It’s never too early to start looking for the right school for your children especially if you are an expat living in Bucharest and planning to stay for a long time.
One of the best options for your children can be an international school where the teaching takes place in an international language like English and the school is internationally recognised by different institutions which facilitates the option of studying at top universities abroad.
Furthermore, these types of schools focus their attention on both academic results and the emotional and social development of their children by having smaller class sizes and specialized counselors able to help them with any issue encountered.
Having your children learn in a multicultural environment can make them more aware of the world they live in, broaden their cultural perspective and make long-term friendships.
Let’s see which are the international schools you can find in Bucharest and what are their mission and curriculum.
1. International British School of Bucharest
International British School of Bucharest is a friendly school with a strong sense of community. The school is not only focused on the exam results, but on a good education which incorporates emotional and social development as well. It encourages respect, tolerance, creativity, and independent learning.
IBSB Mission and Goals
The IBSB’s mission is to work together to inspire, support, and celebrate each student’s achievement, putting in the center of the educational process the importance of human values such as respect, integrity, and compassion.
About the Curriculum
IBSB was first accredited as a member of COBIS, ECIS, and CEESA, in 2002, and since then it has had regular school inspections conforming to the high standard of teaching. Also in September 2022 the school was inspected as a British School Overseas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).
The students of the International British School of Bucharest follow the National Curriculum of England, within an international school context. The National Curriculum of England means children in different schools (primary and secondary) study the same subjects to similar standards.
In the Primary School there are a maximum of 22 pupils per class, while in secondary, the maximum number is 23, but for now their average number of students per class is 16.
Their curriculum offers students agen 3-18 a strong academic programme with a wide range of extracurricular activities.
As part of their approach to develop the whole individual, the school encourages its students to participate in as many after school clubs as possible. Some of them include debating and Kangaroo mathematics, art and crafts, sporting, or social clubs such as the Young Explorers Club and the Tea and Chocolate Club.
If you want to register your child to the club sessions, you have to make up your mind fast because there is a limited number of students in each one and the system is first-come first-served.
The school also offers a work experience programme for students in Year 10-13 to help them develop skills needed in the work environment. After the programme, children gain a “Work Experience Diploma” which can be put in their Graduation Portfolio, helping them apply to top universities.
Yearly Tuition Fees
There is a non-refundable first-time only registration fee of 1.000 Euro per child in the Pre-Nursery, Nursery and Reception.
For Year 1 to Year 13, the registration fee is:
– 1.500 Euro for the first child or siblings
– 750 Euro for the 3rd child
– 0 Euro for the 4th child.
The tuition fees per year are as follows:
– Pre-Nursery Half Day – 3.600 Euro
– Pre-Nursery Full Day – 6.600 Euro
– Nursery Half Day – 6.000 Euro
– Nursery and Reception Full Day – 11.000 Euro
– Year 1-6 Full Day – 14.900 Euro
– Year 7-13 Full Day – 17.650 Euro
2. Maarif International School of Bucharest
Maarif International School of Bucharest is based on an educational philosophy based on raising good people. The Foundation accepts human beings as inherently good-oriented, innately valuable and special beings; wants to develop it with a qualified education.
MISB Mission and Goals
They focus on offering knowledge and skills required in the era we live in and on the ability to think critically and analytically. They understand that every person is different, but everyone works towards a common goal of being active, principled global citizens.
Their vision is to become an international school recognized for the quality of education, valued in the community, which provides a favorable and stimulating environment for students.
About the Curriculum
The school has two separate sections: the National section which follows the National Curriculum and the International section which follows the Cambridge curriculum.
The international curriculum, that of Cambridge, is offered by both national and international staff, and the campus has excellent physical facilities and a wonderful international student body.
MISB offers a lot of activities in the areas of sports, music, arts, and also it has a very broad After School Programme.
Besides the curriculum in English, students can also learn other languages such as Turkish, Romanian, French, and Arabic.
Yearly Tuition Fees
The yearly tuition fees for the international section are as follows:
– Preschool (ages 3-6) 6000 Euro
– Primary School 6.500 Euro
– Secondary School 7.000 Euro
– Highschool (Grades 9-12) 7.500 Euro.
