Guides
Choosing an international school as a family
Families moving abroad often have to choose a school quickly, sometimes before they arrive. Thinking through a few questions first makes the shortlist shorter.
Curriculum
International schools usually follow a national curriculum from another country, such as England's or the United States', or an international programme such as the International Baccalaureate. Consider where your child may study next and which system will make that move easiest.
Language
Check the language of teaching and what support is available for children who are still learning it.
Fees and other costs
Look at the full cost, including enrolment fees, uniforms, transport, trips and lunches, and how fees rise each year.
Costs to ask about besides tuition
Fee sheets differ a lot between schools. These are the items that most often come as a surprise.
| Cost | When it is charged | Worth asking |
|---|---|---|
| Application or assessment fee | When you apply | Is it refunded if no place is offered? |
| Registration or enrolment fee | When you accept a place | Is it a one-off charge or yearly? |
| Capital levy or debenture | On joining, sometimes yearly | Is any of it returned when the child leaves? |
| School bus | Each term | Door to door or set stops, and how long is the ride? |
| Lunch | Each term | Is it optional, and can children bring food? |
| Uniform and kit | At the start, then as children grow | Is it only sold through the school? |
| Exam entries and trips | During the year | Are external exam fees included in tuition? |
The journey
A long daily journey can affect a child's energy and free time. Look at where you plan to live and how long the trip will take at school times.
Comparing schools
Directories that list schools with their fees and curricula, such as the pages for schools in Dubai, are a quick way to build a first shortlist. After that, visit or ask for a video call, because a fee table tells you nothing about how a school feels. <!--IMG-->