18 schools found in Dublin
Ireland is entirely English-medium — a major advantage for expat families. Most state schools are free or charge only small voluntary contributions. Gaelscoileanna (Irish-medium schools) are also free and produce fully bilingual graduates. Talk to our advisors for personalised guidance.
Catchment Area Warning: Most non-fee-paying schools in Ireland operate on a 'Catchment Area' basis. You usually must live within a specific distance or have a sibling in the school to secure a spot.
A Church of Ireland boarding and day school in Rathfarnham, Dublin. Offers the Irish Leaving Certificate and IB Diploma in a beautiful 150-acre campus on the slopes of the Dublin Mountains.
The Catch: It's a dedicated 7-day boarding culture. If you are looking for a 'day school' vibe, the mountain campus can feel very isolated.
A Jesuit secondary school for boys in the heart of Dublin city, founded in 1832. One of Ireland's most prestigious Catholic schools with a strong academic tradition and notable alumni.
A leading independent girls' school in Milltown, Dublin. Offers the Irish Leaving Certificate and IB Diploma with boarding available. One of Ireland's oldest and most respected schools.
The Catch: Very high pressure. The expectation for students to achieve 'top points' is relentless. Great for ambitious girls, but can be stressful.
A Holy Ghost Fathers school in Blackrock, Co. Dublin. One of Ireland's most prestigious Catholic schools with a strong rugby tradition and notable alumni including many Irish presidents.
The Catch: Academics are top-tier, but the social scene is dominated by sports. If your son doesn't like rugby, he might struggle to find his 'tribe'.
A Jesuit day school for boys in Ranelagh, Dublin. Known for academic excellence, strong debating tradition and a commitment to the Jesuit ethos of educating the whole person.
A Loreto secondary school for girls in Dalkey, Co. Dublin. Consistently one of Ireland's top-performing schools in the Leaving Certificate with a strong academic and sporting tradition.
A Sacred Heart school for girls in Mount Merrion, Dublin. One of Ireland's leading girls' schools with outstanding academic results and a strong tradition of sport and the arts.
Part of the global Nord Anglia Education network, offering the IB continuum and British curriculum in Dublin. A welcoming international community for expat families relocating to Ireland.
The Catch: No Irish Leaving Cert. It's 100% IB. Great for expats, but it disconnects kids from the local Irish university pathway (CAO).
A leading co-educational independent school in Booterstown, Dublin. Offers the Irish Leaving Certificate and IB Diploma. One of Ireland's most diverse and internationally-minded schools.
The Catch: It's huge and incredibly busy. It feels more like a small university than a school—not ideal for kids who need a quiet, small environment.
A Church of Ireland girls' secondary school in Glenageary, Co. Dublin. A warm, supportive community with strong academic results and a broad extra-curricular programme.
A Church of Ireland boarding and day school in Palmerstown, Dublin, founded in 1669. One of Ireland's oldest schools with a strong academic tradition and boarding available.
A Methodist boarding and day school in Ballinteer, Dublin, founded in 1845. One of Ireland's leading Protestant schools with a strong academic tradition and boarding available.
A German international school in Clonskeagh, Dublin. Offers a bilingual German-Irish education from primary through to Leaving Certificate, ideal for German-speaking expat families.
An independent co-educational school in Sutton, Dublin. Offers primary and secondary education through to the Irish Leaving Certificate in a supportive, family-oriented environment.
An independent Catholic school for boys in Ballsbridge, Dublin. Offers primary and secondary education through to the Irish Leaving Certificate in a small, nurturing environment.
An Irish-medium secondary school for boys in Booterstown, Dublin. All subjects taught through Irish. Free to attend, producing fully bilingual graduates with strong academic results.
The Catch: Academically the best in the state, but the catch is absolute: if your child doesn't speak Irish fluently by age 12, they will likely be rejected. This is not for 'new' expats.
An Irish-medium secondary school for girls in Booterstown, Dublin. All subjects taught through Irish. Free to attend, with consistently strong Leaving Certificate results.
The Catch: Academically the best in the state, but the catch is absolute: if your child doesn't speak Irish fluently by age 12, they will likely be rejected. This is not for 'new' expats.
An authentic Montessori school in Dublin offering child-centred education for children aged 2–12. Small classes, experienced staff and a nurturing environment.
Not sure which Irish school is right for your family?
Our advisors help families navigate Ireland's school system — from Dublin's international schools to the great Jesuit boarding colleges of the Irish countryside.
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