There is a registration fee that is non refundable of 200 Euro. Also there is a 5% discount for those who enroll early.
For those who will pay the annual fees in one installment, they will have a discount of 5%.
3. Bucharest-Beirut International School
The Bucharest-Beirut International School was founded in 2003 and is accredited by the Lebanese and Romanian Ministries of Education. The school is dedicated to creating life-long learners helping children discover and develop their intellectual and social capabilities.
BBIS Mission and Goals
The school’s mission is to build knowledgeable and self-confident students who will not be afraid of taking risks and who, led by curiosity and a passion for learning will face up challenges.
About the Curriculum
The school is an authorized school for the International Baccalaureate – Primary Years Programme (PYP) starting December 2021. The PYP is designed for students aged 3 to 12. It is a framework guided by six transdisciplinary themes of global significance, with a powerful emphasis on inquiry. The PYP is flexible enough to accommodate the demands of most national or local curriculums.
Hosting children from 2 to 18 years old, BBIS assures long life educational journeys within its institution.
Their inquiry-based curriculum ensures that they have both a global perspective and a clear understanding of the place in which each of their students and teachers live. The school strongly believes that through inquiry, active learning, and the development of emotional intelligence in a safe environment, all students are capable of mastery of knowledge, skills and understanding.
BBIS educational programme offers the international community in Bucharest an English taught Lebanese curriculum. They also offer Romanian, Arabic, Turkish and Chinese as first language, and Romanian as a second language to help all students adapt to the culture they live in.
They offer students a variety of After-School Clubs to encourage them to develop their teamwork, leadership, creativity and skills, but also support them educationally.
Yearly Tuition Fees
All students who want to register at BBIS will have to take an Entrance Assessment Test in English, Mathematics, and mother tongue language according to the academic years the students are to enroll.
For Pre-Nursery, Nursery, and Kindergarten 1 this fee is 100 Euro, and for Kindergarten 2 it’s 300 Euro.
For Grade 1 to Grade 5, the enrollment fee is 500 Euro, and for Grade 6 to Grade 12 it’s 700 Euro.
The uniform price and other resources needed for the school year vary from 300 Euro in Kindergarten to 400-600 Euro in Primary, Secondary, and High School Years.
For the Annual Tuition fees, the schools has the following fees:
– Pre-nursery, Nursery, Kindergarten 1 – 4.550 Euro
– Kindergarten 2 – 4.800 Euro
– Grade 1 – Grade 5 – 5.300 Euro
– Grade 6 – Grade 9 – 5.800 Euro
– Grade 10 – Grade 12 – 6.700 Euro
– Grade 11 – Grade 12 IB – 7.500 Euro.
4. Lycée Français Anna de Noailles
Lycée Français Anna de Noailles offers an education in French of the highest excellence due to its committed and qualified teachers and auxiliary members.Their education plan promotes students’ empowerment and stimulation of their desire to learn, and the encouragement of critical thinking.
Mission and Goals
The school’s mission is to focus on students’ personal development and fulfillment in order for them to become citizens of the world.
About the Curriculum
Their students benefit from a rigorous teaching based on the French curriculum drawn up by the French Ministry of National Education. Students prepare the Diplôme national du Brevet (last year of lower secondary education) and then the French Baccalauréat (final exam before finishing high school). The school is also recognized by the ARACIP, the Romanian Ministry of Education.
Depending on the school cycles, the child learns gradually. They focus on mastering the French language, but also foreign languages as Romanian and English. Also during the primary and secondary education they learn Mathematics, Science, IT, History, Geography, Art, Citizenship, and more.
Starting from Year 11 to Year 13 the students are also having a special subject called Educational guidance and individual support. Also in Year 11, students are encouraged to participate in AND-AEFE, a school exchange programme in which students can go abroad during the second term and study in another institution that is also part of this programme.
Yearly Tuition Fees
The yearly tuition fees depend on the school year and they’re also based on nationality.
