· updated monthly
The five 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 July 2025 and June 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 July 2025 and June 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.
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.
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.
Tell Doris your budget, your child’s age and what matters most — we will shortlist the right schools in United states, free and impartial.