United Nations International School vs Whitby School

	U United Nations International School New York, United States	W Whitby School New York, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $48,456 - 53,767	Fees / year $39,975 - 55,280
Age range	Age range 4 - 18 years	Age range 1 - 14 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum IB (MYP), Montessori Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,450	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 19	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1947	Opened 1958
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location New York, United States. Campus: 24-50 FDR Drive, New York, NY 10010-4046.	Location Whitby School is located at 969 Lake Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06831, United States. Greenwich is in Fairfield County, about 45 minutes from New York City. The campus sits in a residential area of Greenwich and serves students from the local community and surrounding towns.
Stages	Stages Pre-K through 12th grade (PreK-12).	Stages Stepping Stones through Grade 8.
School type	School type Day school.	School type Independent, co-educational private day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix 97 countries are represented by UNIS students.	Pupil nationality mix Diverse student body represents 27 countries and more than 22 languages.
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.	Additional learning support English as an Additional Language (EAL) program; Lower School Language Acquisition focuses on oral language development.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Affiliation with the United Nations.	Country affiliation United States
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
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.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details There are free NYC school buses for students in kindergarten through sixth grade who live within five miles of the school; private buses may be arranged by parents; UNIS students may also receive MetroCards.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	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.)	Fee details Application fees - A student application fee is charged for each applicant; commonly listed as USD 75. - The student application fee is waived for families applying for financial aid. Tuition fees (annual) — by year group - Stepping Stones (18 months to 3 years): - Half Day Program (Mon–Fri mornings): USD 34,400 per year. - Full Day Program (Mon–Thu full days; Fri half-day): USD 42,300 per year. - Primary 1 (3 years by Aug 1): - Half Day Program (Mon–Fri mornings): USD 43,900 per year. - Full Day Program (Mon–Thu full days; Fri half-day): USD 51,100 per year. - Primary 2 (4 years by Aug 1): - Full Day Program: USD 51,100 per year. - Primary 3 / Kindergarten (5 years by Aug 1): - Full Day Program: USD 51,100 per year. - Lower School (Grades 1–4): - Grades 1–4 Full Day Program: USD 52,900 per year (Grades 1–2 and Grades 3–4 listed at this amount). - Middle School (Grades 5–8): - Grades 5–8 Full Day Program: USD 55,280 per year (Grades 5–6 and Grades 7–8 listed at this amount). Per-term / billing note - Tuition is published as annual amounts above; deposits, billing schedules and installment options are handled through the school's enrollment and billing process (Enrollment Contract / Finance Office and the Veracross Parent Portal). Families receive billing details and the formal payment schedule through the school's enrollment/billing process. One-time and recurring additional fees (examples by grade) - Parents' Association fee: USD 210 per student (annual). - Field trip / activity fees (one-time annual or trip-specific, by grade): - Grades 1–2: USD 300 per student (annual field trip fee). - Grade 3: USD 500 (one-time annual field trip fee). - Grade 4: USD 600 (one-time annual field trip fee). - Grades 5–6: USD 850 (one-time annual field trip fee). - Grades 7–8: USD 3,900 (one-time annual field trip fee; includes the international trip week). - Before-school and after-school program charges: Daily or seasonal rates apply for before-school and after-school care; published tuition above covers standard program hours only. - Spiritwear / optional uniform items: SpiritWear and uniform items are offered through the school's online store; spiritwear purchases are optional and sold through the school store. Boarding fees - Whitby is an independent co-educational day school for students ages 18 months through Grade 8; no boarding program or boarding fees apply. Refund information - Whitby makes available a Tuition Refund Plan (TRP) to reduce family financial loss in the event of withdrawal for covered reasons. The TRP terms include: - Medical withdrawal or medical absence due to injury or sickness: the Plan will pay 100% of unused yearly insured fees (less a four-day deductible) if withdrawal/absence exceeds four consecutive days. - Mental health withdrawal or absence: the Plan will pay 60% of unused yearly insured fees (less a four-day deductible) if withdrawal/absence exceeds four consecutive days. - Withdrawal for non-medical reasons (examples: move, change of objective, voluntary withdrawal): the Plan will pay 60% of unused yearly insured fees provided the student has attended more than 14 consecutive calendar days from their first day of attendance in the academic year. - Enrollment deposit refund related to financial aid: when financial aid is awarded, the enrollment deposit is computed as 20% of the tuition amount net of the financial aid award; that deposit is refundable if the family formally withdraws within two weeks of notification of the financial aid decision. Billing schedule and payment terms (contract and deposit) - An enrollment deposit is required as part of the Enrollment Contract; for families receiving financial aid the deposit is computed as 20% of tuition net of the award. Final billing terms, schedules and payment deadlines are set in the Enrollment Contract and administered by the Finance