EF Academy New York vs United Nations International School

	E EF Academy New York New York, United States	U United Nations International School New York, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $43,700 - 76,600	Fees / year $48,456 - 53,767
Age range	Age range 14 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP)	Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 290	Pupils 1,450
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size 19
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1947
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Thornwood, Westchester County, New York, USA. The campus sits on 97 acres in a suburban setting, a short train ride from downtown Manhattan.	Location New York, United States. Campus: 24-50 FDR Drive, New York, NY 10010-4046.
Stages	Stages High school. Students graduate with a U.S. high school diploma; the program also offers the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or IB/AP courses.	Stages Pre-K through 12th grade (PreK-12).
School type	School type Private boarding high school in New York. On-campus boarding is available; day students are also accepted.	School type Day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix 60+ nationalities represented.	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 International	Country affiliation Affiliation with the United Nations.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure EF Academy New York operates a mixed day- and boarding-school model. Local students may enroll as day students or board five days a week with weekends at home.	School day structure 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 A weekend shuttle operates from campus to Pleasantville train station, from which trains go to Manhattan and other destinations.	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 & Enrollment fees - Application fee: USD 75. - Enrollment (one‑time) fee: USD 700. - Refundable security deposit: USD 1,000. Annual tuition and boarding — fees by student type - Full seven‑day boarding (annual): Tuition USD 47,200 + Boarding fee USD 29,400 = Total USD 76,600. - Five‑day (weekly) boarding (annual): USD 68,700. Student Life & Activities fee for weekly boarders: USD 3,900/year. - Day student (annual): USD 43,700. Student Life & Activities fee for day students: USD 3,500/year. Per‑term items and room upgrades - Annual charges are invoiced; room upgrade (single room or other upgrade) is charged in addition and is billed per term where applicable (example: single‑room upgrade listed as USD 2,000 per term in published fee inserts). - Examination and some optional items may be billed per term or locked after course add/drop deadlines; invoices will show exact per‑term installments. Mandatory Student Life & Activities fee and exam fees - Student Life & Activities (mandatory): amounts vary by student type (examples published: Full boarding USD 4,900/year; 5‑day boarding USD 3,900/year; Day students USD 3,500/year). - Exam fees (applied depending on course selection): IB Diploma fee (example published) USD 895; IB Certificates USD 495; Advanced Placement (AP) exams incur an additional fee. Exam fees depend on actual exams taken and are charged accordingly. What is included in tuition and boarding (cost items) - Included in tuition: academic support and tutoring, university advising, English language support, materials and books, school‑related apps/tech support, and specified domestic immersion trips. - Included in boarding: airport transfers at start of term, standard shared rooming, Welcome Days, weekend activities and transportation (entrance fees/tickets may not be included), laundry card, and meals (weekday meals and weekend brunch/dinner as applicable by boarding option). - Travel insurance: group travel/medical insurance coverage is included for non‑US/Canadian residents; US and Canadian residents are required to provide their own evidence of adequate insurance. Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoices are issued ahead of each academic year; the invoice sets the instalment amounts and deadlines. By paying the First Installment a place is secured and the family becomes responsible for the full cost of tuition subject to the school's cancellation/refund provisions. - Methods of payment: payments can be made via the school's payment partner (Flywire) or by bank transfer; bank charges for sending/receiving banks are payable by the sender and may be applied to the student's account. - Payment timing for new students: an initial deposit/first instalment is payable immediately upon admission; each student receives an individual payment schedule with the initial invoice, and final balances are required by the deadline on the invoice (continuing‑student guidance shows 50% of program fee due as part of securing a place and final balances due by June 30 in the calendar year of course start in published agreement examples). Late fees and additional charges apply where invoices are not paid by their due dates. Refunds, cancellations and withdrawals - Cancellation and refund rules are applied according to the school's published cancellation schedule and the date the written cancellation notice is received. The school's standard terms state that: cancellations made well before the start of the course may receive full or partial refunds (subject to specified non‑refundable fees); cancellations closer to arrival will incur larger retention amounts; withdrawals after the course start are generally charged the full annual tuition and mandatory fees; expulsion results in no refund. The school's enrollment agreement defines the exact timelines, monetary amounts, and forfeiture rules. Other costs and typical extras - Refundable security deposit (USD 1,000) to cover potential damage. - Optional/occasional extras that may be charged separately: entrance fees or tickets for certain weekend activities, some off‑campus trips, certain elective program supplements, AP exam fees when applicable, and room upgrades. - Uniform: there is no formal uniform requirement for students; therefore no standard uniform fee is charged. Important notes about payments and penalties - Application and enrollment fees are one‑time fees and are non‑refundable. - If fees become overdue the school may suspend or cancel enrollment and apply late fees; outstanding financial obligations can affect a student's ability to remain on campus. Summary of the most common numeric items (USD) - Tuition (example full boarding split): Tuition USD 47,200; Boarding fee USD 29,400; Total USD 76,600. - Weekly boarding: USD 68,700; Day student tuition: USD 43,700. - Mandatory Student Life & Activities fee: USD 3,500–4,900 depending on student type. - Application fee USD 75; Enrollment fee USD 700; Refundable security deposit USD 1,000. If you need a precise instalment amount or an exact invoice schedule for a specific enrolment date or student type, that instalment information is provided on the individual invoice and in the school's enrollment agreement and payment schedule documents.	