Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Choosing a school for your children is already a challenge. Doing so in a foreign country, with a different education system, another language, and specific enrollment rules, can become a real obstacle course. Slovenia, a small Central European country known for its safety, nature, and the quality of its public school system, nevertheless has a far richer international offering than one might imagine at first glance.
Families can choose from several programs (British, American, French, European, IB) and types of institutions (subsidized public or premium private), particularly in Ljubljana and Maribor. This article, based on specialized reports and analyses, aims to guide them in their selection.
A Booming International Education Landscape
For years, the presence of international schools in Slovenia remained marginal: a handful of institutions totaled barely a hundred students. Everything changed in 2008 with the arrival of the British International School of Ljubljana (BISL) and the momentum driven by its founder, Jeremy Hibbins. In just a few years, enrollment in international schools exploded: the total number of students surpassed the 500 mark, after more than two decades of stagnation.
Today, three Slovenian cities—Ljubljana, Maribor, and Koper—are developing international schools covering a broad educational spectrum.
However, sector experts highlight a structural weakness: the dispersion of students. Analyses estimate that a truly “strong” institution should gather around 300 to 500 students, from kindergarten to high school, to guarantee a very wide range of subjects, options, and activities. To date, no international school in Slovenia falls within this range. Some observers even go so far as to say it would be preferable to have two medium-sized schools, or one very robust one (around 1,000 students), rather than a multitude of small structures.
Despite this, the current offering has considerable strengths: internationally recognized programs, cultural diversity, small class sizes, strong student support, and often, a very green environment, reflecting the country itself.
British International School of Ljubljana: The British Reference
Among Slovenian international schools, the British International School of Ljubljana (BISL) stands out as the flagship. Located in Ljubljana-Črnuče, north of the capital, it illustrates the rise of international education in the country.
An Institution with a Reach Far Beyond Slovenia
Founded in 2008, BISL first operated in other neighborhoods of Ljubljana before settling in a completely renovated former industrial site in Črnuče. Within a few years, the school became the largest international school in the country, with over 230 students and impressive enrollment growth: from 22 students in the late 2000s to nearly 240 a decade later. The student body brings together children from over 40 countries, making it a particularly cosmopolitan microcosm.
The school follows the National Curriculum for England from Early Years to Sixth Form, prepares for IGCSE and A-Level exams, and is accredited by prestigious networks: COBIS, Cambridge International, and CIS. It is also part of the Orbital Education group, which specializes in British schools abroad.
In 2021, an inspection conducted by PENTA International, an organization authorized by the UK Department for Education to assess British Schools Overseas, awarded BISL the rating “Outstanding in every category.” This type of recognition, already rare in the UK, is even more remarkable for an institution located in a non-English-speaking country.
Table – Key Data on the British International School of Ljubljana
| Element | Key Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Cesta 24. junija 92, 1231 Ljubljana – Črnuče |
| School Group | Orbital Education Group |
| Student Age Range | Approx. 2/3 to 18 years old |
| Nationalities Represented | Over 40 |
| Curriculum | National Curriculum for England, IGCSE, A-Levels |
| Key Accreditations | COBIS, Cambridge, CIS, PENTA Inspection: “Outstanding” |
| School Size | Over 230 students (strong growth since 2008) |
| Language of Instruction | English |
A Highly Structured School Culture
BISL promotes a fairly “classic” positioning: a traditional British education combined with highly personalized follow-up. The highlighted values—excellence, respect, responsibility, integrity, compassion—structure the school’s mission and daily life. The common language is English, spoken by all students and teachers, most of whom are trained in the UK.
Discover our school’s modern spaces and facilities, designed to enrich the learning experience and promote student development.
A building of over 1,100 m² including a recently renovated courtyard and playground for relaxation.
Science labs, art studios, and dedicated spaces for music and theater for artistic expression.
A library available to students for research, reading, and individual work.
A digitally oriented environment with a virtual learning platform for access to online resources.
Specific digital tools for homework tracking and student assessment.
Beyond classes, BISL offers numerous activities: after-school clubs, leadership programs, student councils, participation in international competitions (World Scholar’s Cup, COBIS poetry competition), as well as in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (MEPI in Slovenia). Residential school trips are organized from primary school onward, then every year in secondary school, focusing on outdoor activities like mountain biking, skiing, or kayaking.
