Quick answer: how do you choose an international school in Quito? Decide first whether you need a fully international curriculum or a strong Ecuadorian bilingual one, then filter by valley or city campus, because the commute defines daily life. Expect roughly 6,000 to 16,000 USD a year, and apply four to six months ahead of a September start.
Last reviewed: September 2026 by Emma from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.
Deciding how to choose an international school in Quito is unusually geographic. The Ecuadorian capital sits in a narrow Andean basin at roughly 2,850 metres, and it has spilled into the valleys of Cumbaya and Tumbaco to the east. Most of the best-known schools followed the families out there. Where you live and where the school sits will shape your child's week more than any curriculum decision, so it is worth understanding the map before you read a single prospectus.
The two school markets in Quito
Quito has a well-developed bilingual private sector serving Ecuadorian families, much of it genuinely excellent and considerably cheaper than equivalents in Bogota or Lima. Alongside it sits a smaller group of fully international schools serving the diplomatic corps, oil and mining companies, development agencies and a growing remote-working population.
The distinction is not about quality, it is about language balance and exit qualification. Ecuadorian bilingual schools teach substantially in Spanish, follow the national curriculum alongside an international one, and produce children who are fluent in Spanish and comfortable in English. Fully international schools operate mainly in English with Spanish as a subject, and produce a transcript that transfers cleanly anywhere.
Short postings almost always point to the second group. Families expecting five years or more, or with an Ecuadorian parent, often get better value and better integration from the first, and several bilingual schools run the IB Diploma, which closes much of the portability gap. It is worth being clear with yourself about which category you are actually shopping in, because the two groups market themselves in almost identical language and a tour will not always make the difference obvious.
Curricula available
- International Baccalaureate. Widely offered in Quito, including at Ecuadorian bilingual schools, and the most portable senior qualification available locally.
- American curriculum with Advanced Placement. The traditional route for the diplomatic community and for families heading to the United States.
- British curriculum with IGCSE and A Level. Available but less widespread than in the larger Latin American capitals.
- Ecuadorian national curriculum with bilingual delivery. The largest sector by enrolment, usually Spanish-dominant with strong English, and by far the best value for money.
- Dual-diploma programmes. Several schools award both the Ecuadorian bachillerato and an international qualification, which is useful if your child may study in Ecuador or abroad.
Geography, altitude and the school run
The valleys of Cumbaya and Tumbaco sit around 400 metres lower than the city, are noticeably warmer, and host several of the schools expat families end up choosing. The drive from northern Quito out to the valleys can be twenty minutes at nine in the morning and an hour at eight. Families who choose a valley school and a city apartment generally regret it within a term.
Altitude itself is worth a thought. Quito is one of the highest capital cities in the world, and newly arrived children sometimes need two or three weeks before sport feels normal. Ask how schools manage physical education for new arrivals; the good ones have a clear answer because they deal with it every August. Sun exposure at this altitude is also stronger than most European families expect, and the better campuses have shaded outdoor space and a sensible policy rather than a paragraph about it.
Five schools in Quito worth shortlisting
Colegio Menor Quito
One of the best-known bilingual schools in the country, with a large campus in the Cumbaya valley and a strong record of sending graduates to universities in the United States and Europe. See the verified profile for Colegio Menor Quito.
British School Quito
A British-programme school serving families who want continuity with the UK system or an English-dominant environment, with an international community and a clear pathway through to senior qualifications. Details on British School Quito.
Colegio Internacional SEK Ecuador
Part of an international group with a long presence in Quito, offering the IB alongside the Ecuadorian curriculum. A sensible shortlist entry for families who want both qualifications open. See Colegio Internacional SEK Ecuador.
Colegio Internacional SEK Los Valles
The valley campus of the same group, which matters if you will be living in Cumbaya or Tumbaco and want to avoid the daily climb into the city. Profile: Colegio Internacional SEK Los Valles.
Montebello Academy
A smaller bilingual school, generally at a more accessible price point, which suits families who want a personal setting and strong Spanish rather than a large international campus. See Montebello Academy.
What it costs
Ecuador has used the United States dollar as its official currency since 2000, which removes the exchange-rate risk that complicates school budgeting across most of the region. Fees are quoted and paid in dollars and comparisons are straightforward.
As a working guide for 2026, expect roughly 4,000 to 7,000 USD a year at good Ecuadorian bilingual schools, roughly 8,000 to 12,000 USD at the mid-range international campuses, and roughly 13,000 to 18,000 USD in the senior years at the most established international schools. On top of tuition, budget for a one-off enrolment or matriculation fee, an annual materials charge, bus transport of roughly 800 to 1,600 USD, uniform, and examination entry fees in the final years. Several schools also run an annual family contribution towards facilities, which is presented as voluntary and is in practice expected.
Practical advice before you commit
Decide the Spanish question honestly. If you want your child to leave Ecuador genuinely bilingual, an English-dominant international school will not deliver it on its own. Either choose a school where Spanish is a language of instruction or plan for serious exposure outside school. Families who leave this to chance usually end up disappointed, and the disappointment tends to arrive around the third year, when it is expensive to correct.
Visit at drop-off time. Do the drive from your likely neighbourhood at 07:30, not at midday. In Quito the difference between those two journeys is routinely thirty minutes each way, and it will decide whether your child can realistically do after-school sport or music.
Ask about the academic calendar. Ecuador historically ran two regional calendars, and schools in Quito generally start in late August or early September. Confirm the exact dates before you book flights, and check how the school handles a child arriving mid-cycle from a southern-hemisphere or British calendar.
Compare the full ranking for Ecuador
Once you have a shortlist, check it against the independent ranking, which brings curriculum, languages, fees and parent feedback together in one place: best international schools in Ecuador.
More guides to schools in Quito
Frequently asked questions
Are international schools in Quito taught in English or Spanish?
It depends on the category. Fully international schools teach mainly in English with Spanish as a subject, while Ecuadorian bilingual schools teach substantially in Spanish with strong English provision. Ask for the weekly hours in each language for your child's year group rather than relying on the label.
How much do international schools in Quito cost?
As a working range for 2026, roughly 4,000 to 7,000 USD a year at bilingual Ecuadorian schools, 8,000 to 12,000 USD at mid-range international campuses and 13,000 to 18,000 USD in the senior years at the most established schools. Fees are quoted in US dollars.
Should we live in the city or in the valleys?
Live where the school is. The drive between northern Quito and the Cumbaya or Tumbaco valleys can double in morning traffic, and families who split the two generally move within a year. Choose the school first, then the neighbourhood around it.