For French, Romanian, and other EU nationalities, the yearly tuitions are:
– Maternelle and Elementaire (Kindergarten and Primary School) 6.600 Euro
– College (Secondary School) 8.600 Euro
– Lycee (High School) 8.900 Euro
For other nationalities:
– Maternelle and Elementaire (Kindergarten and Primary School) 7.800 Euro
– College (Secondary School) 9.700 Euro
– Lycee (High School) 9.900 Euro.
There is also a file registration of 100 Euro and a registration fee for each child:
– for the first child 2.650 Euro
– for the sencond child 1.400 Euro
– for the third or more 1.100 Euro.
5. International School of Bucharest
The International School of Bucharest focuses on enabling their learners to reach their full potential and develop skills to become independent, respectful and caring adults.
ISB Mission and Goals
The International School of Bucharest education is guided by three important factors which are high-quality teaching and learning, global citizenship, and digital citizenship.
Their mission is to provide each student with a broad and balanced education in a supportive environment. The school promotes the enjoyment of learning and works in close harmony with their diverse community.
About the Curriculum
The International School of Bucharest offers the National Curriculum of England and Wales, from early years to Key Stage 3. In Key Stage 3 the curriculum is supplemented with the Cambridge Secondary Curriculum to meet the needs of their international student body. Students in Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) follow the Cambridge IGCSE programme. Year 12 and 13 (Key Stage 5 or the 6th Form) students follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) of study in preparation for entry to university.
Besides the common subjects like English, Math, History, etc, the school offers Swimming, Wellbeing, or Design and Technology lessons.
Also, ISB offers student support and counseling services for students in Kindergarten through Year 13. Their department assists students during the school day, depending on need and specialist evaluation.
The extracurricular activities include sports, performing arts, science, board games, modern foreign languages, music and debating, and special-interest clubs.
Yearly Tuition Fees
The registration fee is 1.000 Euro and it is non-refundable.
There is also a special education fee of 2.000 Euro per year on top of the tuition fee for the students entering Year 3 – Year 10 who are placed in the ESL programme and for all the students entering the special needs programme.
The tuition fees are as follows:
– Early Years (Ages 2-5) 9.004 Euro
– Primary School (Year 1-6) 14.003 Euro
– Secondary School (Year 7-9) – 14.713 Euro
– Secondary School (Year 10-13) – 15.576 Euro.
6. Bucharest Christian Academy
Bucharest Christian Academy is the only fully American international school in Bucharest that follows a holistic education approach—caring for a child’s intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual growth—while teaching from a Christian worldview.
BCA Mission and Goals
The BCA offers a Christ-centered quality education preparing students spiritually, academically, and socially, through a Biblical worldview, to face up the struggles of the 21st century.
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About the Curriculum
Bucharest Christian Academy is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and also by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
The school’s curriculum is designed to foster growth and development in all their students.
The students follow a fully American curriculum with the goal to understand what they are learning and to develop a love of reading and writing.
Some of the extracurricular activities that the school offers are Nature Study Club, Basketball Team, StuCo, Band, and more.
Yearly Tuition Fees
The enrollment fee for a new student is 400 Euro and for a returning student 250 Euro.
The yearly tuition fees are as follows:
– Kindergarten 10.515 Euro
– Elementary (Grades 1-6) 11.235 Euro
– Middle (Grades 7-8) 11.835 Euro
– High (Grades 9-12) 12.560 Euro.
7. British School of Bucharest
The British School of Bucharest received the highest possible rating, ‘excellent’, for both ‘the quality of pupils’ learning and achievement’ and the ‘quality of pupils’ personal development’ as they state on their official website.
BSB Mission and Goals
The BSB mission is to develop confident, motivated, and self-disciplined young people who will reach their full potential and positively impact others.
About the Curriculum
BSB follows the National Curriculum for England. British education highlights performance but also focuses on the children’s overall development. The children are learning at the pace and intensity that suits them with tailored support from day one until higher education.
As the students grow older their subjects become enriched as well, including Computer Science, Economics, Health Education, Drama, Foreign Languages such as Spanish, French, German and even Mandarin.
The school also offers an extensive extracurricular and co-curricular programme where children can try new sports, attend academic extension classes, and pursue many interests.
