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Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages French, Spanish
Typical class size 14
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction
Located on the East River in Kips Bay, The British International School of New York educates students from age 3 to 18 on a campus. The school offers a blended curriculum that combines the English National Curriculum with IB approaches in the Primary and Middle Years, and Cambridge IGCSE and A Levels in Upper School. Early Years integrates the UK Early Years Foundation Stage with the IB Primary Years Programme; Lower School uses the EN Curriculum within an IB framework; Middle School provides IB-based inquiry alongside IGCSE preparation; Upper School follows IGCSE and A Levels. Opened in 2006, BIS-NY launched its Upper School in 2018. Facilities include outdoor play areas, onsite swimming pool, science labs, art studios, libraries, dedicated spaces for music, languages, STEM and design. Additional strengths include a truly robust performing arts program, language clubs, and after-school activities led by groups such as Green Team and BIS-NY Bulldogs.
20 Waterside Plaza, New York, NY 10010, United States
The Essentials
The British International School of New York has 300 pupils, typical class sizes of 14, instruction in English.
Location
Located at 20 Waterside Plaza, Manhattan, NY 10010, BIS-NY sits in the Kips Bay neighborhood on Manhattan's East Side, alongside the East River. Access is via 23rd Street, and the campus is near Gramercy Park, Murray Hill and Stuyvesant Town. The riverfront setting provides a calm, light filled environment with open views and space to breathe, and many families reach BIS-NY from Long Island City and Greenpoint.
Stages
Early Years (2.9 – 5 years); Lower School (5–11 years); Middle School (11–14 years); Upper School (14–18 years).
Type
The school is a private international day school in New York for students aged 3 to 18.
Pupil Nationality Mix
Over 40 nationalities represented across BIS-NY.
Additional learning support
The school has a dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) team and EAL specialists; a full-time Nurse and a School Counselor support student wellbeing.
Country affiliation
British/UK curriculum (English National Curriculum).
School day structure
Drop-off begins at 8:15 am; a full-day program ends at 3:30 pm, with late care until 5:30 pm. Nursery offers full-day or half-day schedules, with half-day ending at 12:30 pm including lunch.
Fees
Annual tuition at The British International School of New York ranges from USD 44,250 to USD 66,900 for 2026/27.
Academic year covered - The fees and payment terms below correspond to the school's published tuition and fees schedule for the 2025/26 academic year.
Application and admissions fees - Application Fee: USD 125, payable at the time of application. - New Student Enrollment Fee (one-time, non-refundable): USD 2,500, payable upon enrollment for all new students.
Annual tuition by year group (full-year amounts) - Nursery (3s program, full year, 5 days/week): USD 44,250. - Reception (Pre-K / 4-year-olds, full year, 5 days/week): USD 49,500. - Primary & Middle School (Year 1 – Year 9): USD 64,750. - Upper School (Year 10 – Year 13): USD 65,800.
Mandatory trip / excursion fees - Excursion Week (Years 7–9 only, mandatory): Year 7 fee USD 1,900; Years 8 & 9 fee USD 2,150. These amounts are subject to change based on actual trip costs; installment schedule below applies.
Payment schedule, deposits and instalment options - Amounts due on enrollment (new students): - New Student Enrollment Fee (one-time, non-refundable): USD 2,500. - Tuition Deposit (non-refundable): Nursery & Reception: USD 3,500; Years 1–9: USD 3,500; Years 10–13: USD 6,000. The tuition deposit is applied against the full-year tuition and is non-refundable. - Remaining tuition balance (examples shown as amounts due under the single-instalment option): - Nursery: Balance due USD 40,750. - Reception: Balance due USD 46,000. - Years 1–9: Balance due USD 58,750. - Years 10–13: Balance due USD 59,800. - Two-installment option (balance divided 70% / 30%): - 70% of the balance due May 1, 2025; 30% of the balance due December 15, 2025. Example amounts (balance portion only): - Nursery: 70% = USD 28,525; 30% = USD 12,225. - Reception: 70% = USD 32,200; 30% = USD 13,800. - Years 1–9: 70% = USD 41,125; 30% = USD 17,625. - Years 10–13: 70% = USD 41,860; 30% = USD 17,940. - Ten-installment option (monthly): ten equal installments covering the balance; the published example monthly amounts are: - Nursery: USD 4,075 per month. - Reception: USD 4,600 per month. - Years 1–9: USD 5,875 per month. - Years 10–13: USD 5,980 per month. - Ten-installment timing and requirement: the ten-installment plan runs across the published dates and requires automatic ACH payment setup through the school's payment processor (TADS) as noted on the schedule. - Excursion Week payment timing (Years 7–9): 50% due October 15, 2025 and 50% due March 15, 2026 (subject to change by itinerary).
