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British International School of Zagreb

Croatia, Zagreb

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €750 - 32,500
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 355
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 2013
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages Spanish, Italian, Croatian, German
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Early Years, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

The British International School of Zagreb (BISZ) provides a UK-based international education for ages 3 to 18, with on-site boarding for students aged 13 to 19. The curriculum spans Early Years Foundation Stage, the International Primary Curriculum, and Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS and A Levels, all taught in English. In the Primary years BISZ uses IPC with six-week unit blocks covering science, health, history, geography, technology, art, music and international mindedness. Croatian Language and Culture is offered to foreign primary students from Year 2, with Croatian, Italian and German available as electives. The campus spans 25,000 m2 of outdoor space and 9,000 m2 of indoor space, featuring science labs, an ICT room, an art studio, a 165 m2 library, two sport halls and an indoor pool. An on-site boarding house provides 52 rooms with en-suite facilities and dining. BISZ holds accreditations from COBIS, CAIE, Cambridge Strategies, IPC and ISO.

The Essentials

British International School of Zagreb has 355 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Address: Dedići 102, Zagreb 10000, Croatia. The campus is located about 5 km outside Zagreb's city centre in a valley at the foot of Mount Medvednica. The school comprises 9,000 m2 of indoor space and 25,000 m2 of outdoor sport and green areas. It is protected by 24-hour electronic surveillance with an on-site security guard.

Stages
Nursery/Kindergarten, Primary, and Secondary. The Primary Section follows the English National Curriculum alongside the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). BISZ offers Cambridge Secondary (IGCSE) and Cambridge Advanced (International AS and A Level) qualifications. Boarding is available on campus.

Type
Private international school offering a UK-based National Curriculum and Cambridge qualifications.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Over 50 nationalities represented; the environment is international.

Additional learning support
Tutoring is available to provide subject-specific support; classroom and subject teachers guide individual needs, coordinated by boarding staff.

Country affiliation
United Kingdom

School day structure
The school day runs 9:00–16:35 Monday to Thursday and ends at 15:00 on Fridays. Lessons last 45 minutes. After-school activities and meals are scheduled during the day.

Bus service
Students arrive to school using public or organised transport.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is available on campus for students aged 11–18. The Boarding House comprises 52 deluxe rooms of 28 m2 each, shared by two or three students with en‑suite bathrooms, and includes a security/reception desk, Medical Centre, laundry, ICT/gaming room, VR corner, music room, two lounges, and a gym. The school provides a Dining Room (breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner) and a canteen for boarders; the boarding house is closed during the two main school holidays in winter and summer, with boarders typically returning home during these periods.

Uniform Requirement
All students wear a BISZ school uniform. For girls, the uniform consists of a yellow polo shirt, a dark blue cardigan with the BISZ logo, a knee‑length skirt and shoes. For boys, it is a yellow polo shirt, a dark blue jumper with the BISZ logo and navy blue pants; uniforms are purchased through BISZ, and boarding students have two weekly times for uniform washing/cleaning; indoor shoes are worn at school for hygiene.

Food Options
Boarding students are served breakfast, hot lunch, an afternoon snack, and a hot dinner with dessert each day; BISZ also has a canteen on site. The meals are prepared with attention to local sourcing and dietary/religious requirements; food from around the globe is served throughout the year, including International Week.

Governance and Ownership
BISZ is a private international school and is the sister school to Kreativan razvoj Primary School, a private educational institution; BISZ opened in autumn 2013 as part of Kreativan razvoj's private education network.
Fees

Annual tuition at British International School of Zagreb ranges from EUR 750 to EUR 32,500 for 2026/27.

Annual tuition (by year group and per-term breakdown)

- Preschool (Nursery and Reception): EUR 7,500 per year. Per standard three-term schedule (40% / 30% / 30%): Term 1 EUR 3,000; Term 2 EUR 2,250; Term 3 EUR 2,250.

- Primary School (Years 1–6): EUR 14,500 per year. Per-term (40% / 30% / 30%): Term 1 EUR 5,800; Term 2 EUR 4,350; Term 3 EUR 4,350.

- Middle Years (Years 7–9): EUR 16,000 per year. Per-term (40% / 30% / 30%): Term 1 EUR 6,400; Term 2 EUR 4,800; Term 3 EUR 4,800.

