British International School of Houston vs The Awty International School

	B British International School of Houston Houston, United States	T The Awty International School Houston, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $15,540 - 39,500	Fees / year $34,145 - 44,880
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), British Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), French Curriculum, American Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,000	Pupils 1,754
Typical class size	Typical class size 18	Typical class size 8
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, French, Spanish
Opened	Opened 2000	Opened 1956
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The British International School of Houston is located at 2203 North Westgreen Boulevard, Katy, TX 77449, United States. It serves students aged 3–18 (Early Years to High School).	Location 7455 Awty School Lane, Houston, Texas 77055, USA. The school is located in Houston, Texas.
Stages	Stages Early Years Ages 3–5; Primary School Ages 5–11; Middle School Ages 11–14; High School Ages 14–18.	Stages Early Learning Campus: PK3–1st/CP; Lower School: 2nd/CE1–5th/CM2; Middle School: 6th/6ème–8th/4ème; Upper School: 9th/3ème–12th/Tle.
School type	School type International school	School type Independent international school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix In BIS Houston's campus, over 80 nationalities are represented.	Pupil nationality mix More than 1,800 students from more than 50 countries. The nationalities are 40% American, 30% French, with the remaining 30% representing over 50 other nationalities.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Learning differences are acknowledged under the International Baccalaureate framework. The school is independent and international; accommodations may include extra time for tests and examinations and the use of assistive devices. The Learning Support Coordinator provides information to coordinate necessary learning support.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation France
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure The school day runs 7:55 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. for Middle and Upper School, 8:00 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. for Lower School, and 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. for Early Learning.
Bus service details	Bus service details Premium school bus service with air-conditioned buses and 3-point safety belts. 15 pick-up locations across Katy, Katy West, Richmond, Heights, Dairy Ashford, Galleria area, Lakes on Eldridge North, Lakes on Eldridge, Twin Lakes, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Cypress, and more. Enrollment is for the full school year (payments possible by term). Contact bus@houston.nae.school for enrollment and bus policy.	Bus service details Awty contracts with AFC Transportation to provide bus service to and from the school. Buses pick-up and drop-off riders at designated points. Bus fees for 2025-2026 are $3,500 for round-trip ridership and $1,750 for one-way ridership.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Fees and one‑off deposits - Application fee (one‑time, non‑refundable): USD 250. - New student fee (one‑time, non‑refundable on joining): USD 2,500. - Enrolment deposit (yearly; credited against the first tuition instalment; non‑refundable): USD 2,000. Tuition fees by year group (annual and per term) - The school year is organised in three terms. Per‑term values shown below are the annual fee divided by three (three terms per academic year). - Early Years 1 / PK3 / Nursery (mornings or afternoons only, 5 days per week): USD 15,540 per year — USD 5,180 per term. - Early Years 1 / PK3 / Nursery (3 full days per week): USD 16,950 per year — USD 5,650 per term. - Early Years 1 / Nursery; Early Years 2 / Reception (full time, 5 days per week): USD 28,250 per year — USD 9,417 per term. - EY2 / Reception / PK4 (full time): USD 29,250 per year — USD 9,750 per term. - Year 1 (Kindergarten) through Year 2 (First Grade): USD 29,975 per year — USD 9,992 per term. - Year 3 (Second Grade) through Year 5 (Fourth Grade): USD 31,975 per year — USD 10,659 per term. - Year 6 (Fifth Grade): USD 32,950 per year — USD 10,983 per term. - Year 7 (Sixth Grade): USD 33,750 per year — USD 11,250 per term. - Year 8 (Seventh Grade): USD 34,950 per year — USD 11,650 per term. - Year 9 (Eighth Grade): USD 36,500 per year — USD 12,167 per term. - Year 10 (Ninth Grade): USD 36,950 per year — USD 12,317 per term. - Year 11 (Tenth Grade): USD 37,950 per year — USD 12,650 per term. - Year 12 (Eleventh Grade): USD 38,950 per year — USD 12,983 per term. - Year 13 (Twelfth Grade): USD 39,500 per year — USD 13,167 per term. Note: Tuition is subject to annual increases; the enrolment deposit is applied to reduce the first tuition instalment. What is included and excluded from tuition - Included: digital books, IGCSE and IB examination fees (initial exam entries), school‑loaned iPads (Years 1–9), technology fees, use of facilities, and administrative fees. - Not included: personal technology for Years 10–13, school meal plans, transportation (bus) fees, uniforms, residential trips and special