French International School of Bucharest vs International British School of Bucharest

	F French International School of Bucharest Bucharest, Romania	I International British School of Bucharest Bucharest, Romania
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RON 8,650 - 10,550	Fees / year RON 5,650 - 22,350
Age range	Age range 2 - 12 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, French Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 430
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 22
Instruction language	Instruction language French, English, Romanian	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2019	Opened 2000
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Bulevardul Dacia Nr. 12, Sector 1, Bucharest, Romania.	Location 21-25 Agricultori Street, District 2, Bucharest, Romania. IBSB is located in District 2 of Bucharest.
Stages	Stages Serves pupils from prekindergarten (2 years old) to the final year of high school. A junior high school opened in September 2024; the middle school opens in September 2026; the high school opens in September 2028.	Stages EYFS; Primary School; Secondary School.
School type	School type The EFI Bucarest is a French international school within the Odyssey Education group. It is a trilingual school (French, English and Romanian) and follows the French national curriculum as approved by the French Ministry of Education.	School type Day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix 14 nationalities represented.	Pupil nationality mix 32 nationalities represented.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support English Support is provided.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Affiliated with France; approved by the French Ministry of Education and follows the French national curriculum.	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure For kindergarten and primary, classes start at 8:30am and finish at 4:00pm; Wednesdays finish at 12:00pm. The schedule uses nine half-days per week: four full days (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) and one half-day (Wednesday). There are two breaks during the day, around 10:30–11:00am and 2:45–3:00pm, and the morning lessons finish around 11:50–12:00 with a 1.5-hour lunch break.	School day structure EYFS: Gates open 8:15 am; 9:00 am registration; 9:00–3:00 learning; 3:00–5:00 pm After School Club (termly fee). Primary: Day starts at 8:30 am with morning line-up; 8:30–3:00 pm lessons; 3:00–3:50 pm clubs (Monday–Thursday). Secondary: Day starts at 8:30 am with morning registration; 8:40–3:50 pm lessons; 4:00–5:30 pm Afterschool Clubs (Monday–Thursday).
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / First registration fee - First registration fee (one-time, payable at enrolment): EUR 1,200. Reduced rate for enrolment before 30 March 2026: EUR 850. Payment of this fee must be made within two weeks following the admission notification in order to confirm enrolment. This first registration fee is non‑refundable. Tuition fees by school year (annual amounts for 2026–2027) - Kindergarten – TPS, PS (early years): EUR 8,650 per academic year. - Kindergarten – MS, GS (upper kindergarten): EUR 9,450 per academic year. - Primary (CP, CE1, CE2, CM1, CM2): EUR 10,550 per academic year. - Middle School (Grade 6 / 6ème): EUR 10,550 per academic year. - Passerelle Programme (separate short programme fee): EUR 1,950. Per-term figures (calculated from the annual fee; shown as per-term amounts if invoiced in three equal instalments) - TPS, PS: EUR 8,650 per year — approximately EUR 2,883 per term (annual ÷ 3). - MS, GS: EUR 9,450 per year — approximately EUR 3,150 per term (annual ÷ 3). - Primary (CP–CM2): EUR 10,550 per year — approximately EUR 3,517 per term (annual ÷ 3). - Middle School (6ème): EUR 10,550 per year — approximately EUR 3,517 per term (annual ÷ 3). - Passerelle Programme: EUR 1,950 total (programme fee). If split into three equal instalments, approx. EUR 650 per term. Billing schedule and payment terms - The first registration fee must be paid within two weeks following the admission notification to confirm the enrolment. Annual tuition fees are set for the academic year 2026–2027 and charged per pupil at the levels above. Families receive invoices from the school administration with the payment deadlines indicated on those invoices. