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The International School of Latvia

Latvia, Riga

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 400
Type Co-educational
Opened 1992
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages French, German, Latvian, Russian
Typical class size 18
Strengths STEM, Languages, Sport
Clubs Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

The International School of Latvia (ISL) is an English-language, non-profit day school located in Piņķi, near Riga, serving students aged 2 to 18. Founded in 1994, the school offers the full International Baccalaureate continuum, including the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). Classes are intentionally kept small, with a maximum of 20 students, allowing teachers to know each student well. ISL provides specialist facilities for science, technology, arts and physical education, together with a wide selection of after-school activities in sport, music, visual arts, leadership and community service. Students also benefit from school bus services and multilingual learning opportunities through Latvian, French and Spanish, alongside English as an Additional Language support where needed. One distinctive feature is that ISL has offered the complete IB pathway for many years, enabling students to progress from the early years through to the IB Diploma within the same school community

Meistaru iela 2, Piņķi, Babītes pagasts, Mārupes novads, LV-2107, Latvia

The Essentials

The International School of Latvia has 400 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English.

Location
Meistaru iela 2, Piņķi, Babītes pag., Mārupes novads, LV-2107, Latvia.

Stages
Early Years Programme (3-6 years); Primary Years Programme (6-11 years); Middle Years Programme (11-16 years); Diploma Programme (16-19 years).

Type
The International School of Latvia offers the International Baccalaureate continuum: Early Years Programme, Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Over 45 nationalities are represented among ISL students.

Additional learning support
Learning Support; English as an Additional Language; and Mother Tongue are provided.

Country affiliation
The school is located in Latvia.

Bus service
Transportation is available via a school bus. The transportation section lists a school bus fee per student from Riga (Mezaparks) and Jurmala of EUR 2300 (including VAT). For occasional use, the price per route is EUR 9.00, or EUR 18.00 per round trip.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
ISL is a day school; there are no boarding facilities.

Uniform Requirement
There is no school uniform.

Food Options
ISL's Cafeteria offers hot lunches from a set menu for PreK-G1 or a hot buffet for G2-G12. The program follows Latvian government guidelines for low salt and low sugar and avoids fried/processed foods, with vegetarian and vegan options. Secondary students can purchase salads or sandwiches; breakfast items, healthy snacks, juice and bottled water are available at designated times.

Governance and Ownership
ISL is governed by the Governing Council, a seven-member voting body elected from among the Association members, with a non-voting member appointed by the U.S. Ambassador. The Association “International School of Latvia” is a non-profit organization, with revenues expended in pursuit of its academic objectives and funding from tuition, registration, and capital fees, grants and aid-in-kind assistance.
Fees
Application fee

- Application fee: EUR 50 per student, one-time and non-refundable.

Registration and capital fees

- Registration fee (one-time, non-refundable):
- Pre‑K (2/3/4): EUR 725.
- Kindergarten and Grades 1–12: EUR 1,450.
- Capital fee (annual, non‑refundable):
- Returning students: EUR 1,600 per year.
- New students: EUR 2,500 (first year).

Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts)

- Pre‑K (2/3/4): EUR 6,500 per year.
- Kindergarten: EUR 15,000 per year.
- Grade 1–5: EUR 17,200 per year.
- Grade 6–8: EUR 19,150 per year.
- Grade 9–10: EUR 19,400 per year.
- Grade 11–12: EUR 20,400 per year.

Per-term / payment-schedule examples (how annual tuition is billed)

Notes on schedules: the school permits an annual payment, or—subject to meeting the school's conditions—semi‑annual or quarterly tuition schedules. Registration and capital fees are payable in full with the first tuition instalment. The school requires accounts to be current to qualify for alternative schedules.

- Semi‑annual schedule (two payments): 60% of annual tuition due with first payment; 40% due with second payment. First payment also includes 100% of the registration fee and 100% of the capital fee.