events, and extra private music lessons. Additional exam‑related costs (re‑marks, certificate courier costs outside Houston) may incur separate charges. Learning support and EAL (English as an Additional Language) fees - Learning support: additional learning support services are charged at extra cost; fees vary according to the level and type of support recommended by the Learning Support Team and must be approved in advance. - EAL fees (yearly and per‑term breakdown by level): - Years 1–2: Skilled 3–4 hours — USD 3,000 per year (Term 1 USD 1,350; Term 2 USD 1,050; Term 3 USD 600). No cost for up to 2 hours/week when minimal support required. - Years 3–6: Skilled 3–4 hours USD 3,000 per year (T1 USD 1,350; T2 USD 1,050; T3 USD 600); Intermediate 5–7 hours USD 6,000 per year (T1 USD 2,700; T2 USD 2,100; T3 USD 1,200); Intensive 8–10 hours USD 9,000 per year (T1 USD 4,050; T2 USD 3,150; T3 USD 1,800). - Years 7–13: Skilled 4–5 hours USD 3,000 per year (T1 USD 1,350; T2 USD 1,050; T3 USD 600); Intermediate 6–7 hours USD 6,000 per year (T1 USD 2,700; T2 USD 2,100; T3 USD 1,200); Intensive 8–10 hours USD 9,000 per year (T1 USD 4,050; T2 USD 3,150; T3 USD 1,800). Transport and bus fees - The school operates a contracted premium school bus service. Bus fees are billed per term or per year. For the 2025–26 season (published bus rates), the typical costs per student are: full‑time routes USD 1,645 per term (USD 4,935 per year); mornings‑only or afternoons‑only USD 905 per term (USD 2,705 per year). Bus enrolment is for the full school year but may be paid by term; withdrawal from bus services during the school year requires one full term's notice. Other costs and regular extras - Uniforms and dress code: uniforms are not included in tuition. Uniform items are purchased from the school's designated supplier (FlynnO'Hara) and spirit wear is available from the campus Spirit Store; families should budget separately for uniform purchases. Formal dress code guidance and supplier details are provided by the school. - School meals and canteen accounts: meal plans and a la carte purchases are not included in tuition; families set up student meal accounts (MyKidsSpending) and fund them separately. - After‑school activities and instrumentals: co‑curricular and ASA bookings are paid in advance through the school's activity registration system; some after‑school sessions have per‑session fees (for example, certain after‑school sessions listed at USD 10 per session). Summer camp and holiday programme fees are additional (example: regular day camp USD 550 per week; extended day USD 700 per week; registration fee USD 15 per week for Camp Bulldog where offered). - External exam extras: initial IGCSE and IB exam entries are included; re‑marks, certificate courier charges outside Houston, and some external assessment fees are extra. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition billing options: 1‑Payment (annual), 2‑Payment (half‑yearly, with a 2% financing fee), or 10‑Payment (monthly, with a 5% financing fee). For re‑enrolling families the typical schedule is: 1‑Payment due in June; 2‑Payment due in June and November; 10‑Payment due monthly from June through March. - The enrolment deposit is credited against the first instalment. Transportation is billed per term or annually depending on the option selected; ASA and activity fees are invoiced when booked and are payable in advance. Exam fees beyond initial entries and additional learning support charges are invoiced separately. - Finance contacts for billing queries: the Finance Office (Finance Director and Finance Officer) handle all financial matters and can be contacted directly. Payment can be remitted online via the school's payment portal. Refunds, deposits and withdrawal notice - Application fee, New Student Fee, and Enrolment Deposit are non‑refundable. The enrolment deposit is applied to the first tuition payment but is not refundable. - Withdrawal notice: families in their first academic year must submit a withdrawal form before the re‑enrolment deadline in order to avoid further charges; families enrolled for more than one academic year must give one full term's notice of departure. Outstanding fees and costs must be paid before departure; official school records (reports, transcripts, certificates) are released only when all fees are up to date. - Force majeure: in the event of a Force Majeure Event that prevents full or partial reopening, the school is under no obligation to refund any portion of fees paid unless otherwise indicated by the school. Mitigation measures (such as virtual schooling) may be provided at the school's discretion. Boarding - Boarding is not offered at this campus; boarding fees are not applicable. The school operates as a day school with on‑site facilities and transport options. Practical payment notes - The enrolment deposit reduces the first instalment balance; financing fees apply if choosing 2‑ or 10‑payment plans. Parents receive invoices and should contact the Finance Office for invoice copies or billing queries. Payments may be remitted through the school's online payment portal; the Finance Office provides invoice and payment administration.	