An International school is loosely defined as a school that promotes international education, either by adopting an international curriculum such as that of the International Baccalaureate, or by following a national curriculum different from that of the country the school is located in. These schools cater mainly to students who are not nationals of the host country, such as the children of the staff of international businesses, international organizations, foreign embassies, missions, or missionary programs. Many local students attend these schools to learn the language of the international school and to obtain qualifications for employment or higher education in a foreign country. International schools can be both private, or public. In April 2007 there were 4,179 ‘English-speaking international schools’.

Establishment

The first International schools were founded in the latter half of the 19th century in countries such as Japan, Switzerland and Turkey. Early International schools were set up with the help of nations having large interests in the hosting nation. An exception to this rule being Robert College in Istanbul.