· updated monthly
The ten schools New york parents researched most this year, chosen from the 36 international schools in the city. Ranked by how many families opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between July 2025 and June 2026, then the full picture on curricula, class sizes and fees.
The 2026 ranking
Ranked purely by parent interest — the number of families who opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between July 2025 and June 2026.
Located in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, Avenues New York is an independent toddler to 12th-grade school with a campus and three divisions: Lower (1–5), Middle (6–8) and Upper (9–12). The school follows the World Elements framework, blending rigorous academics with real-world experiences and a broad outlook. Language immersion runs from 12 months through 5th grade, with Mandarin or Spanish taught in English-speaking classrooms connected to target-language spaces. The Early Learning Center (toddler through kindergarten) is housed in a modern facility designed for two-language immersion and learning through play. Avenues is NEASC-accredited, and graduates pursue universities worldwide. On-campus facilities include a gym, a Fitness Center, and a variety of arts and movement spaces; the campus supports a broad athletics program with 37 teams. The school is Apple Distinguished and features extensive libraries (63,587 books) and digital resources across campuses. Notable programs include HIP, AIAM, J-Term, and Global Journeys, with 136 student clubs.
Whitby School is an independent, co-educational day school in Greenwich, United States, serving ages 1 to 14. It blends Montessori philosophy in the early years with IB programs in the Middle Years. The Whitby Montessori Children's House serves infants through early childhood, while Lower School (Grades 1-4) and Middle School (Grades 5-8) follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. Spanish is introduced from 18 months as part of a language-rich curriculum. The 32-acre campus houses 76,000 square feet of modern facilities, including an Athletics Center, a World Language classroom, a Design Technology lab, a Science Lab, and a Performing Arts Center for theatre and music. A library Makerspace supports hands-on learning, and the cocurricular program for Grades 5-8 is integrated into the school day. Notable offerings include Montessori Model United Nations, MATHCOUNTS, First LEGO League, and a broad athletics program with seasonal MSFAA teams. Welcoming international families with global perspectives.
International School of Brooklyn (ISB) is an independent, non-profit day school in Carroll Gardens serving children ages 3 to 14. ISB offers an IB World School program with the Primary Years Programme for Pre‑K 3 through fifth grade and the Middle Years Programme for sixth through eighth grade, alongside a French Curriculum. The school provides immersive language learning in French and Spanish, with native‑speaking teachers. Preschool–Lower School are accredited by the French Ministry of Education; the full program is accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Education, and the curriculum integrates New York State standards within the IB framework. Founded in 2005, ISB emphasizes inquiry‑based learning and multilingualism within a diverse community. On campus, facilities include a sunny courtyard, light‑filled classrooms, a learning garden, a full‑size gym, and dedicated art and music studios. The multilingual library houses about 14,000 volumes, and after‑school enrichment and athletic programs extend learning beyond the classroom.
Harrow International School New York sits on a 170-acre campus with 1,000 feet of waterfront on Long Island, home to the Bourne Mansion and 21st-century learning spaces. The school offers an international curriculum framework spanning British, American, and International Baccalaureate programmes, including MYP and the Diploma Programme for which it is an IB Candidate School. From Pre Shell (Grade 6) to Sixth Form (Grade 12), students graduate with the IB Diploma alongside a Harrow New York Diploma and a New York State High School Diploma. Lessons are delivered in English, with language offerings for modern and classical languages as appropriate. Three competencies—digital, social, and cognitive—shape learning and its real-world application. The campus supports extensive on-site sport and performing arts facilities, with further facilities planned, including a STEM building and an on-site athletic center. Rich co-curriculars, a Careers programme, and a House system foster leadership and community. A global community worldwide.
United Nations International School (UNIS) is a Pre‑K–12 day program affiliated with the United Nations and delivering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for ages 4 to 18. The campus network comprises a four‑story Manhattan site along the East River and a Queens campus serving K–8, with a combined footprint of 226,000 feet, 200 classrooms, 15 science laboratories, and three libraries. UNIS aligns its curriculum with Common Core Math Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, NY ELA standards, and British Columbia Social Studies Standards, while maintaining the IB learner profile across teaching and assessment. Distinctive features include a roof gym in a bubble and an outdoor running track, a language program (nine languages and a mother‑tongue offering), and travel, arts, and service opportunities. Students participate in UNIS‑UN and MUN conferences, perform at venues such as Carnegie Hall, and complete 30 hours of community service each year, alongside 38 interscholastic sports teams.
