International Schools: The Complete Guide for Expat Families
Important Disclaimer: International school tuition, fees, admissions requirements, and availability change frequently and vary significantly by school and location. Cost estimates reflect reported ranges as of early 2025 but actual costs should be verified directly with schools. Curriculum descriptions are general - specific school offerings vary. This article provides general information for research purposes; contact schools directly for current, accurate information about admissions, costs, and programs. International Van Lines is a moving company and does not provide educational consulting services.
When the Thompson family accepted a five-year assignment to Singapore, their biggest concern wasn’t the logistics of the move or finding housing. It was their three kids, ages 6, 9, and 13. Would they thrive in a new education system? Would they make friends? Would changing schools disrupt their academic progress?
After touring four different schools and talking to dozens of expat parents, the Thompsons realized that education decisions abroad aren’t straightforward. The “best” school depends entirely on your family’s situation, your kids’ needs, how long you’re staying, and what you can afford.
Let’s break down everything expat families need to know about education options abroad.
Understanding Your Options
Most expat families face three main choices: international schools, local schools, or homeschooling. Each has distinct advantages and challenges.
International Schools
International schools cater specifically to expatriate children and local families seeking international curricula. They typically teach in English (or another international language) and follow recognized curricula like IB, American, or British systems.
These schools are designed for globally mobile families. They understand that students come and go mid-year. They accommodate children who’ve moved multiple times. They create environments where being “from somewhere else” is the norm, not the exception.
Most international schools offer robust support for students transitioning between countries and education systems. They’re accustomed to helping new students catch up or adjust to different academic expectations.
The student bodies are diverse, often representing 50+ nationalities. Your kids will have classmates from everywhere. They’ll be exposed to different cultures, languages, and perspectives daily.
Facilities at top-tier international schools often exceed what you’d find at private schools in the US. Think Olympic-size pools, professional theater facilities, dedicated arts wings, and extensive sports programs.
Local Schools
Local schools are the schools local children attend, following your host country’s national curriculum in the local language. For Americans in France, that means French public or private schools teaching the French curriculum in French.
Local schools offer genuine immersion in your host culture. Your children learn the language fluently, make local friends, and experience the education system locals experience. This creates deeper cultural connection and understanding.
Costs are significantly lower. Many countries offer free public education even to expatriate children, though requirements vary. Private local schools cost far less than international schools.
For families planning to stay long-term or permanently, local schools make more sense than international schools. Why segregate your kids in an expat bubble if you’re making this country your home?
The challenge is language. Unless your kids already speak the local language or are very young (young children acquire languages quickly), the transition is difficult. Imagine attending school where you don’t understand the teacher, can’t read the textbooks, and struggle to communicate with classmates.
Homeschooling
Some expat families homeschool, either through necessity or choice. Homeschooling while living abroad offers maximum flexibility for traveling, exploring your host country, and creating customized education experiences.
Many online programs and curricular resources make homeschooling more accessible than ever. You’re not isolated creating lesson plans from scratch. Structured programs provide curriculum, assignments, and even teacher support.
Socialization requires intentional effort. Homeschooled kids need opportunities to interact with peers through sports, activities, co-ops, or homeschool groups.
International School Curricula Types
International schools aren’t all the same. Different curricula shape how and what your children learn.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The IB program is the most common international school curriculum. It’s offered in three levels:
- Primary Years Program (PYP) for ages 3-12
- Middle Years Program (MYP) for ages 11-16
- Diploma Program (DP) for ages 16-19
IB emphasizes inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and international-mindedness. Students explore concepts rather than just memorizing facts. The approach is holistic, integrating subjects rather than teaching them in isolation.
The IB Diploma Program for high school is rigorous and globally recognized by universities. Students take six subjects plus a core comprising Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service requirements.
IB works well for highly mobile families because IB schools worldwide teach similar curricula with similar pacing. Transferring between IB schools in different countries creates less disruption than switching between different education systems.
American Curriculum
American international schools follow US state standards, typically aligned with Common Core or similar frameworks. They prepare students for SAT/ACT and US college admissions.
American schools work well if you’re planning to return to the US or want your kids to attend American universities. The curriculum matches what they’d learn stateside, minimizing adjustment when you eventually return.
Teachers are often American or trained in American methods. The school culture feels familiar to American families—similar classroom management, grading systems, and extracurricular structures.
British Curriculum
British international schools follow the National Curriculum for England, leading to IGCSEs (typically at age 16) and A-Levels (ages 16-18).
