separately when applicable. Refund information and withdrawal - Enrollment deposit: the enrollment deposit required to reserve a place is non-refundable. Families who wish to reverse their enrollment decision must follow the contract's specified cancellation window; if cancellation occurs by the contract's deadline they will not be obligated for additional tuition beyond the non-refundable deposit. After the contract cancellation deadline, families are typically obligated for the full year's tuition regardless of attendance. - Tuition Insurance and partial refunds: the school maintains an arrangement with an external tuition-insurance provider (A.W.G. Dewar, Inc.) to provide a partial refund of tuition if a student withdraws after the school year has begun; families should review the tuition-insurance plan details and enrollment options if they wish coverage for withdrawals. Summary of practical items for parents - Annual tuition amounts (2026–27) are listed above for each program; billing and installment details are set on the enrollment contract and administered through the school's tuition-management vendor. - Expect separate, additional charges for Extended Day/BFX, afterschool specialty classes, summer programs, some out-of-town trips, and certain athletics/team items. Athletic uniform handling is deposit-based per season. (End of fees overview)	Fee details Application 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 No boarding is offered. Extended Day after-school care is available for Early Childhood through Grade 8 with separate registration and additional fees.	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 is included in tuition for Grades K–12. Preschool and Kindergarten through 2nd grade bring lunch from home; grades 3–8 eat lunch in the Pearl Street cafeteria and grades 9–12 in the Lawrence Street cafe. The Pearl Street cafeteria also serves breakfast (7:30 am–9:15 am) for cash using a card system. A main weekly lunch menu is posted on the BFS website.	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 The Board of Trustees governs Brooklyn Friends School. The Board sets high-level policies, hires and supports the Head of School, plans for the future of the school, and leads the financial support of the school.	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 Brooklyn Friends School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for grades 11 and 12. Students take IB courses across six subject areas: English, World Languages (French and Spanish), History, Sciences, Mathematics, and Arts. Diploma students complete core requirements: Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and Creativity, Activity and Service. Students may follow the Diploma pathway or take IB courses for individual credit, with many combining IB coursework with BFS classes. The program runs over two years (11th and 12th grades) and emphasizes critical thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration; the Diploma is held in high regard by colleges and universities.	Curriculum details The 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.	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates have been admitted to prestigious colleges and universities in the United States and around the world.	Higher education progression 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 A customized Upper School program within the IB Diploma Programme allows tailoring of the course load across six IB subject areas and core requirements. Students can pursue the full IB Diploma or take IB courses alongside BFS credits.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Wholeness and Well-Being is a shared responsibility across the BFS community, led by the Counseling Team and the Learning Support Team. The approach is holistic, strength-based, affirming of belonging, and integrated throughout the school. All students experience social emotional learning (SEL) in their classrooms, health and wellness programming, middle and upper school advisory programming, health classes, and other aspects of the curriculum. The Learning Support Team focuses on diverse learning styles and uses a tiered system embedded in daily learning to provide appropriate interventions. Counselors work with teachers, families, Leadership, and outside providers to meet health and wellbeing needs, and partner with health teachers to deliver wellness programming. The programming evolves with research and best practices to respond to students' needs.	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 Learning Support Team honors diverse learning styles and fosters belonging, with diversity, equity, and belonging practices at the center. Learning support uses a tiered system embedded in everyday learning to increase access to curricula. Learning specialists support teachers and may work directly with students who need additional interventions. They collaborate with divisional leadership and the Counseling team, and coordinate with families to align support in and out of school. The goal is for students to gain independence and to generalize strategies beyond the classroom.	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 —	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 Counseling is a central component of BFS's mental wellbeing support. The Counseling Team works holistically, integrates considerations of identity and development, and collaborates with teachers, families, leadership, and outside providers to address health needs. Across learning communities, counselors support wellbeing through advisory programming, health classes, and wellness initiatives. All students access SEL through their daily learning and health programming and have a dedicated counselor if needed. The program uses a tiered approach to meet varying wellbeing needs and provides immediate care during crises when needed, connecting with outside providers as appropriate. The programming evolves with current research and best practices to respond to students' needs.	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 informs parents at the earliest appropriate juncture about any disciplinary event and its consequences. If the event is serious, a three-way conference with the parent, child, and school administration may be required. The school handles these situations in its in loco parentis role, balancing the needs of the individual child with maintaining a learning environment that is respectful and free of disruptive behavior. The overriding goal is to provide a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for all. If a child reports alarming behavior or a potentially dangerous situation, the school investigates thoroughly and protects the reporting individual from retaliation.	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 375 Pearl Street houses Early Childhood through Middle School with 45 classrooms, two libraries, two media centers, five science laboratories, two dance studios, two gymnasiums, six art studios (including a woodshop and a ceramics studio with kiln), a cafeteria, rooftop playground, and a 280-seat theater. The Upper School at 116 Lawrence Street spans more than 40 classrooms, seminar rooms, and faculty offices, with four visual art studios, three music studio classrooms, four science laboratories, a black box theater classroom, a dance studio, a fitness center, a modern research library, and a cafe. Three libraries serve the school: the Upper School Library, the Middle School Library, and the EC/LS Library. The facilities support instruction across Preschool through Grade 12 in Downtown Brooklyn.	