· updated monthly
The 20 schools United states parents researched most this year, chosen from the 346 international schools in the country. Ranked by how many families opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between August 2025 and July 2026, then the full picture on curricula, class sizes and fees.
The 2026 ranking
Ranked purely by parent interest — the number of families who opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between August 2025 and July 2026.
Intercultural Montessori Language School in Chicago provides a dual-language education for students from age two through eighth grade. Families select an immersion track in either Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, or Japanese, where students learn core subjects directly in the target language. The Chicago campus, located in the West Town neighborhood, utilizes the Montessori method, featuring classrooms equipped with specialized tactile materials that allow children to progress through lessons at their own pace. A unique feature of the program is "Peace Education," which incorporates specific lessons on conflict resolution and global awareness into the daily schedule. Additionally, elementary students participate in "Going Out" excursions—student-organized trips into the city to conduct independent research. These programs are designed to build practical life skills alongside bilingual proficiency. The school is co-educational and serves as a day school without boarding facilities, focusing on creating a community where different cultures and languages are part of the everyday learning experience.
Located in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, Avenues New York is an independent toddler to 12th-grade school with a campus and three divisions: Lower (1–5), Middle (6–8) and Upper (9–12). The school follows the World Elements framework, blending rigorous academics with real-world experiences and a broad outlook. Language immersion runs from 12 months through 5th grade, with Mandarin or Spanish taught in English-speaking classrooms connected to target-language spaces. The Early Learning Center (toddler through kindergarten) is housed in a modern facility designed for two-language immersion and learning through play. Avenues is NEASC-accredited, and graduates pursue universities worldwide. On-campus facilities include a gym, a Fitness Center, and a variety of arts and movement spaces; the campus supports a broad athletics program with 37 teams. The school is Apple Distinguished and features extensive libraries (63,587 books) and digital resources across campuses. Notable programs include HIP, AIAM, J-Term, and Global Journeys, with 136 student clubs.
Hackley School is a private, coeducational K–12 program with five-day boarding for grades 9–12, located on a 285-acre campus in Tarrytown, New York. The school offers an AP curriculum and a cohesive K–12 experience that ties Lower, Middle and Upper School learning while emphasizing student ownership of education. Lower School centers on collaboration and character through literacy, math, science, Spanish, technology and the library. Middle School adds core English, history, math and science, world languages (Spanish, French, Chinese or Latin), plus enrichment in computer science, health, study skills, arts and athletics. Upper School provides a course catalog featuring independent research, capstone internships, experiences, world languages, and a dedicated College Counseling pathway. A key feature is the Allen Center for the Creative Arts and Technology, opened in 2024, alongside a Science Building and wellness facilities. Signature programs include Independent Research, Global Education and Round Square, with boarding available for qualifying students.
Whitby School is an independent, co-educational day school in Greenwich, United States, serving ages 1 to 14. It blends Montessori philosophy in the early years with IB programs in the Middle Years. The Whitby Montessori Children's House serves infants through early childhood, while Lower School (Grades 1-4) and Middle School (Grades 5-8) follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. Spanish is introduced from 18 months as part of a language-rich curriculum. The 32-acre campus houses 76,000 square feet of modern facilities, including an Athletics Center, a World Language classroom, a Design Technology lab, a Science Lab, and a Performing Arts Center for theatre and music. A library Makerspace supports hands-on learning, and the cocurricular program for Grades 5-8 is integrated into the school day. Notable offerings include Montessori Model United Nations, MATHCOUNTS, First LEGO League, and a broad athletics program with seasonal MSFAA teams. Welcoming international families with global perspectives.
The International School of Los Angeles (ISLA) is an independent, nonprofit international school offering a bilingual French–English education for ages 3–18. It operates four campuses: Los Feliz, Pasadena, West Valley Tarzana, and Burbank, serving 1,060 students from 51 nationalities and 36 languages. The curriculum blends preschool through 12th grade French Ministry of Education frameworks with English instruction starting in kindergarten and rising to about 40% by 5th grade. In Middle School, students choose between the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) and a bilingual track; LILA is an IB World School and a candidate for MYP certification. High School offers the French Baccalaureate or the IB Diploma Programme, with most upper-level courses bilingually. ISLA is affiliated with France through Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale, AEFE, and Mission laïque française, and accredited by CAIS, WASC, and IB. Established in 1978, the school fosters truly open-minded, bilingual, critical thinkers who think and act globally.
