International Schools in Ukraine

Last update: Aug. 2010

In Ukraine, there are public (state) and private schools just like in western countries. In contrast to the United States, parents in Ukraine can choose to send their children to any public school they wish; schools do not have districts that dictate which school local children must attend.

Some expats send their children to local public schools. Many others send them to prestigious international schools attended by other children of foreign birth and the children of upper-class Ukrainians. Attendance at these schools can cost up to $2000 USD per month.

International schools in Ukraine are quite a bit different from Ukrainian public schools. They are sometimes a year longer, they may combine Ukrainian and foreign curriculum requirements, and they provide a variety of extracurricular activities similar to western schools. Many schools offer a choice of languages for instruction. Even if instruction is in English, students will have Russian and/or Ukrainian classes, which is important for adapting to the country. Oh, and many of these schools have school buses, which are otherwise unheard of in Ukraine.

International schools in Kiev

Kiev International School
website
Preschool through 12th grade
Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum
All instruction in English
Tuition = approx. $2000/month
Near Sviatoshino metro station in wooded setting with high fence and guarded entrance

Pechersk School International
website
Preschool through 12th grade
International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum
Tuition = approx. $1500/month
Near Lybidska metro station

British International School
website
Preschool through 12th grade
All instruction in English
British and Ukrainian curriculum
Tuition = approx. $900/month
Near Nyvky metro station

Meridian International School
website
Preschool through 11th grade
Instruction in English, Ukrainian, or Russian
Ukrainian national curriculum
Tuition = approx. $200/month
Vinohradar district (NW edge of town)

Other high-quality schools in Kiev

You will need to do some shopping around for schools. Some schools have an emphasis — such as math and physics, English, Eastern Languages, etc. — that makes them better and more prestigious. You will probably not want to send your child to just "any old Ukrainian public school."

Lyceum No. 100*
website (Ukrainian only)
*Not an international school, but very prestigious
1st through 11th grade
Ukrainian national curriculum with extra material
Tuition = ?
Podil neighborhood