Quick answer: which are the best international schools in Warsaw in 2026? Families most often shortlist the American School of Warsaw, The British School Warsaw, Thames British School, the International Trilingual School of Warsaw and the International American School. Tuition runs roughly from PLN 45,000 to 140,000 a year, and the right choice depends on curriculum, languages and commute.
Last reviewed: October 2026 by Emma from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.
Warsaw has grown into one of the busiest expatriate cities in Central Europe, and the choice of schools has grown with it. Looking for the best international schools in Warsaw today means choosing between American, British, IB and genuinely multilingual programmes, spread across the city from Wilan贸w and Mokot贸w in the south to Konstancin just outside it.
This guide does not rank schools by a single score. Instead it explains what makes each of five leading schools different, who each one suits, and what to check before you apply. All five have verified profiles on International School Advisor.
Warsaw's school map: south, centre and suburbs
Most international schools in Warsaw sit in the southern half of the city. Wilan贸w, Mokot贸w, Ursyn贸w and the Kabaty area are popular with expatriate families because they combine newer housing, green space and short commutes to the main campuses. The American School of Warsaw is just south of the city boundary, on Warszawska street in Konstancin-Jeziorna, which suits families living in Wilan贸w or Konstancin but means a longer trip from the centre or the western business districts.
Traffic in Warsaw is lighter than in many capitals, and the metro line M1 runs north to south through Kabaty, Ursyn贸w and Mokot贸w. Even so, most younger children use school buses, and it is worth looking at bus routes before you sign a lease.
Curricula available in Warsaw
- American: the American School of Warsaw and the International American School offer US-style K-12 programmes, with the IB in the senior years at several schools.
- British: The British School Warsaw and Thames British School follow the English National Curriculum and Cambridge programmes, leading to IGCSE, A Levels or the IB Diploma.
- Multilingual: the International Trilingual School of Warsaw combines several national systems and teaches in up to eight languages.
- Polish bilingual: a number of Polish private schools teach in Polish and English and suit families planning to stay long term.
Five leading international schools in Warsaw
International Trilingual School of Warsaw (ITSW)
ITSW stands out for its language model. It teaches children from age 1 to 15 in a multilingual environment, with instruction in English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, German, Portuguese and Polish, and a curriculum drawn from seven national systems. Each teacher teaches only in their mother tongue. The school declares around 600 students, 100 teachers (a ratio of 6 to 1) and about 50 percent international students, and lists a monthly cost band of USD 1,000 to 2,000. It suits families who move often between countries and want their children to keep two or three languages alive.
Thames British School Warsaw
Thames follows the Cambridge International programme and the IB Diploma, covering ages 2.5 to 19 across four campuses. It is accredited by Cambridge Assessment International Education to deliver IGCSE and AS and A Levels, which gives families a choice of two senior pathways. Its monthly cost band of USD 1,000 to 2,000 places it in the middle of the Warsaw market, below the largest American and British schools.
The British School Warsaw
The British School Warsaw, on Limanowskiego street in Mokot贸w, follows the English National Curriculum and offers the IB Diploma. Its language programme includes Polish, French, German and Spanish. ISA lists a monthly cost band of USD 2,000 to 4,000, so it sits in the upper part of the market. It is a natural choice for British families or those planning to move to another British-curriculum school later.
American School of Warsaw (ASW)
Founded in 1953, ASW is a non-profit, college preparatory Pre-K to Grade 12 school and the longest-established English-language international school in the city. It balances academics with arts, athletics and service learning on a large campus in Konstancin-Jeziorna. It is usually among the most expensive schools in Warsaw and is a common benchmark for corporate relocation packages.
International American School of Warsaw (IAS)
IAS was founded in 1989, one of the first international schools in Warsaw, and offers a K-12 education in English and Polish with an IB pathway. It is in the Kabaty district, a short walk from the Kabaty forest and the end of the M1 metro line. For families who want an American-style programme at a lower cost than ASW, it is often the first alternative to visit.
What families pay: indicative fees in PLN
Indicative annual tuition for 2026-27:
- Early years: roughly PLN 40,000 to 90,000.
- Primary: roughly PLN 45,000 to 115,000.
- Secondary and IB or A Level: roughly PLN 55,000 to 140,000.
Extras to ask about include the application and registration fee, a one-off capital or development fee at the larger schools, lunch, school buses, uniforms, trips and exam fees in the final two years. One hard figure worth knowing: since 1 January 2024 Poland pays PLN 800 per child per month under the Rodzina 800 plus programme, and many foreign residents qualify depending on their residence and work status. Over a year that is PLN 9,600 per child, enough to cover lunch and the bus at many schools.
How to choose between Warsaw's best schools
Start from your next move, not this one. If you expect to move again within three years, choose the curriculum that will travel best to your likely next destination. British and IB programmes transfer easily; a Polish bilingual programme makes most sense for families planning to stay.
Take languages seriously. Warsaw is one of the few cities where a genuinely multilingual school such as ITSW is an option. If your children already speak two languages at home, ask each school how it supports the language you do not want them to lose.
Visit during a normal school day. Open days show the best of a school. A visit on an ordinary morning tells you more about class sizes, how teachers speak to children and how new arrivals are welcomed, which matters most in the first term.
Compare schools on our Warsaw area ranking
Our ranking of the best schools in Masovia (Warsaw area) lets you compare reviews, curricula and profile details for schools across the city and contact several at once.
More guides to schools in Warsaw
- Bilingual schools in Warsaw
- International school admissions in Warsaw
- How to choose an international school in Warsaw
- Ranking of the best schools in Masovia (Warsaw area)
Frequently asked questions
Which are the best international schools in Warsaw?
There is no single best school, but families most often shortlist the American School of Warsaw, The British School Warsaw, Thames British School, the International Trilingual School of Warsaw and the International American School. The right choice depends on curriculum, languages, location and budget, so compare at least three before deciding.
How much do international schools in Warsaw cost?
Indicative tuition runs roughly from PLN 45,000 to PLN 140,000 a year. Smaller British and bilingual schools sit at the lower end, while the American School of Warsaw and The British School Warsaw are at the top. Registration, capital fees, lunch and buses can add 10 to 20 percent to the annual bill.
Can expat families in Poland receive the 800 plus child benefit?
Since 1 January 2024 Poland pays PLN 800 per child per month under the Rodzina 800 plus programme. Foreign residents can qualify in many cases, depending on residence and employment status. Check eligibility with ZUS, because the benefit can cover a meaningful part of school extras such as lunch or transport.