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable. EFI Bucarest operates as a day school for the listed levels and does not list boarding or residential programmes with associated fees. Other costs and fees - Uniforms: A standardized school uniform is required; families must obtain the uniform items as stated in the school's uniform policy and supply lists. Specific uniform pricing is not listed with the tuition figures. - School supplies: Supply lists for each year (preschool and elementary) are provided; costs for supplies are additional to tuition and vary by level. - Catering (school meals): A school meal service is offered; meal charges and subscription options are handled separately from tuition and are additional to the amounts above. - Extra‑curricular activities / after‑school programmes / holiday camps: These services are available and typically carry separate fees; such activity fees are additional to tuition. Refund information (applicable items) - The first registration fee is explicitly non‑refundable. Fee payment options - Enrolment and administrative billing are managed through the school's admissions process and administrative office; invoices are issued by the school administration. For specific accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, card payment, direct debit) and the details required for remittance, contact the school's admissions or reception teams using the published contact details. Administrative contact for fee matters - EFI Bucarest reception: +40 (749) 098 867; contact@efibucarest.org. Admissions office: admissions@efibucarest.org. Use these contacts for billing queries and to obtain invoice and payment‑method details.	Fee details Enrollment & application fees - Enrolment Deposit: EUR 3,500. This payment secures a place and is deducted from the total tuition fee; it is non-refundable in case of withdrawal. - Registration Fee (non‑refundable, first time only for new students): EUR 1,800 for the 1st child or each sibling; EUR 1,200 for the 3rd child; EUR 0 for the 4th child. Tuition fees by year group (2026–2027) — annual and instalments - Nursery (Half‑day): Annual tuition EUR 7,350. 1st instalment EUR 4,410 (Aug 31 – Feb 28); 2nd instalment EUR 2,940 (Mar 1 – Jun 25). - Nursery & Reception (Full day): Annual tuition EUR 12,850. 1st instalment EUR 7,710 (Aug 31 – Feb 28); 2nd instalment EUR 5,140 (Mar 1 – Jun 25). - Primary School (Years 1–6): Annual tuition EUR 18,150. 1st instalment EUR 10,890 (Aug 31 – Feb 28); 2nd instalment EUR 7,260 (Mar 1 – Jun 25). - Middle School (Years 7–9): Annual tuition EUR 20,670. 1st instalment EUR 12,400 (Aug 31 – Feb 28); 2nd instalment EUR 8,270 (Mar 1 – Jun 25). - High School (Years 10–13): Annual tuition EUR 22,350. 1st instalment EUR 13,410 (Aug 31 – Feb 28); 2nd instalment EUR 8,940 (Mar 1 – Jun 25). Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is billed on a two‑semester basis (two instalments per academic year). For 2026–2027 the fiscal semesters are: 1st instalment period Aug 31, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027; 2nd instalment period Mar 1, 2027 – Jun 25, 2027. Payment due dates specified are: 1st instalment due by August 05, 2026; 2nd instalment due by February 01, 2027. The school may adjust fees with 90 days' prior notice. Sibling discount - A 10% sibling discount is offered where two or more siblings are registered; the discount is applied only to the youngest sibling. Additional costs invoiced separately - Certain club and after‑school activities - Residential trips - Transportation - School lunch - School uniform - Events Fund - Re‑takes, remarks and external examination checks These items are invoiced in addition to the annual tuition. What tuition covers - Certain clubs and school activities - Local educational trips - Class textbooks and software access - Stationery - IGCSE & AS/A‑level examinations (as listed in the fee details) Certain items are included within the tuition and others are charged separately as listed above. Refund information - The Enrolment Deposit (EUR 3,500) is non‑refundable in case of withdrawal. The Registration Fee is non‑refundable. Annual tuition adjustments may be made with 90 days' notice. Boarding - No boarding programme or boarding fees are listed; there are no boarding fees applicable. Fee payment options - The published fee schedule specifies payment via "IBSB Direct Payments" in two instalments with the instalment periods and due‑by dates shown above. Specific payment channels (for example, explicit mention of credit card or bank transfer details) are not provided within the published fee schedule. For the 2026–2027 fee structure the school specifies the two‑instalment payment arrangement.
