International Private Schools Expand And Diversify

The global market for international private schools continues to flourish, as schools worldwide strive to enhance their curriculum offerings and attract students from a wider range of socioeconomic backgrounds.

According to a new report by ISC Research, the number of international students enrolled in these schools has increased by 10% over the past five years, reaching 6.9 million. The number of schools has also grown by 8% to 14,010, generating a combined annual tuition revenue of over $60.9 billion.

This growth reflects a decade-long trend towards making international private education more accessible to families beyond the wealthiest tier. Many schools have introduced more affordable tuition options and broadened their appeal to both expatriates and local middle-income families. While high-priced schools remain popular, there has been a noticeable rise in medium-fee schools across various regions, according to Adam Gray-Sims of ISC Research.

ISC defines international private schools as those that offer a curriculum, in whole or in part, in English to students in countries where English is not the official language. This also includes schools that provide a non-native curriculum in English, even in countries where English is an official language.