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'{{About|the United Nations school in New York City|the equivalent school in Hanoi|United Nations International School of Hanoi}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox school | name = United Nations International School | image = UNIS logo full high qual.png | established = 1947 | type = [[Independent school|Independent]], [[International School]], [[Private School|Private]] | affiliation = [[United Nations]] | faculty = 255 | enrollment = {{circa|1,600}} | grades = PK{{ndash}}12 | streetaddress = 24-50 [[FDR Drive]] | city = [[New York, New York]] 10010 | country = United States | mapframe = Yes | mapframe-frame-coordinates = {{coord|40.736389|-73.973306|display=inline,title}} | campus = Urban | colors = Light blue & white | mascot = Uniscorn | website = {{url|www.unis.org}} | director = Dan Brenner }} The '''United Nations International School''' ('''UNIS''') is a private [[international school]] in [[New York City]] which was established in 1947. Many members of the [[United Nations]] staff arriving with young families found unexpected difficulties with the school system in New York. Among them was [[K. T. Behanan]] and his wife, who arrived from India in May 1947 with their five-year-old son to help the [[UN's Trusteeship Council]] with educational policy. The Behanans banded together with other UN families who were in a similar situation to establish the United Nations International School at [[Lake Success, New York|Lake Success]],<ref>Nassau Daily Review-Star, June 20, 1949, page 9</ref> with Dr. Behanan as chairman of its board. The school was founded to provide an international education for students, while preserving its students' diverse cultural heritages. Today, UNIS has over 1,600 students in one campus in [[Manhattan]], close to the [[Headquarters of the United Nations]]. The [[Manhattan]] campus, overlooking the East River, is [[K-12]]; until 2022, the school also ran a K-8 school at a campus in [[Jamaica Estates, Queens]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Queens Campus Closure FAQs - UNIS|url=https://www.unis.org/queens/faqs-on-closure-of-queens-campus|access-date=2022-01-19|website=www.unis.org|language=en-US}}</ref> UNIS was one of the pilot schools of the [[International Baccalaureate]] (IB) and was among those awarding the first IB diplomas. The comprehensive K{{ndash}}12 curriculum prepares UNIS students for the IB, and the school's internationally recognized academic standards<ref>{{Cite web|title = News Post|url = http://www.cois.org/cf_news/view.cfm?newsid=257|website = www.cois.org|access-date = 5 February 2016}}</ref> attempts to enable students to go on to study in top colleges/universities both in the [[United States]] and the rest of the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.unis.org/uploaded/06_STUDENT_LIFE/College_Couseling/Copy_of_College_Attendance_(no_names).pdf|title = UNIS COLLEGE ATTENDANCE – CLASS OF 2015|last = United Nations International School – College Counseling Office}}</ref> The main language used in the school is English, and all students study either French or Spanish from Kindergarten to the 12th Grade. Arabic, French, Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese and Russian are also taught beginning in the 7th Grade, where students are required to decide one of the seven languages to pursue further along with "Language A" English and "Language B" French or Spanish (Language C is Arabic, French, Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish). Students can also choose French or Spanish again for Language C, and must pursue the Language C until the 12th Grade. Additional languages can be studied by students within and external to the school during the weekend or after school during the school week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unis.org/page.cfm?p=505&lastid=505&do=logoffadmin|title=United Nations Intl School: About UNIS|website=www.unis.org|access-date=8 April 2018}}</ref> The school's current executive director is Dan Brenner. UNIS is a member of the Council of International Schools, the [[International Baccalaureate Organization]], the European Council of International Schools, the [[New York State Association of Independent Schools]], the [[National Association of Independent Schools]] and the [[College Board]] along with being registered to the [[New York Board of Regents]] as an independent, not-for-profit school. ==Curriculum== In the formative years, UNIS offers a school-designed curriculum, from Kindergarten (JA, in UNIS) to the 12th Grade (T4), in which elementary school (junior school, in UNIS), middle school and high school (tut house) students enroll for the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP) or IB Courses, where a wide range of subjects are offered. Within the framework of IB requirements, students have the possibility to choose from over two-hundred course combinations.