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EF Academy New York

United States, New York

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees $43,700 - 76,600
Ages 14 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 290
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages Mandarin, German, Spanish, French, Korean
Typical class size 15
Strengths Sport, STEM, Languages
Clubs Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies, Leadership and Professional
Stages High School
Introduction

EF Academy New York is a high school set on a 97-acre Thornwood campus near New York City, welcoming students from 60+ nationalities. The school offers an American high school diploma with the option to pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or individual IB/AP courses, allowing students to tailor their schedule to their goals. With daily mentorship and a 24/7 care team, advisers design personalized pathways toward graduation in a hands-on, student-centered environment. The campus supports immersive learning through field studies, collaborative projects, and small classes in modern science labs and flexible classrooms. On-site housing is available, alongside day programs, and facilities include a Fitness Center, outdoor pitch, courts, wooded trails, and a dining hall serving inspired meals. Partnerships such as the Nobel Prize Museum broaden exposure to laureates and real-world inquiry. EF Academy New York is accredited by the Middle States Association and the New York State Education Department.

582 Columbus Ave, Thornwood, NY 10594, United States

The Essentials

EF Academy New York has 290 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location

Thornwood, Westchester County, New York, USA. The campus sits on 97 acres in a suburban setting, a short train ride from downtown Manhattan.

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.

Type

Private boarding high school in New York. On-campus boarding is available; day students are also accepted.

Pupil Nationality Mix

60+ nationalities represented.

Country affiliation

International

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.

Bus service

A weekend shuttle operates from campus to Pleasantville train station, from which trains go to Manhattan and other destinations.

Fees

Annual tuition at EF Academy New York ranges from USD 43,700 to USD 76,600 for 2026/27.

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.
Academics

EF Academy New York teaches American Curriculum, IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 14 to 18.

Curriculum

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.

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.

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.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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