SELA: The International Private School offers a specialized immersion environment where students from three months old through sixth grade develop fluency in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. The Hingham campus features an Elementary Facility equipped with a dedicated technology lab for 3D printing and a gross motor lab utilizing the Lu interactive playground system. The curriculum is vertically aligned, meaning each grade builds directly upon the skills of the previous year to ensure steady progress in core subjects like mathematics and science. A distinctive feature of the school is its commitment to global citizenship through active international partnerships; students participate in pen pal programs with peers in Chile and Honduras to apply their language skills in real-world contexts. Additionally, the school integrates a unique performing arts tradition where all students, including infants, engage in music and movement, culminating in a professional-style annual play that fosters public speaking and leadership.
Private day and boarding school in Houston's Energy Corridor serving ages 2–18. The Village School offers IB Diploma Programme, AP, the American Curriculum, and a bespoke option. The IB for ages 14–18 covers six subjects (usually three HL and three SL) with Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity and Service; language study is integrated and assessment combines external exams with school tasks. Founded in 1966, the school serves an international community and is part of Nord Anglia Education. The 28-acre campus spans 200,000 square feet of facilities, including a state‑of‑the‑art athletic center and natatorium, a makerspace, a STEAM Wing, an amphitheater, and a Black Box Theater, plus a dormitory with 24/7 security. Tech is integrated with MacBooks and iPads. Extracurriculars include Juilliard master classes, the Juilliard Summer Vocal Program, and a Winter Fine Arts Festival. The Class of 2022 was accepted to many top colleges, and the IB pass rate was 100%.
British International School of Washington BISW is a private international school in DC serving ages 2 to 18 and part of Nord Anglia Education. Opened in 1998, BISW blends a British educational heritage with an international focus. The school offers a curriculum across 2–18: Early Years Foundation Stage; the English National Curriculum supported by the International Primary Curriculum; the International Middle Years Curriculum; IGCSE in Upper Secondary (Years 10–11); and the IB Diploma Programme in Upper Secondary (Years 12–13). English and Mathematics are taught in line with the English National Curriculum. The campus is a single building housing facilities for the sciences, arts, music, dance, computer science and design technology, plus a learning hub, library, and counseling space. BISW uses Seesaw in Primary and ManageBac in Secondary to track progress. Juilliard and MIT collaborations enrich arts and STEAM, alongside Nord Anglia's Global Campus programs. Preparing students for a global career.
Harrow International School New York sits on a 170-acre campus with 1,000 feet of waterfront on Long Island, home to the Bourne Mansion and 21st-century learning spaces. The school offers an international curriculum framework spanning British, American, and International Baccalaureate programmes, including MYP and the Diploma Programme for which it is an IB Candidate School. From Pre Shell (Grade 6) to Sixth Form (Grade 12), students graduate with the IB Diploma alongside a Harrow New York Diploma and a New York State High School Diploma. Lessons are delivered in English, with language offerings for modern and classical languages as appropriate. Three competencies—digital, social, and cognitive—shape learning and its real-world application. The campus supports extensive on-site sport and performing arts facilities, with further facilities planned, including a STEM building and an on-site athletic center. Rich co-curriculars, a Careers programme, and a House system foster leadership and community. A global community worldwide.
EFAM, The French American School of Miami, is a private bilingual school for ages 3 to 11 delivering a French curriculum with integrated English instruction and funded tuition. It is affiliated with France, accredited by the French Government, and a member of AFSA and the Society for French Schools in North America. The National French Curriculum guides PreK through Kindergarten, with preschool part of l'école maternelle. Preschool offers full French immersion with a bilingual assistant; from PreK 4, English is three hours weekly, rising to four in Kindergarten and up to nine by Fifth Grade. In Elementary, cycles 2 and 3 coordinate both curricula: Social Studies in English, history and geography in French, and math in both languages. EFAM operates on two campuses, South Miami and Miami Shores, and features STEAM Labs (STIAM) with weekly bilingual sessions. The program emphasizes sustainability, libraries, field trips, clubs, student councils, and community service.
