Location – Parking, lot 24-50 FDR Dr, New York, NY 10010, United States
Website – http://unis.org/
Contact – +1 212-684-7400
Stepping onto the United Nations International School campus gives off an impression of something that could not be described as a mere institution, but rather a community forged in the pursuit of a mission: preparing students to become leaders of the tomorrow. UNIS is demanding and innovative in its approaches to academics, but it is so much more than an academic institution-it seeks a global mindset, fosters empathy, and equips students with the tools to navigate and impact an increasingly interconnected world.
Innovative Methods of Teaching with a Global Outlook
At UNIS, education is not merely considered to be an effective tool toward engendering global citizens, but the school aspires to go beyond that since it holds a pride of place among one of the first schools of International Baccalaureate (IB). At UNIS, innovative teaching methods have advanced, developing student agency whilst in pursuit of learning. The students are encouraged to study their interests from a very early age within a challenging academic framework. The curriculum is always adapted to theInternational Baccalaureate standard with a breadth of subjects to offer and ultimately, at the same time, provide students with a chance to pursue courses that interest them.
What sets UNIS apart, however, is the school’s commitment to multilingualism. Pre-K students learn their first second language, and by middle school, they are studying a third. With nine languages available to students and many more through the IB Diploma Programme, here, students grow up appreciating the value of other cultures and perspectives. This isn’t purely about fluency in several languages—it’s all about developing an inquiring nature and empathy and openness toward the rest of the world.
Diversity and Inclusion: Core School Values
UNIS is a community that not only celebrates diversity but lives by it. The school houses over 98 nationalities from across the globe, so you might expect just another melting pot. But more than that, UNIS actively fosters an inclusive atmosphere in which everyone’s strength is valued as a contribution. The close relationship the school has with the United Nations infuses the curriculum with a sense of responsibility to promote peace, equality, and understanding.
Students learn global challenges from textbooks and real-life experiences, such as the UNIS-UN conference, which brings together students and expert speakers from across the globe in the UN General Assembly Hall to debate and discuss pressing global issues. It’s one thing to study international relations – it’s quite another to experience it first hand in the halls of world leaders. Programs like this make the students feel a part of something larger than themselves, motivating them to think critically about their own role in making the world a better place.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
One of UNIS’s great strengths is its ability to have students relate to real life through collaboration with the United Nations and other organizations in which they participate. Whether it’s participating in the Model UN program, in which a broad student assembly simulates international diplomacy, or attending school-hosted events featuring the world’s leaders and experts, the learning at UNIS often extends far beyond the walls of the classroom.
These partnerships prepare students for university life and for their calling. Working with global issues in school helps students develop the ability to think critically and solve knotty problems that help tackle complex problems. This means graduates who are not only academically good but are also deeply sensitive to the world around them.
A Strong, Supportive Community
This is where UNIS really shines: in how much sense of community there is. It’s not a school where parents just drop off the children and walk away; the UNIS Parents’ Association (UNIS PA) plays an active role in school life, organizing events, supporting new families, helping to make the community inclusive and welcoming for all. The moment the family enters the UNIS community, they are absorbed into a web of support.
Various committees at UNIS PA, such as the Welcome Committee and Cultural Events Committee, assist new families in settling down and respect the diversity present in the school. Families from all corners of the world unite to share cultures with events and festivals, making the school a vibrant and dynamic place for students and their families.
Support for Diverse Learners
To meet the eclectic class, UNIS takes extreme care in developing a program meeting each individual learning requirement. Ten percent of the students need some extra English support. Our ELL program nurtures these learners through l academically and socially. UNIS boasts of its personalized support that will find each one’s way to success.
Beyond language support, it focuses on individual learning needs. Be it within the confines of specialized academic counseling or differentiated instruction, UNIS fits every student with appropriate keys for success. By adjusting to a nurturing environment, the school encourages not only academic development but also personal development for students.
Focus on Well-being and Mental Health
UNIS takes the welfare of students very seriously. The school has a strong SST-Student Support Team that works closely with students and their families in supporting social, emotional, and academic capacities. UNIS knows that in today’s world, mental health has the same importance as achievement. The school actively promotes programs that provide for the needs of students with emotional and learning exceptionalities.
Continuous consultation with experts opens doors for UNIS to run seminars and discussions on the issues plaguing the current vulnerable youth. Initiatives taken by schools in terms of well-being not only benefit the students but also empower the parents and the community regarding their mental welfare.
Vision for the Future
UNIS looks forward to ensuring that students could prepare well and be able to lead in a rapidly changing world. In this regard, school future visions include an increased number of global partnerships, enhanced sustainability initiatives, and new programs dealing with global challenges emerging from changing the world. With that in mind, with it being one step ahead of the game, UNIS ensures that its students would not only be sufficiently prepared for university but also change the world some day.
As the world closes its gaps and becomes one global community, such a vision is reflected in the education that happens at UNIS while still being firmly grounded in timeless values such as empathy, curiosity, and commitment to global citizenship. Possibilities come endless for a bright future at UNIS for its students.