Fee details Application and Enrollment Fees - Application fee: USD 200 (one-time, for all new students not previously enrolled within the last three school years). - New Student Fee: USD 1,500 (due at time of enrollment; non-refundable). - Registration fee: USD 250 (assessed at enrollment). - Capital Building Fee: USD 1,250 (assessed at enrollment). Annual Tuition — 2026–2027 academic year (by programme / grade group) - PK3 – PK4: USD 30,180 per year. - Kinder/GS – Grade 1/CP: USD 31,240 per year. - Grades 2 – 5 (CE1 – CM2): USD 31,240 per year. - Grades 6 – 8 (6ème – 4ème): USD 35,050 per year. - Grades 9 – 12 (3ème – Tle): USD 38,070 per year. How tuition may be billed (payment schedules / per-term implications) - One-Payment plan: full annual tuition balance due in a single installment (balance payable by June 1). Families enrolling after June 1 pay one month after enrollment. Under this plan the full annual tuition above is billed as one payment. - Two-Payment plan: the annual tuition balance is split into two equal installments: 50% due June 1 and 50% due October 1. Under this plan each installment equals 50% of the annual tuition amount for the applicable grade group. A 5% finance fee applies to unpaid tuition under the Two-Payment plan; Tuition Insurance is required for families using the Two-Payment plan (cost noted below). - Monthly Installment plan: the annual tuition balance is divided into ten monthly installments payable June 1 through March 1. A 5% finance fee applies to unpaid tuition under the Monthly plan; Tuition Insurance is required for families choosing the Monthly plan (cost noted below). - Payment plan change fee: USD 100 per change of payment plan. - Note: fees (application, registration, capital, grade-level trip or exam fees, book fees, bus, etc.) are invoiced separately and are not covered by the tuition-only payment plans; those fees are billed and collected as invoiced by the Business Office. Tuition insurance and finance charges - Tuition Insurance: available to all families and required for those choosing the Two-Payment or Monthly Installment plans. The stated Tuition Insurance cost is 2.25% of the tuition. - Finance fee: a 5% finance fee is applied to unpaid tuition for families on the Two-Payment and Monthly Installment plans. Additional required and typical fees (per year / per item where shown) - Grade-specific trip, exam, and diploma fees (examples and ranges): - 6th Grade (6ème) Awty Connects Week activities: USD 500. - 7th Grade (5ème) Washington, D.C. class trip: USD 2,950. - 8th Grade (4ème) Big Bend class trip: USD 1,200. - 3ème Brevet exam (average): ~USD 170. - 10th grade / 2nde and 11th grade / 1ère Awty Connects Week experiential trips: ranges USD 250 – USD 6,000 depending on chosen activity. - International Baccalaureate fee (Grades 11 and 12): USD 1,100 (2026–2027). - French Baccalauréat exam/registration fees (1ère / Terminale): ranges shown (e.g., ~USD 260 for 1ère; USD 310–600 for Terminale registration/exam). - Senior fee (Grade 12 / Tle): USD 750. - Book fees (ELC and Lower School) — charged by grade group and include required books and supplies (textbook rental policy noted): - PK3 – PK4: USD 240. - Kinder/GS: USD 355. - Grades 1–5: USD 485. - CP – CM2: USD 405. - Middle and Upper School estimated book ranges (depend on electives): MS (6–8) USD 700–850; US (9–12) USD 750–1,100 (estimates; used-book discounts noted where applicable). - Uniforms: all students in Kinder/GS and above must wear the school uniform; average uniform cost is USD 200–250 (full dress and daily uniform required). - Bus service: contracted bus service is available; annual bus fees for 2026–2027 are USD 3,500 for round-trip and USD 1,750 for one-way (route availability is subject to minimum ridership and routing changes). Awty Plus (after-school / activity programme) fees - Awty Plus example fees per semester (packages and single-day options): Activity Package (five-day) — Fall USD 2,375; Spring USD 2,731. Stay & Study/Play (five-day) — Fall USD 1,733; Spring USD 1,830. Single-day activity or stay & study options are listed at lower per-semester amounts. One-on-one music: USD 45 (half hour) / USD 85 (hour). Late pick-up and other occurrence fees apply. Refund policy for Awty Plus: full refund (less USD 100 administrative fee) if a student withdraws before attending the selected activity; no refunds after the first day of class (Awty Plus policy). Boarding - Boarding is not applicable. The Awty International School is an international day school (PK3–Grade 12); it operates as a day school rather than a boarding school. Refund and withdrawal information (tuition and fees) - Enrollment-time fees (New Student Fee and Registration Fee) are due at the time of enrollment and are non-refundable. - The Student/Parent Handbook states there will be no refund of tuition when withdrawal or dismissal occurs because a student's living arrangements violate the School's residence requirement. The Handbook also states that in a force majeure closure the School is under no obligation to refund any portion of tuition paid. These specific Handbook provisions apply to enforced withdrawal and force majeure circumstances. - Awty Plus program refunds: full refund less USD 100 administrative fee if withdrawn before attending; no