International Schools

Moving to Albania, like any other new country requires pre-planning.

For all expats moving to Albania with their families, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools. We’ve also included fee information for each school.

 

This list includes nursery schools, primary and secondary institution and high schools. Also, you’ll find information on International undergraduate programs and high learning certifications that Albania offers.

Albanian Curriculum Specifications

Some schools may follow American or British curriculum by implementing English speaking programs, while others are regulated under the French education system. International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student in Albania. In Albania most of the children that attend the international schools are children of diplomats, multinational corporation executives, NGO staff and Albanian Government personnel. The schools acquire a good mixer of students.

Many international schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools. Schools often provide additional accreditation such as the International Baccalaureate.

Admission and enrollment procedures

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

Accreditation

The CoIS (Council of International Schools) is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions that provides educational accreditation, teacher and leadership recruitment services, links to higher education, governance assistance, and help with founding new schools.

Quality Schools International (QSI) is a group of non-profit international schools offering education in the English language, in a number of countries in Europe, Asia, and South America. QSI is a member of the Central and Eastern European Schools Association for US Overseas schools.

MSA-CESS (Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools) is a voluntary, peer-based, non-profit association that performs peer evaluation and regional accreditation of public and private schools in the Mid-Atlantic United States and certain foreign institutions of American origin.

ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) is the largest Protestant educational organization in the world. Since 1978, ACSI has advanced excellence in Christian schools by enhancing the professional and personal development of Christian educators and providing support functions for Christian schools.

WASC-ACS stands for Western Association of Schools & Colleges – Accrediting Commission for Schools. WASC is recognized by the US Department of Education as an accrediting agency for schools below the college level. Included are elementary, junior high, middle, high and adult schools, whether public, private. WASC accreditation is recognized in the USA and worldwide.

International schools albania, International Schools

 

List of International Schools in Tirana

Tirana International School

Tirana International School is part of Quality School International (QSI). The full accreditation through the (MSA) ensures that students are receiving a universally recognized diploma that prepares them for a bright academic future.  

Advanced Placement program is offered in high school. Also, TIS is an IB Diploma Program candidate school.

Established in 1991, TIS is at the forefront of education of diplomatic and business dependents from around the world. TIS offers an inclusive program from 2 years old up to Secondary 4th. The school has students from over 35 countries, creating a diverse and interesting community that is welcoming to all newcomers.

TIS strives to create an environment in which students achieve exceptional academic, personal, and physical goals.

World Academy of Tirana

The World Academy of Tirana (WAT) is proud to be the first authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) School in Albania, since 2013.

As an IB World School (IB school code: 006795), the WAT IB continuum offers the IB Primary Years Program (PYP) (ages 3-11), IB Middle Years Program (MYP) (ages 11-15) and IB Diploma Program (DP) (ages 16-18).

WAT is recognized for providing a rich balance of learning in all subjects including very strong Arts and Health programs alongside the academic rigor of Math, Science, and other subjects.
At WAT, children from expatriate and local communities mix naturally to create a truly cosmopolitan, intellectual, learning environment.

English is the language of instruction but we provide support for speakers of languages other than English.
The school is exceptionally well resourced and offers inquiry-based learning centered around issues and ideas of local and global significance. Our students are encouraged and enabled to engage in action and service that promotes a better, more peaceful world.

Deutsch-Albanische Schule

Founded in 2016, DAS – Deutsch-Albanische Schule ( German-Albanian School) focuses on the model of the German education system.

It aims to bring an innovation process in the Albanian education system including the development of the teaching process in German and Albanian thus opening more opportunities for the future.

It is oriented by the Thuringen Land Curriculum and that of MES (Ministry of Education and Sports) thus responding to the demands and needs of the students.

 

 International Montessori Schools Albania

The first Montessori School in Tirana welcomes children from 2-6 years of age.
International staff, Montessori A.M.I. trained, will provide the best quality of teaching according to Montessori philosophy and methodology. Montessori curriculum and activities will be provided in English.

GDQ International Christian School

GDQ’s founders were among the first missionary families in Albania after the fall of communism in 1991. The school offers an international, academically enriching, biblical education to students ages 5 to 19.

GDQ is MSA-CESS (Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools) and ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) accredited, fully compliant with the Albanian Ministry of Education, and recognized by Cambridge International Examinations and the College Board as an official testing site.

Our curriculum and teaching resources pull from both British and U.S. standards. Class sizes run from 6 to 14 students, allowing for individualized and small group interaction between students and teachers.

Albanian International School

The Albanian International School (AIS) is an elite, boutique international school with small classes and a very student-centered approach to education.  The school caters to students from pre-school through 9th grade. AIS was founded in 2012. Graduates have successfully continued on to international high schools in Tirana and around the world and the school is a WASC (Western Association of Schools & Colleges) accredited school. The curriculum is Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Next Generation Science Standards, both of which are from the United States.

Albanian International School is conveniently located directly across from the U.S. Embassy in Tirana.

Albanian College Tirana

Albanian College Tirana has fully embraced the IB curriculum and offers a course of study that puts the students at the center. To prepare the students for life in a fast-paced and ever-changing world the programs concentrate heavily on inquiry and collaboration.

ACT students develop a wide range of effective, cognitive and social skills throughout their PYP, MYP and Diploma studies. These skills put them at the forefront of the learners that top universities embrace and prepare them to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Ecole Francaise De Tirana

French International School of Tirana

Following the curriculum of French education in cooperation between France and Albania.
Classes are offered from kindergarten to elementary school with French teachers approved by the Ministry of National Education of France.

Education is also offered in the Albanian language.

Tirana English School

Tirana English School is an early childhood learning center, Reggio Emilia inspired, play based program for children ages 2 to 5.

We highly value pro-social skills, literacy and hands on learning. Program includes afternoon sports and monthly fieldtrips.