You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Syria with fee information. The list includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools for you to find the right school to prepare for the International Baccalaureate and other accreditation in Syria. Some schools may follow the American or British curriculums with English speaking programs while others are regulated under the French language and system.

Education in Syria

The education system of Syria is under the supervision of the government through its departments on education – the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education. These institutions set the curriculum and goals for the schools, colleges and universities throughout the country.

Although there are some private schools in the country, the government is still the one in charge of education in the country since almost 98% of the schools in Syria are public.

All public basic and secondary education is free and funded by the government.

• Following a period in state-managed kindergartens, children must enrol in the primary school that they will attend for 6 years. The gender parity principle is being approached, but it is not yet fully achieved.
• The final 3 years of compulsory Syrian education (until they turn 16 years old) takes place at middle school where a unitary academic curriculum is followed.
• At the conclusion of this, all students write their national examination. This determines whether they may proceed to general or to technical (vocational) secondary school, if they wish to continue with non-compulsory education. The volunteer 3 years at general secondary school / high school are intended to prepare students for tertiary education.

Sadly though, there are wide disparities between urban and rural facilities, and the ability of parents to afford school fees too.

Arabic is the medium of instruction in all schools and colleges in the country as it is the most widely spoken language and the national language as well. English is taught in Syrian schools starting grade 1 as their primary secondary language, while French is taught from grade 7 up to grade 12.

Since 2012, due to the situation in Syria and the Syrian Civil War, some schools had been effectively shut down. For exemple, the International School of Aleppo, Lycée Francais d'Alep or the Damascus Community School, among other local educational centres. Most have reopened since then.

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Syria. Many schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam. There may be some local population, but the schools are usually geared for an international student body. Schools may follow a curriculum model from the US, UK, France, etc. Primary instruction may be any language (and multiple languages are usually taught), but it is usually in English, French, Spanish, German, or Japanese. Schools also provide internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate.

Admission and enrolment 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, but most only provide day classes.

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.
• European Council of International Schools (ECIS) is a collaborative network promoting the ideals and best practice of international education, complemented by grants and awards.
• Council of British International Schools (COBIS) is a responsive organisation that serves, supports and represents its member schools.
• New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) is a regional accrediting association which establishes standards for all levels of education, from pre-K to doctoral.
• Agency for French Education Abroad (Agence pour l'enseignement français à l'étranger, AEFE) is a national public agency under the administration of the French government that assures the quality of schools teaching the French national curriculum outside France.
• National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) represents over 1100 independent schools and associations in the United States and abroad.

International schools in Damascus

The International School of Choueifat
Address: Achrafieh Sahnaya, Amman Road
Daraa Highway
Damascus, Syria
Tel: +963 11 673 0800
Email: iscdamascus@sabis.net
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

ISC-Damascus, a member of the global SABIS® Network, opened its doors in September 2001. ISC-Damascus is a non-selective, Pre-K to Grade 12, co-educational, day school that offers students from the age of 3 to 18+ a trilingual education. In our increasingly competitive world, university education gives students a wider choice and better career prospects. Through the unique SABIS® Educational System, students develop a solid foundation of knowledge. They are motivated to strive for academic and personal excellence, and thereby become better geared to meet the challenges of a changing world. In the 2013-14 academic year, 63,000 students spread across schools in 15 countries on four continents will have the opportunity to experience the efficient and high-quality SABIS® Educational System.

French Schools in City

Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle of Damascus
Address: Mezze Sheikh Saad B.P. 2985
Damascus, Syria
Tel: +963 11 667 0186
Email: lcdg.damas.sy@gmail.com
Tuition Rates: From 3,624,400 L.P or SYP – Syrian Lira or Pound ($1,440) to From 5,040,000 L.P or SYP – Syrian Lira or Pound ($2,005) [school year 2021-2022]

Lycée Charles de Gaulle is a French international school in Damascus, Syria. It serves the levels maternelle through lycée and it follows the French educational system. Despite the Syrian Civil War, the school has remained open. The school is a member of the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE) which is a government institution supervised by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs responsible for monitoring and managing the network of French schools abroad. The AEFE is the guarantor of the French education system abroad. It plays a key role in expanding France's cultural and linguistic influence throughout the world and serves to boost the appeal of French higher education.