refunds after the first day of class. How parents are billed and common payment methods - Billing and payment activity is managed through the school's parent portal and tuition-management systems (the school uses a Blackbaud / MySchoolApp integration for parent access and tuition billing). Families receive invoices from the Business Office and fees are charged to student accounts accordingly. - Typical payment methods used with the Blackbaud / MySchoolApp tuition-management workflow include credit/debit card and ACH/eCheck (payment processors commonly assess a convenience/processing fee for credit-card transactions; ACH/eCheck is typically offered with lower or no processing fee). Specific accepted card types and any convenience fee amount depend on the tuition-management processor and the school's chosen settings. Examples of Blackbaud tuition-management implementations list Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express as accepted cards and note convenience fees on credit-card transactions. Billing terms and collection notes - Fees (application, registration, capital, exam, trip, book, bus, Awty Plus) are invoiced by the Business Office and must be paid as invoiced; payment plans described above apply to tuition only, not to separately invoiced fees. Late or unpaid balances are subject to the school's established collection/finance policies as set out by the Business Office and tuition-management procedures. (End of fees overview.)
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school has the English National Curriculum (including the Early Years Foundation Stage), the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), and the International Baccalaureate Diploma or Career-related Programme.	Curriculum details Awty serves PK3–12 with two language programs: the French Accredited Program, which follows the French National Curriculum and culminates in the French Baccalaureate, and the International Program, which leads to the International Baccalaureate Diploma or the United States High School Diploma. Early Learning (PK3–1st/CP) uses French and Spanish immersion to build bilingual foundations. In Lower School, the International Program is taught in English or Spanish, while the French Program follows the French National Curriculum, with Cycle 2 (CP–CE2) leading into Cycle 3 (CM1–6ème); both tracks include daily second language instruction (English for French Accredited Program; French or Spanish for International). The World Language Department offers additional languages (Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, German, Hindi, Japanese, Russian), with courses at different levels and CEFR guiding language learning. In Upper School, graduates earn the American High School Diploma and either the International Baccalaureate Diploma or the French Baccalaureate Diploma; the school emphasizes inquiry-based learning and advisory support as part of university preparation. The program emphasizes multilingualism, with English, French, and Spanish immersion and CEFR guidance across language learning.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio 8:1.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results Awty reports pass rates above 90% in both the International Baccalaureate and French Baccalaureate programs.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates can pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma, the International Baccalaureate Career-related Diploma, or a US High School Diploma.	Higher education progression Graduates matriculate primarily to United States universities; the Class of 2023 US matriculation was 87% with France 6%, Canada 4%, and Other 3%. Notable universities attended by Awty graduates include University of Massachusetts (Boston and Amherst), University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, USC, Notre Dame, Wake Forest, and Washington University in St. Louis, among others. All graduates prepare for either the French Baccalaureate or International Baccalaureate alongside the United States High School Diploma.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented Awty supports gifted and talented students through formal honors and societies, including National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, Société Honoraire de Français, National Art Honor Society, National Chinese Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society. NHS/NJHS memberships have specific criteria and service components; SHF recognizes top French-language excellence; NAHS and other honor societies support arts, languages, and academics.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Enquire. Contact BIS Houston by phone, email, or the online enquiry form. The Admissions Team will guide you through next steps and answer questions, including entry requirements. To apply, prepare your child's drawing or writing task as defined in Entry Requirements; teacher evaluation forms for your child's year; and transcripts from the current and previous school year. 2. Discover BIS Houston. Visit BIS Houston to see the campus and classrooms and speak with teachers for firsthand information. 