You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Pakistan with fee information. It includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools. Here you will find the right school to prepare for International Baccalaureate and other diplomas in Pakistan. 

Education in Pakistan

Education in Pakistan is fairly developed and comprehensive, but suffers from issues of gender disparity. It is compulsory and free for children between the ages of five and 16 years old divided into six levels:

• Preschool (for the age from 3 to 5 years)
• Primary (grades one through five)
• Middle (grades six through eight),
• High (grades nine and ten leading to the Secondary School Certificate or SSC)
• Intermediate (grades eleven and twelve leading to a Higher Secondary School Certificate or HSSC)
• University

English is the main language of instruction, though Urdu is often used. Much of the curriculum is based on the British system with religious influence. 

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Pakistan. There may be some local population, but the schools are usually geared for an international and mobile student body based on international curriculum. International schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam. Schools also provide internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate.

Admission and enrollment procedures vary from school to school. Space is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality. Tuition tends to be expensive based on local standards, but offers high standards of learning, boast smaller class sizes, first-rate facilities, and extracurricular. Boarding facilities are available at some schools.

Most international schools are in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi and tuition is quite expensive for local standard of living. There used to be more options for international schools in the country, but instability has led to declining attendance and closure of schools.

Accreditation & Membership

• The CoIS (Council of International Schools) is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which provides educational accreditation, teacher and leadership recruitment services, links to higher education, governance assistance and help with founding new schools.
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) is among the premier accrediting associations in the world.

International Schools in Islamabad

International School of Islamabad (ISOI)
Address: P.O.Box 1124 / Johar Road, Sector H-9/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: 92-51-443-4950/4951/4952/4953
Tuition Rates: US $ 11,352 - 23,676 per year

This school was established in 1965 by the US military. It currently serves students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Facilities incude an Elementary School, Middle School, and High School, as well as a gymnasium, auditorium, open-air theater, physical education center, indoor climbing wall, tennis courts, track, playing fields, a 25 meter swimming pool, two libraries, four technology centers and a cafeteria. Accredited by MSA and offering the International Baccalaureate.

Westminster Academy Islamabad
Address: Main Margalla Rd, F-8/3226, North Service Road (VR-30), F-10
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: 92 51 228 69 44 / 92 51 229 23 08
E-mail: info@westminster.edu.pk
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This is an academically selective, co-educational English school with curriculum based on the British model. Students are accepted from nursery to IGCSE & Advanced Level. Academics are rigorous and there are extracurriculars like sports, student government, and drama. Uniforms are required. There is also a campus in Rawalpindi.

International Schools in Karachi

Karachi American School (KAS)
Address: MIR KHUSRO ROAD,  KDA SCHEME # 1
KARACHI 75350   PAKISTAN
Tel: 91 80 2263 4980
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Once known as the International School of Karachi, it is now the Karachi American School. It caters to students from preschool to Grade 13 and delivers American curriculum. It is accredited by the MSA and other boards.

The International School in Karachi (TIS)
Address: D-88, Block 2
Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: 92-21 35373987 / 35377340
Tuition Rates: PKR 348,500 - 528,000 per year

An English international school for students from primary to high school. There are two IT labs, Wi-Fi throughout the campus, and a laptop available for each child from PYP 4 to DP 2. It is authoried to offer the IB program and is associated with the Cambridge exams.

British Overseas School (BOS)
Tel: 92 51 228 69 44 / 92 51 229 23 08
E-mail: admin@bos-karachi.org
Tuition Rates: £ 2,600 - 5,775 per year

Founded in 1958, this is a coeducational, English-language, British school. There are classes from pre-nursery to IGCSE that prepare for Advanced Subsidiary Level, and Advanced Level examinations. There are sports, language classes, music, drama, and more. There are four houses and the opportunity to be head girl or head boy.

International Schools in Lahore

International School of Choueifat (ISC Lahore)
Address: 662-G/1, Abdul Haque Road
Johar TownLahore, Pakistan 54700
Tel: 92-423 530 0028/9
E-mail: isclahore@sabis.net
Tuition Rates: $3,622 - 6,505 per year

The International School of Choueifat-Lahore is the first and only SABIS® Network school located in the Indian Sub-Continent. It is a highly academic, non-selective, co-educational, independent day school. Instruction is in English and the second language, compulsory from KG1, can be either Urdu (the official language of Pakistan) or French.

Murree Christian School (MCS)
Address: PO Jhika Gali Murree 47180
Punjab, Pakistan
Tel: 92 51 375 2046
Email: mcs@mcs.org.pk
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

An English-language international school with courses based on the British model. The school provides education from primary level to IGCSE and Advanced Level exams (Cambridge Board and Pearson Edexcel Board, U.K.).