Examples (amounts in EUR):
- Pre‑K (annual EUR 6,500): 1st = EUR 3,900; 2nd = EUR 2,600. First payment + registration + capital: returning student example = EUR 3,900 + EUR 725 + EUR 1,600 = EUR 6,225; new student example = EUR 3,900 + EUR 725 + EUR 2,500 = EUR 7,125.
- Kindergarten (annual EUR 15,000): 1st = EUR 9,000; 2nd = EUR 6,000. First payment totals: returning = EUR 12,050; new = EUR 12,950.
- Grade 1–5 (annual EUR 17,200): 1st = EUR 10,320; 2nd = EUR 6,880. First payment totals: returning = EUR 13,370; new = EUR 14,270.
- Grade 6–8 (annual EUR 19,150): 1st = EUR 11,490; 2nd = EUR 7,660. First payment totals: returning = EUR 14,540; new = EUR 15,440.
- Grade 9–10 (annual EUR 19,400): 1st = EUR 11,640; 2nd = EUR 7,760. First payment totals: returning = EUR 14,690; new = EUR 15,590.
- Grade 11–12 (annual EUR 20,400): 1st = EUR 12,240; 2nd = EUR 8,160. First payment totals: returning = EUR 15,290; new = EUR 16,190.

- Quarterly schedule (four payments): instalments are 40% / 30% / 20% / 10% of the annual tuition; the first instalment includes 100% of the registration fee and 100% of the capital fee.

Examples (amounts in EUR):
- Pre‑K (EUR 6,500): 40% = EUR 2,600; 30% = EUR 1,950; 20% = EUR 1,300; 10% = EUR 650. First payment + reg + capital: returning = EUR 4,925; new = EUR 5,825.
- Kindergarten (EUR 15,000): 40% = EUR 6,000; 30% = EUR 4,500; 20% = EUR 3,000; 10% = EUR 1,500. First payment totals: returning = EUR 9,050; new = EUR 9,950.
- Grade 1–5 (EUR 17,200): 40% = EUR 6,880; 30% = EUR 5,160; 20% = EUR 3,440; 10% = EUR 1,720. First payment totals: returning = EUR 9,930; new = EUR 10,830.
- Grade 6–8 (EUR 19,150): 40% = EUR 7,660; 30% = EUR 5,745; 20% = EUR 3,830; 10% = EUR 1,915. First payment totals: returning = EUR 10,710; new = EUR 11,610.
- Grade 9–10 (EUR 19,400): 40% = EUR 7,760; 30% = EUR 5,820; 20% = EUR 3,880; 10% = EUR 1,940. First payment totals: returning = EUR 10,810; new = EUR 11,710.
- Grade 11–12 (EUR 20,400): 40% = EUR 8,160; 30% = EUR 6,120; 20% = EUR 4,080; 10% = EUR 2,040. First payment totals: returning = EUR 11,210; new = EUR 12,110.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Alternative payment schedules apply only to the Annual Tuition component and require the family to be current on payments; acceptance of semi‑annual or quarterly schedules is subject to approval by the School Council.
- Late payment charges: 0.1% per day on overdue invoices, not to exceed 10% of the amount due. Student records (including report cards and transcripts) are withheld until payments are settled; prolonged non‑payment may result in use of external debt collection and student suspension.
- Mid‑year entrants: tuition is pro‑rated based on months remaining (the school year is counted as 10 months). Registration and capital fees are payable in full and are not pro‑rated.

Boarding fees

- The school is a day school and does not offer boarding facilities; boarding fees are not applicable.

Other costs and fees

- School bus/transportation: standard annual bus fee from Riga (Mežaparks) and Jūrmala is EUR 2,300 (including VAT). For occasional use the fee is EUR 9.00 per single route or EUR 18.00 per round trip.
- Lunch, extra‑curricular/after‑school activity fees and special services are charged separately.
- Additional costs for students with special educational or medical needs are charged on a case‑by‑case basis and may include one‑to‑one assistants, therapies, assessments and specialised materials.
- Students do not wear a school uniform, so uniform purchase is not required.

