For such a cosmopolitan hub, New York has a surprisingly limited choice of international schools but there are a host of local options, provided you can find a way to squeeze your children past the hordes of New Yorkers battering at the doors of the most desirable ones.
- Education in New York
- Choosing a school in New York
- Special education needs in New York
- Pre-schools, kindergarten and nurseries in New York
- Best schools in New York
(Photo credit: The British International School of New York)
Education in New York
Perhaps the dearth of specifically international schools is to be expected. Language is, after all, not a barrier and the curriculum is broadly similar to that which you will find in Britain. Plenty of international families opt to send their offspring to the city’s many excellent and even famous private schools, while a good number plump for the public (state) sector, which, at elementary level at least, has greatly improved. In this cosmopolitan city, so called local families often have either international backgrounds and/or connections so private schools, while following an American style curriculum, tend to have a more international ‘feel’ in terms of their pupil and parent body.
Many families choose to live in the city, which - together with the city’s rising pre-school population - means that competition for places at top private and public schools is fierce.
The education system in New York starts at kindergarten (from the age of 5), progresses to grade 1 and finishes at grade 12. Elementary school encompasses grades 1-5, middle school covers grades 6-8 (5-8 at UNIS) and high school grades 9-12. A school that takes your child right through would be dubbed K-12.
In the early years, reading, writing and maths tend to move at a noticeably slower pace than in Britain, with concepts such as multiplication and division not entering the classroom before grade 2 (British year 3) and spelling corrections don’t generally start until 1st or 2nd grade. Bear this in mind if your kids are young, your relocation is a short one, and you plan to return to a competitive British school. The academics tend to even out by middle school, and in some New York schools the pressure can become very intense indeed. The majority of teachers are incredibly committed and hard-working.
Choosing a school in New York
International schools
One of the first decisions you will make when relocating to New York Ci is whether to go the usual expat route and send your children to one of the city’s handful of international options. Should you decide to go down the international route, the choice - if not wide - is at least straightforward and comparatively stress-free.
Private schools
Generalising wildly, Manhattan’s private schools can be divided into the uptown schools, many of which are single sex and Anglophone in style (uniforms, school traditions, etc), and the more eclectic downtown schools, where the pottery studio is as important as the library. The largest concentration of private schools, and of the pre-schools that groom children for them are located on either side of Central Park. Most of these schools take advantage of the park’s location and you will frequently see groups of students running track or playing basketball.
To secure a slot at a New York private school, you generally have to apply a year in advance. Be prepared for a certain amount of rigmarole. Most schools require a tour, an interview for parents, an assessment or playdate for the child and, from grade 2 up, an intelligence test, administered by the Educational Records Bureau (and often referred to as the ERB) or the newer Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT). Check with each school as to which one they require.
It's wise to apply to a number of schools (some experts suggest as many as eight) to cover your bases. Call the schools up before applying, as many of them have different requirements; some, for example, ask for a letter of recommendation from a friend of the family.
Register online at the schools’ websites in September but be quick as registration often closes in October. Next, schedule school tours and interviews (phone the schools to do this, or check online) and book the appropriate test for your child. The ERB's website has useful examples of tests for all ages. Take time to study them as most New Yorkers prep their children or have them tutored.
It is all rather time-consuming, and no mean feat to arrange from abroad, and some parents choose to pay a private schools consultant to help them navigate the process or manage the entire procedure for them, (we offer this too: GSG Advice Service). Another resource, The Parents’ League lets you know of possible openings at the 300 private schools on its membership list—useful if you’re applying from abroad, and if you’ve got kids at tricky ages for entry. Whatever you decide, a visit to New York for the various tests and tours is usually unavoidable, so you should plan accordingly.
School fees are high compared to most cities and countries, due mainly to NYC's high teaching salary costs and higher costs generally in the city. New York is expensive all round. Financial aid is available at most schools, to varying degrees, but you must normally apply at the time of enrolment, often via an independent scheme called TADS.
