If you’re relocating to Europe with your children and looking for private Catholic schools that offer exceptional education while upholding Catholic values, find below a list of the best Catholic schools in Europe for 2025.
Why families choose a Catholic school in Europe?
Choosing a school is a monumental decision for any family. It's not just about academic excellence but also the environment in which children will grow and develop their worldview. Many parents opt for Catholic schools in Europe due to a blend of strong moral grounding, historical prestige, and a balanced education system. Here's why:
Emphasis on Moral Values
Catholic schools are renowned for their emphasis on ethics and values. Parents appreciate the focus on character education alongside academic learning. Values such as respect, responsibility, and community service are woven into the curriculum and school activities. This moral framework often extends beyond the classroom, helping students develop into compassionate, well-rounded individuals who are aware of their responsibilities towards others.
Academic Excellence
Academically, Catholic schools in Europe have a storied history of excellence. With a tradition that often dates back centuries, these schools are not just institutions but legacies. They offer a rigorous curriculum that challenges students to excel. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, fostering an environment where students can thrive. Many of these schools boast high examination pass rates and a large percentage of their students go on to attend prestigious universities.
Community and Belonging
A sense of community is another significant factor driving families towards Catholic education. These schools are often close-knit communities where lasting friendships are formed. Events and traditions, such as feasts, masses, and celebrations, create a strong bond among students, parents, and teachers. For many families, the school becomes an extension of the community, providing a supportive network that extends well beyond the school years.
Cultural and Spiritual Enrichment
Beyond the academic and ethical reasons, Catholic schools offer rich cultural and spiritual experiences that are hard to find elsewhere. The integration of arts, music, and history with spiritual development provides a well-rounded education that respects and celebrates cultural diversity. Spiritual growth is encouraged through regular religious services and theology classes, grounding students in a tradition that nurtures resilience and inner strength.
Global Perspective
Finally, the international nature of many Catholic schools in Europe is a draw for families. These institutions often have a diverse student body with children from various nationalities, cultures, and religious backgrounds. This diversity prepares students for a globalized world, equipping them with the ability to understand and appreciate different perspectives and to function in a multicultural environment.
In conclusion, the choice of a Catholic school in Europe is often driven by the desire for a holistic education that balances academic rigor with moral and spiritual development. Parents value the nurturing environment that respects traditional values while preparing children to meet the challenges of the modern world.
Top rated Catholic Schools in Europe 2025
St. Michael’s School
Why parents choose this school
St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy
Why parents choose this school
London Christian School
Why parents choose this school
Tips for Choosing the Right School
Parent and Student Reviews of Catholic Schools in Europe
- Our 2 children have been at the school for almost 8 years. The caring, nurturing environment alongside rigorous academics, allowed my daughter to access a top university in UK while my son joined a boarding school in UK.Read moreWritten October 20, 2024
- When my wife became seriously ill, I took my children out of prep school and enrolled them at Wendover, where they stayed for 3 years. At prep school, they had been very average academically, but their time at Wendover transformed them—they developed a real love for learning. We later moved to Spain and decided to place them in an international school, thinking it would help us integrate. They are now top of their respective years academically and still often talk about how much they miss Wendover. I can’t recommend Wendover highly enough, and my children would be happy to share their experiences with anyone who’s interested.Read moreWritten October 16, 2024
- A great place with great people. Friendly, family atmosphere and high level of education.Read moreWritten September 27, 2024
- Awesome teachers and lovely classmates.Read moreWritten September 26, 2024
- The school guarantees a high level of education. I recommend it.Read moreWritten September 23, 2024
- I am so excited that U-Tech is now bringing the experience of JIA to students outside of Michigan! My time at JIA was pivotal to my success later in life. The unique structure of the program allowed me the flexibility to tailor my education to fit my individual needs, which was a game-changer for me. I took advantage of my flexible schedule to enroll in college courses and collaborate with JIA/U-Tech staff to create custom curriculum that aligned with my post-high school goals.The tools and strategies I gained during my time at JIA equipped me to excel in graduate school and now in my career as a Data Scientist at Garmin. The emphasis on critical thinking and self-directed learning has proven invaluable. I cannot recommend JIA/U-Tech enough!Read moreWritten September 20, 2024
- Before Istarted at Nisai I had quite a few bad experiences with teachers. A lot of it was due to my absences or not turning in homework, and often ended up with being shouted at or told off in front of the class or privately told I should drop down onto a simpler course because I wasn’t capable of doing the subject at a higher level. While my anxiety and nerves due to these experiences still hasn’t gone away completely, the teachers at Nisai, and especially your class, have slowly lessened that fear instilled by my previous teachers. It’s sort of surreal to me that I haven’t been told off or shouted at or told I wasn’t trying hard enough or smart enough even once. But instead you’ve been really encouraging and understanding and it’s really really helped me get over some of those fears—which is why I managed to start going to live lessons—and also built my confidence back up a lot.Read moreWritten September 19, 2024
- Teachers adapt teaching methods to the student’s individual needs.Read moreWritten August 31, 2024
- Great place, the building is spacious and modern.Read moreWritten August 28, 2024
- Its been great experience till date with my lil one in PYP3 and going through great learning processRead moreWritten August 28, 2024
- We have discussed education at this school with my child, Eva, and she’s really excited to study here. Teachers are really well-educated. They’re experts in their fields. Some of the students may need some help with certain subjects, and they will do their best to help you. The headteacher always comes to lessons to make sure everything is running properly.For example, if some students can’t attend or their family circumstances make it impossible for them to attend, you can replay recordings of the lessons.
