The United States enjoys many diverse cultures, races, and ethnicities. Its multicultural setting assures that all communities are accepted and nurtured. For pupils, the country provides a rich and interesting educational experience because they will be learning alongside peers from various corners of the world.

They develop strong personality traits and marketable abilities as a result of growing up in a diverse environment. Employers today favour candidates with a multicultural background, which students would greatly experience in the US. Students will have unique foreign exposure as they travel to the US to learn about a range of foods, customs, festivals, and forms of art.

United Nations International School (UNIS) is the prime example of how the educational institutes in the USA are fostering a culturally rich environment to provide ideal education.

Founded in 1947 by a group of United Nations parents to provide an international education for their children, UNIS has grown into an internationally recognized educational institution. UNIS was one of the founding schools of the International Baccalaureate (IB) and was among those awarding the first diplomas.

Today, UNIS has 1,450 students, is located in Manhattan, and just celebrated 75 years of excellence in education. Its curriculum and teaching methods have been designed to foster critical thinking, empathy, and global citizenship, which has historically prepared students to become responsible and engaged members of society.

Designing Compassionate Global Leaders

As a school operating under the auspices of the United Nations, UNIS has a unique mission and identity. It is committed to promoting the principles and values of the UN, including respect for human rights, diversity, and sustainability. Its curriculum is designed to cultivate global citizenship and intercultural understanding, emphasizing the importance of dialogue, collaboration, and responsible action. These values are woven into the fabric of the school community, shaping relationships, policies, and practices. The goal of the school is to inspire students to become compassionate and informed global leaders who can contribute to shaping a better world.

The unique connection between UNIS and the United Nations is a major factor behind the success of the school. Through this relationship, UNIS is able to attract highly qualified and diverse faculty and students from all over the world, which makes the community so culturally rich.

Its students are exposed to unique learning opportunities at all ages made possible by this strong relationship. Students have the opportunity to meet with diplomats and get first-hand accounts and their perspectives on world issues. This year, the UN Chef de Cabinet, Mr. Courtenay Rattray, served as a keynote speaker at graduation in the General Assembly Hall. Its unique connection to the UN has fostered a culture of global awareness, community engagement, and social responsibility that is at the heart of the school’s mission.

An important tradition at UNIS is its annual student-led UNIS UN Conference, also held in the UN General Assembly Hall. UNIS hosts students from schools on multiple continents and debates topics related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

While independent schools in New York have been experiencing challenges with enrolment, UNIS has thrived during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prioritizing Personal Growth

UNIS takes pride in its wide range of student-led clubs, which offer diverse opportunities for students to explore their interests, develop new skills, and connect with others who share their passions. With over 40 clubs to choose from, students can participate in everything from debate and Model United Nations to music, drama, and cultural clubs that celebrate the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the UNIS community.

Some popular clubs include the Robotics Club, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board, the UNISVerse student publication, and the Jazz Band. Overall, the clubs at UNIS provide students with valuable opportunities for personal growth and leadership development.

UNIS also offers a variety of athletics programs for students to participate in throughout the year. The school has competitive teams for basketball, soccer, volleyball, track and field, cross country, and baseball. The athletics program is designed to promote physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship, while also emphasizing the importance of fair play and respect for opponents. Additionally, UNIS offers opportunities for students to develop leadership skills and build a sense of community and school spirit.

Counselling to Pave Right Paths

Counselling at UNIS is exciting. At least ten nations outside of the United States get applications from students each year who then enrol there.

Students at UNIS receive an education that prepares them to be lifelong learners, engaged citizens, and capable of pursuing further education anywhere in the globe. After graduating from UNIS, students go on to study at colleges and universities all around the country as well as in many other countries.

Because its students bring a special maturity, intellectual energy, and wide-ranging outlook to their student body, admissions officers admire applications from UNIS. With the help of the IB curriculum, students get a dynamic combination of information, skills, independent study, critical and creative thinking, and global awareness.

Graduates of UNIS are well-equipped to handle the academic rigour of college because they have a solid foundation in the knowledge and abilities gained from the IB curriculum and other programmes.

Emphasizing a Balanced and Comprehensive Education

STEM is an integral part of the UNIS curriculum within the guidelines of the International Baccalaureate (IB) degree program, which emphasizes a balanced and comprehensive education. Through its STEM courses, students develop essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration.

They also learn to apply scientific and mathematical concepts to real-world problems and explore the ethical implications of scientific research and innovation. Its educators create lessons that jump off the page, like the middle school climate crisis challenge. This exciting tradition tasks students with coming up with real-world solutions for the climate crisis the world faces today. This application-based style of learning is part of what makes the school so unique.

Providing Global Learning Opportunities

A distinctive feature of the UNIS academic program is that students receive language instruction in nine languages, including the six official languages. Students learn either Spanish or French from Kindergarten to 6th grade. In seventh grade, they can choose a third language from Spanish, French, Mandarin, Russian, Arabic, Italian, German, and Japanese. These programs are offered for native speakers and foreign language learners.

UNIS is also committed to providing its students with a diverse range of global learning opportunities. There are constantly exciting events bringing cultural experiences from all over the world to UNIS students almost daily. To name a few, students have indulged in food from around the world at the international food fair, watched their peers present a series of Japanese plays, learned how to make gelato from master Italian chefs, crafted traditional origami art for the lunar new year, and the list of engaging events goes on.

Gaining Real-Life Experiences

At UNIS, students have the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in their modern language courses during their trips abroad. Just this year, UNIS has operated trips to Nepal, Spain, Germany, Japan, Morocco, and France. By using the language in a real-life context, students gain valuable experience in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as well as cultural understanding.

They are able to communicate more effectively with native speakers and gain insights into the local culture and way of life. This experience also helps students develop confidence and independence as they navigate unfamiliar surroundings and communicate with people from different backgrounds.

The purpose of the UNIS Extra Curricular After-School Activities Programme is to provide students with the chance to learn more about topics that are particularly interesting to them and their families. Students in Tut House, Middle Schools, and Junior Schools can participate in programmes provided by UNIS and UNIS partner organizations.

For JA–J4 and M1–M2 kids, the UNIS After-School Care Programme offers a consistent daily service in a friendly and nurturing setting.

Recognition for Commitment

The United Nations International School has a long history of awards, achievements, and accolades. UNIS has been consistently recognized as a leader in international education, with accreditation from organizations such as the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA).

UNIS students have also achieved notable success in various academic competitions, such as the International Math Olympiad and the Model United Nations conferences. In addition, UNIS has been recognized for its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, earning recognition from the Green Schools Alliance and the NYC Department of Education. Overall, these awards and achievements reflect the high standards of excellence and commitment to education and sustainability that UNIS upholds.

Fostering the Culture of Parental Involvement

The UNIS Parents’ Association (UNIS PA) plays a crucial role in building an active, supportive, and family-engaged global community.

When a family enrols at UNIS, they automatically become a member of the Parents’ Association and are required to pay annual dues. All UNIS PA members are urged to attend the monthly meetings and/or lend their important time and knowledge to one of the various committees or initiatives.

Every year the association:

• Organizes and supports events that heighten community spirit and make the school a warm and inviting place for everyone.
• Represents the families’ points of view to the school administration and channels constructive dialogue between the two.
• Supports school fundraising and outreach efforts and raises and distributes UNIS PA funds in a purposeful manner to support school-wide programs and enhance the education of its children.

In envisioning the future of UNIS growing with the ideals of the United Nations’ teachings, the school sees a world where education is more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. UNIS will continue to prioritize promoting values such as human rights, respect for diversity, and environmental stewardship.