Public (state) schools
Bear in mind three points when considering New York’s public education for your child. First, while Manhattan has many good elementary public schools, strong middle schools and high schools (with the exception of the specialised high schools) are harder to find. Second, sought-after elementary schools are increasingly over-subscribed so basing yourself near your chosen school is no longer a guarantee of a place. Last but not least, in order to apply at all, you must first be resident in NYC (no minimum time, you just need an address).
New York is divided into educational districts, and then subdivided into neighbourhoods (zones). Most children attend the elementary school they are zoned for. The picture becomes more complex at middle and high school level (many zones do not have a middle school, for example) and a newish lottery process with each final year elementary school pupil allocated a unique number which in turn determines their middle school. It’s a popular city-wide response to a previously merit-based system but not without issues of course. To find out which school you are zoned for, call New York’s central Office of Student Enrolment Planning and Operations or check the map of the Department of Education.
For an in-depth picture of all New York’s public schools, good and the bad, you can’t do better than the excellent InsideSchools.org - a non-profit website, which contains reviews of New York’s public schools, as well as parent comment, regular columns and advice.
Specialised Public Schools
Some elementary and middle schools offer fast-track academic programmes for gifted and talented children, and a few schools are reserved solely for the academically able. A political ‘hot potato’ to say the least, the city’s gifted and talented provision for elementary pupils has recently expanded but with the contentious testing at 4 years old permanently scrapped.
At high school level (grade 9-12) there are nine selective, specialised schools. These schools are generally huge (in the thousands) but it’s still highly competitive to gain a place (roughly one in five succeed, although for Styvesant and Brooklyn Tech the competition for a place increases to four per cent or a one in 25 chance). Although the schools get amazing results, with high college acceptance rates, including Ivy Leagues, they are not for the faint-hearted. Of course, they don’t have the small class sizes and personal touch of private schools, nor the facilities (although both Styvesant and Brooklyn Tech have a pool).
Special education needs in New York
Broadly speaking, international and private schools in New York consider children with SEN on an individual basis. Dwight School, on the UWS, has a well-established Quest Program in place to support learners from grades 1-12 using specialist teachers and there are others but a few of the more prestigious private schools in Manhattan may be a little less welcoming.
In the public system, there is a familiar process of children accessing learning support through their IEP (individualised education program) There is no separate admissions process and the emphasis is on inclusivity. Accessibility issues may determine school choice for children with physical disabilities.
Nurseries, pre-school, Pre-K and kindergarten in New York
Children embark on their formal schooling one year later than in Britain, so kindergarten would be British year 1. There is no exact equivalent to British reception. The closest is Pre-K (formerly known as nursery school), but it is generally less academic—no phonics, for example. Singing songs, play time, nap time and cuddly toys encouraged. Most international schools and some of the private schools do teach phonics earlier than American schools however. There are a vast range of private pre-school settings in the city, many with established links and relationships with particular private schools or that go right through from K-12 so the hustle for places in the city’s more prestigious schools starts early.
Free public education in NYC begins in the calendar year children turn 4. Every 4-year-old is guaranteed a seat either in a neighbourhood public school or a pre-K centre.
Best schools in New York
British International School (The) 
National Curriculum for England/ PYP/ MYP/ IGCSE; ages 3-16; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 300 students
Established in 2006 at Waterside Plaza, an upscale development on the East River in Manhattan. The school has grown upwards and now serves pre-K to grade 12/year 13. Students mainly British or US passport holders but also from some 40 different nationalities.
Click here to read our full review of The British International School
Dwight School (The), New York
PYP/ MYP/ IB Diploma; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 950 students
One of the oldest schools in New York, originally established as the Franklin School in 1872. A family owned school, operating as a not-for-profit charity and located in classic brownstone buildings on the Upper West Side. Majority of students move on to highly regarded universities, including Ivies in the US and Russell Group in the UK.
Click here to read our full review of The Dwight School.
International School of Brooklyn
PYP/ MYP; ages 3-14; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 370 students
A multi-lingual school offering French and Spanish immersion and the International Baccalaureate programmes. Founded in 2005, originallty piloting language immersion playgroups and now teaching up to 8th grade.
