Bilingual Schools in Bangalore: A 2026 Guide for Expat Families

Quick answer: what are the best bilingual schools in Bangalore for expat families? Bangalore's international schools teach in English and build second and third languages around it. Canadian International School lists French as a teaching language, while IB schools such as Stonehill and Indus teach in English with Kannada and additional languages alongside. Expect roughly INR 6 to 20 lakh a year (about USD 7,000 to 24,000).

Last reviewed: October 2026 by Emma from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Searching for bilingual schools in Bangalore can be confusing, because almost every private school in the city teaches in English and almost every child studies at least two other languages. In practice, bilingual here rarely means a 50:50 dual-language model. It means an English-medium school that takes a second language seriously, whether that is French, Hindi, Kannada or a European language chosen for a future move.

This guide explains how language policy works in Karnataka, how IB and Cambridge schools fit Kannada and Hindi into an international timetable, and which five schools on International School Advisor are worth a closer look if languages matter to your family.

Bangalore for international families: tech corridors and long commutes

Bengaluru, as the city is officially called, attracts families through its technology, research and aerospace employers, global capability centres and start-ups. Many expat assignments land in Whitefield, Outer Ring Road, Electronic City or Sarjapur Road, and a growing number in the north near the airport, around Hebbal, Yelahanka and Devanahalli.

That geography decides school choice more than anything else. The international schools are mostly on the city's edges where land was available: Indus and Inventure on the Sarjapur side in the south east, and Stonehill, Canadian International School and Mallya Aditi in the north. Bangalore traffic is famously slow, and a 20 kilometre trip across the city can take well over an hour at rush hour. Many families pick the school first and then rent within 30 minutes of it, rather than the other way round. Metro extensions are helping some routes, but children still travel mainly by school bus.

Language rules and what "bilingual" means in Bangalore

Two policies frame language learning in the state. Karnataka's Kannada Language Learning Act of 2015 makes Kannada a compulsory subject in schools in the state, including CBSE and ICSE schools. Nationally, the National Education Policy 2020 promotes a three-language formula, so most Indian-curriculum pupils study English, Hindi or another Indian language, and the regional language. International schools have more flexibility, but most still offer Kannada, at least at a basic or conversational level, and many make it part of the primary timetable.

IB (PYP, MYP, DP): the main route for expat families. English is the teaching language and the IB requires an additional language throughout, often French, Spanish, German or Hindi, with Kannada as a culture and language course.
Cambridge (IGCSE and A level): English-medium, with foreign languages such as French, Hindi or Spanish available as IGCSE subjects.
Canadian curriculum: offered alongside the IB at Canadian International School, with French as a language of instruction according to its profile.
Indian boards (CBSE, ICSE/ISC): English-medium with Hindi and Kannada built in, useful for families staying long term or with Indian heritage. Some international schools run ICSE alongside Cambridge.

So when a Bangalore school calls itself bilingual, ask which of three things it means: an extra language of instruction (rare), an intensive foreign-language track, or simply the standard three languages. For a child arriving from Europe, the question is often how to keep French or German alive at grade level; for an Indian family returning from abroad, it is how to catch up on Hindi and Kannada without falling behind.

Schools to consider for languages

Canadian International School

Founded in 1996 in Manchenahalli, Yelahanka, CIS teaches from kindergarten to Grade 12 and is the only school in this list whose profile names both English and French as languages of instruction. It describes itself as the first IB Diploma school in Bangalore, says it offers three internationally recognised curricula and has students from over 40 nationalities. It also reports being India's first Apple Distinguished School. Our tip: if your child comes from a French or Canadian school, ask exactly which subjects are taught in French at their grade and whether French can be taken at native level in the Diploma.

Stonehill International School

Stonehill, in Jala Hobli in north Bangalore, is an IB World School for ages 3 to 18, authorised for the Diploma Programme in 2010, the PYP in 2011 and the MYP in 2012. It is part of Embassy Education and has offered boarding since 2014, with a STEM block and arts centre added in 2019. It holds 3.5 from 4 reviews; one reviewer notes high tuition but strong facilities and teachers. Our tip: the north location suits families working near the airport or in Hebbal; ask which additional languages run in MYP and whether Kannada is taught as a language or as a culture course.