Refund information

- Refund of tuition for students who leave during the school year follows a quarterly schedule based on the total annual tuition only (registration and capital fees are non‑refundable):
- Exit in Quarter 1 (Aug 16 – Oct 19): 60% of annual tuition remains payable (i.e., 40% refunded).
- Exit in Quarter 2 (Oct 20 – Jan 22): 70% of annual tuition remains payable (i.e., 30% refunded).
- Exit in Quarter 3 (Jan 23 – Apr 9): 90% of annual tuition remains payable (i.e., 10% refunded).
- Exit in Quarter 4 (Apr 10 – Jun 13): No refund of tuition.
- If a family has paid less than the amount owed under the refund schedule at the time of departure, the outstanding balance remains due. The school may withhold refunds or records in cases of suspension or dismissal for conduct or academic reasons.

Fee payment options and bank details

- The school provides bank transfer details for payments. Bank details provided for payments:
- Beneficiary: Biedrība “Latvijas Starptautiskā Skola”
- Bank: CITADELE BANK
- Bank account (IBAN): LV39PARX0012714510001
- SWIFT: PARXLV22
- Registration number and legal address are supplied with the banking information for invoicing. The primary payment method shown is bank transfer; no alternative card payment method is specified in the school's published financial information. For business‑office queries, the school's Business Manager is listed as a contact for fee administration.
Academics

The International School of Latvia teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
The International School of Latvia offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum across all levels: Early Years Programme (2-6 years); Primary Years Programme (6-11 years); Middle Years Programme (11-16 years); and Diploma Programme (16-19 years).

Exam Results
IB Diploma Programme results include the average points; more than 30% of students earned a score of 36 or higher; the highest score achieved by a candidate in 2022 was 45; a portion of IB diploma candidates earned their IB Diploma.

Higher Education Progression
100% ISL graduates receive a four-year college acceptance.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
ISL has a School Counseling team that promotes the academic, personal, and social development of all students. The Counseling offices are safe, confidential, non-judgmental spaces where students, parents and staff can share concerns. Counselors collaborate with parents and teachers to meet students' social and emotional needs. They provide individual and group counseling, classroom lessons, and school-wide programs. Counselors are advocates for the social-emotional-behavioral well-being of the ISL community and are not therapists or disciplinarians.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
ISL provides Learning Support (LSS) and serves students with learning needs. LSS supports students with learning difficulties and provides challenges for highly gifted students. LSS staff includes teachers from the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, France, India, Canada, Russia, Latvia, Morocco, Romania, and Germany. ISL is an IB World School offering all three IB programs for students from ages 2 to 18. The student to teacher ratio is 6 to 1 and the average class size is 17.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
ISL assesses English language proficiency at admission. For Grades 1-5, an EAL (English as an Additional Language) program is prescribed as necessary after assessment. Non-native English-speaking students applying for Grades 6-12 may be asked to pass an English proficiency test. For entry into the IB Diploma program in Grade 11, students must demonstrate advanced proficiency in English (B2-C1). ISL currently supports students who have mild-to-moderate disabilities.

Mental Wellbeing
ISL supports mental wellbeing through a Counseling program. School Counselors promote the academic, personal, and social development of all students and offer safe, confidential spaces to discuss concerns. They collaborate with parents and teachers to meet social and emotional needs and provide individual and group counseling, classroom lessons, and school-wide programs. Counselors are advocates for the social-emotional-behavioral well-being of students and the ISL community, and they are not therapists or disciplinarians.

Safeguarding
ISL requires criminal background checks and verifiable references from all employees and follows the recommendations of the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children. As a CEESA member school, ISL aligns with CEESA safeguarding and child protection standards, which prioritize safeguarding and child protection as a priority for every CEESA school and include prevention and intervention. CEESA works with international agencies to ensure standards are reviewed and updated. CEESA schools implement school-based safeguarding and child protection policies and provide onsite training, employ safe recruitment practices, and educate students and adults on safeguarding and child protection. This ensures a safe environment for all members of the ISL community.
Parent Experience

