How to compare international schools
International schools vary more than their websites suggest. Two schools with the same curriculum and similar fees can differ a great deal in class size, staff turnover and support. This is a method for comparing them in any city.
1. Start with the curriculum
Decide which programme suits your child and your plans. The main options are the International Baccalaureate (IB), the British curriculum leading to IGCSE and A level, and the American curriculum leading to a high school diploma, often with Advanced Placement courses. If you are likely to move again, choose a curriculum that is easy to find in the next country. If your child will return to a national system, check how easily they can rejoin it.
2. Check licensing and accreditation
A school should be licensed by the education authority of the country it operates in. On top of that, many schools hold accreditation from bodies such as the Council of International Schools (CIS), the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), WASC or Cognia. British schools abroad may be inspected under the UK's British Schools Overseas framework. IB schools must be authorised by the IB itself. Ask for the date of the latest visit and read the report.
3. Work out the real cost
Tuition is only part of the bill. List the application fee, enrolment or registration fee, any capital levy or debenture, deposits, uniforms, books, devices, transport, lunches, trips and exam fees. Check how fees have changed over the last few years and whether the school publishes increases in advance.
4. Understand admissions
Find out which year groups have places, how long waiting lists are and how priority works. Siblings, returning families and corporate partners often come first. Ask what assessments your child will sit and whether they are used for selection or only for placement.
5. Look at teaching and support
Ask how long teachers typically stay, where they trained and how many students are in a class. If your child is still learning English, ask how many hours of support they get and whether it costs extra. For learning differences, describe your child's needs at the first meeting.
6. Ask where students go next
A school should be able to tell you where its leavers went to university over the last few years, and how many counsellors support them. Treat lists of famous universities with care. Ask for results from the whole year group.
7. Visit, then compare side by side
Visit on a normal school day if you can. Put the answers in one table so you compare the same things for each school.
Finding schools to compare
To build a shortlist, International Schools DB lists international schools by country and city, with curriculum and fee information, for example its page on international schools in Singapore.