Indus International School Bangalore

Indus opened in 2003 with 135 students on Sarjapura to Attibele Road, and today runs an English-medium IB programme with boarding. A recent family review praises the balance of academics and sport and the Indus School of Leadership camps, though the overall rating is 1.7 from 6 reviews, so read the reviews in full and talk to current parents. Our tip: Indus is convenient for families in Sarjapur Road and Electronic City; ask how language options differ between the day and boarding programmes.

Mallya Aditi International School

Mallya Aditi, in Yelahanka New Town, began in 1984 and is home to around 700 students of 10 nationalities. Its profile lists English and Hindi as languages of instruction, and it puts weight on creative and performing arts and social awareness. It scores 4.4 from 5 reviews, with one parent calling it the best school in north Bangalore. Our tip: this is a good fit for families who want an international outlook with a stronger Indian thread in daily school life; ask how Hindi is taught to children starting from zero.

Inventure Academy

Inventure is a Pre K to Grade 12 school founded in 2005 on Whitefield to Sarjapur Road. It is affiliated with Cambridge Assessment International Education and the CISCE board, and is part of the Round Square network. Its profile lists English and Hindi as languages and it scores 5.0 from 4 reviews. Our tip: the mix of Cambridge and ICSE gives families a choice of exit routes, so ask at which grade pupils must commit to one board and what that means for Kannada and Hindi.

Fees for international and bilingual schools in Bangalore

Our school profiles ask families to consult each school for prices, and many schools only share fee sheets after an enquiry. Treat these as rough annual ranges in Indian rupees (1 lakh is 100,000 rupees):

Early years and kindergarten: roughly INR 4 to 10 lakh (about USD 5,000 to 12,000).
Primary (IB PYP, Cambridge Primary, ICSE): roughly INR 6 to 14 lakh.
Middle and upper secondary (MYP, IGCSE): roughly INR 8 to 18 lakh.
IB Diploma or A level years: roughly INR 10 to 20 lakh or more, with boarding adding a significant amount.

Extras to budget for:

Application and assessment fee, usually non-refundable.
One-off admission or registration fee, often a large sum in Bangalore.
Refundable caution deposit.
Annual development or infrastructure charge.
School bus, priced by distance, which can be substantial for long routes.
Meals, uniform, books and devices.
IB, IGCSE or board exam fees, and residential trips.
Extra language tuition if your child needs to catch up in Hindi or Kannada.

Fees are paid in rupees, and many schools raise them each year, so ask for the past three years of increases. Families paid in dollars or euros should allow for rupee movements when budgeting across several years.

Practical advice for language-minded families

Map your child's language path to the exit. If you expect to move to France, Germany or Canada, the priority is keeping a European language at grade level, which points to schools with strong French or other foreign-language streams. If you are staying in India or have Indian heritage, a school with solid Hindi and Kannada and a board option such as ICSE may serve you better.

Ask about Kannada at your child's grade. Because of the 2015 Act, Kannada will appear on most timetables. Ask how many lessons a week it gets, whether beginners are grouped separately, and whether exemptions or lighter tracks apply to short-stay foreign students.

Visit a language lesson, not just the library. Sit in on a Hindi, French or Kannada class at your child's level. Look at whether children speak the language or only copy from the board, and ask how progress is reported to parents.

Compare more schools in Karnataka

For a wider shortlist with reviews and curricula across the state, see our ranking of the best international schools in Karnataka.

More guides to schools in Bangalore

Frequently asked questions

Is Kannada compulsory at international schools in Bangalore?

Karnataka's Kannada Language Learning Act of 2015 makes Kannada a compulsory subject in schools in the state, including CBSE and ICSE schools. IB and Cambridge schools usually include Kannada too, often as a beginner or culture course for foreign pupils. Ask each school how many weekly lessons it gets and whether short-stay students follow a lighter track.

Which Bangalore schools teach in French as well as English?

Canadian International School in Yelahanka lists both English and French as languages of instruction on its profile, which makes it a natural option for francophone families. Most other international schools teach in English and offer French as a foreign language, often from primary age, through to IGCSE or the IB Diploma.

How much do international schools in Bangalore cost per year?

Annual tuition at Bangalore's international schools is roughly INR 6 to 20 lakh, about USD 7,000 to 24,000, rising with grade level. Add a one-off admission fee, a refundable deposit, bus charges priced by distance, meals and exam fees. Boarding at schools such as Stonehill or Indus costs considerably more.