Office and the Parent Portal. Fee payment options (documented options) - Financial-aid application payments (Clarity/Parent Financial Statement) may be paid by credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express). - Spiritwear and uniform store purchases are processed through the school's online store (card payments). - The school's Admissions Center and Parent Portal (Veracross) manage enrollments, billing and the family account; deposits and tuition balances are processed and recorded through the school's Finance Office and parent portal. Other notes on fees - Tuition assistance (need-based financial aid) is available beginning in Primary 3 (Kindergarten); the student application fee is waived for families applying for financial aid. Family eligibility and award amounts follow the school's published financial aid process. The financial aid program does not reduce additional costs such as Parents' Association dues, trip fees, the Tuition Refund Plan premium, or after-school activity fees.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements The school is a day school; there is no boarding.	Boarding arrangements Day school; no boarding facilities.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniforms are not worn at UNIS; students dress in neat and clean attire.	Uniform requirement All students from Primary 1 through Grade 8 are required to wear the Whitby School Uniform.
Food 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.	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	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.	Governance and ownership Whitby School is governed by a Board of Trustees that sets strategic direction and oversees fiduciary responsibilities, in partnership with the Head of School. Board committees include Finance, Governance, Building and Grounds, and Development.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	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.	Curriculum details Whitby offers Montessori-based early childhood education (Whitby Montessori Children's House) for ages 18 months through early childhood years, with Lower School (Grades 1–4) and Middle School (Grades 5–8). The Middle School follows the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 5–8, and Spanish is taught beginning at 18 months.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio 5:1
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	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.	Higher education progression Whitby graduates are accepted at their first choice of high school; they attend competitive secondary schools including Brunswick School, Greenwich Academy, Greenwich Country Day School, Greenwich High School, and other regional day and boarding schools.
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 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.	Social & emotional learning Social and emotional learning (SEL) is embedded in the curriculum through Montessori and IB frameworks. The timetable includes dedicated time for community building and SEL instruction. SEL helps students manage and communicate feelings, understand health and safety, build relationships across diverse backgrounds, resolve conflicts, and develop self-management to become successful learners.
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.	Special educational needs (SEN) Whitby supports the educational, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of all students and works to remove barriers to learning, reflecting a commitment to inclusive education.
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.	English as an additional language Whitby runs an English as an Additional Language (EAL) program. Lower School EAL students in phases 1-2 attend EAL classes with an EAL teacher in place of Spanish, while continuing to reinforce language learning in the context of classroom units. The EAL program provides instruction to promote English language proficiency. All students learn additional languages of either Spanish and/or Mandarin starting in Stepping Stones and through Middle School.
Mental wellbeing	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.	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is supported through social-emotional learning, a zero-tolerance bullying policy, and programs that foster empathy, resilience, and leadership.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school places emphasis on safety and risk prevention within its student support programs.	Safeguarding Whitby has safeguarding policies focused on protecting the welfare and safety of children, including inclusion policies that support removing barriers to learning and addressing the educational, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	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.	Facilities overview Whitby School sits on a 32-acre campus in Greenwich. The campus features 76,000 square feet of modern facilities and resources. The Athletics Center was completed in February 2016, doubling the gymnasium. In November 2014, four classrooms were added, including a Grade 4 classroom, a World Language classroom, a Design Technology lab, and a Science Lab. The grounds include a separate Performing Arts Center used for theatrical performances and cultural events, plus tennis courts and outdoor playing fields, with a library featuring a Makerspace in the Lower School.
Sports facilities	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.	Sports facilities Whitby's Athletics Center was completed in February 2016, doubling the gymnasium. The campus includes tennis courts and outdoor playing fields. Whitby is a full member of the Middle School Fairchester Athletic Association (MSFAA), with three seasons of sports. Seasonal sports include soccer (5th–6th and 7th–8th), cross country, winter basketball, and spring baseball, softball, and tennis. The athletics program emphasizes participation and teamwork and develops transferable skills such as time management, resilience, and leadership.