- Secondary (Years 10–11 and Years 12–13): EUR 18,000 per year. Per-term (40% / 30% / 30%): Term 1 EUR 7,200; Term 2 EUR 5,400; Term 3 EUR 5,400. (Exam fees for Years 11/12/13 are charged separately to the student.)

Application / admission / registration fees

- Admission fee for new students: EUR 1,500 (one‑time, non‑refundable; payable within 7 days of notification of acceptance).

- Registration fee for returning students: EUR 750 (one‑time, non‑refundable; payable within 7 days of notification of acceptance).

Boarding fees and related charges

- Full Boarding Programme (annual, includes tuition plus boarding services): Single room EUR 32,500 per year; Double room EUR 30,500 per year. The full boarding fee is stated to include tuition, boarding room and cleaning, all meals, laundry service for uniform and on‑campus sports/recreation activities.

- Boarding application and enrolment fee (boarding students): EUR 1,500 (one‑time, non‑refundable; payable in the first year).

- Security deposit for boarding: EUR 3,000 (paid in the first year on entry to boarding; refunded without interest after the student leaves minus outstanding fees/damages).

- If a student attends only one semester, the tuition charge for that semester is 70% of the annual tuition (applies where relevant).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Standard termly billing structure: three instalments — 40% due for the first instalment, then 30% and 30% for the second and third instalments respectively (specific instalment due dates are published by the school each year). There is also a one‑off payment option that attracts a discount in accordance with the school's payment terms.

- Discount for one‑off payment: a 5% discount is offered when the annual tuition is paid in full by the deadline specified by the school (deadline historically stated as end of May).

- Immediate payment obligations at enrolment: Tuition Fee and Admission Fee are required to be paid upon enrolment to confirm a place; the contractual obligation to pay tuition must be met within agreed deadlines regardless of attendance.

- Late payment charge: EUR 100 per reminder. The school reserves the right to demand immediate payment of remaining fees or terminate the contract for late payment.

Other recurring or optional charges

- Private lessons: Individual lessons EUR 30 per hour (45 minutes); 2 students together EUR 25 each per session; 3 students together EUR 20 each per session.

- Exam costs: Students in Years 11/12/13 pay Cambridge/assessment exam costs separately.

- Optional excursions and out‑of‑hours activities: charged separately.

- Additional supplier charges payable directly by families: uniform and sports kit; daily transport; laptops for Middle Years students; unofficial or certified translations of documents. Uniforms are noted as paid on request.

- Textbooks and materials: students who are not enrolled or whose tuition is unpaid by the school's stated deadline are required to purchase curriculum books and materials independently. (School publishes the cut‑off date annually; historic notices refer to late‑June deadlines.)

Refunds and deposits

- Tuition and admission fees: paid tuition fees and the admission fee are non‑refundable. Certificates and diplomas will not be issued until all financial obligations are settled.

- Boarding security deposit: refundable (without interest) after a student leaves, less any outstanding fees/charges or deductions for damage.

Fee payment options and invoicing

- Payment timing and instalment structure are specified in the school's fee policy and invoices. Bank/account details and formal invoice/payment instructions are provided to families through the school's administration and on enrolment correspondence; the school's public contact details are available for direct enquiry.

Sibling discounts

- Sibling fee reductions are applied: historically published reductions are 15% for the second child, 30% for the third child and 50% for the fourth child (applied to the relevant children according to the school's policy).

Summary of immediate, one‑time sums often payable at enrolment

- New student admission fee: EUR 1,500 (one‑time, non‑refundable).
- Returning student registration fee: EUR 750 (one‑time, non‑refundable).
- Boarding application/enrolment fee (boarding students): EUR 1,500 (one‑time, non‑refundable).
- Boarding security deposit: EUR 3,000 (refundable as described).