What tuition covers and what it does not cover - Tuition includes: educational materials, lunch, snacks, athletics, extracurricular programs (including school play, set design, athletics, debate) and educational day trips. - Tuition does not cover: school uniforms, private music lessons, after-school activities and late club, residential (overnight) trips for Years 7–13, transportation to/from school, and computing devices for Upper School (BYOD requirement). After-school care is charged separately at USD 23 per hour.
Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable; the school operates as a day school and no boarding fee schedule is published.
Refund and cancellation terms (key points) - New Student Enrollment Fee: one-time and non-refundable. - Tuition Deposit: non-refundable and applied against the year's tuition balance. - Financial aid application processing: the third-party FAST portal charges a USD 60 administrative fee per financial aid application. If the school is unable to meet a family's demonstrated need, the school will refund the application fee. - Pro‑rata for partial-year attendance: published proration is One term = 50% of full-year tuition; Two terms = 75% of full-year tuition. Fees are prorated by term for mid‑year entry or departure only when agreed in advance; this proration does not apply to unplanned withdrawals or non-attendance once a student is enrolled.
Late payment, penalties and consequences - A late fee of 1.5% per month is assessed on all past-due invoices by the school's billing agent (TADS). Significantly past-due accounts may result in student withdrawal.
Fee payment methods and administrative processing - The school uses TADS for tuition billing and payment management. TADS accepts multiple payment methods including automatic bank withdrawal (ACH), major credit and debit cards, e-checks, and paper checks/money orders depending on the contract and options selected in the TADS tuition agreement. The ten-installment plan specifically requires ACH authorization.
Other regular or occasional charges - After-school care: USD 23 per hour (charged separately). - Residential / overnight trip fees (Years 7–13) and private lessons or certain extracurricular items may be charged separately when applicable. Excursion Week charges for Years 7–9 are mandatory and billed as noted above.
Contact / billing administration - Billing and financial-aid administration are handled through the school's stated contacts and the TADS/FAST portals as part of the admissions and tuition process. Families may arrange payment plans and employer/third‑party invoicing in coordination with the school's admissions and finance teams.
Academics
The British International School of New York teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 3 to 18.
Curriculum
Early Years combines the UK Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. Lower School uses the English National Curriculum taught within the IB framework. Middle School provides IB-based inquiry alongside preparation for IGCSE. Upper School follows the Cambridge IGCSE and A Level programmes. The overall curriculum blends the English National Curriculum with IB approaches in the Lower and Middle Schools and Cambridge qualifications in the Upper School.
Student Teacher Ratio
Small class sizes and small student-teacher ratios. Form teachers, division leaders and specialist staff provide personalised attention.
Higher Education Progression
Graduates have gained places at leading institutions around the world since the first graduating class in 2021. Cambridge qualifications are accepted by more than 880 universities in the United States (including all Ivy League and Ivy Plus institutions) and by every UK university, with strong A Level results often earning up to one year of university credit. Merit scholarships total over $2 million each year.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school places wellbeing at the center of its approach with a Welcoming, Connected Community. From day one, families are supported to feel at home through activities and a warm community. The school fosters Respect, Inclusion and Every Child Feeling Seen, drawing on a diverse community of over 40 nationalities. The small student–teacher ratios, dedicated form teachers, division leaders and specialist staff provide trusted adults who know each child well. Regular communication between families and leadership ensures a transparent, supportive environment where students feel safe to speak up and seek help. Daily safeguarding practices are underpinned by the Affinitas Culture of Care to support student wellbeing.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school has a dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) team that supports students with diverse needs and helps them access learning. The SEN team collaborates with other staff to provide appropriate support and inclusion across divisions. The EAL specialists and other specialist staff coordinate with the SEN team as part of the overall inclusion approach. The SEN provision sits within BIS-NY's holistic wellbeing framework and safeguarding approach.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The EAL program offers focused small-group and in-class support from Nursery through Year 9. This support helps students build English skills to access the curriculum with confidence. EAL specialists are part of the staff to provide targeted language assistance within lessons. Learners are supported socially and academically to feel included within BIS-NY's multilingual community.
Mental Wellbeing
Wellbeing comes first at BIS-NY with a welcoming and connected community. A full-time Nurse and a School Counselor support student welfare and access to care. The school maintains structures for student wellbeing and regular communication with families. The Affinitas Culture of Care informs daily practices to keep students safe, heard and thriving. Respect and inclusion are central to mental wellbeing in the BIS-NY community.