A Pioneering Institution for Sector Development
The trajectory of BISL is closely linked to that of Slovenian international education. Its founder, Jeremy Hibbins, is often presented as the man who triggered a “mini-revolution”: thanks to his mastery of online marketing, his management of relations with authorities and media, and his highly charismatic personality, he quadrupled the number of students in Ljubljana’s international schools within a few years.
Before the opening of BISL, international schools in the capital had around 100 students for over a decade. Two years after its arrival, this number had doubled (approx. 200 students), and five years later, it had doubled again (approx. 400 students). Although this spectacular growth later slowed, particularly after Hibbins’ untimely death, his influence on the sector remains profound and lasting.
From the families’ perspective, BISL clearly positions itself in a premium segment: high tuition fees (several brackets ranging from over €11,000 in kindergarten to nearly €19,000 in high school), but in return, close supervision, strong international recognition, and a robust network leading to universities worldwide.
Ljubljana International School: The Unified American and IB Option
While BISL dominates the British landscape, Ljubljana International School and Kindergarten (LIS), resulting from the transformation of QSI Ljubljana, embodies the other major pillar of the international offering: an American curriculum combined with the full range of IB programs.
An American School… and Fully IB
LIS offers continuous schooling from kindergarten (PreK) to Grade 12. The framework is American: high school diploma, Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone, deep integration of technologies and pedagogical approaches from the United States. But the school goes further by adding the three International Baccalaureate programs: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP).
All core courses are taught in English. To complement this program, the institution offers a “Mother Tongue” program to maintain students’ native language, an accelerated mathematics program, and English instruction differentiated according to each student’s level (Differentiated English Programme). Furthermore, classes are intentionally kept small to ensure optimal individual follow-up.
Table – Overview of Ljubljana International School
| Element | Key Data |
|---|---|
| Location | Two campuses in Ljubljana (Langusova ulica 16 and Kersnikova 10) |
| Enrollment | 185 students, 49 teachers |
| Nationalities | 29 nationalities |
| Curriculum | American + IB PYP, MYP, DP + AP Capstone |
| Diplomas | American Diploma, International Baccalaureate (DP) |
| Language of Instruction | English |
| Special Features | Official AP® and SAT® test center, Mother Tongue program, small classes |
LIS also plays a role as a regional hub for standardized testing: the school is an official center for SAT and AP exams, a key factor for families targeting North American universities.
A Human-Scale International Community
With fewer than 200 students spread across two campuses, LIS remains a relatively intimate structure. The student-teacher ratio allows for strong individualization and close interaction between different age groups. The institution emphasizes the caring and inclusive nature of its community; parents highlight, in their testimonials, the “genuine attention” given to each child by all teachers.
The extracurricular activities offered are varied (sports, music, languages, clubs). Technology is integrated as a cross-cutting tool throughout the curriculum, not as an isolated subject. The primary goal is to train autonomous students, capable of thriving in multicultural environments and adapting to different university systems.
For families considering a flexible international path—for example, transitioning from an American school to a European university or vice versa—the dual American/IB structure of LIS is a major advantage.
Danila Kumar International School: A Unique Case of a Public International School
In the Slovenian landscape, Danila Kumar International School holds a special place. It is a Slovenian public school, located in Ljubljana, which houses an authorized English-language IB international section—an institutional arrangement rare in Central Europe.
A School Created by Government Decree
Danila Kumar was established in the early 1990s, in response to demand from embassies and foreign companies based in the capital. By government decree, an international section was opened within a public primary school, with English as the language of instruction and the goal of welcoming children of diplomats, expatriates, and returning Slovenes.
Today, the institution offers an international program in English for children aged 3 to 14, from kindergarten through the end of primary school/middle school. The curriculum is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization, making it a public IB World School, heavily subsidized by the Slovenian Ministry of Education.
Table – Specifics of Danila Kumar International School
| Element | Special Features |
|---|---|
| Status | Slovenian public school, IB international section |
| Location | Gogalova ulica 15, Ljubljana |
| Student Age Range | 3 to 14 years old |
| Language of Instruction | English |
| Accreditation | IB World School (international program in English) |
| Funding | Over half of costs covered by the Slovenian state |
| Teaching Staff | Exclusively Slovenian teachers (legal requirement) |
Tuition Fees: A Decisive Advantage
The other unique aspect of Danila Kumar lies in its funding model: the Slovenian Ministry of Education covers more than half of its operating costs. As a result, tuition fees are significantly lower than those of private international schools. For many families, especially those paying fees out-of-pocket rather than through an expatriation package, this difference can be decisive.