The BSB is supported in the SEN Department by an Educational Psychologist who supports students with learning difficulties, medical issues, behavioral and emotional difficulties.
Yearly Tuition Fees
There is an application fee of 250 Euro per pupil. There is also a fee for admissions and waiting list of 865 Euro/pupil in Pre-Nursery, Nursery and Reception.
For Year 1-13 the admission and waiting list fee is:
– for the first child 3.240 Euro
– for the second child 1.860 Euro
– for the third 810 Euro
– for the fourth 0 Euro.
The annual school fee is:
– Pre-Nursery (Full Day) 6.895 Euro + reservation deposit/pupil
– Pre-Nursery (Half Day) 3.482 Euro + reservation deposit/pupil
– Nursery-Year 6 18.778 Euro + reservation deposit/pupil
– Year 7-13 21.767 Euro + reservation deposit/pupil.
The Reservation deposit is 5.105 Euro per pupil.
8. Mark Twain International School
The Mark Twain International School claims to offer outstanding education to English and bilingual (English-Romanian) students from around the world.
Mission and Goals
Their mission is to offer students a high-performing, supportive learning environment especially designed for individual needs, styles, and goals.
About the Curriculum
The school is accredited by the Cambridge Assessment International Primary and Secondary Education and by the Ministry of Education of Romania (ARACIP). The Mark Twain IS also offers the International Baccalaureate Programme.
The teaching method focuses on the development of the whole child both in the classroom and in the world outside. In the first years of school the pupils focus on six subject areas (Language, Social Studies, Mathematics, Arts, Science, and Personal, Social & Physical Education).
As students grow the teaching method orients on intellectual challenges, encouraging students to make connections between their studies and the real world. For the International Baccalaureate programme the teaching is based on inquiry, focused on conceptual understanding and on effective teamwork and collaboration.
The school also offers a lot of extracurricular activities, such as dancing, drama, ballet, karate, and more.
Yearly Tuition Fees
For the Pre Primary Studies and Early Learning Division, the tuition fees are the following:
– Preschool 2-4 Years starting at 635 Euro/month
– Preschool 4-5 Years starting at 915 Euro/month
– Preschool 5-6 Years starting at 980 Euro/month.
For the Global Bilingual Division:
– Primary School starting at 1.145 Euro/month
– Middle School starting at 1.235 Euro/month
– Bilingual High School starting at 1.299 Euro/month.
9. Verita International School
The Verita International School offers an unparalleled education where British education meets 21st century learning. The school offers a nurturing school environment that motivates students in a collaborative and fun learning way.
VIS Mission and Goals
Verita’s School puts kindness in the center of everything they do. They also focus on international and intercultural understanding, and that is why they base their education on an inquiry-based approach.
About the Curriculum
Their learning method of Inquiry Based Learning concentrates the idea that everything starts with posing questions, problems and scenarios, rather than simply presenting established facts. Students are encouraged to explore, examine, and ask questions.
In terms of extracurricular activities they have a vast offering depending on the age groups.
For kindergarteners they have Arts & Crafts, Karate, Kids Yoga, Creative Drawing, Imagination & Creativity, Lego robotics, The world of games.
From Year 2- 6 they offer activities such as Design, Detective Science, Drama, Modern Languages, Chess, Recycled Crafting, Public Speaking, Magic of Physics, Financial Programme, etc.
For the Middle School Year 7-9 the extracurricular activities that caught our attention were Jewelry Design, Disney Animation Club, Makerspace, Critical Thinking in the movies.
In High School they offer Creative Writing, MUN Club, Creative Design, and more.
Yearly Tuition Fees
There is a registration fee of 1.500 Euro in case of the student’s subsequent withdrawal or cancellation of the schooling contract.
The annual tuition fees are:
– Early Years (Half Day) 7.300 Euro
– Early Years (Full Day) 7.990 Euro
– Primary Year 1-6 11.900 Euro
– Secondary Years Year 7-13 11.900 Euro.
Also, a non-refundable 1,000 EUR deposit is provided during the re-enrolment process to confirm placement for the next academic year. This advance is deducted from the next school year’s tuition.