Click here to read our full review of International School of Brooklyn
Nord Anglia International School of New York (formerly World Class Learning Academy)
International Primary Curriculum/ International Middle Years Curriculum; ages 2-14; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 240 students
Part of the global Nord Anglia Education group, a chain of international schools now extending to over 65 worldwide. The only private school in New York City to offer the International Primary Curriculum. As with most Nord Anglia schools, they offer a performing arts programme designed in collaboration with the Julliard School.
Click here to read our full review of the Nord Anglia International School of New York.
United Nations International School
Adapted curriculum/ IB Diploma; ages 4-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,470 students
Large international school, established in 1947 by a group of United Nations parents and now housed in a purpose-built structure overlooking the East River. In keeping with the spirit of the United Nations, the students now come from over 100 different nationalities. One of the founding schools offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Click here to read our full review of the United Nations International School.
These schools have been brought to our attention, but until we have more reports from parents, we are unable to consider reviewing them.
Allen Stevenson (The)
Adapted curriculum; ages 5-14; boys; day; independent; private non-profit; 410 students
Founded in 1883 and located in the middle of the traditional, upmarket Upper East Side. Graduates move on to leading private and public high schools, including some of the best-known day and boarding institutions.
Avenues: The World School, New York
Adapted curriculum; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 1,750 students
Opened in 2012, in a state of the art corner building, overlooking the High Line, in Chelsea in west downtown Manhattan. Owned and run by a newcomer (second decade of the 21st century) to the global educational market , Avenues World School (part of Avenues World Holdings Inc), which is already operating four schools in different continents and keen to expand. The first few cohorts of graduates have been accepted by leading universities, including Ivies. With more than 20 campuses world-wide this is an appealing option for globe-trotting families.
BASIS Independent Brooklyn
BASIS curriculum/ AP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 930 students
The older and larger of the two private schools in New York owned and run by BASIS Independent education group. Opened in 2014 and divided into a lower and upper school, both with a high percentage of international parents.
BASIS Independent Manhattan
BASIS curriculum; ages 3-14; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 340 students
Part of the network of BASIS education group which contains charter, independent and international schools. Opened in 2017 as one of eight independent BASIS schools in the USA. Intending to grow upwards to provide a full pre-K to grade 12 education.
Beekman School (The)
American High School Diploma/ AP/ individual programmes; ages 14-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 75 students
Essentially a small tutorial college as its original name “The Tutoring School of New York” would suggest. The school tailors individual programmes for each student and also works with schools across the country completing specific curricula for students who are unable to complete coursework at school.
Berkeley Carroll
American curriculum/ American high school diploma/ AP; ages 4-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,000 students
An extremely warm school community that takes pride in this and strives to make all feel welcome. The academic programme is a blend of progressive and traditional models or learning with emphasis on an inter-disciplinary approach. The school has an excellent visual and performing arts section and a competitive athletics programme. Free transportation to and from school is a delightful feature offered to families.
Brearley School (The)
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 5-18; girls; day; independent; private non-profit; 720 students
Famous, elite, all-girls school founded in 1884. A regular entry at the top of the charts for results including all the prep schools in America. Considered a sister school of all-girls’ schools, Spence and Chapin and the all-boys Collegiate School. No Ivy names missing from the matriculation list, with large numbers moving on to the starriest destinations.
Brooklyn Friends School
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ IB Diploma; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 830 students
A Quaker school founded in 1867, making it one of the oldest surviving schools in the city. One of the fairly small number of schools to offer the alternative of the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Unsurprisingly, around a quarter of students receive some form of financial aid.
Browning School (The)
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 5-18; boys; day; independent; private non-profit; 400 students
Highly selective all-boys school founded in 1888. From a small annual cohort, graduates head to leading Ivies and other prestigious universities with a percentage achieving places at UK universities.
Buckley School (The)
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 5-14; boys; day; independent; private non-profit; 370 students
Only on its fifth headmaster since its foundation in 1913. A traditional all-boys school in the heart of the sought after centre of the Upper East Side. Features an impressive list of alumni.
Calhoun School (The)
American curriculum/ American high school diploma/ AP; ages 4-18; private non-profit; co-ed; independent; 600 students
Housed in a very stylish innovative building, including the first eco green roof in NYC, this is a progressive school where students call teachers by first names and begin learning in open floor plan spaces designed to eliminate any barriers between grades, disciplines and learners.