Fee details Application 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 EF Academy New York offers 7-day boarding and 5-day boarding; the vast majority are seven-day boarders, while local students may board five days a week and live at home on weekends. Boarding includes breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday–Friday and brunch and dinner on weekends, in shared triple rooms across two residence halls: South Hall for 9th–10th graders with shared bathrooms, and East Hall for 11th–12th graders with triple rooms and en-suite bathrooms; upgrades to twin or single rooms are possible depending on availability and approval by the school. The boarding package also includes airport transfers, Welcome Days, weekend activities and transportation, and a laundry card.	Boarding arrangements The school is a day school; there is no boarding.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement There is no formal dress code; students can wear whatever expresses their personality.	Uniform requirement Uniforms are not worn at UNIS; students dress in neat and clean attire.
Food options	Food options The dining hall is catered daily by Genuine Foods, offering health-conscious meals with fresh, seasonal ingredients; there is a full salad bar, sandwich station, and soups of the day, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal options.	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 EF Academy is part of EF Education First.	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 EF Academy New York awards a U.S. high school diploma, with the option to pursue the full International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme or select individual IB or Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Learners tailor their schedules with IB and/or AP courses aligned to their goals and strengths. Advisors help each student design a personalized pathway to graduation, supported by daily mentorship and a 24/7 care team. Classes emphasize immersive, student-centered learning with hands-on projects and field studies in smaller groups. The campus welcomes a global community of 60+ nationalities on a 97-acre setting near New York City, and offers opportunities such as the Nobel Prize Museum partnership to broaden experiences.	Curriculum details The 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 One-to-one university counseling helps students gain admission to universities, and customized counseling supports the admissions process as students prepare their applications. Daily mentorship and university counselors guide students through planning for higher education.	Higher education progression 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 Advisors tailor a personalized academic plan for each student based on talents and strengths, helping set growth goals and select courses and co-curricular activities.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Daily mentorship and 24/7 support are provided by house parents, teachers, and university counselors who work as a team to look after well-being and success. An advisory group led by the student's advisor meets multiple times per week to support students academically and socially. The campus fosters belonging through an inclusive environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging. The learning community includes a global mix of 60+ nationalities, enriching social interaction and perspectives.	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) —	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 Daily mentorship and 24/7 support address students' mental wellbeing. House parents, teachers, and university counselors collaborate to monitor and support well-being and emotional health. Advisory groups meet regularly to support social and emotional development alongside academics. The campus promotes belonging through an inclusive community that supports mental health and resilience.	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 —	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 EF Academy New York sits on a 97-acre campus in Thornwood, a short train ride from New York City. The campus includes two residence halls for different grade groups, with living spaces designed for comfort and safety and options to upgrade to twins or singles. There are ample student lounges across the dorms and buildings for study and socializing. The Fitness Center features a multi-purpose gymnasium, and the campus offers an outdoor soccer pitch, basketball and tennis courts, and five kilometers of wooded trails. The school provides modern science labs with up-to-date instruments and bright, small-class teaching spaces, and it hosts a dining hall serving globally inspired meals with dietary options.	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 Facilities for sports and fitness include a Fitness Center with a multi-purpose gymnasium and weights and exercise machines. Students can use the outdoor soccer pitch, plus basketball and tennis courts for games and practice. A wooded five-kilometer trail surrounds the campus, offering running and biking opportunities. The environment supports both varsity sports and intramural activities across seasons.	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 Classrooms are designed for small class sizes with movable furniture to support group work and project-based learning. Science labs are fully equipped with modern instruments, including digital and compound microscopes, vernier data logging probes and sensors for biology, chemistry, and physics experiments. The spaces are designed to foster hands-on experimentation and collaborative inquiry across subjects. Learning spaces are bright and modern to support active learning and teamwork.	