Choosing an international school in Baku means navigating a market that grew up around the oil and gas industry and has since broadened. The city has a solid range of English-medium options, from an established IB school serving the expatriate community to British and American programmes and a set of well-regarded local schools that teach substantially in English. What Baku does not have is dozens of choices, so the shortlist forms quickly and the real work is in asking the right questions.
This guide covers the curricula available in Baku in 2026, realistic fee levels in manat and dollars, where families live, and the practical details that matter once you arrive.
Curricula available in Baku
- International Baccalaureate. Baku's IB provision is the natural home for families on rotation, because the programme transfers between countries with minimal disruption. Confirm which specific programmes a school is authorised to deliver, since authorisation for the Primary Years Programme does not imply the Diploma.
- British curriculum. Cambridge and Pearson pathways leading to IGCSEs and then A Levels. Widely available in Baku and popular with both expatriate and Azerbaijani families aiming at UK universities.
- American curriculum. US high school diploma with Advanced Placement courses at some schools, usually with US regional accreditation. The right choice if North American universities are the destination.
- Azerbaijani national curriculum, often bilingual. Strong local schools teaching partly or largely in English while following the national programme. Considerably cheaper, and a genuine option for families staying long term.
- Turkish and Russian programmes. Baku has schools serving these communities, reflecting the city's regional ties.
One Baku-specific consideration: because the expatriate community is concentrated in energy, engineering and finance, cohorts can shift noticeably when a major project ends. Ask how the roll has moved over the past three years. A school losing 15 per cent of its secondary students in a year will struggle to run a full A Level or Diploma option block.
International schools in Baku worth shortlisting
The International School of Azerbaijan
The International School of Azerbaijan is the city's best-known international school and the default first stop for families arriving on an expatriate package. It has served Baku's diplomatic and energy community for decades, which shows in the arrival and transition support and in the breadth of nationalities. Ask about current capacity year by year, because the most sought-after entry points fill early.
Baku-Oxford School
Baku-Oxford School delivers a British curriculum pathway and has built a strong local reputation over many years. For families moving from another British-curriculum school, or Azerbaijani families targeting UK universities, the alignment is straightforward. As with any A Level provider in a mid-sized market, confirm which subjects are actually running in the current sixth form rather than which appear in the prospectus.
SABIS Sun International School
SABIS Sun International School operates within an international network, which brings a defined academic model and consistent internal assessment across campuses. Families who value frequent, structured measurement of progress often respond well to this approach. Families who prefer a more exploratory style should visit and judge for themselves, because the pedagogy is distinctive.
Baku International School
Baku International School rounds out a sensible shortlist as an English-medium option in the city. The questions to press on are accreditation status, teacher retention, and how the school supports children arriving with limited English, since that is where quality varies most across the Baku market.
International school fees in Baku
Baku prices in Azerbaijani manat, though schools serving the expatriate market frequently quote in US dollars. Indicative annual ranges for 2026:
- Early years and kindergarten: AZN 6,000 to AZN 16,000 (roughly USD 3,500 to USD 9,500)
- Primary: AZN 10,000 to AZN 28,000 (roughly USD 6,000 to USD 16,500)
- Lower secondary: AZN 14,000 to AZN 36,000 (roughly USD 8,000 to USD 21,000)
- A Level or IB Diploma years: AZN 18,000 to AZN 45,000 (roughly USD 10,500 to USD 26,500)
Bilingual schools following the national curriculum sit well below these figures, sometimes at a quarter of the price of the top international tier. On top of tuition, budget for a one-off registration or capital fee, bus transport, lunch, uniform, devices and external examination entries at IGCSE, A Level, AP or IB Diploma. Adding 10 to 15 per cent to tuition is a reasonable planning assumption, more in the first year.
If your employer provides an education allowance, check three things: whether it covers the one-off charges as well as tuition, whether there is a per-child cap, and in which currency it is paid. A dollar-denominated allowance against a manat-denominated invoice, or the reverse, quietly changes what you can afford.
Where families live in Baku
- The Boulevard and central districts put you close to the Old City and the seafront, with apartment living and limited parking.
- Badamdar and the higher ground to the south-west are traditional expatriate territory: villas, gardens, quieter streets and easier school runs.
- Bayil offers newer development with sea views and good access to the city centre.
- The Absheron peninsula and Novkhani direction give more space for the money and put you near beach communities, at the cost of a longer commute.
Baku's morning traffic funnels along a small number of arteries and can be severe. Before you sign a lease, drive the route from the property to the school at 7.45am on a working day. A 12-kilometre journey on a map can be 45 minutes in practice.
Practical admissions notes
- Apply early and to more than one school. The most popular entry points fill in the first quarter of the calendar year for an August or September start.
- Expect assessment. Most Baku schools use in-house literacy and numeracy testing plus an English screening, with interviews for older applicants.
- Have documents ready. Passports, residence permits, birth certificate, vaccination records and the previous two years of school reports are standard, and transfer certificates from abroad may need attestation.
- Ask about Azerbaijani language. Provision ranges from token to serious. If you plan a long stay, the stronger option pays off socially.
- Check the university destinations list. Three years of actual offers tells you more about a school's senior teaching than any brochure claim.
Ready to compare curricula, fees and reviews in one place? Browse the best schools in Baku on International School Advisor.
Frequently asked questions
How much do international schools in Baku cost in 2026?
Expect roughly AZN 6,000 to AZN 16,000 a year for early years, AZN 10,000 to AZN 28,000 for primary and AZN 18,000 to AZN 45,000 for the A Level or IB Diploma years, which is about USD 3,500 to USD 26,500 depending on the stage. Bilingual national-curriculum schools cost substantially less. Add 10 to 15 per cent for registration, transport, devices and examination fees.
Which curricula can my child follow in Baku?
Baku offers the International Baccalaureate, the British curriculum with IGCSEs and A Levels, the American high school diploma with Advanced Placement at some schools, the Azerbaijani national curriculum in bilingual form, and Turkish and Russian programmes for those communities. Choose based on where your child is likely to apply to university and whether you expect another international move.
When should I apply to schools in Baku?
Start in the autumn for the following academic year and aim to have applications submitted by January or February. Assessments usually run through the winter and offers follow in the spring. Mid-year entry is possible where places exist, but the strongest schools and most popular year groups are typically full by late spring.