Some private actors denounce a form of unfair competition, given that other international schools do not benefit from the same level of public subsidy while fulfilling comparable functions for the expatriate community.
Private actors in the education sector
Restricted Access for Slovenian Families
Another consequence of the public status: the school is subject to Slovenian legislation. All teachers are Slovenian, as the current framework does not permit hiring foreign teachers. Moreover, access to the international section for Slovenian families is strictly regulated: only children from families returning from abroad or about to leave the country can be admitted, provided they can justify it.
In practice, Danila Kumar therefore functions as a bridge between the Slovenian system and international pathways, with a strong public service dimension and an atypical cost base for this segment.
French International School of Ljubljana: The Francophone Choice
For families attached to the French language and culture, the French International School of Ljubljana (École Française de Ljubljana, EFL) is the obvious reference. Established since the early 1990s, the school has managed to maintain a small size while fully integrating into both French and Slovenian educational networks.
A Small, Very Cosmopolitan School
EFL is often described as a “small” school, and this is precisely what makes it attractive to some parents. It has around 40 students, with a rather unique balance: about one-third Slovenian students, one-third French, and one-third from other countries. The age range extends from 2 to 15 or 18 depending on sources, covering at minimum all of primary school and the start of secondary school.
The school follows the official French curriculum in French and is accredited by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as recognized by Slovenian authorities. The daily environment, rich in Slovenian and English, fosters bilingualism or trilingualism in many children.
Table – Profile of the French International School of Ljubljana
| Element | Key Data |
|---|---|
| Location | Ulica Dušana Kraigherja 2, Ljubljana |
| Enrollment | Approx. 40 students |
| Student Distribution | ~1/3 Slovenian, ~1/3 French, ~1/3 other nationalities |
| Student Age Range | 2 to 15 years old (up to 18 according to some sources) |
| Curriculum | Official French curriculum (primary and middle school) |
| Language of Instruction | French |
| Recognition | French accreditation + Slovenian accreditation |
The small size allows for a very family-like atmosphere and reassuring security for young children. The director, Antoine Kopp, particularly emphasizes the spectacular progress possible in French, even for students who do not speak the language at home, thanks to a specialized teaching staff.
Between Francophonie and an Anglophone Environment
Not all French families in Slovenia choose EFL, however. Some prefer English-speaking institutions like BISL or Danila Kumar, considering that English will be a more decisive long-term asset. Others choose the Francophone route to ensure continuity with the French system, while relying on the country’s English and Slovenian environment to develop trilingualism.
The French School offers a complete French curriculum in a country with an affordable cost of living. This allows for easy reintegration into the education system in France or any other accredited French school abroad.
From the American Model to IB: The QSI Legacy and Diversification of the Offering
Before becoming Ljubljana International School, the institution was known as QSI International School of Ljubljana, part of the Quality Schools International network. This American network has over thirty schools worldwide and applies a very structured philosophy: pedagogy centered on mastery learning, a minimum academic standard (no grade below a B, with students supported until they reach this level), a caring and secure environment.
A School Sensitive to Market Fluctuations
Founded in 1995, the QSI school of Ljubljana quickly established itself as one of the few American options in the region. In 2015, it enrolled about 140 students, mainly in kindergarten and early primary, with a campus located in a very green, wooded environment, with clean facilities above usual standards.
The school welcomed children from 3 to 18 years old. It was fully accredited in the United States and an official center for SAT tests, with student assessments three times a year according to American standards. A very active Parent Support Group organized events like musical picnics, “trunk-or-treat” evenings, Thanksgiving dinners, and large concerts.
Extracurricular activities covered a broad range, from capoeira to gymnastics, from children’s ballet to team sports, as well as language and craft clubs. Commutes were by car or school bus.
The QSI school of Ljubljana, today LIS, was the Slovenian international school most sensitive to fluctuations in the expatriate population, directly impacting its enrollment. Despite this, it was and still is considered, along with BISL, an excellent choice for Slovenian and foreign families. It offers a safe environment, traditional pedagogy, and a solid program, perceived as slightly less demanding than the British curriculum.
European School Ljubljana: A Gateway to the European Baccalaureate
Alongside foreign national curricula (British, American, French), Slovenia also offers the possibility of following the European Schools pathway. The European School Ljubljana (ESLj), created in 2018 and integrated into the Ljubljana School Centre, is an accredited European school offering the European Baccalaureate.