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 Co-curricular activities are required at EF Academy New York; clubs and excursions are organized by the activities team. Students can join seasonal intramural teams such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, running, table tennis, or cheerleading, and may participate in varsity sports across the year. Clubs span arts, hobbies, STEAM, and student government, and students can start their own clubs by proposing them to the activities team. Examples include the Outdoor Adventure Club and the Student Council.	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 EF Academy New York is a Middle States Association and New York State Education Department accredited private high school located in Thornwood, Westchester County, New York. It serves Grades 9–12 and welcomes both day and boarding students. It is part of EF Academy, which maintains campuses in Pasadena, California and Oxford, United Kingdom.	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 EF Academy New York has a global campus community with students from 60+ nationalities. On campus, immersion learning happens everywhere and facilities support learning by doing on a 97-acre campus. A dedicated team of house parents, advisors, and teachers provides daily mentorship and 24/7 support, with advisory groups and on-campus Health & Wellness Center. The campus emphasizes an inclusive culture where students can come as they are and belong. Most students board on campus as seven-day boarders; local students can board five days a week or attend as day students. Co-curricular activities are mandatory, with clubs and intramural sports; students can start their own clubs.	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 EF Academy New York offers a customizable academic pathway. Students pursue the full IB Diploma or select IB/AP courses. Advisors tailor a plan based on strengths, with immersive, hands-on learning and field studies. Learning beyond textbooks emphasizes hands-on discovery in and outside the classroom.	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 —	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 Students come from 60+ nationalities, creating a global high school community. Cultural clubs and global studies opportunities encourage sharing perspectives. The Nobel Prize Museum partnership lets students hear from laureates and display work.	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 After-school life includes sports, outdoor leadership, cultural clubs, and robotics. Varsity athletics include soccer, volleyball, basketball, cross-country, tennis, and cheer, plus intramural clubs. These activities foster teamwork and personal growth.	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 & 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 Advisors help design a personalized graduation pathway with one-to-one counseling. Daily mentorship and 24/7 support come from house parents, teachers, and university counselors. The Advisory Council includes leaders from Harvard and Yale, such as Dr. Reimers, Dr. Kumar, and Dr. Santos.	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 Daily mentorship and 24/7 support help well-being and success. The campus is welcoming and inclusive, encouraging belonging. Advisory groups meet regularly to support students academically and socially.	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 across all academic programs at EF Academy New York, including the US High School Diploma, AP, and IB Diploma Programme. The school supports multilingualism with Prep and English as an Additional Language (EAL) programs, push-in support in mainstream classes, and exit criteria based on WIDA assessments. World languages offered include IB Chinese Language & Literature SL/HL, IB German Language & Literature SL/HL, IB Korean Language & Literature SL/HL, IB Spanish Language & Literature SL/HL, IB French Language & Literature SL/HL, IB Self-Taught Language A Literature, and US High School language courses in French, Spanish, and German. Students may maintain home languages and translanguaging is supported; entry assessments include Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, IELTS, or EIKEN.	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 On our campus immersion learning happens everywhere. Flourish academically and in life with facilities designed to foster learning by doing and activities that inspire exploration beyond the classroom.	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 EF Academy New York uses English in all programs. English level should be appropriate for the student's grade and program; fluency is not required, but English proficiency is demonstrated. For international applicants, English listening, reading, writing, and speaking are tested and a personal interview is conducted to place students on the right track. If English support is needed, the EF Academy Preparation Program is available for students entering 9th or 10th grade to accelerate language development. How to apply provides the steps to apply to EF Academy New York. There are three enrollment options: full boarding, weekly boarding, or day student. Tuition, fees, and scholarships are described under Tuition, Fees, & Scholarships. There are upcoming deadlines: November 14: Early admissions applications due; November 21: All early admissions recommendations and transcripts due; November 26: Recommendations and transcripts, including progress reports; December 5: Early admissions decisions announced; December 12: Early admissions deadline to enroll with early enrollment discount of $1,000; January 8: Application deadline for regular decision admissions and EF Academy Community Scholarships; January 17: Recommendations and transcripts including semester 1 reports; February 20: Regular admissions decisions announced; March 12: Parent reply and enrollment deadline for Fall 2026. A visa can be arranged with assistance if needed; take a virtual tour or visit the campus.	Admissions 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 Merit-based scholarships range from $1,500 to $15,000, subject to availability. EF Academy offers merit scholarships and need-based financial aid to help make an EF Academy education possible. All merit scholarship and financial aid applications must be submitted with the completed application for admission. Terms and conditions apply.	Scholarships 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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