International schools in México

Search for the best international schools in México; you can find a list at the bottom of this page. Use the search filters to select only girls' or boys' schools, prep schools, senior schools or sixth forms; or you can search for schools that offer a particular curriculum, such as the International Baccalaureate, the UK national curriculum, a US-style model or the International Primary Curriculum.

Home to the world’s largest Spanish-speaking population, México has seen explosive growth in demand for education over recent decades. The number of students at state secondary schools rose by four million from 1970 to 2000 and the population grew by more than one per cent a year from 2015 to 2020.

As the government faces the dual challenge of rapidly building more schools and implementing reforms to raise educational standards, a growing number of middle class Méxican families have turned to the private sector, fuelling growth in international education.

There are now more than 150 international schools across the country, with most centred on México City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Many established schools follow an American curriculum, while others offer German, Swiss or British programmes.

There are also many Spanish-medium international schools catering primarily to local families, as well as bilingual and dual-curriculum schools. Of Mexico’s 123 IB World Schools, 116 teach in Spanish and 87 in English, with over half of the total offering bilingual instruction in the two languages.  A total of 79 schools are authorised to teach the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

The Association of American Schools in México has 19 members, including historic schools such as The American School Foundation México City, which offers the IB Diploma, the American high school diploma and México’s bachillerato to 2,500 students of more than 40 nationalities. 

Parents are advised to check that schools are accredited by México’s education secretariat, a leading university or an accrediting body such as Cognia, formerly known as AdvancEd, or the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.  

Education is compulsory for 15 years from age three to 18, including three years of early childhood education. In the state system, primary and secondary education each last six years, with the latter divided into lower and upper stages. In 2019, net enrolment was 69 per cent in pre-schools, 95 per cent for primary education, and 81 per cent at secondary level, while gross tertiary enrolment was 43 per cent, according to UNESCO. 

If you are looking specifically for International Baccalaureate World Schools in México, you can find selected schools on our sister website: www.ibyb.org.