If you plan to place any of this information into an external database, use the tuition rows and the boarding rows above for the main numeric fields and use the billing, deposit, refund and other‑fees bullets for auxiliary fields.
Academics

British International School of Zagreb teaches EYFS (Early years foundation stage), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The English language is the centrepiece of the BISZ curriculum and the programme is based on the UK Key Stages (EYFS, Key Stage 1 to 5). The Early Years Foundation Stage covers Nursery and Reception; Key Stages 1–2 make up Primary; Key Stages 3–5 cover Lower Secondary, Middle Secondary and Sixth Form. The Primary curriculum uses the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), with six‑week unit blocks covering Science, Health, History, Geography, Technology, Art, Music and International Mindedness; Croatian Language and Culture is offered to foreign primary students from Year 2, and German and Italian are offered as electives alongside Croatian. At Key Stage 3 BISZ teaches English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, and at least one Modern Foreign Language (Croatian, Italian or German) plus Art and Design, Music, Physical Education, Citizenship and ICT. Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11) follows IGCSE/GCSE and includes core subjects English, Maths and Science, with ICT, PE, Citizenship and electives from The Arts, Humanities and Modern Foreign Languages. Key Stage 5 (Years 12–13) offers AS and A2 levels; on‑site boarding is available for ages 13–19; English remains the language of instruction.

Higher Education Progression
The high school follows the Cambridge International Curriculum, with IGCSE in Years 10–11 and AS/A‑Levels in Years 12–13, providing pathways to top global universities.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The BISZ community commits to a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle for students, boarders and staff. Education combines theory and practice with safety as a priority. Boarding staff monitor, educate and mentor boarders in areas including healthy nutrition, time management and safety. Pastoral care addresses birthdays, religious festivals, family and friendship issues, academic performance, relationships, international mindedness, illness, puberty and bullying. Regular school-home communication keeps parents informed about school news and a child's progress, with online meetings and discussions available. In case of illness or other unforeseen incidents, parents are informed immediately and families are welcome to visit.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The English language is the centrepiece of our curriculum and the curriculum is based on UK Key Stages. Foreign languages are heavily promoted; German, Italian and Croatian are offered as electives, with the possibility of other languages being incorporated. Students are expected to study one foreign language from Year 3. Croatian Language and Culture is offered to foreign students enrolled in Primary from Year 2 onwards.

Mental Wellbeing
Pastoral care supports students wellbeing and social-emotional development. Boarding staff provide ongoing support to help students feel safe and supported. Focus areas include birthdays, religious festivals, family and friendship issues, academic performance, relationships, international mindedness, illness, puberty and bullying. The school maintains regular communication with families to support wellbeing through the BISZ website and email, and meetings can be arranged with boarding staff.
Parent Experience

History
Kreativan razvoj, a private Croatian primary school, was established in 1995. In autumn 2013 BISZ opened as the first English school in Croatia offering a UK-based curriculum. BISZ has accreditations from COBIS, CAIE, Cambridge Strategies and Innovation 800, IPC, and ISO. The BISZ campus features 9,000 m2 of indoor space and 25,000 m2 of outdoor space, located about 5 km outside Zagreb city centre. An on-campus Boarding House opened in autumn 2019 to accommodate international students.

Community
The Best Winter Classroom Competition is an annual BISZ event inviting students and teachers to transform classrooms into winter-themed environments, fostering creativity, collaboration and ownership. Seasonal community messages, including Happy New Year greetings, illustrate BISZ's ongoing engagement with its community. A BISZ news item marks Kreativan razvoj's 30th anniversary, reflecting the school's roots and emphasis on creativity and student-centred learning.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
There is a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at BISZ. The PTA meets monthly to organise school events and/or charity functions. All parents are welcome to join the PTA at any time of year.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Campus covers over 25,000 m2 of extensive grounds with sports courts and close to 9,000 m2 of a high‑tech building divided into the school building and the boarding house. The indoor school premises include a science lab, ICT room, and art studio, with modern classrooms, a lounge, and a dining room. The on‑site kitchen serves three meals daily in the school dining hall. The library is 165 m2 and supports study and reading. The boarding house comprises 52 five‑star deluxe rooms at 28 m2 each with en‑suite bathrooms, plus gaming and lounge spaces, modern classrooms, a laundry, medical centre, security and reception, and a large sun terrace. The school is under 24‑hour electronic surveillance with on‑site security.