3. Apply. Submit your online application. Applications are accepted throughout the school year, and places are offered based on availability. The Admissions Team can answer questions and explain BIS Houston's entry requirements. You will need to prepare the drawing or writing task, teacher evaluations, and transcripts as part of the application.	Admissions 1. Submit the online admissions application via Ravenna. Create a family account and a profile for each applicant. Enter the intended entry year and select the program track or diploma focus. Applications for 2026-2027 open September 1, 2025, with deadlines of October 31 (PK3–5th/CM2) and November 21 (6th/6ème–12th/Tle). 2. Submit the online application along with the parent statement (for all grades) and, for 6th–12th, the student statement. Pay the $200 non-refundable application fee. Ravenna will guide you to upload required materials and to verify guardian contact information; all other requirements are due by mid-January. 3. Arrange and complete the required standardized admissions tests. PK4–5th graders takeWPPSI or WISC, while 6th–12th graders take the ISEE. Tests are scheduled through Collaborative Academic Testing Service (CATs) or ERB; review the admissions checklist for specifics. 4. Attend admissions events and book tours through Ravenna. In-person tours are available to families who apply and can be booked after submission; tours run September through December. Ravenna also lets you schedule admissions events and view decisions. 5. Files are reviewed by the Admissions Committee and decisions are communicated in early March. If relocating and space is limited, inquire with Admissions about openings; late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis if openings exist. 6. If your child is in the waiting pool, you will be contacted immediately if an opening becomes available; the waiting pool is not ranked and stays open until the first day of school. If admitted, respond with enrollment by the stated deadline (March 25, 2026). 7. Legacy considerations apply: qualified applicants whose parent is an Awty alumnus, an employee, or already has a child enrolled may receive special consideration in the admissions process. 8. Financial aid decisions are separate from admissions. The school offers need-based aid to admitted students; there are no merit scholarships. Applications for aid are submitted through Blackbaud Financial Aid, with a February 15, 2026 deadline. For French citizens applying to the French Accredited Program, the French Bourse via Houston's French Consulate is available.
Scholarships	Scholarships FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS BIS Houston awards financial aid based on demonstrated financial need. BIS Houston partners with TADS, a third-party financial aid assessment service. To submit a financial aid application, parents should complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) and submit required supporting documents. For the 2026-2027 school year, applications open on February 1, 2026 on the TADS Family Portal with the school partner code 200293. A Financial Aid Committee reviews completed TADS applications and recommends awards, which require additional approval. Incomplete TADS applications are not reviewed. All financial aid information is confidential and financial aid only covers partial tuition. The review process begins in February each year and continues until funds are exhausted; priority review is given to re-enrolling families who submit their TADS applications in February. If a family receives an award, there is a deadline to accept and return an enrollment contract. Financial aid is awarded for one school year and there is no guarantee for subsequent years. For new families, a student must apply and be accepted before the financial aid application is reviewed. If awarded, the family will be notified by the Admissions Coordinator and given a deadline to enroll. For re-enrolling families, awards are not given to families with past due balances. TEFA funding is available; families must also apply for TEFA via Odyssey and share TEFA decisions with BIS Houston. Steps for TEFA: 1) Submit Financial Aid information via the TADS Family Portal; 2) Apply for TEFA funding through Odyssey; 3) Share TEFA results with BIS Houston. TEFA and Financial Aid are coordinated with BIS Houston. HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP: We welcome applications from any student who will be in high school in the 26/27 school year (Year 10 to Year 13).	Scholarships The school offers need-based financial aid to admitted students; no merit scholarships are offered. Financial aid applications are submitted through Blackbaud Financial Aid, with a February 15, 2026 deadline. Aid decisions are communicated as part of the admissions process and aid is typically awarded on a year-to-year basis. For French citizens applying to the French Accredited Program, the French Bourse through Houston's French Consulate is available.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Waiting pool exists. If an opening becomes available, the Admissions Office will contact you right away. The waiting pool is not ranked and stays open until the first day of school. Families should re-apply for the following academic year if no spot is offered.
	View full profile →	View full profile →