The British system is more structured and test-focused than American or IB approaches. Students take formal exams at key stages that determine progression and university placement.
British schools work well for families who might move to the UK or whose children might attend British universities. The A-Level qualification is respected globally.
Other National Curricula
German schools abroad teach German curriculum. French schools follow French systems. These exist primarily for citizens of those countries living abroad but sometimes accept other nationalities.
Some families choose these schools for language immersion combined with structured international education. A child attending the German School in Tokyo learns German fluently while following a rigorous European curriculum.
The Real Cost of International Schools
This is where many families get sticker shock. International school tuition is expensive. Really expensive.
Tuition varies by country and school prestige, but expect:
- Lower-tier schools: $8,000-15,000 per year
- Mid-tier schools: $15,000-25,000 per year
- Top-tier schools: $25,000-45,000 per year
- Elite schools: $45,000-60,000+ per year
Those are per child, per year. A family with three kids attending a top-tier school pays $75,000-135,000 annually just for tuition.
Tuition isn’t the only cost. Add:
- Application fees: $200-500 per child
- Registration fees: $1,000-5,000 per child
- Enrollment deposit: $2,000-10,000 per child
- Capital levy or debentures: $5,000-20,000 (sometimes refundable, sometimes not)
- Transportation: $1,500-4,000 per year
- Uniforms: $300-600 per child
- Technology fees: $500-1,500 per year
- School trips and activities: $1,000-3,000 per year
- Books and supplies: $300-800 per year
Between tuition and all the extras, families easily spend $100,000+ annually for two kids at a top international school.
Some corporate relocation packages include education allowances. If your company sent you abroad, they might cover some or all of school costs. This benefit alone can be worth $50,000+ annually to families with multiple children.
Without corporate support, international school costs are prohibitive for many families. This is why some expat families choose local schools, homeschool, or decide not to move abroad at all.
The Admissions Process
International schools have limited spaces and competitive admissions, especially at top schools in popular expat cities.
Application Timeline
Apply early. Many families start the application process 6-12 months before moving. For August/September start dates (the standard school year in most countries), applications typically open in October or November of the preceding year.
Late applications might find schools full with waiting lists. This happens especially at the most popular schools in places like London, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai.
What Schools Require
Typical application requirements include:
- Application form with family and student information
- Copies of passports
- Previous school records and transcripts
- Report cards from the last 2-3 years
- Standardized test scores if applicable
- Teacher recommendations (usually two—one from current teacher, one from another teacher)
- Student personal statement or essay (for older students)
- Medical records and immunization history
Assessment and Testing
Most schools assess students before admission. For young children, this might be informal observation and play-based assessment. For older students, expect formal testing in math, language arts, and sometimes other subjects.
Schools want to ensure students can succeed in their program. They’re assessing academic level and English proficiency (if teaching in English).
Some highly selective schools are genuinely competitive, accepting only a percentage of applicants. Others accept most students who meet basic requirements unless they’re completely full.
The Waiting List Reality
Getting waitlisted is common, especially at popular schools. Waitlists move as families relocate, change plans, or choose other schools.
If you’re waitlisted, stay in contact with admissions. Express continued interest. Sometimes spots open at the last minute.
Having a backup plan is essential. Don’t rely on getting into one specific school. Research multiple options and submit multiple applications.
Choosing the Right School
With multiple international schools in most expat hubs, how do you choose?
Visit Schools
If possible, visit schools in person. Many families take house-hunting trips and schedule school tours at the same time. Walking through schools, meeting teachers and administrators, and seeing students in action provides insight you can’t get from websites.
If in-person visits aren’t possible, many schools offer virtual tours and online information sessions.
Talk to Parents
Current and former parents provide the most honest insights. Ask your company’s relocation specialist to connect you with families at various schools. Join Facebook groups for expats in your city and ask for school recommendations.
Questions to ask parents:
- Would you choose this school again?
- What do your kids love about it? What do they struggle with?
- How well does the school support new students transitioning in?
- How’s the communication between school and parents?
- Is the academic rigor appropriate or too much/too little?
- How diverse and inclusive is the school culture?
- Are there cliques or is the community welcoming?
Consider Your Timeline
How long will you be abroad? If it’s 2-3 years, international school makes sense. You maintain curriculum continuity and make moving back easier.
If you’re staying 10+ years or indefinitely, local school might be worth considering, especially for younger children who’ll acquire the local language.
If you move frequently, IB schools provide the most continuity between moves.
Match to Your Child
Some kids thrive in rigorous academic environments. Others need more creative, play-based approaches. Some are naturally social and will adapt anywhere. Others need specific support and smaller communities.
