International school openings create more options for families

With well over 15,000 international schools there are more choices than ever available but parents relocating abroad will do well to remember that much of that demand is being driven by locals too

Ledetta Asfa-Wossen

18 May 2026

International schools are expanding fast. All with the aim of helping students to develop into compassionate, capable and confident global citizens.Once concentrated to certain countries and regions, world-class education options for international assignees and their families are spreading to further cities across Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Africa - from Almaty to Sofia and Nairobi.According to an EY report ‘better family opportunities’ were among the big drivers for Gen Z, millennials and Gen X professionals choosing to take on an international assignment. The availability of good quality international schools in a country or city plays a major role in that.Across Asia it has been a busy year for international schools, with the continent offering even more options for discerning parents looking for a high-quality education.

New International schools in Thailand

A healthy expansion of international schools has been seen in Thailand with Bangkok growing as a regional education hub with multiple UK independent school branches, including Dulwich College Bangkok launching in August 2026.Wycombe Abbey International School in Bangkok is scheduled to open in August this year too and will introduce a comprehensive boarding programme for its international pupils, with a British curriculum pathway, including IGCSEs and A Levels, enabling students to access top universities worldwide. The new campus joins a network of Wycombe Abbey schools in Buckinghamshire, Hong Kong, Changzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and soon Singapore – in September 2028.SPGS International School Bangkok, Thailand - a subsidiary of St Paul’s Girl’s School is also launching in August 2026. The co-educational school offers a transformative learning experience for students aged 3-18. As well as Middleton International School Bangkok, which offers a K-12 pathway for children aged 2 to 18, providing a Reggio-inspired inquiry-based curriculum, the UK IPC, the Cambridge IGCSE, and International A-Levels.While Mill Hill School in the heart of Chiang Mai recently opened its very first overseas school in September 2025. The school caters to students with a British curriculum and is expanding its facilities throughout 2026, offering students a ‘forest school’ approach with a strong focus on character building.Adding to this wave of international schools in the Thailand region are also - Glenalmond Phuket International School – focused on early years and primary – expected to open later in 2026. As well as Highgate International School in Chonburi, currently taking enrolments for the pre-prep and junior school in August 2026, its senior school in 2027 and boarding school in 2028.

New International schools in India

Bedford School, a prestigious UK institution, recently launched its first overseas campus in Mohali, India. The new campus Bedford School Mohali claims to be ‘the first British international girls school in India and the first British school brand to establish itself in North India’.Other recent international school launches include Sagebrook International School in Hyderabad, India, which officially opened in early 2026 in partnership with UK-based Whitgift School. The K-12 school offers a British and IB curriculum and features such as an on-campus Parent Cafe and a co-working lounge, reflecting its belief that a child's education is strongest when school and family share the same space.While Shrewsbury International School in Bhopal, India, a co-educational British boarding school with a rich academic legacy and 150-acre campus was inaugurated in September 2025.

New International schools in China and Korea

Focused on innovation, digital literacy and entrepreneurship Harrow International School Guangzhou in China is scheduled to open in September 2026 in the Huangpu District and features an AISL FutureLab that integrates cutting-edge technologies and entrepreneurial skills into learning, providing students with immersive experiences.UK boarding school brand Benenden also recently announced a signed memorandum to potentially open a new international school campus in South Korea.

New International schools in Europe

New schools catering to both local families seeking British or International curricula and employees relocating families to Europe include Brighton College. Aimed at girls and boys aged 3-18, it plans to open three new international schools in different locations. The Madrid, Rome and Lisbon schools are expected to open in September 2027 and claim to offer cultural exchanges, educational trips, sports tours, inspiring learning spaces and collaborative learning experiences for students.The British School of Thessaloniki, Greece operated by Forfar Education is to open its doors in September 2026. The school offers British primary education to ages 4+ opening with Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.Ermitage International School has also announced the opening of a new international school in Bordeaux, located in the Caudéran district. Students aged 3 to 18 are said to benefit from a bilingual French-English education at Ermitage International School Bordeaux in a dynamic multicultural environment that offers small class sizes and an IB programme.In Spain, Coruña British International School has opened a new campus with plans to be fully operational in September 2026 for early years to sixth form. The school offers a values-based education with large amounts of green space, multiple sport and art venues and STEAM classrooms.

What are the top 5 countries for international schools?

China (1,117)India (991)UAE (898) the region also plans to open 36 new ‘future schools’ under its 2030 plan to be a global hub for education and economic opportunityPakistan (701)Indonesia (465)

Did you know?

78% internationals schools offering a hybrid curricula34% increase in internationals schools that are now accredited36% international schools offering bilingual provision27% total growth of fee income over 5 years38% international schools that are part of a school group, and 56% in development are group affiliatedSource:ISC Research

Looking for tips and advice on how to pick the best international school?

We have a wealth of education resources, from education webinars with providers, schools, consultants and experts on everything from admissions to learning.You can also find directories, articles and reports on our website. Don’t forget to catch up on our recent International Education & Schools Fair.

Find out more about the Think Global People and Think Women community and events.

Subscribe to Relocate Extra, our monthly newsletter, to get all the latest international assignments and global mobility news.Relocate’s new Global Mobility Toolkit provides free information, practical advice and support for HR, global mobility managers and global teams operating overseas.

©2026 Re:locate magazine, published by Profile Locations, Spray Hill, Hastings Road, Lamberhurst, Kent TN3 8JB. All rights reserved. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of Profile Locations. Profile Locations accepts no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any opinions expressed herein.