International School Fees in Houston: 2026 Cost Guide for Expat Families

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

Houston is one of the few big American cities where a family can choose between a French Baccalauréat, an English-style primary and a full IB continuum without leaving the metro area. That choice comes at a price, and this guide sets out what international school fees in Houston look like for the 2026-27 school year, what sits on the invoice beyond tuition, and how relocating families usually make the numbers work.

We focus on three schools with published profiles on International School Advisor, spread across the west side of the city where most expatriate families end up living. Tuition in Houston is quoted in US dollars, normally as one annual figure per grade band, so there is no currency surprise for American employees. For families paid in euros, pounds or Norwegian kroner, though, the dollar exchange rate can move the real cost by thousands in a single year, and that is worth planning for from the start.

Why families relocate to Houston, and where the schools are

Most international families arrive because of energy. Oil and gas majors, LNG developers, oilfield services firms and a growing cluster of renewables and carbon capture businesses run large offices along the Energy Corridor and in Westchase, and the Texas Medical Center brings in clinicians and researchers from all over the world. Many arrivals come on two to four year assignments, which shapes how they think about fees: they want a curriculum their children can carry home, and they want to know exactly what the employer will and will not cover.

Geography matters more here than in most cities. Houston sprawls, public transport is limited, and almost every family drives. The schools in this guide sit along or near Interstate 10 (the Katy Freeway) on the west side. Awty is inside the Beltway in Spring Branch, close to Memorial, at ZIP code 77055. The Village School is further west in the Westchase and West Houston area, ZIP 77077. BISH is out in Katy, ZIP 77449, beyond the Grand Parkway corridor where newer master-planned communities offer more house for the money.

The I-10 commute is the factor families underestimate. A 20 minute drive at 10am can take 45 minutes or longer at 7:30am, and the eastbound morning traffic into the city is heavy. A common pattern is to choose the school first and then rent within a short drive of it, so a Katy family heading to an Energy Corridor office drives against the worst of the flow while the children have a short run to school. School bus fees, covered below, are partly a function of how far you live from campus.

Curricula on offer in Houston's international schools

• International Baccalaureate: all three schools in this guide offer the IB, which is the main reason many relocating families shortlist them. The IB Diploma is recognised by universities in the UK, Europe, Asia and North America.
• French Baccalauréat: Awty runs a dual-diploma pathway in which students can take the IB Diploma and/or the French Baccalauréat, a rare option in the United States.
• Language immersion: Awty offers French and Spanish immersion in the early years, which suits French-speaking families and those who want a second language from age three.
• British-style international education: BISH describes an individualised international education it has delivered for over 15 years, and many British families look at it for continuity with schooling at home.

Three international schools in Houston and what they cost to attend

The Awty International School

Awty sits at 7455 Awty School Lane in Spring Branch, and runs from PK3 through Grade 12 with more than 1,800 students from over 50 countries. Its dual-diploma pathway lets students take the IB Diploma, the French Baccalauréat or both, and the early years include French and Spanish immersion. Beyond the classroom it lists athletics, arts, service and National Honor Societies.

Fee tip: with a school this size, the spread between the PK3 fee and the Grade 12 fee is significant, so ask for the full grade by grade schedule rather than a single headline figure. Families taking both diplomas should also ask how exam entries for the French and IB qualifications are charged, because two sets of exams in the final years can add up.

British International School of Houston (BISH)

BISH is at 2203 North Westgreen Blvd in Katy and has offered an individualised international education for over 15 years, with the IB as part of its programme. Its Katy location puts it close to some of the most popular family neighbourhoods on the west side, where rents for a family home are often lower than in Memorial.

Fee tip: if you are comparing BISH with a school closer to the city, put housing and commuting into the same spreadsheet as tuition. A slightly higher fee can be offset by cheaper rent in Katy, or the reverse, depending on where the employer's office is. Ask the admissions team whether bus routes cover your intended street before you sign a lease.

The Village School

The Village School is at 13077 Westella Drive in the West Houston and Westchase area, and offers the IB. It puts weight on service and community partnerships, which shows up in its programme beyond lessons. Both BISH and The Village School belong to the Nord Anglia Education group, which is useful to know if your family may move again to another city where the group has a school.

Fee tip: Westchase is convenient for many Energy Corridor offices, so The Village School often appears on corporate relocation shortlists. Ask whether trips, service projects and any residential experiences are included in tuition or billed separately, as these vary between schools and grades.

