What curricula will we find in Baabda and how do they differ?
You will commonly encounter the official Lebanese curriculum taught in either an English or French track, French-homologated schools that follow the French ministry’s structure, and a smaller number of schools or sections that run international programmes or the IB. The Lebanese route leads to the Lebanese Baccalaureate, French-homologated routes prepare students for the French baccalaureate or homologation, and international sections or IB candidacies follow separate syllabuses with different assessment models and university recognition.
How much should we expect to pay each year?
Tuition in Lebanon varies widely between neighbourhood schools and full international programmes; families should expect a broad spread from lower-fee private schools up to significantly higher fees for international or specialist sections. In addition to published tuition, most schools charge application or registration fees, transport, uniforms, exam fees and sometimes compulsory foreign-currency support or ancillary charges, so add those when budgeting for the annual cost.
When is the admissions window and what documents are commonly required?
The main entry point is the September term and most schools run their primary admission rounds well before the summer, with sibling-priority windows and specific dates for new families that are published each year; some schools publish sibling and new-student windows in the January - March period. Expect to provide previous school reports, birth certificate and vaccination records, a copy of parents’ ID, and to pay a non-refundable application or file-opening fee as part of the process.
What languages of instruction should we expect and how is support for non-native speakers handled?
Arabic is a required subject in virtually every school, while French or English is used as the medium in different streams; many schools run bilingual programmes that progressively increase competence in the second language. Schools commonly offer language support or transitional classes for students joining from a different language background, but the scope and intensity of that support vary - check each school’s policy and testing for placement.
How do age ranges and stage transitions work between Lebanese, French and international systems?
Early years and primary generally map across systems so children can transfer between streams, but the upper secondary years diverge: Lebanese and French tracks lead to different baccalaureate qualifications and have differing subject specialisations, while IB or international diplomas follow their own two-year final programmes. If you anticipate an international university application or a mid-secondary transfer, verify which years and sections the school runs (for example whether it offers the final two-year international diploma) and how prior learning is recognised.
What practical factors should a relocating family check before choosing a school in Baabda?
Look for formal homologation or recognised international accreditation, the language pathway that matches your child’s current skills, published fee schedules and all additional charges (transport, registration, exam or currency support), and the school’s admissions calendar and testing policy. Also confirm daily logistics such as school-bus availability and routes, pastoral support for new arrivals, and upward progression (which upper-secondary programmes the school actually offers) so you can avoid an unexpected mid-school transfer.
