In Tbilisi, the school largely decides where a family lives: driving a child across town in traffic is no fun. So here, no fluff — how the curricula differ and what they mean for university, real schools with addresses and districts, live price ranges, how admission works, and which district to look for housing in for a specific school.
- The curriculum matters more than the school: IB is the most universal diploma, British (A-Level) → UK universities, American (AP/SAT) → US universities.
- Fees per year: premium (QSI, GZAAT) — 29,000–31,000 GEL (~$11–12k), IB/European — 13,000–20,000 GEL, affordable Georgian-international — 7,000–10,000 GEL.
- Apply in spring for September: top schools have waiting lists.
- Most schools are on the west side (Saburtalo, Bagebi, Vake); housing is easier to look for nearby.
The map shows international schools in Tbilisi per Google data; each school below has an "on the map" link to its point.
First — the curriculum: IB, British or American
Start here: the curriculum determines where it's easier to apply later, and it can't be "switched mid-way" without losses.
| Curriculum | Exams | Where to apply | Schools in Tbilisi |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB (International Baccalaureate) | PYP → MYP → DP (diploma 16–18) | Universities worldwide | New School, Newton, European |
| British | IGCSE (15–16), A-Level (17–18) | UK and Commonwealth | BIST, Buckswood, St. George's |
| American | High School Diploma, AP, SAT | USA | QSI, GZAAT, "Progress" |
If you don't yet know where your child will apply, choose IB — it's recognized almost everywhere and doesn't tie you to one country.
International schools in Tbilisi
QSI International School of Tbilisi
Operating since 1995, accredited by the Middle States Association (US) since 1999 — one of the city's most established schools. About 250 students from 35 countries, a 5,600 m² campus. Fees roughly 18,000–29,500 GEL/year; scholarships of 10–95% for select Georgian citizens.
New School — International School of Georgia
Georgia's first school with the full IB continuum (since 2007). Large: about 850 students from 40 countries. It has a gym, basketball court, a boarding residence with pool and gardens, an EAL programme for non-native English speakers (small groups + after-school immersion), and language options (English, Georgian, Russian, French, Spanish). €250 enrolment deposit.
European School
The largest international school — over 1,800 students from 36 countries. In 2022 it became Georgia's first school accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS). Buildings A/B/C + a kindergarten, labs, a FabLab (STEAM), and its own SAT and AP exam center (College Board).
British International School of Tbilisi (BIST)
Over 520 students from 50+ countries. A campus by Lisi Lake: Innovation Centre, performing-arts spaces, a large sports and recreation complex. Scholarships from 30% to 100% for the strongest candidates. A pure British track to UK universities.
Newton Free School
Founded in 2013. Labs, an indoor gym, an open field, a swimming pool. Transparent fees (2025/26): preschool €4,500, primary (1–5) €5,000, middle (6–8) €5,500, upper middle (9–10) €6,000 per year (in GEL equivalent).
The Guivy Zaldastanishvili American Academy (GZAAT)
Founded in 2001, 375 students — one of the most prestigious and selective schools. It admits ~72 a year, mostly into grade 8, via in-house tests (English + math) and an interview. Graduates have been accepted to 400+ universities worldwide with multi-million scholarships. Fees (2026/27): grade 8 19,500 GEL, grades 9–12 31,000 GEL/year.
Buckswood International School Tbilisi
A partner of Buckswood School (Hastings, UK). Two campuses; the Gelovani campus has boarding (a dormitory). The school doesn't publish fees.
St. George's British-Georgian School (BGS)
One of the first British-oriented schools (since 2003) and Georgia's only registered Pearson Edexcel exam center — IGCSE and A-Level exams are taken right at the school. Keeps fees affordable for local families.
Deutsche Internationale Schule Tbilissi
An official German school abroad — part of Germany's network of 140+ Auslandsschulen; graduates receive the German Abitur (a direct path to universities in Germany and Austria). The Bagebi campus opened in 2017. Fees: kindergarten ~10,290 GEL/year (13,355 with meals), primary/secondary — up to 19,670 GEL/year, a one-time admission fee of 1,750 GEL.
École Française du Caucase
Founded in 2006, part of France's official network of schools abroad (AEFE) — the French diploma is recognized in France without any equivalency procedure. Over 500 students, 48 teachers from 27 countries, its own canteen. For French-speaking families and those aiming for education in France.
Georgian-American School "Progress"
A large network — about 2,500 students across three campuses. Graduates receive both a Georgian certificate and an American diploma; the school prepares for SAT/IELTS/TOEFL and helps with admissions. Affordable fees: from ~7,000 GEL/year (grades 1–4) to ~9,000 GEL/year (grades 10–12).
Batumi
Fewer options than Tbilisi, but growing with the expat inflow. The main ones: British International School of Batumi (British curriculum) and the Batumi campus of Georgian-American School "Progress" (American). Some families choose Georgian private schools with strong English. 📍 Batumi schools on the map
How much it costs
Per-year benchmarks — fees are revised annually, get exact figures from the school:
| Segment | Cost per year | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Premium (American, selective) | 29,000–31,000 GEL | QSI (18,000–29,500), GZAAT (upper grades 31,000) |
| IB and European | 13,000–20,000 GEL (or €4,500–6,000) | Newton, Deutsche Schule (up to 19,670) |
| Affordable Georgian-international | 7,000–10,000 GEL | "Progress" (7,000–9,000), St. George's |
| Preschool groups | from ~4,500 GEL | QSI, Newton (€4,500) |
Almost everywhere, on top of tuition: a one-time registration fee (QSI $300), an entrance-testing fee, sometimes a deposit, and separately — meals, transport, clubs. Full grade-by-grade price lists are rarely published — ask the admissions office.
How to get in
- Apply early. The main intake is in spring for September; popular schools (QSI, New School, European) have waiting lists, especially in the middle grades and mid-year.
- Entrance testing — almost always: English + math for the age level, sometimes an interview. On transfer, records for the last 1–2 years are reviewed.
- Not a native English speaker? Ask about EAL/ESL support — it's not everywhere; in younger grades the language is picked up faster.
- Documents: the child's passport/residence permit, birth certificate, records and a medical/vaccination card; a translation into English or Georgian is often needed.
Decide on the school before renting/buying housing — moving to a convenient district is easier than sitting in traffic to a school across town every day.
Which district to live in for a school
Most strong international schools are on the west side of Tbilisi, in prestigious green districts:
| District | Nearby schools | About the district |
|---|---|---|
| Saburtalo | QSI (Topuria St.), European School (Kazbegi Ave.), St. George's (by the Sports Palace) | a developed district with a metro, lots of new builds and rentals |
| Bagebi | New School, Deutsche Schule | a quiet green slope next to Vake — the priciest "expat" district |
| Lisi Lake | BIST | a green area by the lake on the western edge, new development |
| Tskneti / Saguramo (out of town) | Buckswood (Tskneti), Newton (Saguramo) | space and nature, but budget for the commute to the center |
Estimate rent and purchase prices near a school and browse listings in search and on the map, and price dynamics by district in the district pulse.