10. King’s Oak British International School
The King’s Oak British International School is dedicated to help each child develop the skills needed to contribute to the rapidly changing world.
King’s Oak Mission and Goals
King’s Oak offers a truly personalized learning environment where children are challenged, but guided and encouraged. The school’s mission is to enable children to develop a full understanding of their potential.
About the Curriculum
In all the stages, whether Kindergarten or Secondary Schools, the teachers personalize the learning methods according to the needs of each student helping them develop confidence, friendships, and inquisitive thinking.
The school has a lot of after school clubs such as Ballet, Origami, Malleable, Science Fun, Drama, Jewelry Design, Modern Foreign Languages. They also organize school trips and Summer School.
The school also has experienced and trained staff and therapists within school for children with special needs.
Yearly Tuition Fees
The annual tuition fees are as follows:
– Nursery Part Time varies between 6.750 – 7.950 Euro
– Nursery Full Time varies between 9.250 Euro – 9.950 Euro
– Reception Class 11.200 Euro
– Primarily Year 1-6 14.950 Euro
– Secondary Year 7-9 15.950 Euro
– Secondary Year 10-11 16.500 Euro
– Secondary Year 12-13 16.500 Euro.
11. American International School of Bucharest
AISB was founded in 1962 by the US Embassy to serve the educational needs of the American and international expatriate community. AISB has students from 60 nationalities attending the Early Years program at age 2 through Grade 12.
AISB Mission and Goals
The AISB mission is to engage learners with a rigorous and balanced education. The school wants to inspire students to get the best from themselves and others, to be ethical, and open-minded.
About the Curriculum
The school covers three divisions, the Early Learning, Primary School, and Secondary School. All of these sections follow the International Baccalaureate programme of instruction: the Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programs.
Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities by joining different sports such as football, basketball, fencing, floor gymnastics.
The school also offers Co-curricular activities such as Lego League Robotics, Speech & Debate, Model United Nations. Engagement in artistic learning, Journalism, and Student Leadership, are encouraged as well.
Yearly Tuition Fees
The annual tuition fees are:
– EC2 for students who are 2 on or before September 1st (Half Day) 7.810 Euro
– EC2 for students who are 2 on or before September 1st (Full Day) 11.150 Euro
– EC3 for students who are 3 on or before September 1st (Full Day) 16.010 Euro
– EC4 for students who are 4 on or before September 1st 16.010 Euro
– Kindergarten 21.090 Euro
– Year 1-5 22.100 Euro
– Year 6-8 22.290 Euro
– Year 9-10 23.800 Euro
– Year 11-12 23.830 Euro.
12. Cambridge School of Bucharest
The Cambridge School of Bucharest has been part of the local community for over twenty-five years. As a British School Overseas (BSO) its education is in-line with BSO standards.
CSB Mission and Goals
The Cambridge School of Bucharest mission is to create a forward-thinking academic environment that prepares students for this century with a focus on moral, spiritual, and social development.
About the Curriculum
At Cambridge School of Bucharest, they employ a diverse array of teaching styles, supported by a wide range of classroom resources and multimedia equipment. These dynamic and engaging lessons are conducted by both native and proficient English speakers, ensuring that students receive the highest level of English instruction possible.
This approach empowers every student to achieve exceptional progress in their language proficiency, while also equipping them with the necessary skills to excel academically and personally.
The CSB has a wide range of extracurricular activities and clubs for all their students. Each term, the teachers create a programme of clubs and activities that includes Sports, Creative Arts, Creative Writing, Debate, Public Speaking, Science, and more.
Yearly Tuition Fees
The annual fees is:
– Nursery 10.900 Euro
– Reception- Year 1 11.350 Euro
– Nursery-Year 1 (Long Programme) 12.250 Euro
– Years 2-4 13.250 Euro
– Years 2-4 (Long Programme) 14.500 Euro
– Year 5-6 13.250 Euro
– Years 7-9 13.600 Euro
– Years 10-13 14.450 Euro.
There is also a registration fee of 1.500 Euro that is non-refundable.