Chapin School (The)
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 5-18; girls; day; independent; private non-profit; 770 students
Renowned, all-girls’ school with a formidable list of alumnae, including Queen Noor of Jordan and Ivanka Trump. Shares some classes and also spots at the top of the US private schools league with neighbouring Brearley.
Churchill School (The)
Adapted curriculum/ SEN; ages 5-18; co-ed; day; state/ independent; 400 students
Established in 1972 to help children with language-based learning difficulties. Announced in August 2019 that it would be transitioning into a fully independent school model.
Collegiate School
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 5-18; boys; day; independent; private non-profit; 660 students
Probably the oldest school in the US, founded in 1628 when New York was still the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam. Now located in a state of the art campus in the Riverside South neighbourhood of the city. Regularly cited as one of the best boys’ schools in the country and amongst the top high schools in New York.
Columbia Grammar and Prep School
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,300 students
Oldest non-sectarian private school in the US, founded in 1764 by Columbia University to prepare their freshmen properly and still very well-regarded. Located on the Upper West Side, it has expanded dramatically since 1907 and is now one of the largest private schools in New York City.
Dalton School (The)
Adapted curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 5-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,320 students
Founded by Helen Parkhurst, one of America’s progressive early 20th century educators. The Dalton Plan that she created is still in use here as well as at other schools across the world. A large school by Manhattan standards consistently ranked as one of the leading schools for gaining entrance into the top Ivies.
École (The)
French curriculum; ages 3-14; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 320 students
A bilingual (American/French) pre-K to 8th grade school offering a French education, accredited by the French Ministry of Education. Part of the Mission Laique Francaise (MLF) network, which promotes French language and culture abroad.
Fiorello La Guardia High School
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 14-18; co-ed; day; state; 2,800 students
The only one of the nine Specialised High Schools, in New York City, to offer majoring in one of the arts plus an academic programme. Founded in 1936 by the New York Mayor Fiorella La Guardia and located next to the Lincoln Centre.
French-American School of New York
French curriculum/ American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ French Bac/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 780 students
Founded in 1980 and based in Westchester County, New York on three campuses in Larchmont and Mamaroneck. Offering the option in high school of a Franco-American programme or the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Students of French origin are heavily in the majority.
Hewitt School (The)
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 5-18; girls; day; independent; private non-profit; 500 students
One of the sought-after single-sex schools on the Upper East Side. Emphasis on STEM education and the only NYC girls’ school to have crew. Expanded considerably since 2000 with new and totally renovated buildings.
Horace Mann
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,700 students
Founded in 1887 in the Bronx and still located in Riverdale, with a nursery division in Upper Manhattan. Interestingly, for a school which features regularly amongst the best high schools in New York, they are transitioning away from offering AP courses.
La Scuola d'Italia Guglielmo Marconi
Bilingual Italian/English programme/ Esame di Stato/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 200 students
Offering a unique (for the US) bilingual Italian/English programme with the option, since 2018, of taking the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Located on the Upper East Side.
Léman Manhattan
Adapted curriculum/ IB Diploma; ages 1-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 750 students
On two campuses in the middle of the Financial District and the only school in the city offering boarding. Opened in New York in 2005 as a sister school to the College de Léman in Switzerland.
Little Red Schoolhouse & Elisabeth Irwin High School (LREI)
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 4-18; private; co-ed; independent; 650 students
A small, liberal, progressive school in the West Village (one campus for the lower and middle school, one campus for the high school) that uses field trips to engage children in their studies outside of the classroom. From putting on a puppet show to visiting a farm where chicken eggs are brought back into the classroom to incubate and hatch, from local park clean-ups to a committed relationship with a local food pantry, the school strives to give students an education that is rooted in the community and experience based.
Lycée Francais de New York
French curriculum/ Brevet/ French Bac/ Franco-American Bac; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,300 students
Sometimes called the French High School of New York and part of the French Agency for Education Abroad (AEFE) worldwide network and accredited by the French Ministry of Education. Established in 1935 and now offering a special Franco/American qualification (BFA).
