Schole International Academy vs The International School (TIS)
Schole International Academy and The International School (TIS) are both in Karachi. Both schools follow an IB curriculum. Published annual fees are PKR 240,000 - 396,000 at Schole International Academy and PKR 385,000 - 970,500 at The International School (TIS), which puts The International School (TIS) roughly 113% higher. Schole International Academy takes pupils from 2 to 19, and The International School (TIS) from 3 to 18.
Schole International Academy is located in Clifton, Karachi, at D-116 Block 2 Clifton near Aga Khan Hospital. Clifton is a central Karachi neighbourhood with public transport options and road links nearby.
Location
—
Stages
Stages
Schole offers all three IB programmes: the Primary Years Programme (EY–Grade 5), the Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10), and the Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12). The school is authorized to deliver the complete IB continuum.
Stages
—
School type
School type
Schole is a private, co-educational day school.
School type
—
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
Public information about the mix of nationalities represented, or the ratio of local to international students, is not published.
Pupil nationality mix
—
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Public information on Additional Learning Needs (SEN) provisions is not listed in Schole's public materials. For details about learner support, contact the admissions office.
Additional learning support
—
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Pakistan.
Country affiliation
—
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Not specified.
Religious affiliation
—
School day structure
School day structure
School days run Monday to Friday, with the regular day from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
School day structure
—
Bus service details
Bus service details
No public information about a school bus service is listed.
Bus service details
—
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application / Admission fees - Admission fee (one‑time, for new admissions): PKR 100,000.
Security deposit - Security deposit (refundable): PKR 20,000, payable on admission.
Tuition fees by programme/grade band - Early years (Play Group): Monthly PKR 20,000 / Quarterly PKR 60,000. - Nursery, Kindergarten and Preps: Monthly PKR 23,100 / Quarterly PKR 69,300. - PYP 1 & PYP 2: Monthly PKR 26,400 / Quarterly PKR 79,200. - PYP 3, PYP 4 & PYP 5: Monthly PKR 27,500 / Quarterly PKR 82,500. - MYP 1, MYP 2 & MYP 3: Monthly PKR 29,700 / Quarterly PKR 89,100. - MYP 4 & MYP 5: Monthly PKR 33,000 / Quarterly PKR 99,000.
Resource / books / materials and one‑time packs - Where applicable the schedule lists one‑time resource/pack charges (payable on admission or with the first fee instalment): common amounts shown include Art Bag charges of PKR 2,500 or PKR 3,500 or PKR 4,500 depending on year band. Workbooks charges of PKR 7,500 or PKR 10,500 or PKR 13,500 depending on year band, and Book/Pack charges of PKR 5,000 or PKR 7,000 depending on year band. Exact resource/pack amounts are shown on the published fee rows per band.
Sibling discount and tax treatment - Sibling discount: 10% sibling discount is applied as published. - Advance Income Tax/withholding: 5% (non‑filer) is shown as applicable on the published fee rows.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment frequencies offered in the published schedule: Monthly and Quarterly payment options are shown. Security deposit, admission fee and resource/pack charges are due on admission. - The published rows indicate that admission, tuition and book/resource pack charges are payable at admission or per the chosen payment frequency. Specific due dates and late‑payment penalties are not shown in the published fee sheet.
Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable: the school operates as a day school (no boarding fees listed).
Other fees and charges (examples shown on the published schedule) - One‑time resource/pack charges as noted above (Art Bag, Workbooks, Books Pack) vary by year band. - The schedule shows the security deposit as refundable. Other refundable / non‑refundable finer points (for example, refund calculations on withdrawal) are not detailed in the published fee sheet.
Refund information - The security deposit (PKR 20,000) is identified as refundable on the published fee schedule. No other detailed refund policy (for tuition refunds on withdrawal, prorated refunds, or timelines for refunding the deposit) is included on the published fee sheet.
Fee payment options (methods) - The published fee schedule lists payment frequencies (monthly, quarterly) and which charges are payable on admission, but does not specify accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, credit card, cheque, or cash) in the fee document itself. No specific payment method details are shown on the published fee sheet.