We are really thankful to LEO School for their work!Read moreWritten August 13, 2024 - Excellent qualified teachers, high level of teaching, excellent approach to children, interesting lessons, my daughter enjoys going to school.Read moreWritten August 13, 2024
- Our 2 children have been at the school for almost 8 years. The caring, nurturing environment alongside rigorous academics, allowed my daughter to access a top university in UK while my son joined a boarding school in UK.Read moreWritten October 20, 2024
- When my wife became seriously ill, I took my children out of prep school and enrolled them at Wendover, where they stayed for 3 years. At prep school, they had been very average academically, but their time at Wendover transformed them—they developed a real love for learning. We later moved to Spain and decided to place them in an international school, thinking it would help us integrate. They are now top of their respective years academically and still often talk about how much they miss Wendover. I can’t recommend Wendover highly enough, and my children would be happy to share their experiences with anyone who’s interested.Read moreWritten October 16, 2024
- A great place with great people. Friendly, family atmosphere and high level of education.Read moreWritten September 27, 2024
- Awesome teachers and lovely classmates.Read moreWritten September 26, 2024
- The school guarantees a high level of education. I recommend it.Read moreWritten September 23, 2024
- I am so excited that U-Tech is now bringing the experience of JIA to students outside of Michigan! My time at JIA was pivotal to my success later in life. The unique structure of the program allowed me the flexibility to tailor my education to fit my individual needs, which was a game-changer for me. I took advantage of my flexible schedule to enroll in college courses and collaborate with JIA/U-Tech staff to create custom curriculum that aligned with my post-high school goals.The tools and strategies I gained during my time at JIA equipped me to excel in graduate school and now in my career as a Data Scientist at Garmin. The emphasis on critical thinking and self-directed learning has proven invaluable. I cannot recommend JIA/U-Tech enough!Read moreWritten September 20, 2024
- Before Istarted at Nisai I had quite a few bad experiences with teachers. A lot of it was due to my absences or not turning in homework, and often ended up with being shouted at or told off in front of the class or privately told I should drop down onto a simpler course because I wasn’t capable of doing the subject at a higher level. While my anxiety and nerves due to these experiences still hasn’t gone away completely, the teachers at Nisai, and especially your class, have slowly lessened that fear instilled by my previous teachers. It’s sort of surreal to me that I haven’t been told off or shouted at or told I wasn’t trying hard enough or smart enough even once. But instead you’ve been really encouraging and understanding and it’s really really helped me get over some of those fears—which is why I managed to start going to live lessons—and also built my confidence back up a lot.Read moreWritten September 19, 2024
- Teachers adapt teaching methods to the student’s individual needs.Read moreWritten August 31, 2024
- Great place, the building is spacious and modern.Read moreWritten August 28, 2024
- Its been great experience till date with my lil one in PYP3 and going through great learning processRead moreWritten August 28, 2024
- We have discussed education at this school with my child, Eva, and she’s really excited to study here. Teachers are really well-educated. They’re experts in their fields. Some of the students may need some help with certain subjects, and they will do their best to help you. The headteacher always comes to lessons to make sure everything is running properly.For example, if some students can’t attend or their family circumstances make it impossible for them to attend, you can replay recordings of the lessons.
We are really thankful to LEO School for their work!Read moreWritten August 13, 2024 - Excellent qualified teachers, high level of teaching, excellent approach to children, interesting lessons, my daughter enjoys going to school.Read moreWritten August 13, 2024
Summary
Families choose Catholic schools in Europe for their strong emphasis on moral values, academic excellence, and the nurturing of a supportive community. These schools balance traditional education with spiritual and cultural growth, preparing students to thrive in a diverse and ever-changing world.