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|title = United Nations Intl School: The UNIS Curriculum|url = http://www.unis.org/page.cfm?p=517|website = www.unis.org|access-date = 5 February 2016}}</ref> Students are taught in relatively small classes, with averages of 17 children in Kindergarten, 17 in the 1st Grade (J1), 17 in the 2nd Grade (J2), 19 in Grades 3{{ndash}}4 (J3-J4) and 21 throughout middle and high school (M1-T4).<ref>[http://www.unis.org/about_unis/faq.aspx] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001074448/http://www.unis.org/about_unis/faq.aspx|date=1 October 2009}}</ref> Emphasis is placed on preparation for the IB exams during high school, for which virtually all seniors sit (full Diploma or Certificate). Children whose parents transfer from abroad to work for the United Nations, Missions to the United Nations, and Consulates enjoy priority in terms of admission, but admission is not automatic. All children are required to be interviewed and assessed in-person at UNIS, in addition to consideration of official school reports, if any.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.unis.org/page.cfm?p=530 |title= Admissions information and procedures |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website= Procedures & Guidelines |publisher= United Nations International School |access-date= 18 May 2015 }}</ref> The [[AEFE]] categorizes this school as a French international school.<ref>"[http://www.aefe.fr/reseau-scolaire-mondial/rechercher-un-etablissement/etats-unis-new-york-ecole-internationale-des École internationale des Nations Unies (UNIS)]." [[AEFE]]. Retrieved on 2 June 2016.</ref> [[File:UNIS United Nations International School.jpg|thumb|right|375px|UNIS Manhattan Campus, with the [[Waterside Plaza]] apartment complex rising in the background]] == University and college attendance == Nearly all UNIS graduates matriculate at four-year colleges in the semester following graduation, with a small number choosing a gap-year program. A typical year will see 75% to 85% of graduates enrolling at colleges in the United States, with remaining graduates attending 20 different universities in thirteen countries outside the U.S.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{Cite web|title = United Nations Intl School: College Counseling|url = http://www.unis.org/page.cfm?p=539|website = www.unis.org|access-date = 5 February 2016}}{{subscription required|date=June 2018}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" !Top Colleges Attended 2011 -2015<ref name="ReferenceB"/> |- |[[New York University]] |- |[[McGill University]] |- |[[George Washington University]] |- |[[Boston University]] |- |[[Cornell University]] |- |[[Barnard College]] |- |[[Northeastern University]] |- |[[Vassar College]] |- |[[University of Chicago]] |- |[[Fordham University]] |} == Events and programs == Each year, the school organizes a conference in the [[United Nations General Assembly Building|General Assembly Hall]] of the United Nations in which high school students perform a [[Model United Nations]]. Other schools are also invited to this conference. This special activity allows students to improve their public speaking and diplomacy skills. It also allows students to engage with real world issues.<ref>{{Cite web|title = UNIS-UN|url = http://www.unis-un.org/|website = UNIS-UN|access-date = 5 February 2016}}</ref> == Campus history == UNIS was founded in 1947. It was previously located in a former school building at 1311 First Avenue, on East 70th Street, in [[Lenox Hill]], [[Manhattan]]. In 1964, the [[Ford Foundation]] offered a conditional donation of $7 million for a new school building at the headquarters of the United Nations, near an existing playground;<ref>{{Cite news|date=1964-06-24|title=Ford Offers Help to School at U.N.; Private Institution Planned at Headquarters|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/24/archives/ford-offers-help-to-school-at-un-private-institution-planned-at.html|access-date=2020-06-25|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Sweden and Libya also contributed funds.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1964-11-06|title=Libya Gives $6,000 to U.N.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/11/06/archives/libya-gives-6000-to-un.html|access-date=2020-06-25|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1964-07-09|title=$40,000 Given for U.N. School|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/09/archives/40000-given-for-un-school.html|access-date=2020-06-25|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> UNIS had acquired a site at York Avenue and 89th Street in [[Yorkville, Manhattan|Yorkville]], but sold it in 1965.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1965-09-10|title=United Nations School Sells York Ave. Plot|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/09/10/archives/united-nations-school-sells-york-ave-plot.html|access-date=2020-06-25|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Two years later, another alternate site south of the UN headquarters was proposed for UNIS.