International school admissions in Casablanca reward families who start early and arrive organised. Morocco's business capital hosts the country's strongest concentration of American, British and international programmes, and the best-known campuses run genuine waiting lists in popular year groups. This 2026 guide explains how the admissions process works in Casablanca, what documents schools expect, how assessments are run, and what you can do to strengthen an application, especially if you are applying from abroad.
How the admissions calendar works
Casablanca's international schools follow a September-to-June year, and the main admissions cycle opens the preceding autumn. Applications submitted between October and March enjoy the widest choice; by late spring, popular entry points such as the first years of primary and the start of secondary can be full at the leading schools. Rolling admissions continue through summer where seats remain, and every established school is used to mid-year arrivals from corporate relocations. The practical rule: apply the moment your move becomes probable, not when it becomes certain, because application fees are modest compared with the cost of a missed year group.
Documents you will need
Prepare a standard dossier: the last two years of school reports, translated into English or French where necessary; a copy of the child's passport and birth certificate; vaccination records; passport photos; and, for older students, any external test results. Schools with American accreditation often ask for a confidential teacher recommendation sent directly by the current school. If your child has documented learning support needs, share assessments upfront: schools resource support in advance, and honesty at application protects your child later.
Assessments and interviews
Expect age-appropriate evaluation rather than high-stakes examination. Younger children are typically observed in a classroom-style setting or through a play-based session. From upper primary onwards, schools commonly assess English and mathematics, and francophone programmes assess French. Family interviews, increasingly held by video call for relocating families, are two-way conversations about fit and expectations. Where English is not the child's first language, schools evaluate whether their EAL provision matches the child's starting point, so ask directly how support is staffed.
The schools and their admissions style
Casablanca American School
The city's flagship American-curriculum school, culminating in the IB Diploma, draws diplomatic, corporate and Moroccan families alike. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but the strongest demand concentrates in early primary and Grade 9; apply early and complete the file quickly, as review begins only when dossiers are complete.
George Washington Academy
A large American school with a trilingual English-French-Arabic model, GWA is popular with families who want Western pedagogy and deep local-language grounding. Its multi-stage intake includes language screening; families should be realistic about a child's starting levels in each language when choosing an entry point.
British International School of Casablanca
Delivering the English National Curriculum towards IGCSEs and A Levels, BISC suits families seeking the British pathway in Morocco. Admissions include English and maths assessment from Key Stage 2 upwards, with EAL support decisions made case by case.
American Academy Casablanca
A well-regarded American-curriculum option with strong STEM emphasis, the American Academy runs rolling admissions with placement testing in English and mathematics, and is often a realistic route for families arriving outside the main cycle.
Strengthening your application
Three things consistently help. Completeness: schools act on finished files, so chase transcripts and references before the school does. Context: a short cover note explaining your move, your likely length of stay and your child's interests helps admissions teams place borderline cases. Flexibility: naming a realistic second-choice entry point, or a second-choice campus, converts waitlists into offers. If you are applying from abroad, request video interviews early; time zones fill diaries faster than you expect during the spring rush.
Fees at admission
Budget for a non-refundable application fee, typically MAD 1,000 to MAD 3,000, and on acceptance a registration or capital fee that can reach MAD 20,000 to MAD 40,000 at the leading schools, alongside first-term tuition. Annual tuition at Casablanca's main international schools generally runs between MAD 60,000 and MAD 140,000 depending on school and grade. Confirm refund policies in writing if your relocation dates could slip.
Research school profiles, reviews and fees on International School Advisor before you build your shortlist.
Frequently asked questions
When should we apply to Casablanca international schools for 2026 entry?
Between October and March for the widest choice. Rolling and mid-year admissions continue where places exist, but leading schools fill key year groups by late spring.
What documents do Casablanca schools require?
Two years of reports, passport and birth certificate copies, vaccination records, photos, and often a confidential teacher recommendation. Translations into English or French may be required.
Are there entrance exams for international schools in Casablanca?
Most schools use age-appropriate assessments in English and mathematics, plus French where relevant, and a family interview. These size up fit and support needs rather than acting as pass-fail exams.