What I wish I had known before choosing an international school abroad

Choosing an international school while relocating is one of the hardest decisions a family makes — and one of the least informed. You are in a new country, under time pressure, and entirely dependent on what the school shows you during the admissions process.

A few things I wish someone had told me earlier:

The admissions experience is not representative. Schools invest heavily in how they present themselves to prospective families. The tour, the brochure, the welcoming admissions team — none of it reflects the day-to-day reality your child will experience.

Ask for results, not promises. Any serious academic institution publishes its results. If a school cannot or will not show you its IB scores, exam results or university placements — ask yourself why.

Read the full fee schedule before signing. Tuition is rarely the full picture. Canteen fees, re-enrollment fees, examination fees, device requirements — these add up significantly and are often disclosed only after you have committed.

Check Glassdoor and LinkedIn before you commit. Search the school name on Glassdoor and read the employee reviews — particularly from former staff. On LinkedIn, use the “Past employees” filter to find people who have left the school. Reach out privately. Former employees are often the most honest source of information about how an institution actually operates day to day.

Talk to parents privately. Not at open days. Not at school events. Find parents who have left and ask them why.

Teacher turnover tells you everything. A school that retains good teachers has something worth staying for. High turnover is a signal, not a coincidence.

We learned most of this the hard way. Hopefully someone finds it useful before they sign.