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 Lower Gym is located in the Pearl Street building and the Upper Gym is on the 8th floor of the same campus. The Fitness Center is on the first floor of the Upper School at 116 Lawrence Street. Cross Country competes at Cadman Plaza; Soccer, Baseball, and Softball use Cadman Plaza and other venues such as Red Hook Park and Van Vorhees Park; Indoor Track is held at Park Slope Armory, while Outdoor Track locations include Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Red Hook Park, and Van Vorhees Park.	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 375 Pearl Street includes 45 classrooms, two libraries, two media centers, five science laboratories, two dance studios, two gymnasiums, six art studios (including a woodshop and a ceramics studio with kiln), a cafeteria, rooftop playground, and a 280-seat theater. The Upper School at 116 Lawrence Street includes more than 40 classrooms, seminar rooms, and faculty offices, plus four visual art studios, three music studio classrooms, four science laboratories, a black box theater classroom, a dance studio, a fitness center, a modern research library, and a cafe. Three libraries serve the school: the Upper School Library, the Middle School Library, and the EC/LS Library. The libraries and classroom spaces support multiple academic programs across divisions.	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 Drama and theater are offered across divisions, with performances supported by a Pearl Street theater space (the facility houses a 280-seat theater). The Upper School Writing Center provides one-on-one writing support for students. Three BFS libraries—Upper School, Middle School, and EC/LS—support research and reading as part of after-school and enrichment activities. The Extended Day Xplorations program offers after-school activities, while athletic facilities and nearby field sites support sports and clubs.	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 school was founded in 1867 as a co-educational grade school by the Religious Society of Friends. An initial student body of 17 started the school at the Brooklyn Monthly Meetinghouse on Schermerhorn Street. A kindergarten was added in 1902 and a high school division in 1907. In 1969, Brooklyn Friends School purchased 375 Pearl Street from Brooklyn Law School; the seven-story building, built in 1928, became the Pearl Street campus in the early 1970s.	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 school is rooted in Quaker beliefs and fosters a diverse, values-based community in Downtown Brooklyn. Global Social Impact is a core school pillar within the BFS community, guiding students to become changemakers. Diversity is a core value, and BFS is actively committed to building a racially, ethnically, and socio‑economically diverse community. Quaker practices inform student life, emphasizing careful listening, compassion, non-violence, and social action.	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 All parents and guardians are automatically members of the Brooklyn Friends and Families (BFF). BFF partners with the school to support its mission and goals and to engage families to foster community and school spirit. The BFF leadership includes Co-Clerks, Clerks for the Early Childhood, Lower, Middle, and Upper School divisions, a secretary, treasurer, and committee clerks. Classroom Family Leads connect families to their classrooms, advisory, and the larger BFS community, welcome new families, and foster communication between parents, BFF, and school leadership. BFF coordinates volunteer efforts and school events, including initiatives such as Colleague Appreciation Week.	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 The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, and all Brooklyn Friends School graduates complete Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) during 11th and 12th grade. CAS may involve dance, theatre, music, leadership, and designing a service project.	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 school has performing arts and visual arts. Middle School students take dance, drama, chorus, and orchestra; fifth graders study dance and chorus or orchestra; seventh and eighth graders choose electives in painting, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, video, and video animation.	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 Foreign language study begins in the middle school, with fifth graders continuing Spanish from the Lower School; Beginning in sixth grade, students choose Spanish, French, or Mandarin. The IB program includes language study such as Spanish AB/B, French AB/B, and Mandarin AB at BFS.	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 Activities and an exploratory curriculum provide Middle Schoolers opportunities to learn about their interests and assume leadership roles.	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 school emphasizes service to the community through a Service Learning and Civic Engagement program and the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) requirements of the IB 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 Upper School offers Student Led Activities such as Model UN and other clubs; Later @Lawrence after-school programming includes American Sign Language, Girls Who Code, and Figure Drawing.	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 Wholeness and Well-Being is integrated across the community, led by Counseling and Learning Support teams, with a holistic, strength-based approach that affirms belonging.	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 Spanish is taught in the Lower School as a specialist subject. In the Upper School, BFS offers French and Spanish as language courses within the IB program. The IB Diploma Programme emphasizes developing language skills to become culturally aware through the development of a second language. Languages are integrated across grade levels as part of a globally oriented 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 The school serves students from two years old through 12th grade. The first step in applying is to visit Ravenna, submit a preliminary application, and schedule a visit. Apply By Grade sections are available for Early Childhood (2s, 3s, & 4s); Grades K-1; Grades 2-4; Grades 5-8; Grades 9-12. The Enrollment Team includes Julia Friedman (Assistant Director of Admissions, 2s–1st Grade) & Enrollment Systems Manager; Beth Horboychuk (Assistant Director of Admissions, 1st–6th Grades); Tristan Kishonis (Associate Director of Enrollment Management & Upper School Admissions & Marketing); Jamie Pine (Director of Enrollment Management). Main Building 375 Pearl Street Brooklyn, NY 11201; Upper School 116 Lawrence Street. The school enrolls students of any race, color, national origin, or ethnicity to all rights and privileges generally accorded to students, and does not discriminate in its admissions, policies, scholarship programs, or athletic programs on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, national origin, or ethnicity.	Admissions 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 based on need. An admissions acceptance does not guarantee a grant. If eligible, a member of the New York Quarterly Meeting may apply for aid through the New York Quarterly Education Fund.	Scholarships 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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