International Schools in Montenegro - all you should know

With the growing popularity of Montenegro as a tourist destination and a hub for business and investment, more and more international families are considering relocating to this charming country. Porto Montenegro – Montenegro’s most liveable residential real estate development is particularly interesting.

If you’re a (future) parent planning to move to Montenegro with your family, one of your top priorities should be finding the right International school for them. 

In this blog, we’ll explore the education system for primary and secondary schools and provide all the critical information about International Schools in Montenegro. We’ll also give you a complete list of international schools to help you plan your children’s education in Montenegro.

Montenegro’s education system comprises various levels: preschool, elementary, general secondary, professional secondary, and higher education. Adult education is also integrated into the system and available for all education levels.

The preschool education system in Montenegro is an integral part of the overall upbringing and educational framework for children. It is designed to provide children with care, education, and assistance to parents, thereby enhancing the overall quality of life for families and children. This system operates through both public and private preschool institutions. Children up to three attend nurseries, while those aged three to six attend kindergartens, divided into age-appropriate educational groups.

In Montenegro, primary education is mandatory. It is conducted through a cost-free education program (public schools) that caters to children aged 5 to 15. The elementary education program spans nine years in duration.

Montenegro has two types of secondary education: general secondary education, which includes gymnasiums and mixed secondary schools, and secondary vocational education, which includes secondary vocational schools, art schools, and secondary mixed schools. Secondary school is optional (not mandatory) in Montenegro, and individuals under the age of 17 are eligible to enrol in the program.

Higher education is not compulsory in Montenegro. It is acquired at the University of Montenegro, a state university, and in private universities and faculties. Only those who have completed high school can enrol. Higher education usually lasts four years (there are rare exceptions).

KSI is located in the centre of Tivat, adjacent to the Porto Montenegro complex and the city park, which makes its prime location a great advantage.

Knightsbridge School International (KSI) is a highly recommended international school in Montenegro that provides English language education for students aged 3 to 18 years. KSI is part of the International Baccalaureate network and follows standardized curricula and diplomas recognized in over 140 countries. It is Montenegro’s only IB World School and is fully certified by the Montenegrin Ministry of Education.

KSI follows the International Baccalaureate curriculum, which includes Primary, Middle, and Diploma programs. This highly-regarded curriculum prepares students for leading international universities and helps them acquire the knowledge, skills, and insight required to contribute fully to their community. Modelled on the Knightsbridge School in London, KSI provides a unique educational experience in the beautiful Bay of Kotor.

KSI’s school facilities and classrooms meet modern Western standards, and the school offers a unique boarding program in Montenegro. Boarding is available for either five days or a full week

Although KSI is not the cheapest international school, it sets high standards in all aspects of education. With a team of international teachers, a wide range of foreign languages, and extracurricular activities, KSI aims for excellence. 

More information is available here: Montenegro Knightsbridge School International, as well as on KSI’s website, which is considered the most informative among all international schools in Montenegro.

QSI International School of Montenegro (QSIM) offers an American-model, college-preparatory education in English to students from 3 to 18 years of age. With over 120 students from more than 28 countries, QSIM is the largest international school in Montenegro. 

The US Department of State supports the school and is part of the Quality Schools International network,  known for its rigorous professionalism and progressive education methods.

QSIM’s educational philosophy emphasises a personalised approach to instruction and teaching for mastery, which leads to success for all students in a positive learning environment. The school’s college-preparatory secondary program prepares students for success in universities around the world, and it is an Advanced Placement (AP) school with a strong teaching staff. QSIM’s curriculum is augmented by online coursework through the Quality School Virtual network for additional AP courses.

The school welcomes students from different backgrounds and nationalities, including children of diplomats and expatriates living in Montenegro for business reasons, as well as local children whose parents wanted them to be educated in English. In Podgorica, QSIM is nicknamed “the American School“, because it follows American teaching philosophy and educational guidelines.

In the Donja Gorica district, on the outskirts of Podgorica, QSIM is secure and fully equipped for distance learning if needed.

Adriatic College is an international private school located in the coastal town of Budva. The school is registered with the Ministry of Education of Montenegro and authorised by the International Baccalaureate.

It offers educational programs from kindergarten to high school, with the primary language of teaching being Russian and English. Students from 1st to 9th grade also study Montenegrin and receive a state-issued document of Montenegro at the end of each year. The school has a team of dedicated and qualified teachers who take professional training and development programs annually.

In primary and middle school, a combined Russian-Montenegrin academic program is used, while high-school students are prepared for the Russian State Exams (OGE and EGE) as a part of the tutoring program. 

Adriatic College offers a wide range of extracurricular activities such as camping trips, celebrations, tours, quests, creative workshops, and language clubs. The school is situated in rented premises in downtown Budva and has small classrooms equipped with everything necessary for teaching and learning. Each grade has its own classroom, and teachers move between them according to the timetable.

Arcadia Academy is a full member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS) and the first and only Cambridge International School in Montenegro. It is situated in Kotor and serves boys and girls aged 3-18.

The school has been designed based on the principles of how natural environmental conditions influence the learning and development of the child. To achieve this, the school has created outdoor learning spaces and incorporated natural elements into the classrooms. In addition, the school offers a range of extracurricular activities such as excursions, sports, science, or IT-related tasks.

The school is registered as a “Cambridge International School,” offering students the opportunity to take official Cambridge International syllabuses and examinations. Its new facilities and curriculum allowing students to earn GCSEs or A-Levels make it a popular choice among the English-speaking community living on the Montenegrin coast, as well as wealthy locals aiming to send their children to prestigious universities in the future.

The school’s team and advisory board reflect the best British intellectual traditions, and they believe in a “learn-by-doing” teaching philosophy with a hands-on approach. This philosophy is anchored in the school’s horizon-expanding ideals. 

Scientific research suggests that the physical characteristics of school buildings and their spaces have a direct impact on educational outcomes. Hence, the school has been designed based on these findings, creating an optimal learning environment for students.

United Kids International School in Montenegro is in Podgorica, founded in 2016. The Montenegrin Ministry of Education fully accredits the school and follows the Pearson, IPC and IMYC curricula. It has programs for primary and middle school. Teaching is conducted in English.

Dukley Academy is an innovative educational centre in Montenegro offering continuing education from preschool (starting at 2.5 years old) to the elementary school program, with the possibility of obtaining an international or Russian diploma in three formats: full-time, part-time and remote. 

The academy also provides grants for gifted children!

The school offers a holistic approach to education that includes project activities, a modular system and seminars led by certified professors who lecture in their native language. Each student has an individual program based on their chosen university and personal interests, emphasising teaching critical thinking, analysis and questioning.

The training process at Dukley Academy is individualised and not tied to the entire school program, allowing students to learn at their own pace. 

The academy is located in a picturesque area with stunning views of the Zavala peninsula. It has a developed infrastructure that includes laboratories, active game rooms, a canteen, and proximity to both forest and sea.

Dukley Academy offers an international education with an innovative teaching approach that prepares students for their future. 

The program costs 350 euros per month for the Russian program and 850 euros per month for the international program.

In 2018, the French European School in Podgorica (EFEP) was established as an international educational institution for children of all nationalities aged 3 to 18 years. It is part of the network of French schools supported by the Embassy of the Republic of France in Montenegro and accredited by the French Ministry of Education.

The school welcomes all children, and learning in French offers many advantages despite the potential language barrier. EFEP accepts students from preschool to the final year of high school. Collège and Lycée levels require registration with CNED, the official organ of the French Ministry of Education for remote teaching. Though it implies additional fees, it provides autonomy for the student and officially recognized grades and diplomas.