British International School of Houston vs The Village School

	B British International School of Houston Houston, United States	T The Village School Houston, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $15,540 - 39,500	Fees / year $21,195 - 39,698
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
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), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,000	Pupils 1,500
Typical class size	Typical class size 18	Typical class size 18
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2000	Opened 1966
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 The Village School is located at 13051 Whittington Drive, Houston, TX 77077, United States. The campus spans more than 28 acres in West Houston's energy corridor. The Village School is part of Nord Anglia Education. The Village School is an international community with a vibrant multi-cultural student body from 2 to 18 years old.
Stages	Stages Early Years Ages 3–5; Primary School Ages 5–11; Middle School Ages 11–14; High School Ages 14–18.	Stages Early Childhood (Ages 2–4); Elementary School (Ages 5–10); Middle School (Ages 11–13); High School (Ages 14–18).
School type	School type International school	School type Private day and boarding school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix In BIS Houston's campus, over 80 nationalities are represented.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation United States
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure Open 8 am – 5 pm Monday to Friday. After-school care and activities are available through the ACE program.
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 Bus service is available to families in Cinco Ranch, Eldridge, Parkway, Royal Oaks/Westpark/Bellaire/West University Place, and Sugar Land. Bus pickup is generally 7:00–7:15 am and drop-off is 4:00–4:15 pm. Service can be round trip or one-way; routes and stops are provided in a Village Bus Routes document. Fees apply per semester.
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 & enrollment fees - Enrollment fee: USD 500, charged at enrollment. A deposit of USD 2,500 is required and is applied toward the student's tuition. Visa-processing fee: USD 1,500 (charged only when the school obtains an I-20 for an F-1 visa). Day-student tuition (2026–2027) — annual, per-semester and 10-month plan examples - Pre-K2: Annual USD 21,945 — Per semester (approx.) USD 10,973 — 10-month plan (approx. monthly) USD 2,195. - Pre-K3: Annual USD 24,819 — Per semester (approx.) USD 12,410 — 10-month plan (approx. monthly) USD 2,482. - Pre-K4: Annual USD 27,849 — Per semester (approx.) USD 13,925 — 10-month plan (approx. monthly) USD 2,785. - Kindergarten – Grade 4: Annual USD 30,108 — Per semester (approx.) USD 15,054 — 10-month plan (approx. monthly) USD 3,011. - Grade 5: Annual USD 33,020 — Per semester (approx.) USD 16,510 — 10-month plan (approx. monthly) USD 3,302. - Grades 6–8: Annual USD 33,689 — Per semester (approx.) USD 16,845 — 10-month plan (approx. monthly) USD 3,369. - Grades 9–12: Annual USD 35,373 — Per semester (approx.) USD 17,687 — 10-month plan (approx. monthly) USD 3,537. High-school students (Grades 9–12) are required to purchase books in addition to tuition. (Note: the school operates on a two-semester academic calendar; per-semester figures above are the annual tuition divided by two. The 10-month figures are the annual tuition divided by ten to reflect the school's offered 10-month payment plan.) Boarding fees (2026–2027) - 7-day boarding (full-time on-campus): Annual boarding tuition USD 86,230 + Student Fee USD 7,500 = Total USD 93,730. Boarding inclusions listed: room, board, tuition, meals, health insurance, laundry service, academic and personal advising, full access to athletic facilities, class trip, airport transportation, uniforms, textbooks, Thanksgiving/Spring Break trip, after-school and weekend activities. Some items (specialty program fees, athletic participation fees, graduation fees) are not included. - 5-day boarding (Sunday evening–Friday dismissal): Annual boarding tuition USD 68,984 + Student Fee USD 7,500 = Total USD 76,484. The 5-day program excludes certain items (uniforms, textbooks, Thanksgiving/Spring Break trip, weekend activities, airport transportation and some specialty fees). Additional mandatory and commonly charged fees - Curriculum Enhancement fees (per grade where applicable): Grade 4 USD 570; Grade 5 USD 880; Grade 6 USD 1,190; Grade 7 USD 2,780; Grade 8 USD 2,800; Grade 9 USD 2,630; Grade 10 USD 2,800; Grade 11 USD 2,800; Grade 12 USD 1,900. - Building fee: USD 1,250. Enrollment fee: USD 500. Technology fee (Grades 1–12): USD 425. Graduation fee (Grade 12 only): USD 1,250. Visa processing (I-20) fee: USD 1,500 (charged only when applicable). High-school textbooks and certain after-school programs, trips, and specialty activities may incur additional charges. - Uniforms and campus-store items: uniforms are required and available through the specified uniform supplier; PE and spirit wear are sold at the campus store (costs vary by vendor and item). The used-uniform store operates on campus as a separate channel for purchases. Billing schedule and payment terms - Deposit: USD 2,500 deposit is applied toward tuition at enrollment. - Payment plans offered: Single Payment Plan; Two-Installment Payment Plan (finance charges apply); 10-Month Payment Plan (finance charges apply). Two-installment payments are approximately one-half of the annual tuition per installment; the 10-month plan spreads the annual tuition across ten monthly payments. Specific finance-charge rates for installment plans are applied to installment options. - Academic schedule used for term/billing reference: the school publishes a two-semester academic calendar (Semester I and Semester II). - ACH / automatic debit terms: electronic-check/ACH authorizations permit automatic debits for statement balances; the school may debit the account no later than 15 days following the payment due date and requires 14 days' notice to change or cancel a scheduled ACH payment. Returned or rejected payments may incur return fees and termination of the electronic payment method. Fee payment methods (accepted forms and