Private Schools in Europe are a great choice for both local and expat families as they offer globally recognized curricula, outstanding academics plus a nurturing environment for children. Discover our selection of the best Private Schools in Europe, including reviews, fees, and why families choose them.
Why families choose a Private school in Europe?
Choosing the right educational pathway for their children is one of the most important decisions parents can make. In Europe, a significant number of families opt for private schooling, drawn by several compelling advantages that these institutions offer. Understanding why can help parents make informed choices about their child’s educational future.
Academic Excellence
One of the primary reasons families gravitate towards private schools in Europe is the promise of academic excellence. These schools often feature a low student-to-teacher ratio, which means more individual attention and tailored instruction that can adapt to a child's unique learning style. Furthermore, private schools frequently have access to advanced resources and offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, enhancing the learning experience and fostering a well-rounded education.
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
Europe is rich in cultural diversity, and private schools here mirror this variety. They attract students from across the globe, providing an environment where children can develop international mindedness and cultural sensitivity from an early age. This exposure is invaluable in our increasingly globalized world and can offer students unique advantages in higher education and beyond. Additionally, multilingual education is a staple in many European private schools, with languages often taught from a very young age, further enhancing cognitive development and future career opportunities.
Unique Educational Philosophies
Many European private schools are founded on distinct educational philosophies and pedagogies, such as Montessori, Steiner, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. These schools offer alternative learning environments that emphasize holistic education, critical thinking, and creativity, appealing to parents looking for options outside the traditional education model. Such philosophies often encourage a more engaged and active form of learning which can be particularly beneficial for students with diverse educational needs or those who thrive in less conventional settings.
Preparation for Higher Education
Private schools in Europe have a strong track record of preparing students for higher education, boasting high matriculation rates to prestigious universities worldwide. The rigorous academic preparation, coupled with dedicated college counseling, helps students navigate the complex process of university admissions. This comprehensive support system ensures that students are not only ready to take on higher education but also excel in it.
Networking and Alumni Connections
Attending a prestigious private school can also provide students with early networking opportunities. Alumni networks are often well-established and can be instrumental in opening doors for internships, mentorships, and careers post-graduation. These connections are built throughout a student's time at school and can be a significant advantage in the highly competitive job market.
In conclusion, the choice of a private school in Europe is driven by a combination of superior academic standards, diverse environments that foster cultural and linguistic skills, unique educational approaches, thorough preparation for higher education, and valuable networking opportunities. Each of these factors plays a crucial role in why families decide to invest in a private education, hoping to provide their children with the best possible start in life.
Top rated Private Schools in Europe 2025
ENSR International School
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La Côte International School Aubonne
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International School of Geneva
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TASIS The American School in Switzerland
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Yago School
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The English School of Kyrenia
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Saint-Charles International School
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American International School Vienna
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Smiling International School
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Greene’s College Oxford
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International Bilingual School of Provence
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OBS / Obersee Bilingual School
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École Jeannine Manuel Paris
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Nord Anglia International School Dublin
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Ermitage International School
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American School of The Hague
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Copperfield International School Verbier
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Tips for Choosing the Right Private School
Parent and Student Reviews of Private 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.Written October 20, 2024
- In 2021 we found H Farm International School thanks to Worldschools. It was love at first sight. We left our beautiful Castellammare di Stabia to embrace the project of raising our two children Chloe and Ruben in an international environment, surrounded by greenery with a strong vocation for entrepreneurship and innovation. After 3 years we are happy with the choice motivated by the jumps of joy of the children who want to go back to school, as soon as they have left it. Thank you Worldschools, Thank you H FarmWritten August 5, 2024
- Tom, Greene’s alumnus: “I am an alumnus of Greene’s, and have been a doctor for 20 years. I have a lot to thanks Greene’s and the tutors for, having gone from an E grade in June to a B in the same November! As I recall I had an hour per week physics, as well as the occasional practical, and then a lot of homework in between. This worked well for me.” (2011)Written January 19, 2024
- Guardian of Student: “I don’t think he could have been happier anywhere else in the country. He was in the right place with the right people who adjusted to his needs every single time. You stepped in at every point and made the difference he needed.” (2019)Written January 19, 2024
- Willow, Greene’s alumna: “I was sceptical about starting in January and not September but I actually drastically improved grades in that short time. The one-to-one allows you to get through the relevant content without covering things that aren’t useful so it’s possible to achieve a lot in a few months.” (2020)Written January 19, 2024
