School Life
Education extends far beyond the timetable.
A community within a community
From the moment students join the school, they become part of a House: a community that spans every age and stage of the BISNY journey.
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Leadership grows with them. House Captains, Student Leadership Teams, House Councils and Peer Mentoring. Older students serve as role models for younger pupils.
Events that bring everyone together. Sports Day, Music and Drama Festivals, STEM Challenges, Reading Challenges and Whole School House Days.
House Points for who they are becoming. Academic effort, personal progress, kindness, leadership, service, resilience and teamwork.
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Our House System brings students together across the school, creating friendships, encouraging leadership and strengthening the sense of belonging that sits at the heart of our community. It reminds students that while they grow academically within their year groups, they are also part of one school with shared values, traditions and experiences.
Students celebrate one another's successes, work collaboratively across year groups and discover that leadership often begins by supporting others. Whether participating in a sporting event, performing on stage, contributing to a service project or simply showing kindness within the school community, every student has opportunities to make a positive contribution to their House.
As a school that is intentionally small, we believe these relationships matter. When students feel connected, encouraged and valued, they are more willing to embrace challenge, contribute positively and discover what they are capable of achieving.
The House System helps create the culture that makes BISNY feel like home.
The BISNY Bulldogs, from Central Park to the court
From autumn soccer in Central Park to winter basketball games, our BISNY Bulldogs represent the school proudly in a range of competitive sports.
Soccer, basketball, swimming, track & field and tennis, competing against local independent schools in the American International Private School League.
Sports Day and House competitions, where every student plays for their House.
Teams change from term to term and are always age-appropriate.
On stage, and behind it
Drama is a particular strength of BISNY, both through the curriculum for all students and as an extra curricular endeavor.
Two full-scale musical productions each year, open to students in Years 4 to 9 (Grades 3 to 8), with a set design club, a backstage crew and young musicians behind the scenes.
The School Choir from Year 4 (Grade 3), and from Year 5 (Grade 4) The Empire State of Sound, our touring choir, with a week-long concert tour during the Easter break.
Orchestra, Art Club, Photography, Creative Writing, School Publications and Film & Media.
LAMDA and individual music lessons, in our curriculum
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Rehearsals take place after school, where our actors learn lines, music, choreography, blocking, and develop characters. With this comes learning about responsibility, making new friends, and celebrating each other’s talents.
The Empire State of Sound rehearses weekly after school and performs at local community events throughout the year. Past trips have taken our choir to Los Angeles, Nashville, Tennessee, and New Orleans.
Where they build, debate and lead
Some of the most memorable moments in a child's education happen outside the classroom.
Whether designing a robot, debating global issues, performing on stage, leading a community project or representing the school in competition, students are encouraged to challenge themselves while building confidence and meaningful relationships.
- FIRST LEGO LeagueWorking in teams, students design, build and programme LEGO robots to complete missions.From Lower School
- VEX Robotics CompetitionOne of the world's largest and most respected robotics competitions, with regional and international events.As students progress
- Design, Engineering & ConstructionDesign thinking, prototyping and construction, applying science, mathematics and technology.Product design · Architecture
- DECAEntrepreneurial thinking, business knowledge and leadership, through case studies and competitions.Business & Entrepreneurship
- Model United NationsStudents explore international issues while representing countries in simulations of the United Nations.Diplomacy · Public speaking
- Duke of Edinburgh's International AwardIndependence, perseverance and confidence through Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and an Adventurous Journey.Service · Expedition
See a BISNY school day for yourself.
Something for everyone
Students are encouraged to pursue their interests while extending their learning beyond the classroom.
Creativity & Performance
- Choir
- Orchestra
- Drama Productions
- Musical Theatre
- Art Club
- Photography
- Creative Writing
- School Publications
- Film & Media
Academic Enrichment
- Mathematics Challenges
- Science Olympiad
- Coding Club
- Chess Club
- Book Club
- Language Clubs
- Debate Society
- Philosophy Discussions
- Inquiry Hub Projects
- Academic Competitions
Wellbeing & Community
- House Activities
- Wellbeing Club
- Gardening
- Sustainability Projects
- Student Council
- Peer Mentoring
- Community Volunteering
- Charity Initiatives
- Cultural Celebrations
Club times and costs
Beyond the classroom students have the opportunity to demonstrate and develop the many values of the school in our robust extra-curricular program that is available for no additional charge. This program includes the School Choir, Debate Club, the School Play, Set Design and Brownies / Girl Scouts.
Additional clubs (varying costs) are also offered but vary each term including: Arabic, Ballet, Chess, Coding, Fencing, Global Chefs, Ice Skating, Karate, Mandarin, Lego Robotics, Robotics, Table Tennis and Yoga.
Most of our clubs run from 3:30- 4:30 pm and run in two semesters (from Sept-Jan and Feb-June). There is a Late Club option for all students that runs until 5.30pm to help manage pick up for working families. School hours and Late Club.
One standout initiative is the BISNY Green Team. This passionate, student-led group is committed to improving sustainability within our school and in the wider community.
School life, stage by stage: Early Years · Lower School · Middle School · Upper School
The world is our classroom
Even from the earliest age The British International School of New York encourages trips outside of the school throughout the school year.
- Early Years · 3s and Pre-KExploratory visits to Central Park, a visit to an Opticians, and even a trip to the Museum of Mathematics.
- Lower School · K to Grade 5Year 4 (Grade 3) heading to Ellis Island, trips to the MET and the Hayden Planetarium.
- Before the MYPThe all-class residential Camp Mason trip.
- Year 10 · Grade 9In June, an excursion trip linked closely to humanities: fieldwork for Geography and the sights of WWII for History.
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These trips are designed to hone life skills, such as how to safely travel as a group when outside of the school buildings, and to reinforce areas of learning, skill and exploration. 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.
A key element of an I.B. education is the opportunity for learning outside of the classroom walls. The focus on these trips is always on extending learning and increasing life experiences for our students in ways that consolidate learning, promotes independence and deepens social bonds.
Part of something bigger
Through participation in clubs, competitions, performances, leadership programmes and service, students discover new interests, develop confidence and build friendships that often last a lifetime.