Buenos Aires combines an unusually deep tradition of bilingual education with one of Latin America's strongest concentrations of British, American and IB schools. The city's "colegios bilingües" — many founded over a century ago by Anglo-Argentine, Scottish-Argentine and Welsh-Argentine communities — sit alongside a newer wave of full IB World Schools. This guide walks through how international school admissions work in Buenos Aires for the 2026 academic year (which begins in late February/early March).
The Buenos Aires School Year Is Inverted
Unlike Northern Hemisphere schools, the Argentine academic year runs from late February or early March to early December. If you are relocating mid-year from a Northern Hemisphere country, you should plan for one of two transitions: a half-year bridging programme, or an early February start to align with the Argentine calendar.
The 2026 Admissions Timeline
- March – August 2025: Open days, school tours, longlist.
- April – September 2025: Online applications open at most schools.
- August – November 2025: Entrance assessments and family interviews.
- October – December 2025: Offer letters issued; deposit due within 30 days.
- Late February / Early March 2026: Academic year begins.
For mid-year entry (August), apply 2 to 4 months ahead and confirm year-group capacity directly with the school.
Documents You Will Need
- Child's passport, DNI (if applicable), and recent photo.
- Parents' passports and proof of residency status (DNI, temporary resident certificate, or work visa).
- Last two years of school reports — translated into Spanish if not in Spanish, by a certified public translator (traductor público) and legalised before the Colegio de Traductores Públicos.
- Birth certificate, translated and apostilled (Hague Convention).
- Vaccination record consistent with Argentine national requirements.
- References from current school: a head's letter and a class teacher's letter.
Important: documents from outside Argentina typically require apostille from the originating country and legalised translation in Buenos Aires. Plan 6 to 8 weeks for the full document chain.
Entrance Assessments and Interviews
Expect a structured assessment in Spanish, English and mathematics, scaled to the year of entry. Most established bilingual schools run their own in-house assessments. International IB schools may use the WIDA or MAP. A family interview is standard at most established schools — used to confirm fit, languages spoken at home and any learning support needs.
Leading International Schools in Buenos Aires
St Andrew's Scots School
One of South America's oldest bilingual schools, with strong academic outcomes and pathways to both the IB Diploma and Argentine school-leaving certificates. View St Andrew's Scots School on ISA.
St George's College North
An English-style bilingual school founded in 1898, with two campuses across the city and the IB Diploma at Sixth Form. View St George's College North on ISA.
Washington School
A bilingual Spanish-English school with a long tradition of educating international and Argentine families and a focus on holistic development. View Washington School on ISA.
St Mary's International College
A bilingual college offering an internationally focused secondary curriculum with the IB Diploma. View St Mary's International College on ISA.
St Patrick's School
A bilingual Irish-Argentine school in the city, offering early years through to secondary with strong academic outcomes. View St Patrick's School on ISA.
St Alban's College
A bilingual school with both Spanish-English instruction and pathways into the IB Diploma. View St Alban's College on ISA.
Fees in Argentine Pesos (2026)
Fees in Argentina are usually published in Argentine pesos (ARS) and adjusted twice a year for inflation. As an indicative 2026 range in USD-equivalent terms:
- Early Years: USD 4,000 – USD 9,000 equivalent per year.
- Primary: USD 6,000 – USD 12,000 equivalent.
- Secondary (IB MYP / Bachillerato): USD 8,000 – USD 16,000 equivalent.
- Sixth Form / IB Diploma: USD 10,000 – USD 18,000 equivalent.
Add a non-refundable enrolment fee (typically one month's tuition), an annual contribution (cooperadora), uniform, lunch and transport (USD 1,500 – USD 3,500 equivalent).
Practical Tips for a Smoother Application
Apostille and translate everything in advance. The Argentine document chain is strict — incomplete files delay enrolment by weeks.
Plan for the bilingual baseline. Most Buenos Aires international schools assume bilingual delivery: confirm what level of Spanish your child needs to enter at each age.
Check the cooperadora. Many bilingual schools rely on parent association contributions. These can be material — ask explicitly during admissions.
Use the right academic year. Some schools allow a January / February pre-term programme to align Northern Hemisphere arrivals with Argentine class peers.
Start Your Shortlist
For a constantly updated directory of international and bilingual schools in Buenos Aires with reviews, fees and contact details, visit ISA's international school directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the academic year start in Buenos Aires?
The Argentine school year runs from late February or early March to early December. Apply 6 to 9 months ahead for a clean start in February or March.
Do my child's documents need to be apostilled?
Yes. Documents issued outside Argentina (birth certificates, school reports) require apostille from the originating country and a certified Spanish translation in Argentina.
Are international schools in Buenos Aires bilingual by default?
Most are. The established Anglo-Argentine and Scottish-Argentine schools deliver instruction in both Spanish and English from primary onwards. A small number of fully English-medium IB schools also operate.