History
The International School of Latvia (ISL) was founded in 1992 and incorporated in 1994, starting with 35 students. In 1995, ISL hired its first overseas director. In 1997, ISL moved to the former Bulduri Horticulture School campus and welcomed its first graduates. ISL received MYP authorization in 1998 and PYP authorization in 1999. In 2000, ISL joined the Joint Accreditation Protocol offered by CIS/NEASC, a status repeated in 2010 when the school received Joint Accreditation from CIS and NEASC. In March 2003, Latvia and the United States signed the bilateral agreement concerning ISL's private educational institution status. In 2004, ISL received DP (Diploma Programme) authorization. In 2006, ISL graduated its first IB Diploma recipients, and August 2006 the bilateral agreement came into force after ratification by the Government of Latvia and the US Senate. In August 2010, ISL began building the new campus in Pinki, and in 2011 ISL moved to its current Pinki campus. In 2014, ISL celebrated 20 years, added an apple orchard to the campus, and introduced modular classrooms. In June 2017, ISL began building a new extension, and in September 2019 ISL opened its new wing of 3,688 m2. In October 2020, a 2,000 m2 playground was finalized and commissioned, and in December 2020 the reconstruction of the gym (totaling 200 m2 on the second floor) was completed. In March 2021, the office renovation and new office extension were finalized and commissioned.

Community
ISL maintains an active school community with regular public announcements for association members and a gallery section that highlights student life and events. The Gallery features posts such as Prom 2025, International Day 2025, DP Art Exhibition 2025, Snow Show 2024, Latvian Independence Day 2024, Halloween 2024, First Day of School 2024, and New Family Orientation 2024. These items illustrate ongoing cultural and school-life activities that involve students, families, and staff.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTO's mission is to foster a spirit of cooperation among all members of our school community and to help develop a closer relationship between parents, teachers, and students. The PTO's purpose is to fund and coordinate activities and provide volunteer support to the school community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school is located in Pinki, halfway between Riga and Jurmala. The campus has a total building area of 8,183 m2 and 15,311 m2 of grounds, surrounded by large green fields. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, design technology rooms, a language center, a media center, and a learning support center, as well as a large multifunctional sports gym, an artistic auditorium and a dining hall. Classrooms are equipped with digital projectors and other technology, and ISL has 3D and laser printers and robotics kits. The lobby area was turned into an interactive Maker Space learning space for high school students.

Sports Facilities
The campus includes a large multifunctional sports gym and multifunctional sports grounds. A playground measuring 2020 m2 was finalized and commissioned on 19 October 2020. The grounds provide space for outdoor activities and sports and are surrounded by large green fields.

Academic Facilities
The campus houses science labs, design technology rooms, a language center, a media center, and a learning support center. Classrooms are equipped with digital projectors and other technology. ISL has 3D and laser printers and robotics kits.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The ISL Summer Program offers language, arts, drama, sports, hands-on activities and field trips. The program runs 8:30 am to 4:00 pm and is taught on ISL's spacious, modern campus by certified instructors, with weekly field trips and catered meals. ISL has Student Councils in Elementary, Middle, and High School. In 2026, ISL Summer Program runs weekly themes including Traveling the World Through Taste and Wonders of the Woods.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
ISL offers the International Baccalaureate continuum: Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. The school has more than 400 students from over 45 nationalities. The average class size is 18 students. All ISL graduates receive a four-year college acceptance.

Arts & Creative
ISL offers an integrated curriculum that includes academics, athletics, arts, exciting afterschool activities and a summer camp programme. The Summer Program includes Language, Arts, Drama, Sports, hands-on activities and field trips. Through these offerings, students have opportunities for creative expression.

Cultural & Language
English is the language of instruction for ISL's education from preschool through grade 12. The school hosts students from more than 45 nationalities. The IB programmes are offered for students from early years through high school.

Social & Hobbies
ISL features exciting afterschool activities as part of its student life. The Summer Program includes Language, Arts, Drama and Sports, with hands-on activities and field trips. Student Councils operate for Elementary, Middle, and High School.

Community & Service
The ISL Association organizes and participates in public events and charity activities. Charity events support education, culture, science, and sport. Conferences, debates, and seminars on educational and pedagogical topics are organized as part of the Association's work.

