Hungary, divided by the historically and geographically significant Danube River, has always been a hotspot for tourists. Expats find it advantageous to live here due to the increasingly promising employment opportunities for professionals.
Budapest is the country’s capital and largest city. The Danube splits it into two halves, which originally constituted two separate cities – Buda on the western bank of the river is mainly a residential region; and Pest on the eastern bank, the abode of many industries and businesses houses.Expats in Hungary will find that the country has a number of good international schools. These schools provide quality education that adheres to international curricula and standards. International schools are aimed at educating students from different countries whose families are based in Hungary on a temporary or permanent basis. The language of instruction may be either English or German, although multiple languages are also taught.
Since international schools across the world follow similar standards, students will find it easier to make a transition when they move back to their home country or relocate to a different country. International schools tend to have limited space and there may be long waiting lists. The tuition fees are also likely to be higher than public or private schools. But expat parents can expect some top-quality facilities, a variety of extracurricular activities, better student to teacher ratio and high standards of learning.
Here is an overview of the international schools in Hungary.
American International School of Budapest (AISB)
Nagykovácsi, 2094 Hungary
Located in Budapest, AISB was founded in 1973 to serve the dependents of United States government employees. Today it includes a student body comprising of local and expat children. AISB uses English as the primary medium of instruction and has a population of approximately 850 students, representing about 57 different countries. At this day school, grades from pre-kindergarten to age twelve follow the United States curriculum. AISB also offers sports training in the form of soccer, tennis and cross-country training.
Britannica International School
Budapest, Kakukk út 1-3, 1121 Hungary
Founded in 1994, Britannica International School is Hungary’s longest established British school. Learning is based on the National Curriculum of England, with certain enhancements to cater to the school’s international character. The student population, aged between five and eighteen, represents up to 46 different nationalities. At Britannica International School, students are prepared for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) at age 16. At 17 and 18 years, students undergo the AS and A2 Level program, which enables them to specialize.
Greater Grace International School (GGIS)
Budapest, Szilágyi Erzsébet fasor 22b, 1125 Hungary
Formerly called the Greater Grace Christian Academy, this school follows the American curriculum. A Christian school by nature, Greater Grace International School is recognized by the Association of Christian Schools International. The school aims at providing local Hungarian and expat families with college preparatory education that is academically, spiritually and physically in harmony with a Christian biblical view. GGIS offers a variety of extra-curricular activities such as children’s aerobics, French club, chess club, Drama, art club, photography and music.
International Christian School of Budapest (ICSB)
Diósd, Ifjúság út 11, 2049 Hungary
Offering education for students in grades K-12, the International Christian School of Budapest uses English as the language of instruction. Being a Christian school, the Christian worldview is woven into subjects and students are provided Bible classes throughout each year. Most of the student population consists of the children of North American missionaries, but the rest come from different countries in Asia, Central Europe and also from Hungary itself.
Thomas Mann Gymnasium
Budapest, Cinege út 8/c, 1121 Hungary
The Thomas Mann Gymnasium is a co-educational, independent German-Hungarian international school and part of the German Auslandsschulen or German independent schools in foreign countries. This school is known to have one of the highest admission rates among Hungarian schools. Offering state-of-the-art facilities to about 500 students, the school mainly attracts the Hungarian elite as well children of expat professionals. It consists of forms from grade 1 to 4 (Grundschule) and 5 to 12 (Gymnasium). Students learn German and English to a level that prepares them attend university in either language.