Safeguarding
The school maintains a strong safeguarding framework with a full-time Nurse, a School Counselor, a Special Educational Needs team and EAL specialists. These roles collaborate to prioritise student safety and welfare. Daily practices reflect international safeguarding standards. The Affinitas Culture of Care informs staff responses to safeguarding concerns. Staff receive regular welfare training to keep students safe, heard, and supported to thrive.
Admissions
Admissions
STEP ONE Inquire by completing our short inquiry form to share a little about your family. A member of our admissions team will contact you to answer questions and schedule a video call or private campus tour. This is the best way to get to know BIS-NY and determine if it is the right fit for your child.
STEP TWO Apply Online After your initial conversation or tour, families who wish to continue the process will be invited to complete the full application form. The form includes family contact information and additional details that help us better understand your child and their educational needs. Please note there is a $125 application fee, payable when the application is submitted.
STEP THREE Submit Supporting Documents Once your application has been reviewed, our admissions team will guide you through the final step: submitting the required supporting documents based on your child's age. A checklist of required documents can be found in the dropdowns below. The documents required vary by age.
FAQs
What curriculum does The British International School of New York follow?
Early Years combines the UK Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. Lower School uses the English National Curriculum taught within the IB framework. Middle School provides IB-based inquiry alongside preparation for IGCSE. Upper School fo.
What are the tuition fees at The British International School of New York?
Annual tuition fees range from USD 125 to USD 66,900 depending on the year group. **Academic year covered** - The fees and payment terms below correspond to the school's published tuition and fees schedule for the 2025/26 academic y
What age range does The British International School of New York serve?
The school serves students aged 3 to 18. Early Years (2.9 – 5 years); Lower School (5–11 years); Middle School (11–14 years); Upper School (14–18 years).
Where is The British International School of New York located?
Located at 20 Waterside Plaza, Manhattan, NY 10010, BIS-NY sits in the Kips Bay neighborhood on Manhattan's East Side, alongside the East River. Access is via 23rd Street, and the campus is near Gramercy Park, Murray Hill and Stuyvesant Town. The riverfront setting provides a calm, light filled envi
Does The British International School of New York provide SEN support?
The school has a dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) team that supports students with diverse needs and helps them access learning. The SEN team collaborates with other staff to provide appropriate support and inclusion across divisions. The EAL specialists and other specialist staff coordinat
What wellbeing support does The British International School of New York offer?
The school places wellbeing at the center of its approach with a Welcoming, Connected Community. From day one, families are supported to feel at home through activities and a warm community. The school fosters Respect, Inclusion and Every Child Feeling Seen, drawing on a diverse community of over 40
What sports facilities does The British International School of New York have?
Competitive sports include soccer, basketball, swimming, and track and field, with BIS-NY Bulldogs representing the school. The campus supports PE and sport through an onsite swimming pool used for physical education and aquatic activities. Students participate in a varied after-school sports progra
How do I apply to The British International School of New York?
STEP ONE Inquire by completing our short inquiry form to share a little about your family. A member of our admissions team will contact you to answer questions and schedule a video call or private campus tour. This is the best way to get to know BIS-NY and determine if it is the right fit for your c
How diverse is the student body at The British International School of New York?
Over 40 nationalities represented across BIS-NY.
What type of school is The British International School of New York?
The British International School of New York is a Co-educational school with 300 students. The school is a private international day school in New York for students aged 3 to 18.
What languages are taught at The British International School of New York?
The school teaches in English and delivers the English National Curriculum through the International Baccalaureate framework. World Languages are central to learning, with Modern Languages offered in French and Spanish. An English as an Additional Language (EAL) program supports students for whom En
What is the history of The British International School of New York?
The British International School of New York opened in 2006. September 2016 marked BIS-NY's tenth anniversary. In September 2018 the school launched an Upper School programme offering Cambridge International IGCSE and A Level courses.
What extracurricular activities are available?
Drama and school productions are a core part of BIS-NY's arts program. Each year, two full-scale annual musical productions are staged for Years 4–9, with after-school rehearsals. There are set-design and backstage roles that engage students as makers and builders, and young musicians support perfor
What are the school hours at The British International School of New York?
Drop-off begins at 8:15 am; a full-day program ends at 3:30 pm, with late care until 5:30 pm. Nursery offers full-day or half-day schedules, with half-day ending at 12:30 pm including lunch.
