In Bangladesh, English-medium schools are the third most popular medium of instruction after madrasa and Bangla-medium. And within that group of schools, there is a variety of curriculums offered. Choosing a school for your child(ren) is one of the most important decisions you face as a parent. And the choice has grown harder, since a number of quality English-medium schools have opened their doors to students in recent years.
What to look for in choosing a school
When choosing a school for your child, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- A location that does not put your child through a long, tiresome commute.
- Medium of instruction should match your value-system and expectations.
- Make sure that teacher training is a regular activity for the school.
- Safe physical development and play facilities.
- A well stocked library is a good sign that the school values reading.
- Mandatory Bangla-language curriculum.
- Equipped IT and STEAM labs and curriculums
- Wide variety of extra-curricular clubs to allow your child to explore their interests.
- Student body size and status should match that of your family system. Enrolling a shy child into a large school may add extra social pressure.
- Parent relations are important to how you are involved in your child’s school life. Choose a school where parents play an active role, and you feel that you are among peers.
- High tuition fees are not always a sign of quality of tuition.
Here is the CholPori list of a selection of new English-medium schools which we hope will help to orient you if you are considering this as the medium of instruction. Read our list of legacy English-medium schools to get an overview of the leading institutions in this segment.
Location: Sun Valley, United City
Curriculum: Cambridge Curriculum
Founding Year: 2023
Glenrich International School, a division of the STS Group in Bangladesh, is dedicated to providing 21st-century education in a nurturing environment. It’s the first school in Bangladesh that offers robotics education, a rollerskating rink, French language learning program accredited by Alliance Francaise, and a unique music learning program from the Royal Academy. Branded as a ‘School of Life’, Glenrich helps its students to excel academically and grow-up into well-rounded individuals who contribute meaningfully to society.
Glenrich International School
Location: Mamarishpur, Dhamshur, Bhaluka
Curriculum: full British education from 11-16 years of age, followed by the International Baccalaureate Diploma (16-18 years)
Grades: Years 7 to 9 (ages 11 to 14), Years 10 to 11 (Ages 14 to 16), Years 12 to 13 (ages 16 to 18)
Admission Fee: USD 8000 (BDT 884109.60)
Monthly Tuition Fee: USD 34,500/ BDT 3812722.65 (paid in 3 instalments: June, November, and March)
Haileybury is a boys’ school and offers a boarding programme. The school’s campus covers a vast 850 acres, offering students a peaceful environment for learning and personal growth. The school provides a comprehensive education that encourages overall development through challenging academics that enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Additionally, students can engage in a variety of activities, including 16 types of sports, leadership programs like Model United Nations, chess, and debate, as well as clubs focused on arts and sciences, such as origami, music, drama, handicrafts, animation, robotics, architecture, aquaculture and more.
Location: Gulshan
Curriculum: IB
Founding Year: 2018
Admission Fee: BDT 400,000
Monthly Tuition Fee: BDT 175,500 – 216,000
Aurora is a sister school of Scholastica, dedicated to maximising every student’s potential and diversity. Teachers collaborate with parents to create personalised counselling and education plans for special needs students. Rich activity program for older students, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Model United Nations, and theatre. Early Program classroom facilities include dramatic play and reading corners, puzzle, blocks and manipulatives stations, and lots of arts resources.
Australian International School
Location: Khilkhet
Founding Year: 2002
Curriculum: IB
Admission Fee: USD 600 – 800/ BDT 66308.22 – 88410.96
Monthly Tuition Fee: USD 4,760 (BDT 526045.21) and up
Grades: All
The school has facilities including well-equipped IT and science laboratories, two playgrounds, a 4,500 sq ft. auditorium with a sitting capacity of 430 people, two swimming pools for mandatory swimming lessons from years 1 to 8, and a rich library.
Springdale International School
Location : Gulshan-2
Founding Year: 2021
Curriculum: IB
Admission Fee: BDT 300,000
Tuition Fee (Per Term): BDT 62,000
Grades: Pre-School, Nursery, Pre-K, Kindergarten, Grade 1 to Grade 12
The Springdale International School offers an immersive educational journey from preschool through K12 and holds the distinction of being an IB-accredited institution. They prioritize inquiry-based, project-based learning (PBL), and service learning methodologies. Their curriculum is intentionally crafted to ignite curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and foster holistic development. From foundational motor skill development to a diverse range of extracurricular activities, including sports like basketball, football, and cricket, as well as engaging STEM, arts, and language programs, they are committed to providing a well-rounded educational experience.
Location: Gulshan 1
Founding Year: 2021
Curriculum: Islamic and Cambridge
Admission Fee: BDT 120,000 -160,000
Monthly Tuition Fee: BDT 15,000 – 25,000
Grades: Playgroup, Nursery, KG-1, KG-2, Grade 1- Grade 10
At GIS, students are immersed in an Islamic curriculum and environment. Educators and administration is responsible for the holistic and spiritual development of the pupils. Islamic education curriculum includes Aqeedah and Akhlaq, Fiqh, the history of Islamic culture, the Qur’an and Hadith, Arabic language. GIS also provides a unique opportunity to the students to become a Hafez/a.
Location: Lalmatia, Uttara, Mirpur
Founding Year: 2015
Curriculum: Pearson EdExcel and Cambridge
Admission Fee: BDT 1,00,000 (Playgroup-KG) and BDT 1,20,000-1,50,000 (Std. 1 to Std. 8)
Monthly Tuition Fee: BDT 8,500 – 21,000
Grades: Playgroup – A-levels
An Islamic English-medium school with three branches in Lalmatia, Uttara, and Mirpur. The curriculum includes Arabic language,Islamic Studies, and sensorial exercises. AIS prioritises mental and spiritual growth. Pupils are involved in 5+ hours of Hifzul Quran studies 6 days a week.
Pledge Harbour International School (Boarding)
Location: Gazipur
Founding Year: 2011
Curriculum: IB curriculum
Grades: KG – Grade 12
Pledge Harbour International School has a 27-acre campus in Mawna, Gazipur and is Bangladesh’s only IB accredited boarding school. In 2016, the school first implemented the Diploma Programme authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organization. For its primary years Programme (PYP), PHIS ensures that their students receive a comprehensive and enriching educational experience.
Location: Munshiganj
Founding Year: 2016
Curriculum: Pearson Edexcel
Student Body Size:
Admission Fee:
Grades: Playgroup – A level
Founded in 2016, GPHIS is an English-medium school situated in Circuit House, Munshiganj Sadar. It follows the Pearson Edexcel curriculum. GPHIS creates a quality learning environment for its students by pursuing academic excellence alongside co-curricular activities including festivals, study tours, music and craft, sports, etc.
Location: Mirpur
Founding Year: 2016
Curriculum: Cambridge curriculum
Grades: playgroup – A level
The school follows Cambridge curriculum and has separate sections for pre-school, junior school, senior school, and O/A-level. OIS provides a wide variety of extracurricular options, such as sports, music, drama, academic clubs, field trips, and outings.
While the choice of school has a lasting impact on a child’s development, it is a combination of curriculum and parental involvement that contributes to their success. At CholPori, we encourage parents to play an active role in their child’s learning, whatever medium or school they learn in. Make time for a daily check-in on their progress and carve out a space and time for reading together. For English-medium parents seeking to nurture Bangla-reading skills we offer a library of books with a read-aloud feature to enable your child to grow confident with their mother-tongue.
In our next listing, we will look at the tools available to parents to support their children in learning, reading and emotional regulation.