Fee details
—
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
—
Boarding arrangements
—
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
—
Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
—
Food options
—
House system
House system
The school has a house system. The houses are named Egyptians, Romans, Mughals, and Greeks.
House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
Head of School is Abdullah Akhtar, the Principal is Sonia Longi, and the Head of Programmes is Khadija Bilkhwala. Abdullah Akhtar is associated with the Akhtar Group, which spearheaded the group's latest venture in education.
Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Schole International Academy offers a continuum of International Baccalaureate programs: Primary Years Programme (EY–Grade 5), Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10), and Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12). The curriculum is inquiry-based and concept-driven, supported by IB-certified staff to foster independent learning, critical thinking and international-mindedness. Instruction is delivered in English and Urdu, with Diploma Programme subjects including Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English Language/Literature (LAL), Urdu Language Acquisition (LA), Design, Visual Arts, Interdisciplinary, Integrated Humanities, and the Personal Project. IB authorizations were achieved progressively: PYP in May 2021, MYP in January 2023, and DP in May 2025, confirming full continuum accreditation. The program structure is organized through dedicated IB tracks—Early Years, Primary Years Programme, and Middle Years Programme—as part of the IB Curriculum.
Curriculum details
—
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
—
Student teacher ratio
—
Exam results
Exam results
—
Exam results
—
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
—
Higher education progression
—
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
—
Gifted and talented
—
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
—
Academic calendar
—
Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
Schole International Academy addresses the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of students holistically as part of the Middle Years Programme. The programme uses inquiry-based and concept-driven teaching with an emphasis on developing social-emotional skills and collaboration among teachers, peers and parents to support student well-being. Service as Action, a structured IB component, connects classroom learning with community projects to foster empathy, self-confidence and responsibility. The school describes its learning environment as enabling personal development through a broad range of co-curricular activities and a well-equipped Learning Center. Through IB-aligned pedagogy and stakeholder collaboration, Schole supports students' social and emotional growth.
Social & emotional learning
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision. The site does not identify Schole as a specialist SEN institution. The Admission Policy outlines assessments for placement but does not specify SEN-related accommodations or services. There is no explicit SEN staffing or facility information publicly available.
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
Schole International Academy provides instruction in English and Urdu, as indicated by its IB language of instruction. Naz Ayaz serves as EY Coordinator and is Certified Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (CTESOL), with experience teaching English to students of other languages, which signals dedicated EAL-related support within the school. The presence of bilingual instruction and CTESOL-qualified staff suggests a structured approach to meeting EAL needs. English language capability is supported within the early years and IB framework as part of overall language provisions.
English as an additional language
—
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
Schole's Middle Years Programme explicitly addresses the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of students holistically. The IB framework includes Service as Action to promote personal growth, resilience and community engagement, contributing to students' mental wellbeing. A broad range of extracurricular activities and a well-equipped Learning Center support personal development and social engagement. These elements reflect an integrated approach to wellbeing within the IB-informed teaching and learning environment.
Mental wellbeing
—
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding or child protection policies. No explicit safeguarding policy page is evident in the site navigation, and the Admission Policy does not reference safeguarding procedures. Therefore, there is no publicly available evidence of a dedicated safeguarding framework on the school's site.
Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
—
Safeguarding policy
—
Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
Schole International Academy has a modern campus with air-conditioned classrooms and a centralized network across the campus. The Learning Center is well-equipped to support student research and independent study. The school houses Wet/Dry Science Labs, a Visual Arts Studio, a Design Studio, and a dedicated Music Room. The Early Years area includes an EY Role Play Area and an Indoor Play Area, and the campus features a Sand Pit, a Gym, an Auditorium, and a Swimming Pool.
Facilities overview
—
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
Schole International Academy has a gym and a swimming pool as part of its sports facilities. The gym supports physical education classes and school sports activities. The swimming pool provides a dedicated space for aquatic-based activities. Together, these facilities support the school's approach to physical development and student fitness.
Sports facilities
—
Academic facilities
Academic facilities
Schole International Academy has air-conditioned classrooms and a centralized network across the campus. It includes a well-equipped Learning Center, Wet/Dry Science Labs, a Visual Arts Studio, and a Design Studio. A dedicated Music Room supports music education. The Early Years area includes an EY Role Play Area and an Indoor Play Area, and the campus includes a Sand Pit.
