Overseas School of Colombo

325, Pannipitiya Road, Battaramulla, Pelawatte, P.O. Box 9, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka.

Primary School (Early Years to Grade 5) and Secondary School (Grade 6 to Grade 12). The IB continuum is offered: Primary Years Programme (EY to Grade 5), Middle Years Programme (Grade 6 to 10), and Diploma Programme (Grade 11 to 12).

Non-profit, co-educational, English-medium day school; Pre-K to 12.

311 students; 40 nationalities represented.

Mild Special Education Needs are provided for from Pre-School to Grade 8; support for learners with disabilities in Grades 9-12 is limited. English Language Development (EAL) is available across Primary and Middle School with limited support thereafter.

School year starts in August; the year comprises two semesters: August–December and January–June. The schedule runs 40 weeks (180 days). The Secondary day includes four 75-minute blocks on a six-day cycle.

OSC offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Early Years to Grade 5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6 to 10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11 to 12. OSC administers all three IB programmes; the PYP emphasises inquiry, international-mindedness and the IB Learner Profile, with students taking ownership of their learning. The MYP uses eight subject groups and global contexts to connect learning across disciplines and develops Approaches to Learning (ATL). The DP requires Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay, and includes CAS; Diploma candidates undertake the Extended Essay. Self-taught mother-tongue language and online Pamoja courses are offered. OSC is English-medium and serves Pre-K to 12, with a diverse international student body, and is the only IB World School in Sri Lanka.

Teacher to student ratio is 1:6.

IB Diploma results 2020-2024 show OSC averages of 33 (2020), 35 (2021), 33 (2022), 35 (2023) and 33 (2024); highest points range from 41 to 45 across those years; OSC pass rates ranged from 92% to 100% in 2020-2024. In 2025, OSC Diploma results show an average of 30.4 points, a highest score of 41, and a pass rate of 81.5%.

Graduates have progressed to universities in the UK, USA, Canada and beyond, including University of Oxford, New York University London, University College London, McGill University, University of California Berkeley, University of Melbourne, University of Edinburgh and University of Toronto, among others.

OSC supports social and emotional development through a structured counseling program in both Primary and Secondary. In Primary School, prevention is the focus, ensuring all students are safe, happy, and supported, with counselors delivering individual and group programs and a comprehensive social and emotional curriculum. The Primary School counselor provides classroom guidance and consults with parents and teachers to support students. In Secondary School, counseling offers social-emotional support and guidance for college applications, with one-on-one and group sessions and classroom lessons on topics including mental health awareness and safeguarding. OSC is committed to the wellbeing of every student and views this support as essential to success inside and beyond the classroom.

OSC provides Learning Support for students with mild learning differences. Services are offered by specialist teachers within the Primary and Secondary schools, using an inclusion model. Some students may receive one-to-one instruction outside of regular classrooms depending on need. OSC does not undertake to provide for all specialized educational needs or for all types of learning differences. Admission requires disclosure of the child's educational needs, and failure to disclose may result in withdrawal. If, during the year, an educational or emotional assessment is needed to support the child's learning or wellbeing, parents are required to cooperate.

English is the language of instruction at OSC, and an English as an Additional Language (EAL) program is maintained. In Primary School, EAL provides ongoing support as proficiency develops, with individualized instruction to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills; as proficiency increases, confidence and independence grow; a Student Learning Plan is developed in consultation with teachers, parents, and the student. For Early Years and Kindergarten, English immersion is recommended. In Secondary School, EAL aims to build language proficiency and provide equitable access to the MYP curriculum for English language learners; entry, exit, and level of support are determined by proficiency assessments, achievement testing, and teacher observation; proficiency is assessed using the WIDA MODEL and MAP reading data; exit occurs when proficiency allows the student to work in English medium classes.

OSC prioritizes student mental wellbeing through a counseling program available in both Primary and Secondary. Primary counseling focuses on prevention and ensuring students are safe, happy, and supported, with a social-emotional curriculum and classroom guidance, in addition to individual and group counseling and consultation with parents or teachers. Secondary counseling provides social-emotional support and the knowledge and skills students need for the college counseling process, with one-on-one sessions, group sessions, and classroom lessons covering topics from mental health awareness to safeguarding. OSC is committed to supporting the wellbeing of each student inside and beyond the classroom.

OSC aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Task Force on Child Protection (ITFCP) safeguarding standards and expects all individuals affiliated with the school to act with integrity and to keep students safe. Applicants must undergo thorough background checks, including police clearance every two years and reference checks. OSC strives to be a Child Safe Organisation, aware of signs and dangers of child abuse, and able to respond and report concerns regarding student safety and wellbeing. Reporting a concern is done by speaking with the Head of School, Principals, or Counselors, or by emailing the child protection officer.

1. The Overseas School of Colombo is the only fully authorised IB World School in Sri Lanka and offers the International Baccalaureate continuum from Early Years through the IB Diploma; the school hosts students from more than 40 nationalities. Learning here is aimed at preparing students for life, with an emphasis on global citizenship and an inquiry-based approach that challenges, supports, and values each student. 2. 3. Making an online application is the next step and is completed via osc.lk; all required documentation must be received before the school can process the application; submission of an application does not guarantee admission; eligibility is reviewed based on the documentation provided, and special education needs should be communicated early. 4. Submit the required documentation after completing the online application; documents are uploaded as PDFs and a checklist is available in the online account; typical documents include copies of the last two school reports (with English translation if not in English), a completed OSC medical form, a general or confidential recommendation depending on the grade, an official transcript for higher grades, records for any special services with relevant testing, a copy of the student's passport, and passport-sized photographs. 5. Submit the application and pay the US$250 non‑refundable application fee; once the fees are paid and enrolment papers are received, the school will consider the application active and may confirm a place or place the application on the waiting list. 6. The application is reviewed by the Sectional Principal and followed by an interview; parents will be notified of the decision by email within 48 hours of the decision. 7. The school maintains waiting lists; when there are more qualified applicants than available places, applicants are placed on the waiting list and contacted when a place becomes available. 8. The Admissions Office notes that the school follows rolling admissions for semester 1 (August) enrollment, beginning applications in February of the same year, and may admit qualified students on a rolling basis for mid-year (January) enrollment; processing for second semester or January enrollment begins in October.

The Financial Assistance Programme provides tuition support to families in need for a limited period due to changes in financial circumstances, while maintaining the diversity of the student population; the program is meant to be used as a last resort and is not a substitute for the family's responsibility to pay tuition. Eligibility, priorities, and the application journey are defined in the Financial Assistance Programme policy, which was approved on August 8, 2023; a brochure with an overview of eligibility, the process, and required documents is available.

Yes. The school maintains waiting lists; when there are more qualified applications than currently available places, applicants are placed on a waiting list and parents are contacted as soon as a place becomes available.