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Our unique curriculum is designed to offer a highly portable education which reinforces a passion for learning for our students that lasts far beyond their school days; wherever their future may take them.
From the first days of Nursery, through to the preparation for senior school and high school entrance or university, BIS-NY encourages its students to face both opportunity and challenge with competence and confidence, grounded within a caring and inspiring academic environment.
This distinctive learning environment requires an unparalleled education program, which is why we offer the powerful combination of the inquiry-based International Baccalaureate ‘I.B.’ alongside the ambitious academics of the English National Curriculum ‘ENC’. The foundations of the English curriculum ensure depth of knowledge and robust understanding of mathematics, literacy, science, humanities, art and languages while the I.B. offers a framework that promotes critical thinking, problem solving and reflection.
This blend focuses on educating the whole child, fostering intellectual development, along with personal, social and emotional growth demonstrated by the priority given to our student’s well-being and pastoral care as they journey through the school.
At The British International School of New York we are proud educators of a truly global school community representing more than 40 countries alongside our many British and American families.
Support and stretch on an individualised basis
BIS-NY is very proud of its inclusive approach to education, supporting and stretching all our students to ensure the highest outcomes for each and every one. A large part of this is how we differentiate learning to meet the needs of each student, both in class and through the homework we set. Our teachers are skilled in working with every member of their class to help them fulfill their highest potential in a challenging, but supportive environment.
For those coming from abroad, or in need of learning support, you can find more information on how we support these families you can explore these links: Learning Support and our EAL programme.
At BIS-NY we take full advantage of being located in the heart of one of the world’s most remarkable classrooms, New York City. It’s hard to imagine a richer array of museums, galleries, organisations and exhibitions available for us to explore and discover.
From the earliest age we encourage trips outside of school and visitors to come and bring learning to life inside school.
These visits are designed to reinforce learning, expand horizons as well as focus on new life skills, such as travelling as a group when outside of the school buildings. The added enthusiasm that a visit to a relevant place can bring to a topic is immeasurable as well as building new memories, friendships and experiences that will stay with our children beyond their school days.
Trips focus on fostering independence, social development as well as to reinforce areas of learning covered in the classroom. Examples of recent trips include visits to Ellis Island, The MET, and the Hayden Planetarium to name a few.
In the Middle Years we offer a residential trip to Camp Mason, in addition to their ‘Excursion Week’ when BIS-NY students visit key destinations for a week away, inked to their areas of study. Destinations include Washington DC to discover the inner workings of US Government, Alabama to explore the Civil Rights movement and the Florida Keys to deep dive into Marine Biology and conservation.
Over the past fourteen years, BIS-NY has proven itself an exceptional at preparing students for their next stage of education, whether they are moving on to another school in the US, back to the UK or internationally the portability and quality of their education here continues to provide them with a competitive edge.
With the expansion to Upper, BIS-NY is the only school in New York City accredited to offer the highly regarded IGCSEs and A Level programmes and is delighted to have been authorized by Cambridge International Examinations (the non-teaching assessment arm of Cambridge University), to deliver these qualifications.
Leading universities in the US and the UK and indeed across the world in over 160 countries regard these qualifications as some of the most effective and robust available for students aged 14-18 as they prepare for university. In fact, strong grades at A Level can count for up to a year of credit at many US Universities.
In addition to the stimulating academic programme, BIS-NY offers a breadth of co-curricular options for Upper students, capitalising on relationships with a number of partners in New York across the fields of drama, music, the arts, design and physical education.
At BIS-NY the content of the English National Curriculum, combined with the framework of the I.B. is winning combination that promotes the skills of critical thinking alongside a content rich academic program.
The ‘IB’ is an approach to learning, that encourages every student to apply their learning beyond the classroom through an inquiry based approach.
The foundations of the ENC ensure depth of knowledge and robust understanding of mathematics, literacy, science, humanities, art and languages.
Our faculty is made up of highly qualified, passionate specialist teachers whose breadth and expertise bring their subjects to life.
Every student is known across their subjects giving them the opportunity to build mastery in a breadth of disciplines as well as relationships with a full staff of teachers, assistants and specialists who are all there to ensure their happiness and success across the curriculum.
For more information on the subjects offered and our approach to learning, we welcome you to explore below and contact us with any questions.
The study of English equips every student with lifelong skills that encourage a love of reading, an appreciation of literature and the ability to communicative effectively, through both the written and spoken word.
A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all students are introduced to the essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and applications of science.
It is important, whenever possible, to instill a foundation of creativity and imagination in the learning of Mathematics, so that students can think their way around any difficulties or inconsistencies in their solutions and apply their mathematical knowledge to the world in which we live.
The BIS-NY Drama curriculum is designed to enable students to learn about and experiment with a wide range of techniques, philosophies, genres and theatre practices from different cultures.
Technology at BIS-NY blends practical use of technology with progressive design & digital thinking. From day 1 students learn to use technology effectively and safely across their subjects and develop practical skills in dedicated Technology & Design classes.
Design, and the subsequent development of new technologies, has given rise to profound changes in society: transforming how we access and process information; how we adapt our environment; how we communicate with others; how we are able to solve problems; how we work and live.
Visual art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality art and design education should engage, inspire and challenge students, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.
World Languages are at the heart of student learning at BIS-NY. Beyond learning to speak another language, the acquisition of a second tongue enables a learner to gain a more profound understanding of their own culture through learning about that of others.
Music is a universal form of human expression. It is a unique way to engage all students in effective, imaginative and productive activity. Learning through music helps students to explore, share and communicate their sense of identity and understanding of the world, while providing opportunities to develop self-confidence, resilience and adaptability.
In Individuals and Societies we teach history, geography and social science through their points of intersection. In the spirit of the IB we reward questions more than answers and in the words of Margaret Mead, above all, we attempt to teach students “never [to] doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
our Physical and Health Education journey begins with students in the Early Years Program developing a mastery of fundamental movement skills. This step towards physical literacy provides a platform to move confidently and with control through a range of physical activities for the years ahead.