For a family relocating to the Principality, the choice of school matters as much as that of the neighbourhood or the home. Monaco offers a high-calibre international education, structured mainly around two names: the International School of Monaco (ISM), geared towards the International Baccalaureate, and the British School of Monaco, which follows a British curriculum. For expatriate families, the real question is finding the right school environment for the child’s profile, the intended university path and the pace of life expected in the Principality.
International education in the Principality
Monaco appeals to international families through the quality of its setting, its safety and the density of its services. That appeal is reflected in the educational landscape too, with schools able to support highly mobile, multicultural journeys.
Two main approaches: IB or British curriculum
The International School of Monaco is today the leading IB reference in the Principality. The school offers all four International Baccalaureate programmes, from nursery through to the final diploma. Teaching is bilingual French-English in primary, then delivered mainly in English at secondary level.
The British School of Monaco is the other major international option. It builds on the British curriculum, with a Cambridge pathway leading to IGCSEs and then A-Levels. It suits families seeking British academic grounding or a continuation of studies in the United Kingdom especially well. For a coherent family move, it helps to factor the school criterion into the property search very early on. You might, for instance, read our page on the geography of Monaco to better grasp travel times and how the neighbourhoods work.
A highly sought-after international environment
ISM welcomes a strongly international school community, with more than 60 nationalities represented. This diversity helps create a multicultural environment particularly well suited to expatriate families.
This kind of setting supports the swift adjustment of newcomers, daily language practice and a strong cultural openness. It is also one of the reasons why many families bring the school into their relocation plans from their very first visits to the Principality.
The International School of Monaco: the central point of reference for expatriate families
The International School of Monaco holds a special place in the local educational ecosystem. Located at Testimonio II, 43 avenue Princesse Grace, it enjoys a strategic position for families settled around the Larvotto and the east of the Principality.
A complete IB continuum
The school offers all four International Baccalaureate programmes: PYP, MYP, DP and CP. This continuity is a genuine strength for families who wish to avoid a break in teaching method between primary and secondary. The career-related programme (CP) is also a compelling alternative for pupils looking for a more applied path while remaining within the IB world.
Solid academic results
In 2025, ISM posted a 100% pass rate across its IB programmes, with an average of 36.7 points, above the global average. These results confirm the school’s strong academic standing, without any need to turn it into an overly promotional argument.
The appeal of this kind of curriculum also lies in its international recognition, which is particularly useful for families who wish to keep several options open for higher education.
Partnership with King’s College School Wimbledon
Since 2020, ISM has maintained a partnership with King’s College School Wimbledon. This collaboration adds to the school’s standing and feeds its academic ambition, notably on questions of pedagogy, international openness and school culture.
Support for high-level athletes
The school holds AFEC accreditation (Athlete Friendly Education Centre), awarded by the World Academy of Sport. This allows more structured support for pupils who have to balance their studies with elite sport. In practice, this framework can mean greater flexibility, better academic coordination and more individual follow-up.
Admissions, timeline and family relocation
For families settling in Monaco, the success of the project often depends as much on planning ahead as on the academic level being aimed for. With places limited, it is wise to bring the “school” question into the relocation timeline very early.
A structured admissions process
The admissions process generally rests on an application file, assessments and one or more interviews, depending on the child’s age and previous schooling. ISM’s admissions policies notably provide for tests and discussions with the admissions team or the leadership.
It is therefore best to prepare school reports, any letters of recommendation, and the elements relating to the child’s language level in advance.
The right place to live changes everything
Once the school has been chosen, the choice of home becomes very concrete: travel time, daily rhythm, family logistics, after-school activities. For many families, living close to the main schools or in a well-connected neighbourhood makes settling in far easier. To prepare for this stage, you can consult our rental guide or explore our properties in Monaco.
Which school for which profile?
The right choice depends above all on the family’s plans.
ISM: for families aiming for a highly mobile international path
ISM will particularly suit families looking for a complete IB approach, strong cultural diversity and continuity of teaching in a very international environment.
British School of Monaco: for families attached to the British system
The British School of Monaco is aimed rather at families who wish to keep a clear British approach, with Cambridge, IGCSEs and A-Levels as the natural horizon.
This choice can be particularly consistent for British and English-speaking families, or for those anticipating a return to the United Kingdom or higher education within that ecosystem.
HOMES support for a smooth family relocation
At HOMES, we know that a family relocation project is not just about finding a property. The choice of school, neighbourhood, pace of life and local services feeds directly into the success of the project.
Our role is to help you bring these different factors together with coherence, discretion and method, so that your move to the Principality runs smoothly from the very first steps.
To go further, you can also visit our HOMES Monaco page.
FAQ
What are the main international schools in Monaco?
The two main references for expatriate families are the International School of Monaco, geared towards the IB, and the British School of Monaco, geared towards a British curriculum.
Is the International School of Monaco genuinely bilingual?
Yes, teaching is bilingual French-English in the early years and in primary. At secondary level, teaching is delivered mainly in English.
What kind of diploma does ISM prepare pupils for?
ISM offers all four International Baccalaureate programmes: PYP, MYP, DP and CP.
Does the British School of Monaco prepare pupils for A-Levels?
Yes. It follows a British curriculum with a Cambridge progression towards IGCSEs, then A-Levels.
When should the process begin?
As early as possible. In a relocation project, the ideal is to handle the school question alongside the home, so as to coordinate admissions, the family calendar and settling into the Principality.