Choosing the “best” school that doesn’t fit your child serves no one. A less prestigious school that matches your child’s learning style and personality will produce better outcomes than a prestigious school where they struggle.
Think Beyond Academics
Academics matter, but so do other factors. Consider:
- What extracurriculars matter to your family? Does the school offer them?
- How does the school handle diversity, inclusion, and bullying?
- What’s the school community like? Are families involved? Is there a parent association?
- How does the school support social-emotional learning?
- What university counseling and support exists for high school students?
Local School Considerations
If you’re considering local schools, additional factors come into play.
Language Acquisition
Young children (typically under 8-10) acquire new languages remarkably quickly. A 5-year-old can become functionally fluent in 6-12 months of immersion. They’ll struggle initially, but most adapt quickly.
Older children face steeper challenges. A 13-year-old starting local school without speaking the language will struggle academically for 1-2 years while acquiring language proficiency. They need significant support.
Some countries offer language support programs for immigrant children. Others provide minimal support, expecting kids to sink or swim.
Academic Differences
Education systems vary dramatically. The Dutch system differs from the French system differs from the Japanese system. Curriculum content, teaching methods, assessment approaches, and classroom management all vary.
Your child might be ahead in some subjects and behind in others compared to local students. Math curricula differ. History and social studies focus on different content. Science sequencing varies.
Social Integration
Children in local schools might have attended together since kindergarten. Breaking into established friend groups takes time. Being “the foreign kid” creates both challenges and opportunities.
Support from your child matters. Some kids are natural social chameleons who adapt easily. Others need time and struggle with the transition.
Long-Term Implications
If you move back to the US or another country after a few years, will your child have gaps in their education? Will the local credentials transfer?
For young children, this matters less. For high school students, it matters significantly. Local diplomas might not be recognized by American universities, requiring additional testing or credentials.
Supporting Your Kids Through Transitions
Moving abroad and changing schools is hard on kids regardless of which option you choose.
Acknowledge their feelings. Excitement and nervousness coexist. Let them express concerns without dismissing them.
Involve them in decisions where appropriate. Older kids might have opinions about schools. Consider their input.
Visit the school before the first day if possible. Familiarity reduces anxiety.
Connect them with other kids before starting. Many schools facilitate connections with current students. Play dates or school-organized meetups help new students meet peers before the first day.
Maintain connections with friends from home through video calls and messaging. Moving doesn’t mean abandoning previous relationships.
Give transition time. The first 3-6 months are hardest. Most kids who struggle initially adjust and end up thriving.
Watch for signs of serious struggle—declining grades, behavior changes, withdrawal, or emotional difficulties. When concerns arise, address them quickly with teachers and school counselors.
When You’re Ready to Move
Education decisions are among the most important factors when moving abroad with children. Once you’ve figured out the schooling situation, the logistics of actually moving your family and belongings comes next.
International moves with families require experience and careful coordination. We’ve helped thousands of families relocate internationally and understand the unique challenges of moving with children.
Get Your Family’s Moving Quote
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to speak the local language to help my kids with homework?
Not for international schools—they teach in English (or another international language) and don’t assume parent fluency in the local language. For local schools, not speaking the language creates challenges. Older kids working independently manage better. Younger kids needing homework help struggle without parent support.
What if my child has learning differences or special needs?
International schools vary significantly in their support for learning differences. Some have robust special education programs. Others provide minimal support. Ask specifically about services for your child’s needs during the admissions process. Be honest about your child’s needs—surprises after enrollment help no one.
Can my child play sports or do activities outside school?
Yes! Most cities have youth sports leagues, music programs, and activities beyond school offerings. International schools also offer extensive extracurriculars. Getting involved helps kids make friends and adjust to their new home.
What happens if we move mid-year?
International schools accept students mid-year routinely. They’re accustomed to globally mobile families arriving throughout the year. Academic adjustment varies by how well the previous and new curricula align. The school’s support team typically helps new students catch up on missed content.
Should I hold my child back a year due to the international move?
Generally no, unless there’s a specific academic reason. Holding kids back socially can create issues. Most schools place students with age-appropriate peers and provide academic support if needed. Discuss specific concerns with the school’s admissions team.
How does college admissions work from international schools?
Most international schools have university counselors experienced with US college admissions. Students take SAT/ACT, AP exams (at American schools), IB exams (at IB schools), or A-Levels (at British schools). US universities are familiar with international transcripts and credentials. Students from international schools are admitted to top US universities regularly.
