International Education in Stockholm
⇩ Scroll directly to the list of top 5 best schools in Stockholm ⇩
Many people believe that Sweden is the ‘perfect’ country. Like anywhere else Sweden does have its problems, but there are many things that it does well. Education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and gender equality are just a few! Sweden’s capital city, Stockholm, also has a highly diverse international community with excellent facilities for expats. This includes a wide choice of international schools, the oldest of which has been around since 1981.
Sweden’s education system is considered one of the best in the world, and public schools are free. So why opt for an international school? Stockholm’s international schools offer a variety of curricula instead of the national Swedish one. These include the International Baccalaureate, German, British and French curricula. If Stockholm won’t be your permanent home, then choosing an alternative curriculum will keep your child’s education consistent over time.
Because Sweden’s education system is excellent, it’s rare (although not unheard of) for local Swedish children to attend international schools in Stockholm. The student body in the city’s international schools is usually very diverse, which gives your child a chance to mix with kids from many different cultures and countries.
90% of Swedes speak English as a second language, and speak it to an exceptionally high standard. So if your child’s proficiency in the English language is a priority, then you will have absolutely nothing to worry about in any of Stockholm’s international schools. Most of them offer both English and Swedish as languages of instruction, or the language of the curriculum the school teaches (e.g., German, French etc.). In general language education is viewed as very important in Sweden.
The good news doesn’t end there. You’ll be glad to hear that fee-charging schools are rare throughout Sweden, and this includes international schools in Stockholm. Certain schools, if they receive approval from the Swedish National Agency for Education, receive government funding and so do not charge tuition fees. They are known as ‘friskolor’, and several of Stockholm’s international schools fall into this category. Certain schools exist outside of this system however, so do check if a school is fee-paying before enrolling your child!
International schools are scattered throughout Stockholm. The biggest concentration of schools is in Sodermalm and Norrmalm, the areas just south and north of the city centre. The northern suburb of Danderyd is also a popular location, and you will find other international schools in the outer suburbs too. Outside of Stockholm you can find international schools in the next biggest cities, Malmo and Gothenburg. Stockholm has the biggest and best choice, however.
Below, we have compiled the top 5 international schools in Stockholm according to our users. However, there are another 12 schools to choose from in the city. You can find the best international school for your child by personalising your results. Just fill in your search criteria, and we will calculate a personal score for every international school in Stockholm based on your requirements.
