IB World Schools in Ireland

Are you looking for an International Baccalaureate World School in Ireland? Here you can find a list of Irish schools that have a profile in the IB World Schools Yearbook.

The Republic of Ireland’s small international school sector is centred on Dublin. There are schools offering the curriculums of France, Germany and the International Baccalaureate as well as a cluster of Montessori primary schools and kindergartens. 

Ireland has five IB World Schools, of which four are authorised to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and one, Nord Anglia International School Dublin, delivers all three stages of the IB curriculum. The school is part of the Nord Anglia Education group, which operates more than 80 international schools around the world.

The Nord Anglia Education group, which operates more than 50 international schools around the world, opened a new through-train school in Dublin in September 2018. Nord Anglia International School Dublin offers all three stages of the IB curriculum.

Education is compulsory for 10 years from age six to 16. In practice, children usually start school at age four or five. State schools are free at all levels and most teach in English, while Irish language classes are mandatory throughout. Primary school continues to age 12 or 13, when pupils enter the three-year secondary school junior cycle. 

The 10-subject Junior Certificate is taken by all students at age 15 to 16. A transitional year may precede the two-year senior cycle leading to the Leaving Certificate, which is taken at age 18 or 19. Senior students have to study at least five subjects including Irish and usually take seven. Some private schools exempt international students from mandatory Irish classes. 

Ireland has four public universities, including the federal National University of Ireland, which has four campuses. Net enrolment was 95 per cent in primary schools in 2019 and 99 per cent in secondary schools, with gross secondary enrolment standing at 138 per cent. Gross tertiary enrolment was 75 per cent the same year.

For more information about international schools in Ireland visit www.internationalschoolsearch.com