instructions) - Online payment portal (TuitionPay): accepts credit card, debit card and ACH/eCheck payments. ACH/eCheck payments may incur fees charged by the sender's bank. - Checks: payable to The Village School; mailed or deposited in school lockboxes. Wire transfers: bank and beneficiary details are provided for international wires; wire fees must be paid by the sender. FlyWire is available for international online payments. The school's payment instructions include bank routing and account numbers as well as the FlyWire link for international payments. Refunds and withdrawal processing - Withdrawal procedure: an official withdrawal form must be completed to withdraw a student. The school requires time to complete the withdrawal packet (two weeks is indicated as a typical processing window) and will confirm the withdrawal via the parent/guardian listed in the student system. Outstanding fees or unreturned school property may delay the withdrawal process. Returned materials (textbooks, uniforms, athletic gear) must be returned before records are released. - Tuition refunds: no general, detailed public schedule for tuition refunds on withdrawal is published in the school materials located during this review; withdrawal is processed through the Business Office and billing adjustments (refunds or charges) are handled according to the school's billing procedures. For clarification on tuition refund timing or the deposit's refundability, the school's Business Office handles billing questions (business.office@thevillageschool.com; 281‑496‑7900, option 3). - Specific refund policies that are published: camp programs — full refund if cancelled prior to the published deadline (example: April 5 for the camp season); after that deadline refunds are normally only for cancellations by the school or for medical reasons with documentation. Sports fees — a NO REFUND policy is stated in the relevant division handbook for sports fees. IB re-grade fees — if a re-grade increases the student's score, a refund for the re-grade charge will be given. Other notes about fees - Many optional and program-specific fees exist (after-school programs, specialty trips, athletics participation fees, Global Games/region-event fees, graduation-related costs, and certain course or exam fees). These are charged in addition to base tuition and are listed as separate charges on student billing statements when applicable. Building, technology and student fees are assessed in addition to tuition as noted above. (For billing, ACH and wire details, and for questions about account statements, the Business Office provides payment instructions, an ACH authorization form, and the school's online payment portal. Contact details and business-office resources are listed for billing inquiries.)
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 The Village School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in High School for students aged 14–18. Students take six subjects from six groups, typically three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level, with the option of an arts course or another subject from the groups. The IB curriculum includes Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity and Service as its core components. Language study is integrated into the program, with opportunities to take IB language courses as part of the six subjects. The Village School's teachers are trained in delivering the IB Diploma curriculum, and assessment includes external examinations and school-based tasks.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio 7:1
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
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 The Village School provides a comprehensive college counseling program with individualized attention for all high school students, with a dedicated college counselor for the duration of their Village experience. Support begins as early as eighth grade, helping students plan and apply to universities, and graduates go on to top universities around the world.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented After Class Enrichment (ACE) offers a robust program of after-school activities across athletics, arts and academics, providing outlets for students to express their talents, creativity and ambition and develop as innovators and creative thinkers.
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 Step 1 Submit an Inquiry: Complete the online inquiry form. We will be in touch within 24 hours. This initiates contact with the admissions team. You will begin the admissions process. Step 2 Get Connected: Schedule a conversation with the admissions team, meet your enrollment officer, and have your questions answered. Tours are available upon request. Relocating or non-local families can have interviews and meetings online to accommodate circumstances. This connection helps you understand the program and plan next steps. Step 3 Complete the Application: Enter your details through the online form and begin the process. Submit teacher recommendations, government-issued ID, and report cards or transcripts. Include test scores and immunization records as part of the required documentation. Step 4 Interview/observations: Observations are required for all Pre-K and Kindergarten applications. Student interviews for higher grades will be scheduled once all other steps are complete. These steps help the school assess readiness and fit. Step 5 Application Review: We review your application and advise you of the decision. For priority consideration, submit your application and all required documents by January 15. If offered admission, complete enrollment steps by March 25 to secure your spot, space permitting.
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 Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) vouchers are accepted for eligible families beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. Acceptance of a voucher does not change the admissions process. Families may still apply for additional financial aid through the standard process, and the school cannot assist with the state's TEFA application.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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