Top 1421 private schools abroad

When selecting the ideal private school for international students, consider these four crucial factors to ensure a well-rounded education.

1. Approach to Education Matters

It's paramount to examine the educational institution's approach to teaching. Descriptions of these institutions often highlight their primary educational methods. The majority of educational centers prioritize an individualized approach to students, a practice that significantly contributes to high student achievement.

2. Quality Education is Key

Within our catalog, you'll find information about the best educational institutions in over 30 countries worldwide. Notably, private schools and private day schools feature highly qualified teachers with academic degrees, a testament to their commitment to delivering top-notch education.

3. Technological Infrastructure

Evaluate the material resources and tuition fees to understand the level of technological infrastructure development at a given institution. Many educational centers offer state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technological resources, and well-developed internal infrastructure.

4. Holistic Development Opportunities

The top 100 schools and colleges listed provide a diverse array of elective courses, exciting additional programs, sports sections, and art clubs that cater to students' varied interests.

Sarah Hicklin

Director of International Admissions at Oswestry School

What to consider when choosing a school, besides academic success?

Safety and care on campus.

1. Academic Excellence

Private boarding schools and day schools abroad boast rich educational traditions, with generations of students from around the world benefiting from their effective teaching methods. These institutions also actively incorporate modern educational approaches, such as interactive teaching, innovative technologies, online platforms, and electronic resources.

2. Enhanced Career Prospects

A diploma from a foreign private school is highly esteemed by universities worldwide, enhancing one's chances of admission to top universities and future career success. Education abroad serves as an excellent launchpad for a successful career.

3. Global Exposure and Cultural Diversity

The best private schools and day schools celebrate racial and cultural diversity, fostering a multicultural environment that exposes students to various cultures and religions. This experience encourages respect for diverse perspectives and provides opportunities to make friends from around the globe.

4. Discipline and Independence

Students who enroll in foreign private schools develop independence at an accelerated pace. Despite constant supervision, they learn to manage their time effectively, prioritize their studies, and allocate time for extracurricular activities. Many of these schools uphold strict discipline, prohibiting smoking, drug use, and alcohol consumption, and monitoring attendance, academic performance, and behavior.

5. Cutting-Edge Technology

Foreign private schools offer outstanding technological resources, with modern classrooms featuring interactive whiteboards, linguaphone equipment, libraries stocked with electronic resources, state-of-the-art computers, multimedia centers, and comprehensive sports facilities.

6. Language Proficiency

Studying at these schools provides an excellent command of English through immersion in a linguistic environment. Students receive instruction from native English speakers, honing their language skills. In some cases, students may even master two or three additional foreign languages, with Switzerland being renowned for its multilingual education.

7. Personalized Education

Teachers at these schools embrace an individualized approach to each student, valuing each person as a unique individual. Classes are held in small, welcoming classrooms, ensuring that every student receives maximum personal attention. The primary goal at foreign private schools and day schools is not just to impart knowledge but also to foster critical thinking, reasoning, analysis, and the ability to formulate and express opinions effectively.

Enrolling in top-tier boarding schools in USA, across Europe, the UK, Switzerland, and Canada offers exceptional educational opportunities. Each institution sets its own unique admission requirements and educational approaches. Among the most sought-after schools for international students are those following the British and American educational systems, located in the United Kingdom, the USA, Canada, as well as various European countries including Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and France.

Embrace the International Baccalaureate Program

Upon completing grades 8, 9, 10, or 11, students can readily pursue the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which is offered in English.

While the specific document requirements may vary slightly among private schools, there is a common set of documents that every independent boarding school typically requests during the admission process. These documents include:

• Annual School Reports: Comprehensive reports containing academic grades for the last 2 or 3 years of the student's education.

• Copy of Student's ID Card: A clear copy of the student's identification card.

• Letters of Recommendation: Several recommendation letters are usually required. These letters should come from teachers specializing in subjects like mathematics, English, or another foreign language. Additionally, recommendations from school administrators, such as directors or deputies, are often requested. These letters should be written in a free-form style and should include translations into English (or the language of instruction in the country).

• Certificate of Language Proficiency: While not mandatory for all foreign private schools and day schools, some may require a certificate of language proficiency. In cases where this requirement is waived, the school may conduct its own language proficiency test as part of the admission process.

• Ukiset Test (Specific to the UK): Some private schools and day schools in Great Britain may require applicants to take the Ukiset test before submitting their application documents for consideration by the selection committee. Please note that this requirement is exclusive to the UK.

• School Registration Forms: Our specialists can assist you in completing school registration forms.

• Skype Interview: An interview with the applicant via Skype.

• Special Entrance Test: In addition to the Ukiset test, if required, there may be a separate entrance test for admission, particularly in the UK.

With the guidance of SMAPSE experts, you can explore a selection of the top 100 schools, private schools, and colleges offering high-quality courses for foreign students in Europe. Discover our range of private schools in Italy and embark on your educational journey.

The cost of studying at private schools and colleges in Europe and the rest of the world depends on rankings, the students' exam results, prestige and history of school.

Average cost of studying at private schools abroad (including accommodation and meals) is presented in the table below:

Private schools abroad, including those in the UK, the USA, and Switzerland, offer outstanding educational programs for international students. These institutions typically follow a system of consecutive education at boarding schools. As students venture abroad after completing the 9th grade, typically at the ages of 14, 15, or 16, they have the opportunity to tailor their studies to their specific interests, creating a personalized curriculum that aligns with their aspirations. This personalized program facilitates their growth and development in their chosen direction. Before gaining admission to universities, students are required to take a series of exams in three or four disciplines, depending on the specific program they follow. Here are some of the prominent programs available:

1. A-Level Program:

• Targeted at high school students aged 16-18.

