Schools in Cyprus: public, private and international
How to compare language, curriculum, approval, district, cost and admission, and verify a school against official information.
In brief: Start with the child’s age, language, home location, curriculum recognition and practical journey rather than an unofficial ranking. Public and private schools have different admission routes, and the word international does not by itself prove official status.
Public school
A child normally attends the public primary school for the educational district of the home address; transfer or attendance outside it follows a defined process. Confirm the entry year, age, birth and prior-attendance evidence with the school or District Education Office. Greek is the main teaching language, so ask early about support for a child who is learning it.
Private and international curricula
Find the school on the Ministry of Education’s approved list and identify its type. Private primary schools may follow the same, a similar or a different system; a different-type school can use another country’s curriculum. Ask for the precise curriculum, examination body, progression route and recognition of results rather than a marketing description.
Complete cost and location
Compare tuition for the named school year together with registration, deposit, books, uniform, meals, transport, examinations and activities. Record which sums are refundable and the withdrawal deadline. Test the real journey during school traffic and after activities. A lower fee can be offset by a long daily trip and transport needs.
Checks before accepting
Visit during a normal school day and read safeguarding, attendance, learning-support, special educational needs, complaints and refund policies. Obtain the admission decision and contract in writing, and ask about the class and qualifications of the teachers who will actually teach the child. Do not rely on a ranking without a disclosed method, sample and date.
Practical checklist
- check age, district and admission dates;
- find the school in the official list;
- confirm curriculum and onward recognition;
- calculate every compulsory annual charge;
- read safeguarding, SEN and refund policies.
First, the child’s path after school
The choice depends on the next stage: a local university, another country or returning home. Check the language, the programme and whether the final qualification is recognised. A well-known name is no substitute for official accreditation and admission requirements.
Assess their current level and readiness for a change of language. Support with settling in, extra tuition and a supportive psychological environment are more important than formal bilingualism. Ask for a specific plan for the first term.
For a teenager, changing programmes may mean losing subjects or having to sit different exams. Compare their academic record with the requirements before leaving their previous school. Obtain a written decision regarding their class placement.
Licence and actual practice
Check the school’s registration and its authorisation to run the advertised programme. Clarify who issues the final qualification. The marketing term ‘international’ is not in itself a guarantee.
During your visit, observe a lesson, assess safety, safeguarding, support for special needs, the library and communication with parents. A beautiful building alone does not indicate the quality of day-to-day communication.
Discuss class sizes, teacher turnover and the complaints procedure. Feedback from other families is useful as a starting point for questions, but it is no substitute for verifying the facts and assessing your child’s needs.
Total cost and travel
Add registration fees, deposits, uniform costs, transport, meals, equipment, exams and extracurricular activities to the tuition fees. Ask what is refundable if your child is not offered a place or if you move away. Calculate the costs for the whole academic year.
The daily journey affects sleep and family life. Travel the route in the morning and after school. Confirm the school bus zones, supervision and rules before choosing your home.
State schools may be linked to your address. Do not sign a tenancy agreement until you have checked the relevant school catchment area and relevant documents. Private schools also do not guarantee a place based on proximity.
Trial period and feedback
Agree on criteria for settling in: attendance, language, relationships, workload and sleep. The first few weeks should not be judged solely on marks. Arrange a meeting with the teacher and your child.
If support is needed, ask for a written plan, the person responsible and a review date. A verbal ‘we’ll see’ is not helpful. Keep the documents, but protect your child’s personal data.
The decision to change schools should take into account the consequences and the transition. Do not make this decision based on a single incident without investigating it, but do not ignore safety concerns. The Evergreen guide provides questions to consider, but the choice remains a personal one.
Before the first day, agree on the child’s practical journey: who will drop them off and pick them up, who is authorised to hand them over, what to do if they are late, and how the school notifies parents of transport cancellations. Check the contact details of both adults and a designated alternative contact. These details affect safety just as much as the academic programme.
Ask for an example of a typical school week and the rules regarding homework, absences, technology and feedback. Compare what was promised during the meeting with the published policies. If your family requires language or specialist support, clarify the format, frequency, qualifications and cost before making a non-refundable payment.
Official sources and method
- Ministry of Education: public primary-school admission
- Ministry of Education: approved private primary schools
- Eurydice: Cyprus education system
Information and links checked on 9 September 2026. Rules, tariffs and procedures change; verify the current terms with the competent authority or provider before making a decision.