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1967-05-25|title=Alternative Site for United Nations School Proposed by Fund; Space for 1,500 Needed|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/05/25/archives/alternative-site-for-united-nations-school-proposed-by-fund-space.html|access-date=2020-06-25|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> UNIS moved around 1970 into two premises on 51st (the Junior School) and 54th streets. The high school was housed on East 11th Street. The main building on 25th Street opened in January 1973, marking the first permanent location for UNIS in its history.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Maeroff|first=Gene I.|date=1973-01-22|title=1,175 Pupils Will Attend Classes in a New United Nations School Here Today|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/01/22/archives/1175-pupils-will-attend-classes-in-a-new-united-nations-school-here.html|access-date=2020-06-25|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ==Notable alumni== {{div col|colwidth=40em}} *[[Asa Akira]], actress<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cahalan |first1=Susannah |title=Private school kid Asa Akira’s journey to porn star millionaire |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/work/private-school-kid-asa-akiras-journey-to-porn-star-millionaire/news-story/9efd183fb46cbb5117a2d7f2f93d26fa |website=The Courier Mail |access-date=22 January 2024}}</ref> *[[Ishmael Beah]], writer *[[Byrdie Bell]], actress *[[Yasmine Bleeth]], actress<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmbug.com/db/705|title=Yasmine Bleeth|work=Filmbug.com|access-date=19 May 2015}}</ref> * [[Kate Burton (actress)|Kate Burton]], actress<ref>{{cite news |title=Awakening, Nightly, at 50 |first=Melena |last=Ryzik |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/theater/01burt.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1 February 2008 |access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> *[[Suleiman Braimoh]] (born 1989), Nigerian-American basketball player in the [[Israel Basketball Premier League]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Suleiman Braimoh |url=http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/braimoh_suleiman00.html |title=Suleiman Braimoh Bio |publisher=Riceowls.Com |date=19 June 2009 |access-date=19 May 2015}}</ref> *[[Andrea Brand]], biologist *[[Dorothy Bush Koch|Dorothy Bush]], daughter of [[George H. W. Bush]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Baer|first=Susan|date=9 December 1990|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1990-12-09/features/1990343146_1_leblond-dorothy-bush-rehabilitation-hospital|title=William Leblond Dorothy Bush – Dorothy Bush LeBlond has given up her modest life in Maine and is becoming a presence in Washington society|work=Baltimore Sun|access-date=19 May 2015}}</ref> *[[Vikram Chatwal]], socialite and business tycoon [[Sant Singh Chatwal]]<ref name="nym">{{cite news|url=http://nymag.com/relationships/features/16368/|title=Vikram's Big Fat Sikh Wedding|last=Schoeneman|first=Deborah |date=5 March 2006|work=New York Magazine|access-date=18 February 2010}}</ref> *[[Gary Cohen]], TV sports broadcaster<ref>{{cite web|last=Hanlon|first=Greg|date=22 February 2013|url=http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/sports/2013/02/7909421/gary-cohen-anti-michael-kay-also-broadcasts-during-his-time|title=Gary Cohen, the anti-Michael Kay, also broadcasts during his time off|website=Capital New York|access-date=19 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224043113/http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/sports/2013/02/7909421/gary-cohen-anti-michael-kay-also-broadcasts-during-his-time|archive-date=24 February 2013}}</ref> *[[Radhika Coomaraswamy]], lawyer and former United Nations Under-Secretary-General<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/radhika-coomaraswamy | work=Huffington Post | first=Radhika | last=Coomaraswamy | title=Radhika Coomaraswamy}}</ref> *[[Stéphane Dujarric de la Rivière]], United Nations spokesperson<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=14675 |title=United Nations News Centre – Secretary-General appoints Stéphane Dujarric as Spokesman |publisher=Un.org |date=20 June 2005 |access-date=19 May 2015}}</ref> *[[Mohamed A. El-Erian]], former CEO of [[PIMCO]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/01/the-rise-of-the-new-global-elite/308343/|title=The Rise of the New Global Elite|work=The Atlantic|last=Freeland|first=Chrystia|date=4 January 2011}}</ref> *[[Will Gluck]], writer-director *[[Mike Greenberg]], sports radio host<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/people/mike-greenberg/|title=Mike Greenberg|publisher=CBS Interactive|work=TV.com}}</ref> *[[Nicholas Guest]], actor *[[Stephen Hartke]], composer<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.usc.edu/dept/pubrel/trojan_family/winter04/F3-Hartke.html |title= Pure