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 EFI Bucarest is a trilingual school (French, English and Romanian) approved by the French Ministry of Education and delivering education in accordance with the French national curriculum. French is the language of instruction; English and Romanian are taught from prekindergarten onwards, with English around 4.5 hours per week plus 1 hour of co-teaching and Romanian 2 hours per week. About 20% of the total curriculum is taught in English. The primary curriculum uses a common base structured into five areas: Languages, Methods and tools, Personal and citizen education, Natural and technical systems, Representations of the world and human activity. The Passerelle programme provides intensive French lessons (3 hours per week in small groups) for non- or low-French-speaking students to support immersion, and the Portal programme assists in their smooth integration into the curriculum. After kindergarten and primary, EFI Bucarest will open its junior high school in September 2024 and its high school in September 2028, enabling the French baccalaureate (international option) and language certifications that open doors to top universities worldwide.	Curriculum details The school follows the National Curriculum of England for ages 3–18, with the Early Years Foundation Stage for Nursery and Reception; Primary (Years 1–6) and Secondary (Years 7–11) follow the National Curriculum, and Cambridge IGCSE is taken in Years 10–11; Sixth Form (Years 12–13) offers Cambridge AS and A-Level courses.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results GCSE A-A* average for the Summer 2025 exam session was 57%. IGCSE and Cambridge AS/A-Level exams are scheduled twice a year.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Pupils will study for the French baccalaureate (international option) and language certifications, which open doors to the best universities worldwide.	Higher education progression 95% of IBSB graduates continue their studies at top universities worldwide. University destinations include Cambridge, Yale, University College London, London School of Economics, Bocconi University, University of Amsterdam, and others.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented Value all forms of talent.	Gifted and talented More Able and Talented is a whole-school approach with differentiated teaching and enrichment opportunities; IBSB is a member of the National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE).
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 EFI Bucarest welcomes pupils of all nationalities. From the beginning of the school year in September 2026, the French International School of Bucharest will offer classes from Pre-Kindergarten (TPS) to Middle School Grade 6 (6ème). Recruitment is based on the results of the admission tests. Admission depends on the quality of the application, the test results and the availability of places. The admission process has three stages 1. Processing of application & admissions interview. Once you have submitted the online application and it has been processed by the admissions department, you will be invited to an admissions interview. 2. Reply to admission application. After the admission committee has come to a decision, your child's place will be confirmed by email and additional documents will be requested. 3. Payment of registration fees. After admission is confirmed, you will be asked to pay the first registration fee. The 1st registration fee is €1,150 and will not be refunded in the event of cancellation. Your child's final registration will be confirmed by email within 7 days following receipt of your payment. Registrations for the 2026-2027 school year are now open. The following documents must be uploaded when registering online: The completed online registration form; A copy of the child's passport or national identity card; Copies of passports or national identity cards of the parents/guardians; A copy of the family record book or any document proving the child's civil status; School evaluations for 24/25 and 25/26 school years for the children enrolled in the primary school.	Admissions Enrolment starts at Nursery for children aged 3 or older on September 1. IBSB uses an open enrolment policy and does not exclude students based on academic ability; all students are assessed before they start and a programme is in place to support progress, including Extra English Support for those needing language assistance. New enrolments are considered from March; those submitted before February are placed on the waiting list, which is processed for the new academic year on March 1. You can visit the school by appointment to meet the Head of School or Executive Director and receive an official tour, and a day at the school can be arranged for prospective pupils. Enrolment during the year is possible if a place is available. The school uses Cambridge assessments: Cambridge Pupil Progress Tests in Primary, Checkpoint in Year 9, IGCSE in Years 10–11, and A Levels in Years 12–13; reports and communications with parents are online via the Schoolbase system. An initial Registration Fee of 1,000 and a deposit of 1,500€ are payable at enrolment, with termly payments due before the start of each term.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships The IBSB Scholarship Programme is available annually for students entering Years 7–10 and Year 12, with up to three senior scholarships for 2026–2027. Scholarships cover approximately €15,000 per year, about 70% of the annual tuition and include a waiver of IBSB enrolment fees; recipients may also access mentoring and internship opportunities at Allianz-Țiriac. Applications open February 9 and close March 28; CAT4 and EPT assessments, plus special talent and subject assessments, occur in April; interviews are held on May 2; announcements follow on May 6 (with acceptance by May 8) or May 11 for unsuccessful results; if awarded, external candidates must register by May 30. Types of scholarships include Academic, Sporting, and Excellence in Creative Arts, each requiring a portfolio of evidence, CAT4 and EPT results, and other supporting materials.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist There is a waiting list for new enrolments; if you submit your new enrolment application before February you will be placed on the waiting list, which is processed for the new academic year on March 1. Enrolment during the year is possible if a place becomes available.
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