Top 3 international schools in Los Angeles

These international schools in Los Angeles offer a bilingual curriculum, arts and sports programs that foster a great education for your child.

By Editorial Team

Published: May 1, 2019

international schools in los angeles school campus with classroom buildings and outdoor space

Whether you’re a new or current resident, finding the best international schools in Los Angeles could be a tedious process. You want to spend time visiting the schools in person and reviewing your list of top contenders.

Although this may add stress to your life, it’s an important decision for you and your children.

Another important decision is moving to a good neighborhood in L.A.

However, without knowing the complete landscape of this dynamic city, that can be hard.

But, no need to fret, Blueground has done a lot of this hard work for you. Blueground apartments are modern, fully furnished, and located in L.A.’s top neighborhoods.

In addition, with easy access to freeways, schools, and public transport, dropping your kids off at school is convenient. The process of choosing their school might not be an easy one, but choosing your home can be.

The International School of Los Angeles

Group of school kids running in a school corridor

In 1978, several diverse leaders established the International School of Los Angeles. They envisioned a school that would prepare students for life in an international community.

Today, the school receives recognition as a leading academic private high school.

For that reason, they continue to commit to academic excellence. There are five campuses located throughout the greater Los Angeles region. The grade levels include preschool, elementary, middle, and high school.

Mission

At the International School of Los Angeles, students learn from various points of view. And the diverse and small class sizes help to foster discussions among students. They’re challenged to consider varying perspectives and opinions while sharing their own. The immersion into a multicultural environment teaches students about their own culture.

As a result, they learn how it’s different, yet similar to their classmates.

This school has several accreditations by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), and the French Ministry of Education.

Preschool to high school students learn a bilingual program. They learn to read, write, and speak both English and French by the end of their elementary education.

After-school program and athletics

Art, drawing, and painting classes
Ballet and tap dance
Basketball, soccer, tennis, and volleyball
Capoeira
Chess
Choir
Cooking: French and plant-based
Fencing
Green energy robotics
Improvisation
Intro to coding with Scratch (programming language)
Running club
Spanish club
Tae Kwon Do
Yoga classes for Kindergarten to second grade

LILA Quick Facts

Tuition (K-5): $20,250
Tuition (6-12): $21,325 – $24,050
Total enrolment: 1128
Total nationalities represented: 64
Founded: 1978
Area: Los Feliz

Goethe International Charter School (GICS)

Goethe International Charter School is a TK – 5 school. They offer a dual-language German immersion program and an International Baccalaureate Programme.

Their mission statement is: “To create a multi-lingual and international educational environment that advances the knowledge, critical thinking and personal development of our students.

And to prepare them to be self-motivated citizens who will thrive in the global world.”

GICS’s curriculum derives from the California State Common Core Standards. From third grade to fifth grade, students take part in the German language acquisition program.

Even more, during these same years, students also take Spanish classes.

Students learn from proven strategies so that their education is meaningful and successful. Furthermore, students get the opportunity to explore their curiosity and creativity.

Art

international schools in los angeles a paint set and colored pencil set laying on top of a white table

Besides the primary education, students also receive art and physical education. The art classes are an integral part of their complete education. Some of the art topics include creative expression, historical context, and aesthetic valuing.

Physical Education

Physical education classes help ensure the proper development of children’s fine and gross motor skills. The program at GICS is standards-based. It teaches students how to properly interact socially and cooperate with their classmates. Students receive physical education instruction for at least 200 minutes every ten school days.

For the 2019-2020 school year, the Goethe International Charter School is opening up a middle school for grades six through eight.

GICS Quick Facts

Tuition: $0
Total Enrolment: 434
Total languages spoken by student body: 27
Founded: 2009
Area: Marina del Rey

The Raymond and Esther Kabbaz High School

Located in West Los Angeles, Raymond and Esther Kabbaz High School is a modern facility that accommodates up to 340 students.

international schools in los angeles hundreds of books lined up on a library book shelf

The school contains many classrooms, science labs, and an art room. Other offerings include a library, technology center, community room, and gymnasium. Students have the option to select from the International School Program or the French School Program.

The International School Program

This program is ideal for students who want to attend college in the United States (of which L.A. certainly has no shortages). Also, this program is well-suited for students who wish to learn English. The preparatory curriculum meets the requirements for college and beyond. Classes get taught in English except for the French classes and other language classes. Students receive an analytical European style of education. This means they learn how to develop their organizational and critical thinking skills. Even more, students learn to form views inclusive of societal and cultural perspectives. For these reasons, they are one of the best international schools in Los Angeles.

The French School Program

Students who choose the French School Program must be fluent in French by the sixth grade. Also, students must desire to pursue the French Baccalaureate or the Franco-American Baccalaureate. This program is rigorous and traditional, incorporating teaching elements from the 18th-century. It’s regulated by the French Ministry of Education. Programs and teaching curriculums get updated many times throughout the year.

Art and choir

Art and choir play a significant part in the students’ education. Most noteworthy, students can take AP Studio Art classes and attend field trips to the art museums in Los Angeles. These trips inspire new levels of creativity for the students who attend. For those students who take part in the choir, they get to perform during the school’s holiday shows and talent shows. Furthermore, they learn how to record music with the direction of world-renowned artists. Both French and American songs are the source of inspiration for recitals and other events.