Academic facilities	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.	Academic facilities An expansion in November 2014 added four classrooms, including a Grade 4 classroom, World Language classroom, Design Technology lab, and Science Lab. The main building houses separate wings for the different divisions, each with its own entrance. The campus includes modern academic spaces such as language, technology, and science facilities. The library houses a Makerspace that supports hands-on learning in the Lower School.
Extra curricular facilities	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.	Extra curricular facilities Whitby offers a mission-driven cocurricular program with activities for Grades 5–8 that are a required part of the school day, while programs for younger students are optional. From Primary 2 to Grade 4, Enrichment programs extend learning after the normal school day and include science and nature activities, sports, robotics, digital animation, and chess. Grades 1–4 participate in Intramural Sports, while Grades 5–8 join athletic teams as part of the Middle School Fairchester Athletic Association. The Performing Arts program offers options to pursue musical instruments or participate in two annual musical productions. Grades 3–8 have access to clubs and electives, including Montessori Model United Nations, MATHCOUNTS Team, and Outdoor Club.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	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.	History Whitby School began in 1958 when Greenwich families formed a school rooted in the Montessori philosophy. It became the birthplace of the American Montessori Society and led a revival of Montessori education in the United States. In 2007, Whitby integrated the International Baccalaureate program, and IB accreditation followed in Spring 2010, making Whitby the first U.S. school to be accredited by both AMS and the IBO for ages 18 months through Grade 8. Today, the Whitby education is built on these Montessori and IB foundations.
Community	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.	Community Whitby has a structured Parent Community with events and parenting workshops to support families. Special Visit Days invite grandparents, parents, and other special friends to visit classrooms; Student-Led Assemblies showcase student work; Grade-Level Coffees provide opportunities to connect with school leaders. The Annual Gala and Mayfair are signature Whitby events that bring families together. These activities create meaningful opportunities to be part of the Whitby community.
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.	Parent teacher association Whitby has a Parents Association that invites parents to get involved and support students. As a member, you can volunteer as a classroom mystery reader, welcome new families, share cultural experiences, lead an event, or lend a hand at family socials. The association engages in a range of volunteer opportunities and coordinates involvement in school-wide events. It supports events such as Special Visit Days, Student-Led Assemblies, Grade-Level Coffees, the Annual Gala, and Mayfair. Participation strengthens the Whitby community and supports student learning.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	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.	Academic & intellectual The cocurricular program supports academic enrichment through STEM and competitions. STEM enrichment includes Little Robotics w/ Sphero Indi Scratch Jr, Bright Ideas Circuitry, JR Scientists Discovery Lab, Spark Jr., LEGO Robotics SPIKE Essentials, and Minecraft Club: Rise of Civilization. The program also features the MATHCOUNTS team and Montessori Model United Nations, as well as First LEGO League and Open Lab Design. Some electives are semester-long and culminate in presentations, expanding knowledge beyond the core curriculum.
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.	Arts & creative Whitby offers a performing arts program that includes theatre and music ensembles. Theatre (Grades 3–8) produces a fall musical and a spring play; past productions include Oliver! and Romeo and Juliet. Music includes Beginner Band, Concert Band, Chorus, and private lessons, with ensembles performing twice a year. The program integrates theatre and music with other arts to showcase student collaboration and public performance.
Cultural & language	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.	Cultural & language Spanish is taught beginning at 18 months. Montessori Model United Nations is offered as a cocurricular activity for students. Language and cultural experiences are integrated through enrichment and global projects, supporting a broad international perspective.
Social & hobbies	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.	Social & hobbies The cocurricular program offers a broad spectrum of clubs and electives, including chess, design technology, world dance and hip-hop, tennis, and outdoor activities. Enrichment offerings also feature technology and arts experiences, fostering exploration of personal interests and collaboration across grades. Students have opportunities to engage in performance-related activities and group projects that build social and teamwork skills.