Goethe International Charter School is a public charter in Los Angeles serving students ages 4–14 with a German-English dual-language immersion and International Baccalaureate framework. The school teaches in English and German and is authorized for the IB Primary Years Programme since 2009, with renewals in 2014, 2019, and 2023, while pursuing Middle Years Programme authorization. This combination delivers a multilingual, internationally minded education built around inquiry and real-world connections. The campus emphasizes hands-on learning through its Garden Classes program, a living laboratory where science, health, sustainability and social responsibility intersect, supported by dedicated parent volunteers and aligned with IB standards. Goethe also participates in German-language certification through the Deutsches Sprachdiplom (DSD) program, reinforcing language proficiency. The school has earned recognition as a California Distinguished School and California Gold Ribbon School and is accredited by WASC. Dozens of home languages are spoken on campus, reflecting a diverse, globally connected community today.
The Awty International School is an independent international school in Houston, Texas, serving PK3 through 12th grade on a 15-acre campus. The school offers 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) uses French and Spanish immersion; Lower School provides English- or Spanish-taught International Program and French National Curriculum; Upper School grants IB Diploma or French Baccalaureate Diploma. The World Language Department supports additional languages with CEFR-aligned instruction. The campus includes 120 classrooms, science labs, art rooms, libraries, computer labs, a cafeteria, two gymnasiums, Awty Field with a soccer pitch, an Olympic track, four tennis courts, and PAAC for arts and athletics. The school is accredited by the French Ministry of Education and emphasizes inquiry-based learning and university advising.
International School of Brooklyn (ISB) is an independent, non-profit day school in Carroll Gardens serving children ages 3 to 14. ISB offers an IB World School program with the Primary Years Programme for Pre‑K 3 through fifth grade and the Middle Years Programme for sixth through eighth grade, alongside a French Curriculum. The school provides immersive language learning in French and Spanish, with native‑speaking teachers. Preschool–Lower School are accredited by the French Ministry of Education; the full program is accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Education, and the curriculum integrates New York State standards within the IB framework. Founded in 2005, ISB emphasizes inquiry‑based learning and multilingualism within a diverse community. On campus, facilities include a sunny courtyard, light‑filled classrooms, a learning garden, a full‑size gym, and dedicated art and music studios. The multilingual library houses about 14,000 volumes, and after‑school enrichment and athletic programs extend learning beyond the classroom.
Léman Manhattan Preparatory School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school in downtown Manhattan that delivers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme within a K–12 continuum. The school emphasizes four pillars—Academic Rigor, Global Education, Personalized Learning for Each Child, and Partnerships that Drive Results—shaping an inquiry-based curriculum. A globally diverse community represents more than 50 nationalities, with world language learning beginning in PreK 2 and offering Mandarin, French, and Spanish through grade 5. The curriculum is organized into the Center for Early Childhood Education, Lower School, Middle School, and High School. Campus facilities include the Cunard Building upper school with a research library, theatres, and science and technology labs, plus the Broad Street Campus for younger students with libraries, pools, and studios. Distinctive programs include the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, Model UN, Camp Léman, and the Léman Conservatory, complemented by a vibrant Fine Arts program and a 400-seat theatre.
Convent & Stuart Hall is an independent Catholic K-12 school in San Francisco with two campuses, Broadway and Pine-Octavia, serving students from ages 5 to 18. The school is part of the Sacred Heart Schools network and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the high school, alongside a comprehensive K-12 curriculum that emphasizes serious study and social responsibility. Students engage with humanities, mathematics, sciences and the arts, and study digital literacy and design integrated with core disciplines. Signature programs include K-12 Research-Based Literacy Programs, an Emotional Literacy Program, and a Structured Literacy Program. The Siboni Arts & Science Center houses science labs, art spaces, music rooms and a theatre, supporting on-campus performances through the Syufy Theatre. Athletics use on-campus facilities and external venues. A service ethos is expressed through the Heart to Heart program, international exchanges, and service-learning trips, complemented by a range of arts, language and leadership opportunities.
Windermere Preparatory School is a day and boarding school in Orlando, Florida, part of Nord Anglia Education family. It serves students aged 3 to 18 on a 48-acre campus by Lake Cypress, with boarding facilities for grades 7–12. The school delivers the International Baccalaureate across the Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes, with the Diploma Programme guiding most pre-university study; AP courses are also offered in the high school. IB subjects are organized into six groups: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, World Language, and the Fine and Performing Arts. Lower and Middle Schools emphasize core subjects, languages, and character development; High School provides a broad IB curriculum and AP options. The Juilliard–Nord Anglia Performing Arts Programme, with on-campus masterclasses and a 535-seat Cypress Center for the Arts, including the Dr. Thomas L. Marcy Theatre. Facilities also include athletic complexes and STEAM spaces with 3D printers and robotics for students.