Leadership & Professional
ISL provides College Counseling to help students find universities after graduation. Student Councils operate at the Elementary, Middle, and High School levels. The school employs educators from many countries, contributing to a diverse faculty.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The Cafeteria offers hot lunches with vegetarian and vegan options and follows government guidelines on nutrition. The Health Services department maintains a Nurse's Office on site with trained staff for medical needs. The Bus Service provides safe and reliable transportation. Afterschool activities and sports support student wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
The school uses English as the language of instruction and celebrates mother languages. An English as an Additional Language (EAL) program is provided for students who need English language support. Foreign language instruction includes French and German for Grades 4–10, and Latvian for Kindergarten through Grade 3. A Latvian and Russian Mother Tongue Program is offered for PreK 3 through Grade 3.
Reputation

Awards
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Accreditations
The International School of Latvia (ISL) is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). ISL's last joint accreditation visit was in 2018, and ISL is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). ISL is a full member of the Central and Eastern European Schools Association (CEESA).
Admissions

Admissions
1. Contact the ISL Admissions Coordinator. The school provides information by telephone or email. Admissions are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
2. Sign up for the school tour. Tours are arranged after you fill out the VISIT ISL SIGN UP FORM, and the school learns more about your family's needs. A personalized 1:1 meeting with the admissions coordinator will be arranged to discuss your questions and to discover more about the school's educational offer.
3. Submit Application. The school requires the completed online Application Form; a copy of recent school report cards translated into English (last 3 years); reference forms: English Teacher and Principal, Counselor or Main teacher; a copy of your child's passport and birth certificate; a copy of the parents' passports; on the last step pay a non-refundable admission fee of 50 EUR.
4. Application Review. The Admissions Committee will review each fully completed application (usually 5-10 business days) and you will be notified of the decision as soon as possible. The applicant may be invited for an English language test (if applicable) and/or an onsite interview if needed.
5. Enrollment. If admitted and space is available, you will receive an Enrollment Contract which, upon return, confirms enrollment. An invoice will be issued and the admissions officer will provide information about the first day of school.

Scholarships
ISL has a thriving scholarship program that provides educational opportunities to students from Latvia. Over 10 years, 18 scholarship recipients have graduated from ISL, with graduates attending universities such as the University of Edinburgh, NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU Shanghai, and more. ISL will continue to offer scholarships to enter Grade 10 for two students each year—one primarily reserved for a Mārupe region Secondary School student and a second for a student from any other school in Latvia.
Funding provided: Full tuition fees until graduation. The scholarship is reviewed if academic performance, attendance, behavior or other concerns arise.
Application / Process Timeline (2026): Applications open in mid January 2026; February 26, 2026 – Scholarship Presentation; March 20, 2026 – deadline for fully completed applications (including report cards for last 2 years, the current year, and 2 confidential reference forms); March 31, 2026 – English and Math testing; April 22-23, 2026 – Applicant Interviews; April 30, 2026 – Parent Interviews; May 6-11, 2026 – Final decision.
Who can apply: Internationally-minded, academically driven 9th grade students who are Latvian citizens and have attended a Latvian state/public school for the last three years.
How to apply: All scholarship applicants submit via the Open Apply system. In the application, include “Application for Scholarship.” The form requires applicant and parent details, report cards for the last 2 years, current year, and 2 reference forms from the current school's principal/director and the student's English teacher. This information remains confidential within the Scholarship Committee. A 50 EUR application fee applies, which is refunded to all after the scholarship process finishes.
Scholarship student profile: The school seeks a strong fit with ISL and the IB program, willingness to engage in community activities, maturity and enthusiasm, strong academics with English proficiency, consistent attendance, involvement outside the classroom, positive behavior, commitment to ISL from enrollment to graduation, and parental support for the ISL mission and values.

Waitlist
Wait lists exist for some grades as the school is near full capacity. The school accepts applications throughout the year. If a class is full, your application will be placed on a wait list and you will be periodically informed about the status. If space becomes available, ISL enrolls students throughout the year.
School Events
The school has not added events
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