A Highly Structured Linguistic Architecture
ESLj welcomes students aged 4 to 18. At the primary level, two language sections are offered: a Slovenian section and an English section. The five primary years are organized around these two sections, with, from the first year (P1), the learning of a first foreign language: English, German, or French, with Slovenian possible as an addition.
At the secondary level, the program lasts seven years (S1 to S7) and is offered in Slovenian and English sections. From S1 onward, new foreign languages (German, French, Italian, Spanish, Slovenian) are added. From S3, some subjects are taught in the student’s first chosen foreign language, significantly reinforcing a multilingual approach.
The entire curriculum leads to the European Baccalaureate, a diploma that grants access to all universities in the European Union under the same conditions as a national baccalaureate.
Table – Simplified Overview of the European School Ljubljana
| Level | Section Languages | Main Foreign Languages | Final Diploma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary (5 years) | Slovenian, English | L1: English / German / French (from P1) + Slovenian | — |
| Secondary (7 years) | Slovenian, English | German, French, Italian, Spanish, Slovenian (from S1) | European Baccalaureate (S7) |
The school also promotes values of teamwork, curiosity, creativity, respect, and knowledge, as well as regular quality monitoring, by both national and European inspectors. It has a library, access to a gymnasium, a cafeteria, a courtyard, and playrooms for bad weather days. A mobile computer room allows for the integration of digital tools into daily life.
For families working in European institutions, international companies, or simply interested in a very European schooling, this model constitutes a very attractive alternative to British or IB curricula.
Maribor and Beyond: An Offering Expanding Beyond Ljubljana
While Ljubljana concentrates most of the international offering, the country’s second city, Maribor, is not far behind. It has acquired an IB primary school, international high schools, and bilingual institutions that complete the picture.
Leon Štukelj International School Maribor: IB from Primary School
Leon Štukelj International School Maribor, located in the green Nova vas neighborhood at the foot of the Pohorje massif, is an IB World School for the early years and a candidate for the Middle Years Programme. The school welcomes children aged 3 to 16 and offers both the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP).
The neighborhood library holds over 10,000 books and documents, regularly updated.
Extracurricular activities are abundant: for younger children, science club, yoga, choir, dance, visual arts, hiking, ball games, reading clubs, etc. For older students, photography clubs, school radio, newspaper, robotics, mathematics, sports (soccer, basketball, volleyball, karate), international projects (eTwinning), etc. The school participates in programs like UNESCO Schools, Healthy School, Symbiosis, and ENO Tree Planting.
The IB High Schools of Maribor and Kranj
At the general secondary level, several Slovenian public high schools have obtained authorization to offer the International Baccalaureate:
Several secondary institutions in Slovenia offer International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, sometimes combining the national curriculum with these recognized international tracks.
High school in Maribor offering both the classic Slovenian curriculum (four years) and an IB Diploma program (two years) in parallel.
High school in the city of Kranj also offering the IB Diploma program.
Offers the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11-16 and the IB Diploma for ages 16-19, with a very high level of selection and excellent results in national exams.
These public institutions operate with tuition fees in no way comparable to those of private international schools, while opening access to major universities abroad via the IB diploma. However, admission is highly competitive, with criteria including academic results, participation in extracurricular activities, academic competitions, entrance tests, and interviews.
Vector International Academy: The Independent International High School
Also in the secondary education realm, Vector International Academy (VIA), located in Ljubljana within the St Stanislav Institute, positions itself as a private international high school for students aged 14-18, focused on the IB Diploma and British Pearson Edexcel exams.
The institution is accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organization, the British exam board Pearson Edexcel, and the Slovenian Ministry of Education. It offers a combination of programs leading to qualifications recognized in the UK and internationally. VIA particularly highlights:
Discover the pillars that make our institution a unique environment, conducive to the development and success of every student.
Benefit from personalized follow-up thanks to small classes, fostering interaction and individual progress.
Enjoy strong cooperation between parents, students, and teachers for a harmonious and coherent educational journey.
Thrive in a school climate described by students as a “second family,” secure and caring.
For unaccompanied international students, the possibility to lodge on-site in a residence associated with the Institute.
Tuition fees are in a high range for Slovenia: around €12,000 to over €15,000 per year depending on the year and level. It is therefore an option primarily aimed at families who prioritize a structure very specialized in the final years of schooling, with the goal of obtaining an IB Diploma or British qualifications.