Located in New Orleans, Lycée Français International de la Louisiane is a free public charter school serving PreK-12 with two campuses: the Primary Campus at 721 St. Philip Street and the Secondary Campus at 1601 Leonidas Street. The school aligns to both the American state curriculum and the French national curriculum, enabling students to earn an American diploma and the French Baccalaureate. It operates within the AEFE network, reflecting its France-affiliated status and its emphasis on social diversity. Founded in 2011 in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education, it follows Louisiana guidelines for the Elementary Campus while aligning with French standards, offering immersion within bilingual education. A Lafayette Campus is planned for Fall 2027 to extend the network. Global learning, travel, and cultural exchanges broaden horizons and prepare students for opportunities worldwide; the curriculum is organized into cycles that structure learning from early years through lycée for diverse futures.
British International School of Boston is a private day school serving students from 18 months to 18 years on a spacious campus in Jamaica Plain, Boston. The school delivers a throughline of international curricula, integrating the IEYC and English National Curriculum from early years through primary, with Cambridge IGCSE in the middle years and the IB Diploma Programme in the final two years. Preschool emphasizes play-based learning aligned with the IEYC and EYFS, including Forest School, with specialist French and music. Lower School uses a cross‑curricular approach with English National Curriculum and IPC, and Middle School prepares for IGCSEs and the IB DP. The campus centers on a STEAM hub, theatres, and dance and music studios, plus four age-appropriate outdoor spaces. Students participate in Global Campus collaborations with MIT, Juilliard, and UNICEF via Nord Anglia Education, enriching studies with real-world projects, service learning, and international opportunities across local and global.
British International School of Houston is an international day school providing education for ages 3 to 18 in Katy, Texas. The school offers a British-inspired curriculum within a global framework, combining the English National Curriculum (including the Early Years Foundation Stage) with the International Primary Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, and the IB Diploma or Career-related Programme. BIS Houston serves a community of more than 75 nationalities and is part of Nord Anglia Education, known for its globally connected curricula and international partnerships. The campus spans 33 acres and features glass-encased spaces designed for collaboration. Facilities include a MIT-inspired Maker Space, a Juilliard-influenced Performing Arts Centre with a 600-seat theatre, an Agora library, and a BOMA cafeteria. Sports facilities include two NCAA-sized gyms, a six-lane swimming pool, FIFA-pitch soccer fields, and a fitness suite. The school emphasizes technology with an Apple Distinguished School designation and a 1:1 device program across year groups.
United Nations International School (UNIS) is a Pre‑K–12 day program affiliated with the United Nations and delivering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for ages 4 to 18. The campus network comprises a four‑story Manhattan site along the East River and a Queens campus serving K–8, with a combined footprint of 226,000 feet, 200 classrooms, 15 science laboratories, and three libraries. UNIS aligns its curriculum with Common Core Math Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, NY ELA standards, and British Columbia Social Studies Standards, while maintaining the IB learner profile across teaching and assessment. Distinctive features include a roof gym in a bubble and an outdoor running track, a language program (nine languages and a mother‑tongue offering), and travel, arts, and service opportunities. Students participate in UNIS‑UN and MUN conferences, perform at venues such as Carnegie Hall, and complete 30 hours of community service each year, alongside 38 interscholastic sports teams.
What’s on offer
The mix of programmes and teaching languages across all 346 schools. Many offer more than one curriculum, so totals run higher than the school count.
Number of schools teaching each curriculum.
Number of schools teaching in each language.
Size & classes
School size and class size shape day-to-day experience as much as curriculum does.
Schools grouped by total enrolment.
Average school size is 498 students · based on the 269 schools that report enrolment.
Schools grouped by typical class size.
Average class size is 14.0 students · based on the 256 schools that report it.
What it costs
Fees shown are one year for a 12-year-old (or the closest age available), excluding one-time enrolment costs.
Across the 130 schools that publish a price for a 12-year-old. All figures in USD.
How many schools sit in each annual-fee range.
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