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.	Community & service Whitby's Community Service Program connects students with local organizations such as Adopt a Dog, American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, Bruce Museum, Domus, Family Centers, Greenwich United Way, Nathaniel Witherell, Neighbors Link, SoundWaters and Special Olympics. Students in Grades 7 and 8 begin by meeting representatives from these organizations to learn about service opportunities. The program develops empathy, humility, leadership, and an understanding that individual actions can positively impact others.
Leadership & professional	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.	Leadership & professional Public Speaking & Business-Minded Activities include Broadcast Journalism, Reader's Theater, Money Makers, Kidtrepreneurship, and Debate Team. Upper School electives and clubs offer leadership opportunities, and participation in organizations like Montessori Model United Nations and the MATHCOUNTS team reinforces collaboration, problem-solving, and professional skills.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing UNIS has an extensive Athletics program, running across three seasons for students in 7th–12th grades, and consists of 38 school teams.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Athletics offers seasonal sports for Grades 5–8, including soccer, cross country, winter basketball, baseball, softball, and tennis, emphasizing physical health, resilience, teamwork, and leadership. The Wellness Studio provides yoga, mindfulness, and emotional wellness practice as part of enrichment, supporting overall well-being.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	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.	Language provision Spanish and Chinese are offered as world languages in the Lower School. The Lower School Language Acquisition Program focuses on oral language development and aims to build language skills and cultural understanding. The program is integrated with the IB Program of Inquiry and connects language learning to transdisciplinary units. Teaching uses three proficiency levels—emergent, capable, and proficient—across six phases; most learners begin in Grade 1, entering the Chinese program, with the option for students with prior Chinese knowledge to join Grades 2–4.
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.	Bilingual teaching —
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.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	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.	Admissions Step 1: Submit Inquiry Form. Submit the Online Inquiry Form to request information about Whitby School. The Inquiry initiates the admissions process. After submission, you receive a login to the Online Admissions Portal to continue with the application and supporting materials. Step 2: Schedule a Virtual Overview and/or Campus Tour. Schedule a Virtual Overview and/or Campus Tour. The overview introduces Whitby's classrooms, programs, and co-curricular activities and helps families learn about Whitby in a first-hand way. The Admissions Team coordinates these experiences as part of the process. Step 3: Apply. Submit an Application for Admissions after completing the inquiry. You will receive login access to the Online Admissions Portal to submit the online application and any required recommendations and transfer documents. Whitby uses the Standard Application Online (SAO) framework and rolling admissions begin in early March, space permitting. Step 4: Submit Records, Recommendations, and other Relevant Forms/Information. Submit Records, Recommendations, and other Relevant Forms/Information. These materials provide the Admissions Committee with a complete view of the applicant. The online portal is used to submit these documents and additional information as requested. Step 5: Schedule Candidate Visit and Assessment. Schedule Candidate Visit and Assessment. The candidate visit and assessment help evaluate readiness for Whitby's program. The Admissions Committee reviews the results as part of the file and moves toward a decision. Step 6: Candidate File Reviewed by Admissions Committee. Candidate File Reviewed by Admissions Committee. The committee reviews the complete file and determines placement. Whitby offers rolling admissions; decisions depend on space. Applicants with English as an Additional Language are assessed and placed according to Whitby's language-proficiency procedures (including interviews, language assessments, and appropriate placement).
Scholarships	Scholarships A need-based financial aid program provides awards to newly admitted students based on demonstrated financial need. Financial aid is based on need and UNIS uses its own Financial Aid form; an aid application will not prejudice admission decisions. Financial aid decisions are coordinated after admissions decisions, and submission timing helps the process. SSS begins processing financial aid information on November 1, 2025; it is recommended to submit by December 31, 2025 for consideration in the February/March notification cycle. For more information on eligibility and process, contact Margaret Chiu at (212) 584-3034 or mchiu@unis.org.	Scholarships Financial Aid Options. Whitby School offers Financial Aid Options to support a diverse community. Financial aid is available for new and existing Whitby families and covers tuition costs based on need; the process uses Clarity for information collection. Tuition assistance is available beginning in Primary 3 (Kindergarten). The financial aid application must be completed through Clarity, including submission of required financial information; awards are determined by the Whitby Financial Aid Committee and are contingent on available funds and timely submission. The aid includes tuition remission and need-based awards; the enrollment deposit remains 20% of tuition net of aid and is refundable if withdrawal occurs within two weeks of notification.
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