of Hartke |last1= Krieger |first1= Diane |date= Winter 2004 |website= USC Trojan Family Magazine |publisher= [[University of Southern California]] |access-date= 23 May 2015 }}</ref> *[[Sarah Jones (stage actress)|Sarah Jones]], actress<ref>{{cite news |title=Scouting the City for Characters |first=John |last=Leland |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/nyregion/sarah-jones-playwright-scouting-the-city-for-her-characters.html?pagewanted=all |newspaper=The New York Times |date=9 August 2011 |access-date=31 October 2011}}</ref> *[[Sarah Kay (poet)|Sarah Kay]], poet<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.kaysarahsera.com/about |title= SARAH KAY IS |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= 2011 |website= Kay Sarah (sera), About |publisher= Sarah Kay |access-date= 23 May 2015 }}</ref> *[[Rashid Khalidi]], [[Columbia University]] professor<ref name = "SantoraGootman">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/31/nyregion/31khalil.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |title=Political Storm Finds a Columbia Professor |access-date=2 December 2008 |last1=Santor |first1=Marc |last2=Gootman |first2=Elissa |date=30 October 2008 |work=[[The New York Times]] | page=A28}}</ref> * [[Richard Lachmann]], sociologist and specialist in comparative historical sociology, professor at [[University at Albany, SUNY]].<ref>[http://trv-science.ru/2016/04/19/svidetel-tonushchikh-elit/ The eyewitness of the sinking elites. Interview for Russian magazine Troickiy variant] {{in lang|ru}}</ref> *[[Mia Mottley]], Prime Minister of Barbados *[[Joakim Noah]], basketball player *[[Atsushi Ogata]], film maker<ref>[http://www.unis.org/alumni/alumni_reunions/index.aspx ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025202443/http://www.unis.org/alumni/alumni_reunions/index.aspx |date=25 October 2011 }}</ref> *[[Amanda Plummer]], actress *[[Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann]], food editor and writer, fashion model, and socialite. *[[Devon Scott]], actress<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/archive/index.php/t-281366.html|title=1976 interview with Devon Scott (Roberta)!!!! [Archive] – Sitcoms Online Message Boards – Forums|work=Sitcomsonline.com|access-date=19 May 2015}}</ref> *[[Sitapha Savané]], Senegalese retired professional basketball player; member of the Senegal national basketball team. *[[Andrea Sella]], chemist, broadcaster and [[UCL]] professor. [[Qubilah Shabazz]], daughter of [[Malcolm X]]<ref name = "LindaYglesias">{{cite news |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/1997-06-08/news/18029503_1_malcolm-shabazz-qubilah-shabazz-percy-sutton/3 |title=At Center of Tragedy... |access-date=2 December 2008 |last=Yglesias |first=Linda |date=8 June 1997 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |location=New York}}</ref> *[[Mina Sundwall]], actress<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/ByNg3_EFZwD/ 🥀 mina sundwall on Instagram: “lol if you look close enough it almost looks like i graduated. to @unisny, thank you for teaching me how to work hard. to the…”<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> *[[S. K. Thoth]], performance artist<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skthoth.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11&Itemid=16|title=Tribal Baroque|work=Skthoth.com|access-date=19 May 2015}}</ref> * [[Vasili Tsereteli]], Russian artist,<ref name=RAA>{{cite web|title=ЦЕРЕТЕЛИ ВАСИЛИЙ ЗУРАБОВИЧ|url=http://www.rah.ru/the_academy_today/the_members_of_the_academie/member.php?ID=17339|publisher=[[Russian Academy of Arts]]}}</ref> executive director of the [[Moscow Museum of Modern Art]].<ref name=Congrats>{{cite web|title=Департамент культуры города Москвы поздравляет Василия Церетели и Михаила Миндлина с награждением французским Орденом Искусств и литературы|url=http://kultura.mos.ru/presscenter/news/detail/1858509.html|publisher=Moscow City Government, Department of Culture}}</ref> *[[Marius Vassiliou]], scientist. *[[John Zorn]], musician<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.milkenarchive.org/people/view/all/863/John+Zorn|title=Milken Archive of Jewish Music – People – John Zorn|work=Milkenarchive.org|access-date=19 May 2015}}</ref> {{div col end}} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * {{official website|http://www.unis.org}} {{Gramercy, Kips Bay, Stuyvesant Square}} {{International schools in NYC}} {{Education in Manhattan}} {{French schools in North America}} {{United Nations}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Educational institutions established in 1947]] [[Category:International Baccalaureate schools in New York (state)]] [[Category:United Nations schools]] [[Category:International schools in New York City]] [[Category:Private K–12 schools in Manhattan]] [[Category:Private K–8 schools in New York City]] [[Category:Middle schools in Queens, New York]] [[Category:Kips Bay, Manhattan]] [[Category:1947 establishments in New York City]]'