International schools in Peru

Are you looking for an international school in Peru? Search here for the best international schools in Peru; you can find a list of selected schools at the bottom of this page. Use the search filters to select only girls' or boys' schools, prep schools, senior schools or sixth forms; or you can search for schools that offer a particular curriculum, such as the International Baccalaureate, the UK or US-style national curriculum or the International Primary Curriculum.

A wide array of international schools cater to the children of local elites and expatriates in Lima and other major cities of Peru, where children aged 14 or younger make up 28 per cent of the population. 

The developing Andean nation has witnessed strong economic growth over recent years but suffers from high levels of poverty and is the 15th lowest-scoring country in the OECD’s 2018 PISA tests of performance in maths, science and reading among 15-year-olds, ranked 65th in all three subjects.

Peru has more than 35 international schools, with the vast majority being coeducational and offering day schooling. Those following American and British curriculums or the International Baccalaureate predominate but there are also German, Italian, French and Swiss schools as well as religious foundations.  

Many international schools are large, with some enrolling up to 2,000 students, while rigorous admissions tests are common and fees may be high. Most schools levy a one-off entrance charge, which can be as much as US$18,500.

There are 78 IB World Schools, of which 77 are authorised to offer the IB Diploma and eight to teach the IB continuum. 

Many schools combine IB programmes with American, British or other European curriculums and exams, while all schools are legally required to offer the Peruvian curriculum in some form. Accrediting bodies active in Peru include AdvancED and the Association of Christian Schools International.   

Education is compulsory - and free in state schools – from age five to 16. Children attend one year of pre-school, six years of primary school and five years of secondary education, with teaching in Spanish or minority languages. Academic and technical senior secondary tracks lasting three years lead on to universities and technical or vocational institutes.