Best International Schools in Chicago
Diverse educational options for your children
4 Min Read
4 Min ReadThere are many great international schools to consider in Chicago. It’s important to do your homework on which ones are most accessible from the area you’re planning on moving to. Perhaps you’re looking for unique extracurriculars, or you want your child to become fluent in German or Polish? There are certainly options to suit all your education needs in this city!
Fortunately, Chicago is a great city for families, with many safe neighborhoods to call home. Lincoln Park is an upscale neighborhood with lots of family-friendly attractions like the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. There are also digital-based activities for kids who can learn how to code at Codeverse. The West Loop is another neighborhood that families love. It’s centrally located downtown, with plenty of green play areas outside. As well as lots of outdoor food markets and festivals for all ages during the summer season. If you’re looking for a family getaway and a natural change of scenery, beautiful hiking destinations are only a couple of hours away. 
These are the best international schools in Chicago to consider for your children. We’ve included the features, programs, and criteria worth knowing before making a decision.
If possible, we recommend paying a visit to tour the schools you’ve shortlisted in person before enrolling.
British School of Chicago
Located in the central South Loop neighborhood, the British School of Chicago teaches students from the ages of 3 to 18 with the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. From pre-nursery up to fifth grade, students are encouraged to succeed through core values of personalized learning, and innovative, hands-on educational experiences. There are 36+ nationalities that make up the 600 strong student body on this global campus. The main language of instruction is English, with additional languages taught including Spanish, French, and Chinese.
This is also a great international school to consider if you have a child who seeks to discover their potential in the performing arts. With the Juilliard-Nord Anglia Performing Arts Programme students can experience world-class education in music, dance, and drama. Extracurricular activities range from athletics to music and art. Including, participating in the school orchestra, choir or drama programs. Alternatively, there are sporty activities and training such as basketball, rugby and soccer clubs, or your child can join the cross-country team if they love running.
Facilities:
- 74,000 square foot purpose-built school campus
- Rooftop playground
- Interactive whiteboards in all classrooms
- iPads, 3D printers, and design software
- Robotics Lab, Design Lab, and Makerspace
- Onsite nurse and multisensory room
German School of Chicago
The German School of Chicago has a mission to educate children from pre-kindergarten to 8th grade to be well-rounded, creative and responsible global citizens. The world-class curriculum is taught in dual-language German/English following the Primary Years Program (PYP) and International Baccalaureate (IB). Extracurricular programs include homework help, yoga, coding and more, which make it one of the highest-rated international schools in Chicago
Wondering why learning German can be beneficial? A dual-language education with German can benefit your child communicating within Europe and with future career prospects. German is the second most widely spoken mother tongue in the European Union and many German-speaking countries operate subsidiaries in the United States.
Facilities:
- Morning school bus service with convenient pick-up locations
- Fresh, nourishing hot and cold lunches
- Classroom smart boards, laptops, and iPads
- Library with German, English, French reading, viewing, and listening materials
- Free weekly playgroup up to the age of three
Lycée Français de Chicago
The Lycée Français de Chicago is a co-educational school with a mix of both American and international students aged 3 to 18. They can choose to follow either the French Baccalaureate or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program. Instruction is provided in French and English.
The light-filled campus is located near the cultural Wicker Park neighborhood, where the school cultivates in-the-community partnerships for student learning. Core values of respect, responsibility, and the joy of teaching and learning are instilled in over 730 students. The Lycée provides a welcoming multicultural community with the mission to nurture students into global ambassadors.
Facilities:
- State-of-the-art library
- Full-size gymnasium
- Playgrounds, a soccer field, and a basketball court
- Parking and a private drive for student pick-up and drop-off
Pulaski International School of Chicago
Embracing a mother tongue and nurturing second language skills are key to the holistic learning environment at Pulaski International School of Chicago. A broad-based International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum is taught to internationally-minded students from preschool to eighth grade. Subjects include Spanish language acquisition, literacy, math, performing arts, and physical and health education.
Pulaski’s after-school programs are designed to increase students’ self-esteem and sense of accomplishment. They range from athletic clubs and arts activities to more specialized subjects like knitting, coding, chess or creative writing. If you have a gifted child that is Spanish speaking, they can apply to the International Gifted Bilingual Program for English learners. It’s worth noting that the school does have boundaries for admissions within the Bucktown neighborhood.
Facilities:
- Outdoor classrooms and a sensory garden
- Parent workshops and resources
- Before and after school care with “J at School”
- Farm to School school meals program integrating locally sourced ingredients
