The International Preschools at East 86th Street

PrivateUpper East Side

345 East 86th Street, New York, NY 10028

212-371-8604 ext. 1112

www.ipsnyc.org

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Overview

Educational philosophy

Progressive / Play Based

Programs offered

2s · 3s · Pre-K

Annual tuition

$17K – $42K / yr

School continues

Through Pre-K

Financial aid

Aid: $

Sibling & legacy

—

Upcoming:

Oct 15Parent tours mid-Oct–Feb.3s

Oct 30Sibling application deadline.3s

The International Preschools (IPS) at East 86th Street is a play-based, coeducational preschool in Yorkville on the Upper East Side, serving children from 2 through 5 (plus an under-2 playgroup). Founded in 1963, IPS pairs Masters-level teachers with art and music specialists and builds an intentionally international, multicultural community. Its roughly 7,620-square-foot facility offers seven classrooms, a gymnasium, and an on-site outdoor play area. An ISAAGNY member, IPS guides families through kindergarten placement, with graduates splitting roughly evenly between top NYC independent schools and selective or zoned public schools.

Programs & Schedule

2 yrs – 3 yrs2s

9am start · annual tuition by days/week & pickup time

Days / wk	Until 12pm	Until 3pm
2 days	$17,385	$19,820
3 days	$23,930	$28,950
5 days	$33,075	$41,500

Extended Day to 4pm available

3s3 yrs – 4 yrs

Schedule option	Tuition / yr
5 mornings per week · 9am–12pm	$33,075
5 full days per week · 9am–3pm	$41,500

Extended Day to 4pm available

Pre-KAge 4–5

Schedule

Monday – Friday · 9am–3pm

Extended hours

Yes · until 4pm

Tuition

$41,500 / yr

Admissions

Applications open ($75/child, waivable).Aug 1

Parent tours mid-Oct–Feb.Oct 15

Sibling application deadline.Oct 30

Notification (ISAAGNY, 8am). Video Jan 4–15; playdate Feb 12.Feb 25

Reply by noon.Mar 4

Leadership

Alyssa Wisoff

BA, Lafayette College; MS in Guidance and Counseling, NYU; MS in Early Childhood General and Special Education, Hunter College; certified in Early Childhood Education and Special Education

Admissions contact

Martha Smeaton

Fill out the online form →

Ex-missions

Ex-missions support ✓

Ex-missions refers to the process of applying from preschool to Kindergarten or an ongoing school. Schools with dedicated ex-missions support actively guide families through ERB testing, school visits, and applications.

Where graduates go

Private kindergarten & elementary

24 schools

Collegiate SchoolColumbia Grammar & Preparatory SchoolConvent of the Sacred HeartDwight SchoolEthical Culture Fieldston SchoolFriends SeminaryHorace Mann SchoolLycee Francais de New YorkMarymount School of New YorkRiverdale Country SchoolSpeyer Legacy SchoolSt. Bernard's SchoolSt. David's SchoolSt. Ignatius SchoolThe Allen-Stevenson SchoolThe Brearley SchoolThe Browning SchoolThe Chapin SchoolThe Dalton SchoolThe Ramaz SchoolThe Spence SchoolThe Town SchoolTrinity SchoolUnited Nations International School

Public kindergarten & elementary

12 schools

Hunter College Elementary SchoolLower Lab SchoolPS 151PS 158PS 183PS 198PS 267PS 290PS 527PS 6Special Music School of AmericaThe Anderson School

See the full list of schools graduates go on to — with counts and sources.

Culture & Community

Educational approach

Progressive / Play Based

Play-based, developmentally appropriate learning in an international, multicultural community. Teachers facilitate learning through carefully designed materials and activities; the 'international' identity centers on celebrating cultural diversity (flag studies, self/family portraits, culture shares, multilingual celebrations) rather than foreign-language immersion. Masters-level lead teachers with art and music specialists.

GenderCo-ed

Cultural programs

MusicArt

Outdoor spaceOwn outdoor space ✓

Enrichment

Summer camp (7 wks; SwimJim swim + sports)Music (experiential)Creative movement (Laban)Technology & coding robotsAfter-school (HappyFit · TADA! · Art Farm)

After-school programs

Yes - After School Program with diverse enrichment activities, 3:00-4:00 PM