Academic facilities
—
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
Schole offers an extensive range of extracurricular and enrichment activities beyond the classroom. These include sport, music, and drama. Students participate in charity events, community work, and enterprise challenges. Curricular and extra-curricular trips and visits also contribute to broader learning.
Extra curricular facilities
—
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
Schole International Academy opened in August 2017. It pursued the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, becoming a PYP candidate in June 2018 and receiving PYP authorization in May 2021. It progressed to MYP candidacy in July 2021 and gained MYP authorization in January 2023. Diploma Programme candidacy followed in 2024, with IBDP authorization achieved in May 2025. The school is led by Head of School Abdullah Akhtar, whose Akhtar Group is involved in education ventures, anchoring Schole within a broader education-focused enterprise.
History
—
Community
Community
Schole's community calendar includes breaks aligned with major holidays such as Spring Break and Eid holidays in 2025. In 2018, Schole collaborated with Special Olympics Pakistan and Global Green for a tree-planting CSR activity. The school hosts charitable events such as an annual Art Exhibition with proceeds donated to the Child Health Foundation. It also describes a broad range of extracurricular and service opportunities including charity events, community work, and enterprise challenges.
Community
—
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
A formal Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is not publicly documented on the site. The school emphasizes partnership with parents as part of its community, noting that cooperation among staff, parents and students underpins its approach. Parental involvement is encouraged through participation in school events and community initiatives. Notable activities include an annual Art Exhibition with proceeds donated to the Child Health Foundation and a tree-planting CSR project conducted with Special Olympics Pakistan and Global Green. Communication with families is supported via parental-facing content and the 'From the Parents' section on the site.
Parent teacher association
—
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
The school offers the International Baccalaureate continuum, including the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for EY–Grade 5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11–12. Instruction is in English and Urdu. The learning approach is inquiry-based and concept-driven, aimed at developing independent, analytical thinkers and globally minded learners.
Academic & intellectual
—
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
A broad range of extracurricular opportunities supplements the IB curriculum, with visual arts and other creative offerings incorporated through IB subject choices and wider enrichment activities.
Arts & creative
—
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
Language of instruction is English and Urdu.
Cultural & language
—
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
Students participate in extracurricular activities both on campus and off campus as part of their school experience, supporting social and personal development.
Social & hobbies
—
Community & service
Community & service
—
Community & service
—
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
—
Leadership & professional
—
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Schole emphasizes a holistic and nurturing education, fostering self-discipline, motivation and excellence in a supportive, cooperative environment that aims to develop well-rounded global citizens.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
—
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
English and Urdu are the languages of instruction and language study within the IB programmes. In MYP, English is Language A and Urdu is Language B. The PYP includes English and a foreign language as part of its transdisciplinary themes. Admissions include language acquisition assessments to support language learning across the IB programmes.
Language provision
—
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
The school provides bilingual instruction in English and Urdu. In the Middle Years Programme English is Language A (Language and Literature) and Urdu is Language B (Language Acquisition). The Primary Years Programme includes English and a foreign language as part of its transdisciplinary themes. The IB continuum runs from the Early Years through the Diploma Programme (EY-Grade 5, Grades 6-10, Grades 11-12).
Bilingual teaching
—
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
—
Immersion programs
—
Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
—
Awards
—
Accreditations
Accreditations
—
Accreditations
—
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. The admissions process is transparent and clearly explained to all parents at registration. The admission procedure is the same across programmes. After the parent/applicant understands the admissions procedure and shows interest, the child is given a date for the assessment followed by an interview. Assessments cover language acquisition, Language & Literature, and Mathematics and are aligned to the grade level to determine placement, and the school may require a day of attendance for further evaluation if needed.
2. Class placement is based on the assessment and interview results to place the child in an age-appropriate year group. The placement includes the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP). The aim is to ensure the child benefits from the curriculum.
3. Age on 1 August determines class and programme placement. Students are placed in age-appropriate year groups and tracks, including IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). The chart lists placements from Play Group through Year 10 with corresponding programme designations. Final placement aligns with both age and assessed capabilities.
