๐ฑ๐ฐ Colombo ยท Schools
Schooling and childcare in Colombo
A handful of established international schools and many more local 'international' schools teaching in English, with fees that vary tenfold.
The thing people get wrongThe name 'international school' covers everything from IB schools charging millions of rupees to local private schools teaching a Cambridge curriculum at a fraction of that. Compare the curriculum, accreditation and who the pupils are, not the name.
Indicative figures
- Overseas School of Colombo~LKR 5 โ 11 million/year2026/27, by grade; one-off registration fee on top.
- British-curriculum international schools~LKR 1 โ 4 million/yearIndicative; varies by school and year.
- Local private English-medium schools~LKR 300,000 โ 1,000,000/year
Checked . Ranges, not quotes โ your Insider confirms the current numbers in Colombo before you commit to anything.
The options
The Overseas School of Colombo, in Battaramulla, teaches the full International Baccalaureate and is where most diplomatic and expatriate families look first. British-curriculum schools such as The British School in Colombo, Colombo International School and Elizabeth Moir School teach towards IGCSEs and A levels. Below them, a large number of private schools teach in English to Cambridge or Edexcel exams at much lower fees.
- IB: the Overseas School of Colombo.
- British curriculum: The British School in Colombo, Colombo International School, Elizabeth Moir.
- Local private schools teaching Cambridge or Edexcel exams cost far less.
- Ask each school about accreditation and leavers' destinations.
Applying
Apply early, directly to the school, and ask about space in your child's year group. Expect an application fee, an assessment and the last two years of reports; the top schools also charge a one-off registration or development fee on entry that can be substantial. The Overseas School's year starts in August, while some British-curriculum schools run a January or September year.
- Documents: passports, visa, birth certificate, immunisation record and two years of reports.
- Ask about one-off entry fees as well as tuition.
- Check which academic calendar the school follows.
- Some employers cover fees or hold places; ask before paying yourself.
Where families live
Families tend to settle in Colombo 5 and 7 for space and central access, or in Rajagiriya and Battaramulla for the Overseas School and larger houses. Colombo's traffic makes the school run the deciding factor, so choose the school first and look for housing within a short drive of it.
- Colombo 7 and Colombo 5 for central family houses.
- Rajagiriya and Battaramulla for the Overseas School of Colombo.
- Ask schools about bus routes before choosing a street.