How to Choose Among the Best International Schools in Slovenia?
Beyond prestigious logos and polished brochures, choosing an international school in Slovenia depends on a series of very concrete parameters: length of stay, children’s ages, budget, university plans, family language, and degree of willingness to integrate into Slovenian society.
Curriculum and Long-Term Plan
The most structuring questions are often:
– To which country or region of the world is the child likely to pursue their studies?
– Do you wish to maintain continuity with a particular system (British, French, American)?
– Does the IB (offered at Ljubljana International School, Danila Kumar, Vector, Leon Štukelj, the gimnazija of Bežigrad, Maribor, Kranj, Erudio, etc.) appear as a more neutral and universal solution?
For a French family on assignment, the French School of Ljubljana facilitates reintegration into the French education system, while an English-speaking school (BISL, LIS, Danila Kumar) fosters a more international orientation. A Slovenian family may opt for a public high school offering the IB program after local primary school, an economical solution opening international perspectives.
Languages and Local Integration
The main language of instruction is almost always English, except at the French School. In several institutions, strong Slovenian language learning is offered, considered an important first step for integrating into local society. The European School Ljubljana, for its part, places multilingualism at the heart of its model, with Slovenian, English, and several European languages from primary school.
For already multilingual children or for mixed families, these configurations could tip the scales one way or another. The ability to take courses in one’s native language (“Mother Tongue” program at LIS, multiple language sections at ESLj) is also a key criterion.
Budget: Spectacular Gaps Depending on Status
Tuition fees are another determining element. Major private international schools (BISL, LIS, Vector, Erudio, some private IB schools) display annual fees that amount to tens of thousands of euros for a family with siblings. In contrast, public international programs (Danila Kumar, IB gimnazija, the public component of European School Ljubljana) benefit from significant subsidies, even relative free-of-charge access for some components, although specific fees may be added.
Danila Kumar International School benefits from ‘substantially lower’ tuition fees than other similar institutions, thanks to state financial support. However, this specificity leads to more regulated access, particularly for Slovenian families.
School Size and School Life
The size of Slovenian institutions generally remains modest. Even the largest, like BISL or LIS, do not exceed a few hundred students. At the other extreme, the French School of Ljubljana has around 40 students, which allows for an almost family-like atmosphere but limits the number of possible academic options or activities.
Families must therefore weigh between:
– Larger schools, capable of offering a wide range of subjects, clubs, levels, and infrastructure,
– Smaller structures, where each student is personally known to the entire teaching team.
Slovenian institutions often compensate for their small size with a very diversified extracurricular offering: scientific, artistic, and sports clubs, community projects, study trips, academic competitions, etc. A large part of these activities is not subject to formal assessment but contributes significantly to student well-being and their applications for higher education.
An Offer Still Fragmented, But Very High Quality
Despite their structural limitations (size, dispersion, dependence on a relatively modest expatriate population), the best international schools in Slovenia present a high academic level and solid alignment with international standards. The sector’s growth, boosted by figures like Jeremy Hibbins, has allowed the total number of students in foreign schools to rise from about a hundred to over 500 in about twenty years.
Several major trends emerge:
An overview of the main tracks and institutions that structure the international educational offering in Slovenia, marked by increasing diversification and territorial anchoring.
Led by the British International School of Ljubljana, this track is on the rise.
Consolidated through Ljubljana International School, formerly QSI.
Strengthened by institutions like Danila Kumar, the gimnazija of Bežigrad, Maribor, Kranj, Leon Štukelj, and Erudio.
Carried by the French School and the European School Ljubljana.
With the arrival of institutions like Vector International Academy or Koper International School, the offering is expanding beyond the capital.
For families, the key is to plan ahead: experts recommend planning enrollment well in advance, visiting schools, exchanging with parents already on-site, and, once the choice is made, to commit for the long term by actively supporting the selected institution. As these schools gain financial stability and enrollment, they will be able to further broaden their range of options, strengthen their scholarship policies, and perhaps see the birth in Slovenia of that famous “very large” international institution of 1,000 students that some already dream of.
Slovenia benefits from a free and solid public education system, complemented by a serious network of international schools offering the world’s main curricula. This combination allows mobile families to build a high-quality, truly global academic path there, while enjoying the country’s renowned quality of life and safety.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
