Almost since we started Dispatches Europe, one of the biggest undertakings we’ve committed to delivering to our readers, especially those with school-age children, is publishing guides to all of the English-language schools across Europe.
We also know it might be hard to sift through our archives to find the schools for the city you’ll be moving to to find the right school for your children. Thus, we’ve decided to create a multi-part compendium of all of our guides of Europe’s international schools, organized by country, then (if applicable) by city. All you need to do is check the compendium for where you will be heading, click the link, and the guide(s) will appear on your screen.
Also: if there are any schools opening up or ones we missed over the years, please let us know. The only stipulation is that the school’s curriculum must have English as the primary language of instruction.
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• Italy
Rome (A city so above all others, only Paris is its equal (and vice versa), Rome has a permanent place in world history. Continuously inhabited for 14 millennia, Rome went from a small village to an empire spanning nearly all of Europe and Northern Africa before its collapse. Today, it’s a fashion empire with tons of art, classical architecture, and the Vatican. Our guides to the Eternal City cover the 15 English-language schools in Rome as of the 2018-19 academic year.
The majority of Italy’s international schools are in Rome, which has the biggest, the best-known and the most expensive including American Overseas School of Rome, St. George’s British School and Rome International School.
Milan has the second-largest number, and we’ll have that list soon.
• Luxembourg
From a fortified Roman tower to one of the most important financial centers of the world, Luxembourg City is the seat of several European Union institutions, including the European Court of Justice and the European Investment Bank. And speaking of banks, Luxembourg’s capital is home to national and multinational concerns like the Central Bank of Luxembourg, ArcelorMittal, BGN BNP Paribas, and Advanzia Bank. All of which will be getting international executives as Brexit plods on to its inevitable conclusion.
Our guide to the two-time European Capital of Culture covers the four English-language schools in Luxembourg City as of the 2018-19 academic year.
Luxembourgish leaders just announced plans to build a new international cross-border high school, so our list will be updated soon.
•The Netherlands
The city so overwhelmed by tourists its mayor is telling them to go elsewhere, Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ cultural, commercial, and constitutional capital. Seven of the world’s top 500 companies have their headquarters here, including Philips, AkzoNobel, and ING. There are tons of museums, lots of canals, and a reputation as one of the most multicultural cities in the world.
Our guide to the Freestate covers the six English-language schools in Amsterdam as of the 2018-19 academic year.
The current situation in all of the Netherlands is that there are way more international students than schools to accommodate them, a situation exacerbated by a number of global financial firms relocating executives to the Amsterdam area from London post-Brexit.
The Hague: Home to the Dutch Royal Family, The Hague is the Netherlands’ actual seat of governance. It also has the largest collection of international schools in the entire country, and is one of five cities hosting the United Nations. Royal Dutch Shell, KPN, and APM Terminals all have a home here, as do Siemens, T-Mobile, and Saudi Aramco.
Our guide to the international community’s judicial branch covers the five English-language schools in The Hague as of the 2018-19 academic year.
Maastricht & Utrecht: Maastricht is the birthplace of the European Union. Utrecht is the Netherlands’ religious center. Together, these two Dutch cities hold a world of culture and history between them. Vodafone, BASF, Nederlandse Spoorwegen, and ProRail have a presence in the two cities.
Our guide to the oldest Dutch city and the Dutch city with the world’s largest bicycle parking garage covers the two English-language schools in Maastricht and Utrecht as of the 2018-19 academic year.
Rotterdam: Rotterdam grew from a village founded near a dam on the Rotte River into one of Europe’s major logistic and economic centers. The Port of Rotterdam is not only Europe’s largest port but also one of the world’s largest and busiest. Rotterdam also has a vibrant nightlife, a massive waterfront, and excellent architecture.
Our guide to the Dutch port city covers the three English-language schools in Rotterdam as of the 2018-19 academic year.
• Portugal
Portugal (pt. 1, pt. 2 & pt. 3):
Home of the first global superpower, Portugal’s size is big enough to cover every English-language international school in the country. It’s one of the best countries to call home if you’re LGBTQIA+ and/or a journalist, the most peaceful country in the European Union, and a music mecca.
SEAT, EDP, and Sonae are some of the big businesses centered in Portugal. Our guides to the oldest state on the Iberian Peninsula cover the 22 English-language schools in Portugal as of the 2018-19 academic year.
• Switzerland
The second most populous city in Switzerland, Geneva is the epicenter of global diplomacy. The United Nations has a home here, as does the Red Cross, and the Geneva Convention was signed here. Watchmakers such as Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin make the finest watches known to man, while the city itself is a pop culture touchstone (as Dan Brown and the members of Deep Purple can attest).
Our guide to one of the world’s wealthiest cities covers the three English-language schools in Geneva as of the 2018-19 academic year.
Zurich: A former Roman customs station and the fifth city to join the Old Swiss Confederation, Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland. It is also a major financial power, where Credit Suisse, UBS, and Zurich Financial Services throw their economic weight around. Our guide to one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world covers the five English-language schools in Zurich as of the 2018-19 academic year.
Lifestyle journalist. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