Sports Facilities
The campus features two sport halls and an indoor swimming pool. A fitness centre is available for gym and training. The extensive grounds include outdoor sports courts for a range of activities.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include a science lab, an ICT room, and an art studio. Modern classrooms are equipped to support teaching across subjects. The library, a dedicated study space of 165 m2, supports reading and exam preparation. A lounge and a dining room provide additional on‑site spaces for learning and collaboration.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Diverse activities beyond the academic day include swimming, basketball, volleyball, handball, fitness classes, running classes, table-tennis, futsal, yoga, basics of gymnastics, self‑defence courses, dancing, robotics & 3D printing, movie maker & animation, gardening, drama club, and arts & culture clubs. Private music lessons are available on request. Field trips, camps, and other experiential activities are also offered.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Work experience and international projects provide real world learning beyond the classroom. A defined time is set in the calendar for boarders to gain valuable work experience in local institutions. Students engage in international projects with clear goals, and a School Council structure gives them opportunities to lead and implement ideas. Field trips and excursions extend learning beyond the classroom and illuminate subjects through on site visits.

Arts & Creative
Dancing; robotics and 3D printing; movie maker and animation classes; gardening; drama club; and an arts and culture club are offered as on campus extra curricular activities. Private music lessons are available at the student's request.

Cultural & Language
Croatian Language and Culture is offered to foreign students enrolled in Primary from Year 2 onwards. International Week is held each month to celebrate global perspectives and international mindedness.

Social & Hobbies
On campus extra-curricular activities include swimming, basketball, volleyball, handball, fitness classes, running classes, table tennis, futsal, yoga, basics of gymnastics, self defence courses, dancing, robotics and 3D printing, movie maker and animation classes, gardening, drama club, and arts and culture club.

Community & Service
Work experience and community spirit are emphasized, with opportunities for boarders to gain experience in local institutions and to lead and organise events such as the annual International Day, charity projects or fundraisers.

Leadership & Professional
School Council enables student leadership; class captains are elected as representatives, and students learn to take action, lead initiatives and make changes within the school community.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
A broad programme of sports and recreation includes swimming, basketball, volleyball, handball, fitness classes, running classes, table tennis, futsal, yoga, and other activities such as dancing and outdoor adventures.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction throughout BIS Zagreb, aligned with the UK Key Stages. Foreign languages are promoted as electives, with German, Italian and Croatian offered; Croatian Language and Culture is available to foreign students in Primary from Year 2. Students are expected to study one foreign language from Year 3. The Primary Section follows the English National Curriculum alongside the International Primary Curriculum (IPC).
Admissions

Admissions
The British International School of Zagreb offers a standardised programme aligned with the UK National Curriculum. The programme is taught in English, with foreign languages provided as supplementary electives. Admission is open to any student who meets the expected requirements. The admission procedure begins with families contacting the school by phone or email to arrange an interview and a tour with the Director/Principal and/or the School Coordinator. The initial visit allows students and parents to ask questions, meet teachers, and gain a clear understanding of how the school operates. A second follow‑up interview is arranged, and the school requires copies of the last two school reports along with completed application forms to be returned; these documents are reviewed by the Principal and school leadership and parents are informed as soon as possible. Prospective students are assessed before an offer is made. Primary School assessments are conducted by the Primary School Coordinator and involve standardised testing in Literacy and Numeracy; Secondary School assessments include subject‑specific assessments and a Skype interview if the student is abroad. Assessments for Secondary School students are conducted by the relevant subject teachers and the coordinator, and the school may identify the need for private English tuition, which is charged in addition. The school offers a one‑off open day for prospective students to spend a day in class to observe how lessons operate. If a student is deemed eligible for admission, parents receive an acceptance form/contract in three copies to be signed, and they must pay a non‑ refundable Admission Fee before the child's name is placed on the class list. The Principal may refuse admission if the student would not gain educational advantage from BISZ programmes, if the student has a low academic or disciplinary record deemed unsuitable for the BISZ community, or if the school cannot meet the student's special educational requirements. Enrolment is organised so that Grades 1–13 are placed in a class appropriate for their age based on successful completion of the preceding year, and students moving from Southern Hemisphere schools continue in the same grade (e.g., finishing Grade 6 in Australia in December would complete the school year in Grade 6 at BISZ from January to June). The following documents are required: 1. Application forms, 2) School records for the previous two years, 3) Confidential school recommendations, 4) Official English translations of school records, 5) Proof of payment of the admission fee, 6) Copy of the passport photo page, 7) Copy of the birth certificate, 8) Enrolment Contract, 9) Copy of the child's relevant medical information or vaccination records, 10) For Kindergarten and Year 1, the pediatrician's certificate stating that the child is ready for school.
School Events
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