You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Ecuador with fee information. It includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools and you will find the right school to prepare for International Baccalaureate, and other diploma in Ecuador. Some schools will follow the American or British curriculums with English speaking programs while others are regulated under the French or German education system.

Education in Ecuador

The Ecuadorian Constitution requires that all children attend school until they achieve a “basic level of education,” which is estimated at nine school years at around the age of 14. The cost of public education is free, but families often face significant additional expenses such as fees and transportation costs. This subsequently affects the ability of children from rural and poor families to attend school. Some research suggests that the country's educational infrastructure is one of the worst in Latin America. Net primary enrollment is around 96 percent, with 71 percent of children staying in school until the fifth grade. There are, however, several government initiatives in place to improve education and training in rural areas and to encourage children there to learn a trade.

Children begin school at the age of 6 and finish primary school at the age of 12. Secondary education comes in 2 phases, each lasting 3 years. If students complete the basic first phase they can go on to the second phase and possibly university education. If students wish to study at university then a degree course lasts between 4 and 7 years, depending upon the subject chosen. The school year may run from October to July or from April to December. Instruction is in Spanish, which can be a problem in some rural areas where the native children speak only their Indian language.

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Ecuador. There may be some local population, but the schools are usually geared for an international student body. Schools may follow a curriculum model from the US, UK, or France. Primary instruction may be any language (and multiple languages are usually taught), but it is usually in English, French, Spanish, or German. Schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam. Schools also provide internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate.

Admission and enrollment procedures vary from school to school. Space is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality. Tuition tends to be expensive based on local standards, but offers high standards of learning, boast smaller class sizes, first-rate facilities, and extracurricular. Boarding facilities are available at some schools, but most only provide day classes.

Accreditation & Membership

• The CoIS (Council of International Schools) is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which provides educational accreditation, teacher and leadership recruitment services, links to higher education, governance assistance and help with founding new schools.
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS-CASI) is a regional accreditation agency for US based schools.
• Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) is an association of religious schools.
• Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is an organization of Christian pre schools, elementary secondary, and post-secondary schools.

Guayaquil

American School of Guayaquil
Address: Av. Juan Tanca Marengo Km. 6.5 y Av. Gómez Gould / P.O. BOX 09-01-752
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Tel: (593) 3082020
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Opened in 1942 by Americans, this school offers bilingual (English/Spanish), bicultural education. It provides the IB program, and graduates may earn the bachillerato.

Inter-American Academy (IAA)
Address: Puerto Azul Km. 10.5 Via a la Costa
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Tel: (5934) 2991170
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

A private, co-educational, non-profit day school with English language instruction from nursery (age two) through grade twelve. Courses are college preparatory with a curriculum leading to a U.S. high school diploma. IAA is accredited by SACS and is recognized by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education.

German School in Guayaquil

Colegio Alemán Humboldt de Guayaquil
Address: Los Olivos
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Tel: (593-4) 2850260
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The German Humboldt School is funded from the Federal Republic of Germany and staffed as one of the over 100 German schools abroad. It provides bicultural, German language instruction. It is a non-profit governed by an association. German native speakers and German learners are taught together, with Spanish, French, and English also offered. Curriculum is based on Baden-Württemberg teaching curricula, following Ecuadorian and IBO guidelines.

Quito

Academia Cotopaxi American International School
Address: De las Higuerillas y Alondras
Monteserrín, Quito, Ecuador
Tel: (593-2) 246 7411
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Includes pre-school, lower school and High School with English language instruction. It offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and IB Program.

American School of Quito
Address: Manuel Benigno Cueva N80 - 190 Urb. Carcelén
Quito, Ecuador
Tel: (593) 2 3976 300
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Known in Spanish as Colegio Americano de Quito, the school was opened in 1940 and provides pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. The school is accredited by SACS and the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education and Culture. It is recognized by the International Baccalaureate Organization and offers Middle Years and Diploma. Graduates earn three diplomas: a high school diploma accredited in the United States, the Ecuadorian Bachillerato Unico and the I.B. Diploma.

Alliance Academy International (AAI)
Address: Casilla 17-11-06186
Quito, Ecuador
Tel: (593-2)226-7510
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

AAI has U.S. style of education based on the highest standards of educational excellence; and provide a caring community where students are taught to be critical in their thinking, multi cultural in their understanding, and compassionate in their dealings with others. The school is accredited by AdvancED (SACS CASI), ACSI, and the Ministry of Education of Ecuador.

Colegio Internacional SEK Los Valles
Address: León Febres Cordero s/n y de los Rosales
San Juan de Cumbayá, Cumbayá, Quito, Ecuador
Tel: (593-2) 3566220
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Bilingual (English/Spanish) school with children between 6 and 14.

Colegio Sebastián de Benalcázar
Address: Av. 6 de diciembre e irlanda
Quito, Ecuador
Tel: (02) 2435313 ext 17
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

A state funded, bilingual school that offers the IB Diploma Programme.

British School Quito
Address: Via Cununyacu, Km 2.5 Tumbaco / P. O. Box 17-21-52
Quito, Ecuador
Tel: (593 2) 2374 649 - 650-651
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The school follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales, with some adaptations for the requirements of the Ecuadorian curriculum. Spanish is taught to all classes. It offers the IB and the United States Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I). Entrance exams are required.

French School in Quito

Lycée franco-équatorien La-Condamine
Address: Casilla 17-11-6515 / Calle Japón Y Naciones Unidas
Quito, Equateur
Tel: (593-2) 292 10 90 - ext 102
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This French language school offers a primaire and collège / Lycée. The school provides French language instruction and supports the French National Education system with the support of CNED.