The International School of Monaco

Focus

An international education with distinction

Day fees 2024/25

$9,300–$34,300

Pupils

830

Ages

3–18

Spear’s Review

Monaco, more than almost any other country, has an international population. The International School of Monaco (ISM) reflects that diversity, with a bilingual French/English primary years curriculum and students representing over 60 nationalities. 

The school is guided by five key ‘isms’: internationalism, intellectualism, dynamism, altruism and multilingualism. A key part of the education here is preparing future global citizens who have the independence and confidence they need to succeed in the world.

A collaboration with King’s College School Wimbledon has boosted academic standards at ISM, and the school has become an IB World Continuum School offering all four IB programmes from early years to secondary school graduation: Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme.

The extensive extracurricular programme includes creative arts, athletics, Model UN, language clubs and more.

Academics

Average IB score is 35.7.

School Profile

Celebrating 30 years of delivering exceptional international education in the principality, the International School of Monaco (ISM) stands out as a distinguished, independent, co-educational, not-for-profit day school. As the only fully accredited international private school in Monaco, ISM caters to a diverse student body of 830 students aged 3–18, representing over 60 nationalities. ISM moved into a brand-new, purpose-built school building in August 2024 and is now enjoying its state-of-the-art premises.

Driven by its vision of international education with distinction, ISM’s mission is to provide an outstanding education for students so that they are happy, confident, independent, multilingual and responsible global citizens. The school’s values emphasise integrity, learning, caring and respect, with strong emphasis placed on excellence, wellbeing and multilingualism as well as international mindedness and digital citizenship.

Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS), ISM offers a bilingual education in English and French in its Primary Years programme (Kindergarten to Year 6), while its Secondary School (Year 7 to Year 13) provides a broad and balanced curriculum taught in English. As an IB World Continuum School, ISM delivers all four International Baccalaureate programmes: the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), IB Diploma Programme (DP), and IB Career-related Programme (CP). Additionally, ISM offers an Extended IB CP pathway for student athletes, allowing them to complete the IB CP over three years instead of two, as part of ISM’s status as an Athlete Friendly Education Centre (AFEC) accredited by the World Academy of Sport. ISM also offers an extensive enrichment programme as well as numerous outreach opportunities via philanthropy clubs, Student Council initiatives and the Parent Teacher Association.

University and college destinations 

ISM regularly sends students to top universities around the world. In 2024, students matriculated at Oxford, St Andrews, the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia, among others.

Head teacher

Stuart Bryan, director of ISM, has enjoyed a distinguished international career over the past 35 years, holding senior positions in international schools including Sha Tin College in Hong Kong, the British School of Brussels and Dulwich College, Shanghai. For more than 10 years he was the principal and chief executive officer of the Amman Baccalaureate School in Jordan. Bryan holds a MA (Hons) degree from the University of St Andrews, a postgraduate certificate in education from Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, and an advanced certificate in educational management from the University of Leicester. 

Admissions

Applications are accepted throughout the school year. The online application process includes the submission of school reports and other documentation. Younger students will attend an in-class assessment, while older students take standardised tests and and attend an interview. 

Accessibility

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport: 40 minutes

Location

Click for more information about the research process and expert insight behind the Spear’s Schools Index.