Lyceum Kennedy French American School
French curriculum/ French Bac/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 250 students
The Manhattan campus of the international school, founded in 1964. The school offers a bilingual French/English programme and the choice of taking the International Baccalaureate Diploma since 2014. There is also a campus at Ardsley, opened in 1996.
Lyceum Kennedy Japanese School
Lyceum Kennedy School was acquired by a Japanese-born professor in 1986 and has offered a Japanese programme since 1997. In 2010 a Japanese high school programme was initiated, (only available at the Manhattan campus) at Lyceum Kennedy French American School.
Marymount School of New York
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma; ages 3-18; girls; day; independent; private non-profit; 700 students
Founded in 1926 and part of the network of global girls’ private schools directed by the Catholic foundation of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. Opened in an iconic Beaux-Arts buildings on Fifth Avenue and now expanded to include locations on East 82nd and 97th Streets. Emphasis placed on STEAM.
Nightingale-Bamford School
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma; ages 5-18; girls; day; independent; private non-profit; 560 students
Founded as an all-girls school on the Upper East Side by two teachers called, unsurprisingly, Miss Nightingale and Miss Bamford. Elite, relatively small school by New York City standards. Known for its debating teams and celebrated its centennial in 2019.
Packer Collegiate Institute
American curriculum/ American high school diploma/ AP; ages 4-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,000 students
Located in a beautiful red brick building in the picturesque Brooklyn Heights neighbourhood. It has a rigorous programme offering a wide range of AP courses, with equal focus on STEM and the arts. Lovely Pratt Theater.
Poly Prep
American curriculum/ American high school diploma/ AP; ages 5-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,115 students across two campuses
Independent school with two campuses. Lower school in the Park Slope Campus and middle and upper school on a magnificent campus in Dyker Heights which attracts lots of athletes with its superb facilities. Strong sports, strong academics.
Regis High School
Private, all boys, Catholic, ages 14-18; 530 students
Based on the upper east side, Regis excels in providing a Jesuit education and many of its students place in highly competitive colleges. Academically rigorous, for students who take school seriously and want to do well, but in an environment of brotherhood rather than competition.
Riverdale Country School
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 5-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,125 students
High school based on two large campuses in the Riverdale area of The Bronx. Founded in 1907, making it one of the oldest country day schools in America.
Spence School (The)
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 5-18; girls; day; independent; private non-profit; 740 students
One of the best-known girls’ schools in America, regularly counted as being amongst the most successful of all schools at sending graduates to the top Ivies. Founded in 1892 on the Upper East Side and currently extending its campus to include an athletics, performing arts and ecology centre.
Saint Ann’s School
American curriculum/ American high school diploma/ AP; ages 4-18; private; co-ed; independent; 1,000 students
A deliberate rejection of formal letter or number grades is a core aspect of the school’s educational philosophy, instead teachers pen full page reports. Strong arts. There is a warm, laid back, informal and improvisational community style, with no dress code. Many teachers go by their first names. High school students have unstructured free periods. Formal ‘rules’ and punitive measures for their own sake are rare. Best suits kids who dont require a structured environment. Grungie, bohemian vibe.
Trevor Day School
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 750 students
Founded on the Upper East Side in 1930 as an Episcopalian day school, becoming independent of the church in 1970. Campuses on both sides of the park with grades nursery to 5 on W. 88th St. and 6-12 on E. 95th St. Students are consistently accepted at colleges across America including major Ivies.
Trinity School
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 5-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,000 students
Top of the tree, highly selective co-educational (the latter rarer in NYC, than in some parts of the country) preparatory school. Founded in 1709 (making it one of the oldest schools in America), as a charity school for Trinity church. Now based on the Upper West Side and known for its formidable academics, including Latin and Greek.
York Prep School
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 11-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 350 students
Family-based, liberal arts school, opened in 1969. On a new site at West 68th St) and also offers a Jump Start programme, at supplemental cost, for students with different learning styles and learning disabilities.
For more information on the schools above, please go to each school’s individual entry on the Good Schools Guide international search.