Tuition fees by stage and the extras on top

Houston schools rarely publish one simple figure, and fees change every year, so treat the following as rough planning ranges for 2026-27 rather than quotes:

• Early years (PK3 and PK4): roughly USD 20,000 to 30,000 a year, with half-day options at some schools.
• Elementary or primary: roughly USD 25,000 to 35,000 a year.
• Middle school: roughly USD 30,000 to 38,000 a year.
• Upper school and IB Diploma years: roughly USD 35,000 to 40,000, with the top end passing USD 40,000 a year.

For families paid in other currencies, USD 35,000 is very roughly EUR 30,000 to 33,000 or GBP 26,000 to 28,000 depending on the rate on the day you pay. Then come the extras, which can add 10 to 20 per cent to the bill:

• New student or enrolment fee: a one-off, non-refundable charge, often roughly USD 1,000 to 3,000.
• Enrolment deposit: paid when you accept the place and usually credited against tuition, but lost if you withdraw after the deadline.
• Technology fee: an annual charge for devices, software and network access.
• Lunch: often billed separately, roughly USD 1,000 to 2,000 a year.
• School bus: optional and priced by distance or zone, often roughly USD 2,000 to 4,000 a year.
• Uniforms, trips and activities: uniforms where required, field trips, overnight trips and some competitive sports.
• IB exam fees: charged in the Diploma years for registration and subject entries.
• Capital or building fund: some schools add a one-off or annual levy for campus projects.
• Annual giving: American private schools run annual fund campaigns and many parents are expected to contribute; it is voluntary, but you should know the culture before you arrive.

Texas also has two policy points that change the household budget. First, Texas has no state income tax, which leaves more of a salary available for school costs than in states such as New York or California. Second, Texas Senate Bill 2, signed in May 2025, created education savings accounts (Texas Education Freedom Accounts) worth roughly USD 10,000 per student a year for private school costs, starting in the 2026-27 school year. Eligibility needs Texas residency and places are limited, so check whether your family qualifies and whether your chosen school participates before counting on it. Families on a short assignment who keep residency elsewhere may not be eligible.

Practical advice for budgeting school fees in Houston

Read the employer package line by line. Energy-sector relocation packages often include a school allowance, but the detail varies widely. Some cover tuition only; others include the enrolment fee, bus and lunch; a few pay the capital levy. Ask HR for the policy in writing, check whether there is a cap per child, and find out who pays the deposit and what happens to it if the assignment ends early. If the school bills the company directly, confirm which costs will still land on you.

Choose a payment plan and think about tuition insurance. Most Houston schools offer payment in one instalment, two instalments, or monthly through a third-party plan, sometimes with a small fee for the monthly option. Enrolment contracts often commit you to the full year once a deadline passes, even if you move. Tuition refund insurance, offered through many schools, reimburses part of the fee if a child withdraws mid-year for a covered reason. For families on uncertain assignments, its cost is usually small compared with the risk.

Plan for currency and the full stay. If your salary is not in dollars, fix a budget exchange rate and add a cushion of 5 to 10 per cent. Fees typically rise every year, so for a three year posting estimate the third year at a higher figure than the first, and remember that moving from middle school into the IB years brings both a tuition step and exam fees.

Compare the best international schools in Texas

If you are still deciding between schools, or considering Dallas or Austin as well as Houston, our ranking of the Best international schools in Texas brings together curricula, locations and profiles so you can weigh fees against what each school offers.

More guides to schools in Houston

• Best international schools in Texas

Frequently asked questions

Do Houston international schools offer sibling discounts?

Some private schools in Houston offer a modest reduction for second or third children, while others do not and instead offer need-based financial aid. Policies change from year to year, so ask each admissions office directly. With three children in upper school at roughly USD 35,000 each, even a small percentage discount can be worth several thousand dollars.

Can I use a Texas Education Freedom Account for international school fees?

Texas Education Freedom Accounts, created by Senate Bill 2 in 2025, provide roughly USD 10,000 per student a year for private school costs from 2026-27. You need Texas residency, places are limited and the school must take part in the programme. Families on short assignments should check eligibility carefully before including the money in their budget.

Is the enrolment deposit refundable if we leave Houston?

Usually not once the contract deadline has passed. Most Houston schools credit the deposit against tuition, but if you withdraw after the cut-off you may owe it and sometimes the whole year's fee. Tuition refund insurance can recover part of the cost for covered reasons, so read the enrolment contract before signing and ask your employer who carries the risk.