German International School New York (GISNY) is a private, independent, non-profit bilingual international day school located on a 20-acre campus in White Plains, New York, serving students ages 3 to 18. Affiliated with Germany, GISNY offers a dual-curriculum approach that combines German and American programs in an immersive, academically rigorous setting. The school emphasizes a nature-based program, with outdoor classrooms for early childhood and a spiral curriculum from Pre-K through Grade 12. Languages are integral to learning, with a strong bilingual program beginning in Pre-K and additional language offerings. STEM is embedded at all grade levels, and graduates pursue the German International Abitur alongside a U.S. High School Diploma. The campus features a vibrant library with more than 13,000 items, a state-of-the-art Science Wing with labs and a MakerSpace, arts and music spaces, an auditorium, and extensive athletics facilities. Enrollment exceeds 420 students from over 20 nationalities. A welcoming community.
Léman Manhattan Preparatory School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school in downtown Manhattan that delivers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme within a K–12 continuum. The school emphasizes four pillars—Academic Rigor, Global Education, Personalized Learning for Each Child, and Partnerships that Drive Results—shaping an inquiry-based curriculum. A globally diverse community represents more than 50 nationalities, with world language learning beginning in PreK 2 and offering Mandarin, French, and Spanish through grade 5. The curriculum is organized into the Center for Early Childhood Education, Lower School, Middle School, and High School. Campus facilities include the Cunard Building upper school with a research library, theatres, and science and technology labs, plus the Broad Street Campus for younger students with libraries, pools, and studios. Distinctive programs include the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, Model UN, Camp Léman, and the Léman Conservatory, complemented by a vibrant Fine Arts program and a 400-seat theatre.
Dwight School New York is an independent day school in Manhattan that delivers the International Baccalaureate across the PYP, MYP and DP. The school educates students from ages 2 to 18 and operates across four Manhattan campuses within Dwight's nine-campus network. Preschool through Grade 10 participate in the PYP and MYP; Grades 11–12 may pursue the IB Diploma Program or the Dwight Courses Program, after a placement process and a two-year commitment. The Diploma requires six IB subjects (three Standard Level and three Higher Level), the IB Core (CAS, EE, TOK), and up to 45 points. A minimum of 24 points plus HL/SL thresholds and completion of CAS, EE and TOK are required. Dwight supports university readiness with a dedicated college counseling team. Facilities include a 40,000-square-foot Athletic Center, a Performing Arts Center with a black-box theater and recording studio, four campuses, and Quest Learning Center offering on-site academic coaching.
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.
Pine Street School is an International Baccalaureate World School in downtown Manhattan serving children from 1 to 14. It offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and is a candidacy school for the Middle Years Programme (MYP), complemented by a Montessori-inspired preschool. The curriculum centers on inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning with a strong emphasis on language immersion. Kindergarten through Grade 5 study Spanish or Mandarin through immersion, Ones & Twos participate in a tri-lingual English/Spanish/Mandarin format, and German is introduced in Middle School. The school operates across two campuses—Lower Elementary at 25 Pine Street and Middle School at 156 William Street—with a 1:1 Apple device program and Apple Distinguished School status since 2022. Facilities support technology-enabled learning, coding, and robotics, while partnerships extend learning beyond the classroom. A focus on global citizenship, community connections, the arts, and athletics complements the IB program. The school fosters curiosity, collaboration, and compassionate leadership daily.
What’s on offer
The mix of programmes and teaching languages across all 36 schools. Many offer more than one curriculum, so totals run higher than the school count.
Number of schools teaching each curriculum.
Number of schools teaching in each language.
Size & classes
School size and class size shape day-to-day experience as much as curriculum does.
Schools grouped by total enrolment.
Average school size is 387 students · based on the 23 schools that report enrolment.
Schools grouped by typical class size.
Average class size is 15.5 students · based on the 21 schools that report it.
What it costs
Fees shown are one year for a 12-year-old (or the closest age available), excluding one-time enrolment costs.
Across the 26 schools that publish a price for a 12-year-old. All figures in USD.
How many schools sit in each annual-fee range.
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