Which school curriculum
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About this curriculum

One of the biggest advantages of American schools abroad is flexibility. Compared with more specialised systems, the U.S. model often allows students to continue studying a broad range of subjects for longer, which can be helpful for families who want to keep options open. For older students, AP courses can add academic challenge and university recognition, while some students may also work toward the AP International Diploma.

For internationally mobile families, American schools can be especially appealing if there is a chance of moving again or applying to universities in the United States or other countries that recognise U.S. qualifications. Many major cities across Europe have established American international schools, often with diverse student bodies and strong college counselling.

At ExpatSchoolFinder.com, we help families compare American Schools, IB schools, bilingual state schools, and other international options across Europe to find the best fit for their child and their future.

About this curriculum

Many parents choose IB schools because the curriculum is recognised internationally and designed to develop not only academic knowledge, but also critical thinking, independence, research skills, and a global outlook. The best-known part of the system is the IB Diploma Programme (DP), typically taken in the final two years of school. Universities around the world are familiar with the qualification: the IB states that each year more than 4,500 universities in over 110 countries and territories receive IB students' transcripts.

For UK families, the easiest way to understand the IB is to compare it loosely with the GCSE and A Level pathway, while remembering that it is not exactly the same. The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) usually covers the lower secondary years and can sit broadly in the age range when many UK students would be working toward GCSE-level study, although it is a different framework rather than a direct equivalent. The IB Diploma Programme comes later and is the stage most often compared with A Levels.

A helpful UK comparison comes from UK ENIC, which says the full IB Diploma Programme is comparable to UK A Levels or Scottish Advanced Highers. That makes the IB a strong option for families who want a qualification that is widely understood both in the UK and internationally.

That said, there is an important difference in style. A Levels usually allow students to specialise in a smaller number of subjects, while the IB Diploma is broader, requiring students to study across multiple subject groups alongside core elements that encourage research, reflection, and wider academic development. This broader structure is one reason many families see the IB as especially well suited to international education.

For expat families, the main advantage of IB schools is continuity. If a family moves from one country to another, staying within the IB system can make transitions smoother and help children continue with a familiar academic approach.

At ExpatSchoolFinder.com, we help families compare IB Schools, IB schools, bilingual state schools, and other international options across Europe to find the best fit for their child and their future.

About this curriculum

One of the main attractions of French schools abroad is consistency. The curriculum is aligned with the French education system, which means children can usually move between French schools in different countries more easily than they could between unrelated local systems. AEFE describes these schools as delivering teaching that follows the same curriculum certified by the French Ministry of Education, giving families a clear and portable pathway.

For expat families, this makes French schools especially appealing if there is a chance of moving again in the future, or if parents want their child to stay within a well-defined national system rather than switch between different local programmes. Many major European cities have long-established lycées français and other French schools, which are popular with both French-speaking and international families.

French schools are also known for being academically rigorous and for leading to recognised qualifications such as the French Baccalauréat. AEFE highlights that students in the network prepare for French national exams and benefit from a multilingual, internationally oriented education.

For families comparing school types, French schools often sit somewhere between a local public school and a fully international school. They offer the structure and recognition of a national curriculum, but with the added advantage of an international network and a student body that is often globally diverse.

At ExpatSchoolFinder.com, we help families compare French Schools, IB schools, bilingual state schools, and other international options across Europe to find the best fit for their child and their future.

About this curriculum

A major benefit of German schools abroad is continuity within a clear national system. These schools typically follow German educational standards and often prepare students for recognised qualifications such as the Abitur or other German school-leaving certificates, depending on the school. This can be especially valuable for families who may later move to Germany, return there, or want to keep access to German-speaking higher education pathways.

German schools abroad are also known for combining academic quality with intercultural learning. According to the German schools abroad network, they are places of encounter and intercultural exchange, serving both German-speaking and international families. For expat parents, this can make them an appealing middle ground between a fully local public school and a more globally generic international school.

At ExpatSchoolFinder.com, we help families compare German Schools, IB schools, bilingual state schools, and other international options across Europe to find the best fit for their child and their future.

About this curriculum

Bilingual state schools vary significantly by country. In Spain, for example, the government-run bilingual programme (known as the BRIT or bilingual programme depending on the region) means that a substantial portion of lessons — often science, arts, or social studies — are taught in English by qualified teachers. In Portugal, some state schools offer bilingual sections or partner with international programmes. In the Netherlands, many secondary schools offer TTO (Tweetalig Onderwijs), a bilingual stream where half the curriculum is taught in English.

The main appeal of bilingual state schools is cost. Unlike private international schools, which can charge fees of €10,000 to €30,000 or more per year, bilingual state schools are free or very low cost. For families on a budget, or for those who want their children to integrate into the local community while still maintaining strong English-language education, bilingual state schools can be an excellent middle ground.

There are trade-offs to consider. Bilingual state schools are not always easy to get into — places are often limited and allocated by catchment area or lottery. The quality and depth of the bilingual provision can also vary significantly between schools and regions. And unlike international schools, the social environment will be predominantly local, which can be both an advantage and a challenge depending on the child.

For expat families who plan to stay in one country for several years and want their children to integrate locally while keeping strong English skills, bilingual state schools are well worth exploring. At ExpatSchoolFinder.com, we help families understand which bilingual state school options are available in their destination, how to apply, and what to expect.

At ExpatSchoolFinder.com, we help families compare Bilingual State Schools, IB schools, bilingual state schools, and other international options across Europe to find the best fit for their child and their future.

About this curriculum

Montessori schools are particularly popular for younger children (ages 3–12), though some schools extend through secondary. The approach encourages children to learn at their own pace, develop intrinsic motivation, and build strong social and emotional skills alongside academic ones.

For expat families, Montessori schools can offer a reassuringly consistent philosophy across countries — even if the specific curriculum varies. Many Montessori schools are multilingual and internationally minded, making them a natural fit for globally mobile families. They tend to be smaller, more intimate environments with a strong focus on the whole child.

At ExpatSchoolFinder.com, we help families compare Montessori Schools, IB schools, bilingual state schools, and other international options across Europe to find the best fit for their child and their future.