- Konstantin, Greene’s student: “At Greene’s, I have one-to-one tutorials. It’s really cool because all of the attention from tutors goes straight to you. That’s amazing because any question that you have, you can get the answer to. In one tutorial you can study a new topic and in another you can say “I’m not really clear about this topic” and you can take another look at it.” (2023)Written January 19, 2024
- Parent of Oliver, Greene’s alumnus: “The staff are extremely professional and Greene’s have provided a first-class service throughout.” (2023)Written January 19, 2024
- Johnnie, Greene’s alumnus and transfer student: “I now feel better placed to take my exams than I did this time last year, partly due to the way Greene’s has bolstered my academic confidence and changed my attitude towards examinations, making them seem a far more achievable feat.” (2023)Written January 19, 2024
- Pradnya, Greene’s alumna: “Despite being a new experience, the tutorial style was a great match due to its personalised approach: I received detailed feedback on assignments, trial examinations, and tutorials. I was excited to attend every tutorial, knowing that my tutors shared the same enthusiasm for the subject and had extensive knowledge that enabled in-depth conversations.” (2023)Written January 19, 2024
- Pedro Perino, youngest driver to compete in the European Le Mans Series and Greene’s student: “Greene’s helps me to drive better; it enables me to do things at my own pace. I am able to focus and divide my time between studying and racing – having the option to do face-to-face or online lessons really helps me emotionally and academically.” (2023)Written January 19, 2024
- Lucia, who received A*A*A grades in her recent A levels at Greene’s, recalls her academic experience: “I would like to thank my tutors and in particular my Personal Tutor from Greene’s, who motivated, inspired, and kept me on track – even when I suddenly decided to apply to university with a UCAS deadline of just one week! Greene’s helped me achieve academic success by getting the results to enable me to enrol in the best university of Economics and Business in Portugal. And helped guide me academically through a difficult period of my life.” (2022)Written January 19, 2024
- Top IB school in Madrid, extremely good education in small classes with amazing facilities and great activities which push the students to improve and be the best person they can be.Written July 3, 2023
- 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.Written October 20, 2024
- In 2021 we found H Farm International School thanks to Worldschools. It was love at first sight. We left our beautiful Castellammare di Stabia to embrace the project of raising our two children Chloe and Ruben in an international environment, surrounded by greenery with a strong vocation for entrepreneurship and innovation. After 3 years we are happy with the choice motivated by the jumps of joy of the children who want to go back to school, as soon as they have left it. Thank you Worldschools, Thank you H FarmWritten August 5, 2024
- Tom, Greene’s alumnus: “I am an alumnus of Greene’s, and have been a doctor for 20 years. I have a lot to thanks Greene’s and the tutors for, having gone from an E grade in June to a B in the same November! As I recall I had an hour per week physics, as well as the occasional practical, and then a lot of homework in between. This worked well for me.” (2011)Written January 19, 2024
- Guardian of Student: “I don’t think he could have been happier anywhere else in the country. He was in the right place with the right people who adjusted to his needs every single time. You stepped in at every point and made the difference he needed.” (2019)Written January 19, 2024
- Willow, Greene’s alumna: “I was sceptical about starting in January and not September but I actually drastically improved grades in that short time. The one-to-one allows you to get through the relevant content without covering things that aren’t useful so it’s possible to achieve a lot in a few months.” (2020)Written January 19, 2024
- Konstantin, Greene’s student: “At Greene’s, I have one-to-one tutorials. It’s really cool because all of the attention from tutors goes straight to you. That’s amazing because any question that you have, you can get the answer to. In one tutorial you can study a new topic and in another you can say “I’m not really clear about this topic” and you can take another look at it.” (2023)Written January 19, 2024
- Parent of Oliver, Greene’s alumnus: “The staff are extremely professional and Greene’s have provided a first-class service throughout.” (2023)Written January 19, 2024
- Johnnie, Greene’s alumnus and transfer student: “I now feel better placed to take my exams than I did this time last year, partly due to the way Greene’s has bolstered my academic confidence and changed my attitude towards examinations, making them seem a far more achievable feat.” (2023)Written January 19, 2024
- Pradnya, Greene’s alumna: “Despite being a new experience, the tutorial style was a great match due to its personalised approach: I received detailed feedback on assignments, trial examinations, and tutorials. I was excited to attend every tutorial, knowing that my tutors shared the same enthusiasm for the subject and had extensive knowledge that enabled in-depth conversations.” (2023)Written January 19, 2024
- Pedro Perino, youngest driver to compete in the European Le Mans Series and Greene’s student: “Greene’s helps me to drive better; it enables me to do things at my own pace. I am able to focus and divide my time between studying and racing – having the option to do face-to-face or online lessons really helps me emotionally and academically.” (2023)Written January 19, 2024
- Lucia, who received A*A*A grades in her recent A levels at Greene’s, recalls her academic experience: “I would like to thank my tutors and in particular my Personal Tutor from Greene’s, who motivated, inspired, and kept me on track – even when I suddenly decided to apply to university with a UCAS deadline of just one week! Greene’s helped me achieve academic success by getting the results to enable me to enrol in the best university of Economics and Business in Portugal. And helped guide me academically through a difficult period of my life.” (2022)Written January 19, 2024
- Top IB school in Madrid, extremely good education in small classes with amazing facilities and great activities which push the students to improve and be the best person they can be.Written July 3, 2023
Summary
Parents choose private schools in Europe for their academic excellence, diverse cultural environments, and unique educational philosophies. These institutions not only prepare students for prestigious universities but also provide valuable networking opportunities, setting a solid foundation for personal and professional success.