• Universally recognized by all universities in the United Kingdom and several Western countries.

2. International Baccalaureate (IB):

• An international program designed for senior students aged 17-18.

• Universally accepted and respected worldwide.

3. BTEC Program:

• Analogous to the A-Level program.

• Offers a more in-depth, specialized, and comprehensive study of subjects with an emphasis on practical aspects.

• Geared towards high school students aged 16, 17, or 18.

4. High School Diploma Program:

• Available in the senior classes of the American educational system.

• Suitable for students aged 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18.

• Similar to the A-Level program.

• Offers pathways to universities in the USA, Canada, and various other countries worldwide.

5. GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education):

• This program focuses on students aged 14, 15, or 16, and it leads to a certificate of secondary school completion.

These diverse academic programs provide students with a range of options to suit their educational and career goals, ensuring that they receive a well-rounded and high-quality education.

Public schools teach in the language of the country and in most cases accept only nationals. Public schools have relatively little experience in working with international students and do not provide the documents required to apply for a student visa. In addition, public schools, unlike most private schools, do not provide accommodation and are not always able to provide an individualized approach to students.

Private international schools are distinguished from public schools by their extensive experience with international students. These schools pay much more attention to the student, his/her desires and goals. Classes in schools are smaller, the approach is more personalized. Teaching methods are constantly updated, the teaching staff is experienced and usually are university professors, which gives certain advantages when preparing for the transition to the next level of education. Private schools are also known for their extensive extracurricular activities - clubs, sports teams, student organizations. Most private schools also provide accommodation for international students.

Boarding schools provide 2 types of accommodation. The most common is residence. Residences are located either on the territory of the school itself or within a 5-10 minute walk from the building. In residences, students live one or two to a room, meals are provided 3 times a day, and the school staff organizes students' leisure time. Living with host families is less common. Families, as a rule, live in dormitory neighborhoods, 30-40 minutes drive from the school. Families care about the student as much as the student is cared for in the residence. They try to create the atmosphere of home as soon as possible, provide meals and organize leisure activities for the student.

Private schools have a number of advantages that set them apart from public schools. These include smaller class sizes, expanded resources and facilities, specialized curricula and programs, high academic standards, individualized support and attention, active parental involvement, focus on character development and values, active parental involvement, flexibility and innovation, and a safe and supportive environment. Private schools may prioritize character development and values cultivation along with academics. They often emphasize moral, ethical, and social values, fostering a sense of community, responsibility, and integrity in students.

The main difference is that in full-time education, the school day ends at about 3 or 4 o'clock. Students come to school in the morning, attend classes, eat lunch and usually have some time for extracurricular activities. Students who live on boarding are constantly in the center of student life. Since they are at school most of the time, they make a lot of friends, the school organizes leisure activities ranging from events to excursions to other cities and countries. Students on boarding follow a certain daily routine and are obliged to follow the rules of the accommodation.

Yes, school uniforms are compulsory in most schools. It can be purchased online or at the school store. Some schools do not require high school students to wear uniforms and allow business casual attire.

As a rule, boarders live in single or double rooms. Facilities may be in the room itself or shared by several people. Snacks and water are always available for students, and there is a kitchen where you can prepare something. There are recreation rooms and gyms in the dormitory.

At the boarding house, the day starts early enough with a general rise and breakfast. Students are then directed to their classes. After lessons, a certain amount of time is set aside for homework, often with the help of a tutor. Then students have their own free time - go out on the town, go to the gym or hobby clubs, spend time with friends or just relax. Weekends are also full of interesting activities - the school can hold its own events or organize field trips.

To help students cope with homesickness, schools typically provide various forms of support and a supportive environment. These include orientation programs, active involvement of school staff in acclimating students to their new environment, counseling and emotional support, structured activities and engagement, family communication, mentoring, parental involvement and communication, and personalization and individualization. Schools strive to create a home-like environment - students are encouraged to personalize their living space, and common areas often offer comfortable and welcoming places to socialize and relax.

Many schools accepting students for high school programs are integrated into the city system, so students have the opportunity to leave the grounds on their own time. A number of schools ask for special location-tracking apps to be installed on phones and let students leave the school grounds in small groups of 2-3 students.

• It's important to pay attention to the educational institution’s approach to education

Descriptions of educational institutions provide priority educational methods. Practically, vast majority of educational centers practice an individual approach to students. It greatly contributes to the high level of achievements of children.

• The quality of education

The catalogue provides information on the best educational institutions in more than 30 countries around the world. Please, note that teachers at private  schools and private day schools have academic degrees. Exceptional level of qualification of the pedagogical staff is the pride of many educational institutions.

• The level of technological infrastructure development

It's important to analyze information about the material base and tuition fees. There are a lot of educational centers which offer state-of-the-art education facilities, advanced technological infrastructure, and developed internal infrastructure.

• Possibility of comprehensive development of students

100 best schools and colleges offe interesting electives, breathtaking additional courses, sport sections and art coteries that serve students' interests.

Sarah Hicklin

Director of International Admissions at Oswestry School

What to consider when choosing a school, besides academic success?

Safety and care on campus.

Advantages and disadvantages of English schools

Top 35 best schools in the USA - 2025 Smapse rankings

Top 14 best schools in Switzerland 2025