Ranked purely by parent interest — the number of families who opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between October 2025 and September 2026.
Finland International School Maldives (FISM) delivers a Finnish‑style education locally adapted for Maldivian culture. The campus in Malé uses a Finnish Core Curriculum while integrating a cross‑curricular, holistic approach and transversal competences to support 21st‑century skills. English is the language of instruction, with Dhivehi, Quran and Islam taught as part of a responsive program. The curriculum spans Mathematics, Environmental Studies, History and Social Studies, Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Geography, Music, Visual Arts, Crafts, PE, Home Economics and Study Counselling. In upper grades, the Finnish curriculum blends with Cambridge IGCSE, and students prepare for Grade 10 examinations, with a Finnish Basic Education Certificate awarded to qualifying students; expatriate students may follow IGCSE subjects in Grades 8–10. Lessons take place in HUBs with two Maldivian teachers and one Finnish teacher, supported by two assistants, a resource teacher and a SEN teacher. Individual timetables and class sizes of about 50 support personalized learning.
Ahmadhiyya International School (AIS) in Male' provides education from early years to A-Levels, offering EYFS, Cambridge IGCSE, and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE. The school serves students aged 3 to 18 and is a recognised examination centre for Cambridge O' Levels, Edexcel A' Levels and local SSC/HSE. In 2015, AIS expanded its curriculum to include Arabic, French and Mandarin, strengthening language access alongside Dhivehi as a locally taught language. The campus features 34 well-ventilated classrooms, three science laboratories, a library, an ICT laboratory, air-conditioned multimedia classrooms, an air-conditioned hall for 300 seats, a 45-seat meeting room, a cafeteria and two prayer rooms. Extra-curricular life centers on Music and performance with a school band of 28 players, Creative Arts in Lower Secondary, and a broad range of cultural and language offerings. A strong Prefect Board, Scouts and Cadets, and service-minded clubs foster leadership, teamwork and community engagement. AIS prepares students for global citizenship.
Annual fees
MVR 12,000 – 33,000
Ages
3 to 18 years
Curriculum
EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Billabong High International School Maldives, Destiny Campus, sits on Ameenee Magu in Malé and serves 870 students aged 6 to 17 from Grade 1 to 12. The school opened in February 2009 as Malé's first international school and offers Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge A Level programmes alongside a bespoke curriculum. Primary School (Grade 1–4) follows a KKEL-developed framework that covers social sciences, literature and sciences, with Islam, Dhivehi and Quran taught under the Maldivian National Curriculum. Middle School (Grade 5–8) delivers Cambridge Checkpoint examinations in English, ESL, mathematics and science. Senior School (Grade 9–12) follows Cambridge IGCSE over two years and, in Grades 11–12, Cambridge AS and A Levels. The campus is a five-storey building with small class sizes around 25, and facilities include 3 science labs, 2 computer labs, an art room and a large auditorium. Extra-curriculars span robotics, MUN, photography, sports and the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme.
Annual fees
MVR 63,600 – 92,400
Ages
6 to 17 years
Curriculum
Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Ghiyasuddin International School (GIS) is a school on Ameenee Magu, Malé, Maldives. It offers a Cambridge-based curriculum for Primary (Grades 1–5) and Secondary (Grades 6–10) for students aged 6 to 16. In Primary, Cambridge Primary Curriculum is taught across subjects, with Islam, Dhivehi, and Quran delivered under the National Curriculum. In Grades 6–10, Cambridge guides the syllabus while Islam, Dhivehi, and Quran education aligns with the National Curriculum. The campus includes a library, computer labs, a chemistry lab, a mosque, an art room, an electronics room, a multi-purpose sports floor, and a cafeteria, with a mosque on site for daily prayers. GIS emphasizes a student-centered approach that fosters critical thinking and practical application while respecting local values. Notable programs include Leader in Me, a Work Experience Programme for Grades 8–9, and coding and science clubs; the school has participated in the World Scholars Cup Maldives Regional Round 2026, earning medals.
Brightway International School in Hulhumalé offers a Singapore-inspired academic foundation combined with the Cambridge International Pathway to Cambridge IGCSE qualifications. The curriculum centers on inquiry-based, student-centered learning and uses technology-enabled tools to support engagement and digital literacy. The Cambridge pathway prepares students for global higher education and future-ready skills, while the Singapore framework underpins rigorous foundations in mathematics, science, and languages. The school emphasizes holistic development across academics, sports, the creative arts, and co-curricular programmes, with a strong emphasis on character and values. Facilities include Kindergarten classrooms, a dedicated library, a Kindergarten Play Area, a Synthetic Grass Playground, a Multi-sports Court, and a Multi-purpose Hall that support varied learning experiences. Extra-curriculars extend classroom learning with STEAM activities, robotics and coding, and international competitions such as Maths Olympiad, World Scholars Cup, and Asia Pacific Youth Robotics. Cultural exchange and service-learning opportunities add global perspectives and community engagement to daily learning today.
