Bilingual Schools in Kolkata: A 2026 Guide for Expat Families

Quick answer: Are there bilingual schools in Kolkata for expat families? Yes. Almost every private school in Kolkata teaches in English with Bengali or Hindi as a second language, and many add French, German or Spanish from middle school. International schools following IGCSE or IB charge roughly INR 2 to 8 lakh a year, while ICSE and CBSE schools are cheaper. Ask each school how it supports newcomers.

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

Kolkata is a city where languages are part of everyday identity. Bengali dominates the streets, Hindi and English are everywhere in business, and schools have a long tradition of English-medium education going back to the colonial era. For families moving here, bilingual schools in Kolkata usually means English-medium schools that take a second or third language seriously, rather than dual-immersion programmes in the European sense. This guide explains how language teaching works, which schools to look at and what to expect to pay in 2026.

How bilingual education works in Kolkata

Indian schools follow what is known as the three-language formula. Pupils study English, usually a regional or national language such as Bengali or Hindi, and a third language that can be another Indian language or a foreign one. In practice, private schools in Kolkata teach almost everything in English and treat the other languages as subjects with several hours a week.

A hard fact worth knowing: India's National Education Policy 2020 recommends that, wherever possible, the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5 should be the home language, mother tongue or regional language. In West Bengal, the state government announced in 2017 that Bengali would be a compulsory language in schools across the state. How strictly each board and school applies these policies varies, so ask directly what language hours look like for a child who does not speak Bengali.

For expat children, the most common arrangement is English as the main language, with Hindi or Bengali taught at beginner level and French, German or Spanish offered as the third language.

Curricula and boards available

ICSE and ISC (CISCE board): very popular in Kolkata, with a strong focus on English literature and writing.
CBSE: the national board, common across India and useful for families who may move to another Indian city.
Cambridge IGCSE and A levels: offered by several international schools.
International Baccalaureate: available at a smaller number of schools, often only for the diploma years.
West Bengal state board: taught mainly in Bengali and less common among expat families.

Bilingual and English-medium schools in Kolkata

All of these schools have verified profiles on International School Advisor. Ask each one about second-language options before you apply.

Calcutta International School

Calcutta International School One of the city's established international schools, teaching the Cambridge IGCSE and A level programme in English. It is used to families arriving from abroad and offers foreign languages alongside Hindi or Bengali.

Heritage School Kolkata

Heritage School Kolkata The Heritage School offers Indian and international boards on a large campus on the eastern side of the city, which gives families a choice of pathway within one school.

The Cambridge School Kolkata

The Cambridge School Kolkata A Cambridge-curriculum school that suits families who want a British-style programme and plan to keep the IGCSE route if they move again.

Modern High School for Girls

Modern High School for Girls A well-known girls' school with a strong academic reputation and a firm tradition in English and languages. Admissions are competitive, particularly at the lower grades.

Adamas International School

Adamas International School Adamas follows an Indian board with English as the medium of instruction. It is worth comparing on price with the IGCSE schools.

What bilingual schools in Kolkata cost in 2026

Figures are indicative annual amounts in Indian rupees for 2026 and 2027. One lakh equals 100,000 rupees.

ICSE and CBSE private schools: roughly INR 60,000 to 2.5 lakh a year.
IGCSE and international schools: roughly INR 2 lakh to 6 lakh a year.
IB Diploma years: roughly INR 5 lakh to 8 lakh a year or more.
Admission or registration fee: often INR 25,000 to 2 lakh, usually one-off.
Extras: bus, meals, uniforms, books, activity fees and board exam fees.

Many schools collect fees termly or quarterly and add annual charges for development or technology. Ask for a full fee schedule rather than a headline tuition figure.

Choosing the second and third languages

Hindi or Bengali? If you expect to stay in Kolkata for several years, Bengali opens up the city and makes daily life easier for your children. If your next posting could be elsewhere in India, Hindi is more portable. Many expat families choose Hindi for this reason.

Foreign languages. French is the most widely offered foreign language, followed by German and Spanish. A few schools offer Japanese or Mandarin through clubs. If keeping up a home language such as French or German matters to you, ask whether the school can teach it at native level or only as a beginner subject.

Exemptions and support. Some boards allow newly arrived foreign pupils to replace an Indian language with a foreign one, or to take it at a lower level for a time. Rules differ by board and grade, so get the school's answer in writing.

Practical tips for families moving to Kolkata

Plan around the academic year. Most Indian boards start the school year in April, while IGCSE and IB schools may start in June or August. Admissions for the April intake often open in the autumn of the previous year, so start early.

Check location and traffic. Salt Lake, New Town, Ballygunge, Alipore and the Park Street area all have good schools, but crossing the city at rush hour takes time. Choosing a school near your home saves hours every week.

Meet the language teachers. A short conversation with the head of languages tells you more about how your child will be supported than any brochure.

Keep the home language alive. Even the best English-medium school will not maintain a first language such as Spanish, Korean or Portuguese on its own. Many families in Kolkata combine school with weekend classes, online tutors or community groups linked to consulates and cultural centres, so that children can return home without losing ground.

Compare the best schools in India

Browse profiles and reviews for schools in Kolkata and other Indian cities in our ranking of the best schools in India.

More guides to schools in Kolkata

Frequently asked questions

Do schools in Kolkata teach in English?

Yes. Almost all private schools in Kolkata use English as the main language of instruction, whether they follow ICSE, CBSE, Cambridge or the IB. Bengali or Hindi is taught as a second language, and many schools add French, German or Spanish. Only state-board schools teach mainly in Bengali.

Does my child have to learn Bengali at school in Kolkata?

Most schools expect pupils to study an Indian language, and West Bengal has promoted Bengali as a compulsory subject since 2017. Many schools let foreign children choose Hindi instead or take the language at beginner level for a time. Ask each school and board about exemptions before enrolling.

How much do bilingual or international schools in Kolkata cost?

For 2026, ICSE and CBSE private schools charge roughly INR 60,000 to 2.5 lakh a year, while IGCSE and international schools cost roughly INR 2 lakh to 6 lakh. IB Diploma years can reach INR 8 lakh or more. Admission fees, transport and activities add to the total.