You will find below a list of the most popular international schools for expats in Palestine with fee information. The list includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools for you to find the right school to prepare for the International Baccalaureate and other accreditation in Palestine. Schools usually follow the American curriculums with English speaking program, although there is a German and French option.

Education in Palestine

The educational system in Palestine is dministered by the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Schools are usually split into boys’ schools, girls’ schools, and co-educational schools. There has been an effort to standardize teaching with national textbooks in all subjects issued in 2000. Palestinian education is reliant on foreign aid. Enrollment is fairly high at roughly 80 percent and literacy rates are also quite high.

Pre-school is available from 4 years old til 6. Compulsory education is from grades 1 to 10. It is divided into preparatory stage (Grades 1 to 4) followed by empowerment stage (Grades 5 to 10). There is a graduating examination, known as General Secondary Education Examination, in Grade 9. Elective secondary education includes grades 11 and 12 where they earn the Palestinian high school degree (Tawjihi). After this stage, high-achieving students can apply for university within the country and abroad.

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (primarily multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Palestine. International schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam.

There is usually local population, as well as an international student body. Schools may follow a curriculum model from the US, UK, France, etc. Primary instruction may be any language (and multiple languages are usually taught), but it is usually in English. 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

• Council of International Schools (CoIS) 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.
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) is among the premier accrediting associations in the world.
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is an official academic body responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools.

International School on the West Bank

Al-Jinan International School
Address: PO Box: 413 / Al-Ersal St.
Amaar Building, 6th floor; Ramallah, Palestine
Tel: 972 2 2421966
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Al-Jinan International School is focused on technology and coding classes from elementary to high school through a structured curriculum and progressive approach. It was established by a group of well-known academics and business professionals from Jenin. The modern campus includes a multipurpose hall.

American School of Palestine (ASP)
Address: 15 Beit Nabala Street,
El-Bireh, Palestine
Tel: 972 2 242-5928/9
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

ASP is a bilingual (English and Arabic) international school for students from kindergarten to 12th grade. It was founded in 1995 by Palestinian youth returning from North America. It is a well respected educational institution with courses in Arabic from grades 1-6 and English from 7-12. Students are taught an AMerican curriculum and prepare for the SAT tests, which are required for Tawjihi equivalency (local twelfth grade certificate). The American School of Palestine is licensed by the Palestinian Ministry of Education.

Pioneers Baccalaureate School (PBS)
Address: Beit Iba
Nablus, West Bank, Palestine
Tel: 972 9 234-4765
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Pioneers is a bilingual (English/Arabic), international education for students from Kindergarten to 12th grade. PBS students receive an American High School Diploma. Students may also study for Tawjihi equivalence. This is earned by taking and passing the SAT I and six subject SAT II exams. These exams stretch from 10th-12th grade and are required for all students. Religion classes focus on Islam and Christianity. Along with rigorous academic courses there are extracurriculars and physical education.

Ramallah Friends School (RFS)
Mail Address: PO Box 7
Beit JalaVia Israel
Tel: 972 2 2741247
Tuition Rates: $3,515 - 5,230 per year

RFS is based on Quaker principles for students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. It has a Lower School and Upper Campuses and is an authorized IB school. It includes facilities like high tech science laboratories, educational garden, 250-seat auditorium, turf football field and track, indoor basketball court, and gymnasium.

French International School on the West Bank

Lycée Français International de Ramallah
Address: Ramallah Industrial Zone near Mukhmas Fun Land
Ramallah, Palestine
Tel: 970 (0) 594 103 103
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The Lycée Français International de Ramallah is the only school in Palestine to provide French, English and Arabic programs. It was begun as a pre-kindergarten. Curriculum is based on the French system with classes taught in French. The school operates under the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs and is run in conjunction with the AEFE (Agency for the Teaching of French Abroad). 

German International School on the West Bank

Educational Centre of Talitha Kumi
Address: P.O Box 66
Ramallah, Palestine
Tel: 970 2 295 2286
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The school of Talitha Kumi provides classes from first grade to high-school. The complex includes a kindergarten, a community college, a boarding school for girls, as well as a large guest house. Talitha Kumi is part of the international network of German Foreign Schools. They follow the Palestinian curriculum in elementary school and add German as a foreign language in second grade. From seventh grade onwards, students can choose between the national curriculum or the international curriculum. The national curriculum leads to the Palestinian high school degree (Tawjihi), while the international program concludes with the German International Abitur (DIAP).

International School in Gaza

American International School in Gaza (AISG)
Address: Nazareth Street
Gaza, Palestine
Tel: 72 8 2880440/1
Tuition Rates: 5,750 - 11,500 New Shekel per year

AISG is an elite international school situated in Gaza. It is co-educational and caters to primary and secondary school, with a kindergarten, an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. All courses at AISG are in English and are designed to be part of a college/university preparatory Program of Study, leading to an American High School Diploma and preparing for the SAT with an Advanced Placement Program.